Report Courtesy:
FLYWATER ANGLING ADVENTURES
Captain Steve Hollensed
Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide
FFF Master Certified Casting Instructor
903.546.6237
flywaterangling.com

Lake Texoma level is 618, near normal; Water temperature is 60 degrees; visibility is very good on lower lake and lower mid lake areas. Stained to very stained on upper ends. Both stripers and smallmouth are in great shape. Threadfin shad are very abundant and healthy. Recent rains have added several feet of freshwater.

All of this has combined to make for excellent fishing over the last few weeks. Both in terms of quality and quantity.

Two patterns have been prevalent.

One, is mid-lake flats holding large schools of schoolie sized fish (1-3 pounds). The depth range has been from about 10 ft. to 22 ft. Sometimes shallower. These fish are relating to schools of shad and/or shad spawning activity on the bank. This pattern has been producing large numbers of fish and is best fished with an integrated shooting head. 7 weight fast action rods with a 300 grain integrated shooting head are perfect for this fishing.

The second pattern involves rocky banks, rocky points, and flat shelves in about 10 to 15 ft of water that lead to the rocky points. This pattern has produced good numbers of quality, fat fish in the 4-11 pound range. Orvis Streamer Stripper lines rigged on 7-8 weight rods work well for this as many of these fish are coming up in the water column. When they are not higher in the water column we have been using the Orvis Depth Charge lines in 300 to 350 grains with much success.

Occasionally you will have some topwater action with both patterns so it does not hurt to have a floater rigged with popping bugs. Topwater action should just get stronger over the next few weeks.

Over the last week or so the smallmouth have really turned on as well. Most are post spawn and shallow…about 2-5 ft.

This a a great time to fly fish Lake Texoma!

NOTE – Thank you for that report Captain Hollensed. I have no choice but to see how the advice works out this week, so stay tuned.

FROM STEVE HOLLENSED –

FLYWATER ANGLING ADVENTURES
Captain Steve Hollensed
Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide
FFF Master Certified Casting Instructor
903.546.6237
flywaterangling.com

I still have a few slots open for the trip to the Blue Damsel Lodge for the Spring Skwala hatch. Everything looks to be setting up as perfect as last year.

Keith Radabaugh of the Blue Damsel lodge reports…”Everything is on track for just the right amount of prerunoff increased flow and a good skwala hatch”.

John Herzer of Blackfoot River Outfitters reports…”This winter has been generally mild with more sun than normal. Snow pack is around average for this time of year but the low elevation snow pack that potentially effects spring fishing is minimal. That bodes well for the skwala season. Likely low clear water and folks are already seeing plenty of skwala nymphs along the banks. Things are shaping up perfectly for a great spring season.”

The Skwala hatch is THE time for big fish on dry flies in Montana. In fact, this year’s Orvis Guide Rendezvous is scheduled for Missoula, April 13-15. Is this coincidence? Absolutely not.
TRIP DESCRIPTION

Looking for something different in your fly fishing next year? Something located in the US without international travel concerns?

How about an Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Lodge with an impeccable reputation located right in the middle of Montana’s fabled trout country?

How about going during a pre-runoff period before snowmelt stains and swells the rivers and before crowds begin to pressure fish?

How about going during a time when big stoneflies and big mayflies will be hatching and producing exciting dry fly fishing?

Then come with me on a return trip to Blue Damsel Lodge near Missoula, Montana on April 9-13, 2012.

THE FISHING

The timing, location and lodge combine to make this a very special trip.

Located right in the heart of some of the best trout country anywhere, the Blue Damsel Lodge has easy access to the Bitterroot, Blackfoot, and Clark’s Fork Rivers. The lodge is located on Rock Creek, another legendary river.

The best fish of the year are usually caught during this time…this is big fish time in Montana. The water is pre-runoff; clear with easy wading and floating. The rivers will be uncrowded and unpressured. This is also the combined peak for the Skwala (big stoneflies), gray drakes (big mayflies) hatches as well as caddis hatches . Dry fly fishing is the expectation with 4x to 1x tippet.

Of course, these are wild fish in wild habitats…mostly bows, westslope cutts, and browns, but also cutt-bows, bulls, and brookies.

THE LODGE

The Blue Damsel Lodge has been described as “both elegant and comfortable, western and luxurious”. It is composed of a three story structure plus one stand alone cabin. It was built by a dedicated craftsman and his artist wife; requiring over three years to complete. The lodge is replete with wildlife artistry that is an integral part of the lodge.

The main level contains a gourmet kitchen, bar, dinning room, and sitting area warmed by a majestic fireplace. All the comforts of home, including wireless internet, are available at the lodge.

Outside the lodge you will find decks, a mudroom, an Orvis Pro Shop, horse shoe pit, fire pits, hiking trails, grills, and a casting pond!

Breakfast and dinner schedules are coordinated with the fishing. The meals are gourmet cuisine prepared by chefs. Appetizers are served at cocktail hour after the fishing.

TRAVEL

The travel part is easy. The Missoula Airport is serviced by American, Delta, and United. Once at the airport, courteous, professional drivers will take you to the lodge (about 45 minutes). These same drivers will also drive you to and from the fishing each day and back to the airport.

WEATHER

Normal temperatures for this time are about 30 degrees for a low and about 55 degrees for a high. (source: weatherundergound.com) Yes it can be cold, but this trip is for the more serious fly angler looking for excellent fishing with luxury lodging. In all probability, the mornings will be cold but midday and afternoons should be very comfortable.

PRICE

Price is $2500 per person. Trip is limited to the first 10 people.
Price Includes:
4 night stay at the lodge and 3 days of fishing.
Ground transportation from Missoula , Montana
Transportation to the fishing destinations
Guided float or wade fishing thru licensed Montana Outfitter
First class accommodations at the Blue Damsel Lodge
Hearty lodge breakfasts & gourmet dinners
Hot shore lunches or special pack lunches
Cocktail hour, appetizers, and refreshments at the lodge
Daily maid service
Casting and fishing instruction by licensed guides
Full use of our grounds and facilities

Not included in the price is airfare to Missoula, fishing licenses, pro shop purchases, unusual long distance, special drinks, applicable Montana accommodations tax and any staff and guide gratuities you feel appropriate.

As your host, I will assist you in every detail – before, during, and after the trip to ensure that your fly fishing experience is the best that it can be.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information, feel free to contact me or Keith Radabaugh at the lodge directly. Keith can be reached at 866.875.9909 or 406.825.3077. Also visit www.bluedamsel.com

Also, feel free to call and speak with the head guide John Herzer, of Blackfoot River Outfitters at 406.542.7411.

THANKS goes out to Steve Hollensed, for his detailed report on Lake Texoma.

Lake Texoma: about 6 ft. low; 64 degrees; Most of the lake has good to very good visibility; Fishing pressure and lake traffic is very low

Striper fishing remains excellent with fish very active, aggressively feeding, and working in multiple schools most of the day. Almost all areas of the lake are holding some fish, especially the mid and lower lake areas.

Currently, large schools of stripers are running in the deeper water of the main lake. The schools are usually about 30-40 ft thick, beginning at about 5-10 ft. from the surface. The better fish are coming from the deeper parts of the school; smaller schoolies from the top. These schools are moving very fast. Often, they are running across a point, along a bluff, or into a cove. When this happens, the depth finder “blacks out” with fish and the fishing goes up another notch.

Other schools at times are running on the mid-lake flats in about 10-25 ft. of water. Points and drop offs are good targets early and late in the mid lake areas.

In almost all cases fish are active under “working gulls”. This fall, the gulls are very abundant and very helpful in locating active schools of stripers.

Because most fish are running a little deeper now, your best chances come with fishing fast sinking lines. I like 350 or 400 grain Orvis Depth Charge lines on 9 weight rods.

Smallmouth Bass fishing has been excellent as well. Lots of bronzebacks can be found oriented near the shoreline on rocky points and rocky shorelines adjacent to deeper water.

This is a great time to fish all day and target both stripers and smallmouth. Because the water temps are in the mid 60′s we are seeing very active fish and because of the abundance of threadfin shad, both stripers and smallmouth are in excellent shape and fighting hard.

It has been a great fall season, and perhaps the best part is that it is not over yet. This fishing should continue for some time and we are having some of the best fishing of the season now.

If you would like to book a trip before hard winter sets in, then now is the time. I offer both half and full day trips. I also offer instructional guide trips with an emphasis placed on learning more about fly fishing for stripers, warmwater fly fishing, or just fly fishing in general.

FLYWATER ANGLING ADVENTURES
Captain Steve Hollensed
Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide
FFF Master Certified Casting Instructor
903.546.6237
flywaterangling.com