I'm considering a spring break trip to the broken bow area. Can anyone recommend a guide that you would trust? I'd be open to either Fly fishing for me and my oldest son below the dam, or family Fishing Trip on the lake.

If fishing for bass I would highly recommend Mike Newman if he is still guiding. We went back in 2020 & had a great time.

Trout I can't help you with but Bryce Archey who is a guide at one of the lodges could point you in the right direction.

Bryce's website: http://www.brokenbowlakeguide.com/

Bryce can also get you Mike's contact information.

Cupo. Reach out to 87Flyfisher. He maybe can help you.

For fly fishing the only guide service I recommend is https://www.beaversbendflyshop.com

Note that this is not the same as Beavers Bend Fly Fishing Guide Service.

Also be aware that when my wife and I were guiding there; we refused to do trips during spring break because the heavy crowds and shenanigans made it impossible to do a quality trip at that time. It has only gotten more crowded since then.

Thanks for the info, I really appreciate it. I'll get in contact and see what they think.
And I do appreciate the advice about it being a zoo. It's been 17 years since I was there last (wife and I went as newlyweds). But I can't really change the dates if I want to go with the family. Would it be worth it to ask them about their private water options? Or, do you think it might be more worth it to look South toward the Guadalupe? Or is it all just gonna be a frickin zoo in mid-March?

Appreciate the advice.

Their private water is for bass. there isn't any private water for trout there. But it might be an option.

If fishing is the main focus for spring break then you may want to look at a lake trip if you are going to Beavers Bend/Hochatown or be willing to start early, make the best of it and just shake your head when some knucklehead has his kids start throwing powerbait (or rocks) right in the spot you are fishing.

The area is really pretty, and the trout fishing can be good but it is severely overbuilt with rental cabins so everything from river access, to hiking trails and restaurants get too crowded on weekends and holidays.

It is pretty common on Sunday mornings to be bumper to bumper for 10-12 miles from Hochatown through Broken Bow as all of the Texans head home.
It is estimated that over 60,000 tourists are there on peak holidays. But it is a shorter drive from DFW than any other option.

The Guadalupe will be crowded but has more fishable water and most guides use a raft so there are more options to get away from the herd.

The Mountain Home, AR area ( where I live now) has over 100 miles of some of the best trout fishing in the country on the White and Norfork Rivers and the Little Red River has 29 miles about 1.5 hours south. If you have someone under 16 then Dry Run Creek at the base of the Norfork Dam offers the largest average size and most trout per mile in the world. But it is 8 hours drive from DFW.

so the guide left his wallet and cash in the car in a area known for thefts...

maybe not the brightest bulb. leave pistol at home...

My goofy BIL left his door open, wallet, gym bag( with his pistol in it ) and keys in his car. Get this…..he put his pistol inside his socks along with his Nike's and sweaty pants and sweat shirt.
The car was stolen but recovered three days later in a ditch all tore up. The cops found his gym bag about a block from his house thrown out. His pistol was still in his stinky sock….sweat shirt and pants still in the bag but Nikes were gone. Thief's as dumb as my BIL.

That was a great laugh! Honestly your BIL was so stupid he was a genius. Or maybe I'm the stupid one?? I just don't know after than one....

Be safe out there everyone!