This river gave...and it took away.
A group of us set out for a 4 day kayak trip down the Devils River in late September 2021. We had heard incredible stories about the adventure found on the Devils - primarily the breathtaking landscapes and unbelievable fishing. We had to see for ourselves.
The Devis River in southwestern Texas is part of the Rio Grande drainage basin. It begins in northwest Sutton County and flows southwest for 94 miles into the Rio Grande near Del Rio, Texas.
The best part of this river for recreation and kayaking is a 40 miles stretch that runs from Bakers Crossing to the last drop off point at Lake Amistad. That was our course. We had 4 days to complete the journey on kayaks while enjoying some of the best fishing in the state of Texas.
To say this adventure took place in the middle of nowhere is no understatement. This river gets very remote, very rugged, and offers that peaceful serenity that comes along with the distance from civilization. There was no cell coverage for most of this trip so be prepared for that. The gear we loaded on our kayaks would be all we would have for the duration of the trip. Needless to say, we ran out of beer far too quickly.
The fishing is hands down the best part of navigating this river. The photos do not do the clarity of this water justice. It's crystal clear all the way. It feels like you're fishing in an aquarium. You see every fish, which made fishing pretty fun. You could clearly see what bait was working, and what wasn't. There is a wide array of fish that call the Devils River home, most prominently the Large and Smallmouth Bass.
This trip is one that we will surely never forget. It was incredibly beautiful terrain and while it had its moments of difficulties the experience was well worth it. As first timers on the river, we would not have had the amazing time we did without the help of our friend Tyler Coiner with Imagine That Outfitters. This guy knows the Devils River like the back of his hand which made our trip so much more enjoyable. If you are thinking about making a trip down the Devils River, you should definitely check out Tyler for guidance. He's the coolest dude on the river.
Last but not least, we have to give a shout out to the Devils River Conservancy for their incredible work to preserve this gem in Texas. They work tirelessly to keep the water crystal blue, the habitat natural, and the fish population plentiful. Thank you for your hard work.
Devils River, we will definitely be seeing you again soon.
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