Tag: oklahoma fishing report
Fly Fishing Report – North Texas and Oklahoma
Well, with the temperatures breaking records all over North Texas on Monday, is it any surprise that the bass were banging pretty hard in the shallows of Lake Kiowa, Texas? I also heard from the north side of Lake Ray Roberts and the same size largemouth bass were hitting there as well – about 2-3 year-olds. All the fish we caught on Kiowa were very healthy and a bit more frisky because the water is shallower and warmed up more quickly there. OF COURSE, the temperatures plunged that same night, and we went from record highs to below normal highs for yesterday and today.
OKLAHOMA REPORT FROM STATE OF OKLAHOMA
Lower Illinois: March 4. Elevation normal, water 45 and clear. Largemouth bass slow on crankbaits at 1-3 ft. along coves and bridges. White bass slow on jigs and spinnerbaits at 1-3 ft. at the mouth of the river. Striped bass slow on shad at 3 ft. at the mouth of the river. Channel catfish excellent on cut bait on bottom all along the river. Crappie slow on jigs and spinnerbaits at 1-3 ft. at the mouth of the river. Trout excellent fly fishing the surface, on rooster tails at 1-3 ft. and on Power Bait on bottom from the dam to Gore Landing. Note: some big trout are left over from the trout tournament. Report submitted by D. Tracy, Town of Gore.
Lower Illinois: March 5. Stocked 2,329 rainbow trout. The Corps of Engineers will be doing turbine inspections on Tenkiller Dam during March and April and the turbines will be out of use for 4-6 weeks. Report submitted by Josh Johnston, biologist stationed in the east central region.
Texoma: March 3. Elevation 6 ft. below normal, water 50 and clear. Largemouth and smallmouth bass fair to good on large crankbaits, plastic combination baits and spinnerbaits at 10-20 ft. around the river channel drop-offs. Striped and white bass fair to good on live bait, sassy shad and salt craws at 10-30 ft. from Burns Run to Caney Creek. Channel and blue catfish fair to good on live bait, stinkbait and cut shad at 10-30 ft. from Johnson Creek to Platter Flats. Crappie fair to good on minnows and jigs at 10-20 ft. in underwater brush and fish attractors. Report submitted by Danny Clubb, game warden stationed in Bryan County.
Arbuckle: March 2. Elevation 5 3/4 ft. below normal, water48 and clear in the main lake and stained in the feeder coves and upper end of creeks. Crappie slow around docks early morning; moving from deep water. White bass also on the move, some are in the upper creek arms, gulls and terns will sometimes show you where to fish. Bass slow on crankbaits in shad patterns, jigs, jerk baits and Alabama rigs. Report submitted by Jack Melton.
Blue River: March 5. Elevation normal, water 53 and clear. Trout good on rainbow, orange and yellow Power Bait, in-line spinnerbaits with hook dressing and gold spoons. Fly fishing good on egg patterns, green woolly bugger, caddis flies and midges around riffles and current in larger pools and below falls. Channel catfish good on stinkbait, chicken liver and minnows in larger pools around breaks in the current. Smallmouth and spotted bass fair on small crankbaits fished slowly in deeper pools around structure. Approximately 2,000 rainbow trout were stocked on March 5. Report submitted by Matt Gamble, biologist at the Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area.
Broken Bow: March 3. Elevation 9-10 ft. below normal, water 50. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass fair to good on jerk baits and crankbaits around structure and points. Walleye good on rogues, rattletraps and 5-inch twirl-tail grubs with 1/4 ounce jig heads in the upper end of the lake. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Eufaula: March 3. Elevation 3 1/2 ft. below normal, water clear in the east and murky in the west. Largemouth bass fair on jerk baits and plastic baits along rocky areas near the dam. Blue catfish fair on shad along the flats. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around docks with brush and around riprap areas. Report submitted by Ed Rodebush, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.
Hugo: March 3. Elevation normal. Crappie fair on minnows along the river channel. Catfish fair on trot lines baited with cut bait and live bait. Report submitted by Jay Harvey, game warden stationed in Choctaw and Bryan counties.
Lower Mountain Fork: March 3. Fishing has been great. In addition to midges and blue-winged olive mayflies, March Browns and tan caddis flies are beginning to take trout throughout the river. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Living Waters Fly Shop Fourth Anniversary Party Saturday
Chris and Emily at Living Waters Fly Shop.
Greetings Fellow Fly Fishers,
Time flies when you are having fun and it’s really hard to believe that the fly shop has been open for 4 years already! We are so grateful to all of our loyal customers – without your support we wouldn‘t be here! Thank you all so very much for helping us make Living Waters Fly Fishing a reality!
To celebrate our 4th Year Anniversary we have decided to throw a party this Saturday, June 23rd. This bash will be complete with customer appreciation sales, exciting new items, different clinics and a FREE BBQ lunch! Below is the event schedule (also posted on our website) so make sure that you come to all or as much of it as you can! We look forward to seeing you here for the big day! Take care and God Bless!
Many Thanks,
Living Waters Fly Fishing Team
John 7:38
EVENT SCHEDULE
9:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M.
Brushy Creek Stream-Side Entomology with Dakus Geeslin.
Dakus is an aquatic biologist for TCEQ, a skilled fly fisherman, and a great friend of the fly shop! His clinic will be extremely informative and will help you “match the hatch” the next time you are on the river! The clinic will be held on Brushy Creek at the intersection of Brushy Creek Rd. and Great Oaks Drive. Call the shop at (512) 828-FISH if you need additional info and/or directions.
11:30 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.
FREE BBQ Lunch at Living Waters Fly Fishing!
This is pretty much self explanatory. Eat BBQ, Tell Fish Stories, Use Napkin, Repeat.
1:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M.
Living Waters Fly Fishing Timeline
We will re-cap some of our past events, location changes/expansions, and good times as well and share about where we are headed in the future!
2:30 P.M. – 3:30 P.M.
Lower Mountain Fork River – Oklahoma’s Premiere Trout Fishery!
Many of our customers are aware of the Lower Mountain Fork but not all have fished this wonderful tailwater stream! The LMFR is really not all that far away and is a fantastic summertime destination for brown and rainbow trout! Living Waters Fly Fishing is now a licensed guide service in Oklahoma and we will be debuting our new all inclusive guided fly fishing trip packages at the clinic! Come find out more about this fabulous tailwater that is not too far from home!
4:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.
Fly Tying Demonstration: LWFF’s Top 6 Fly Patterns
Come learn how to tie what we consider to be our Top 6 in-store patterns! All six patterns were created here at Living Waters Fly Fishing by Chris Johnson and Matt Bennett and have more than proven themselves on our home waters and beyond!
Living Waters Fly Shop in Round Rock, Texas.
Oklahoma Fishing Reports
Hey, we can two step across the border from North Texas to Oklahoma anytime! I have been mulling over the idea of kayak fishing the Blue River in recent months, and the only thing I am wondering about is exactly where the report refers to when they talk of smallmouth bass. There are plenty of submerged boulders in the southern stretch, but the actual kayak-able water is minimal. It seems a kayak would be much more deadly on the northern stretch because it would reach a huge area of water that doesn’t get any pressure.
You also have to watch the Oklahoma version of Texoma reports as well. Texoma has, bu all reports, been on for a long time. Wave the smallmouth flag in my face, and you’ve got my full undivided attention. Stripers are pretty hard to chase in a kayak – been there done that, and got the muscle cramps to prove it.
From Oklahoma Wildlife Department –
Texoma: May 5. Elevation 1 ft. above normal, water 69 and murky far north and clear south. Largemouth and smallmouth bass good on crankbaits, spinner baits and plastic worms at 5-15 ft. from Catfish Bay to Little Glasses Creek. Striped and white bass good on live bait, sassy shad and deep diving lures at 15-25 ft. from Alberta Creek to the north. Channel and blue catfish good on worms, live bait and stinkbait at 10-20 ft. from Johnson Creek to the south. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 5-15 ft. around the fish attractors and underwater brush. Paddlefish fair to good below the dam while generating. Report submitted by Danny Clubb, game warden stationed in Bryan County.
Murray: May 7. Water 71. Largemouth and smallmouth bass good to excellent on various baits. White bass fair on minnows, jigs and trolling in the north end of the lake. Channel catfish good on stinkbait, worms and chicken liver. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 4-10 ft. around structure. Report submitted by Jeremy Brothers, game warden stationed in Carter County.
Lower Mt. Fork: May 6. Water mid-60s. Rainbows being caught on march browns in the red zone. Walleye, white bass and rainbows good on rooster tails and grubs near the power house. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Lower Illinois: May 7. Elevation normal, water 43 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on stinkbait and crankbaits at 1-2 ft. in coves, around docks and creek channels. White bass good on spinnerbaits and jigs at 1-3 ft. all along the river. Striped bass fair on jigs at 1-3 ft. at the mouth of the river. Striped bass hybrids slow on jigs at 1-3 ft. at the mouth of the river. Channel catfish excellent on cut bait on bottom all along the river. Crappie fair on spinnerbaits and jigs at 1-3 ft. all along the river. Trout excellent fly-fishing the surface, on rooster tails at 1-2 ft. and on Power Bait on bottom from Gore Landing to the dam. Report submitted by D. Tracy, Town of Gore.
Arbuckle: May 5. Elevation 1/2 ft. above normal, water clear to stained up creeks. On calm days expect to see algae on surface. Crappie being caught off docks early morning and good on chartreuse 1/16 ounce jigs off brush piles. White bass being caught on small crankbaits and roadrunners in a lot of the bigger coves and along the dam. Bass being caught on topwater early and on crankbaits, drop-shot rigs and shaky heads throughout the rest of the day. Report submitted by Jack Melton.
Blue River: May 7. Elevation normal, water 70 and clear. Channel catfish excellent on stinkbait, minnows and chicken liver in deeper holes around current and structure. Flathead catfish fair on live bait in deeper holes. Smallmouth, spotted and largemouth bass good on soft plastics and spinnerbaits around structure and rocks. Report submitted by Matt Gamble, biologist at the Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area.
Broken Bow: May 6. Elevation slightly above normal and dropping. Bass good on pink flukes around structure and shallows. White bass excellent on white and yellow rooster tails and on yellow and white smoke grubs with 1/4-ounce lead heads; they are running in the upper end of the lake, in Panther Creek and up streams. Channel catfish good on juglines and trotlines baited with cut bait and sunfish. Crappie fair to good on pumpkin seed and chartreuse tail grubs at 5-8 ft. in shallows. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Eufaula: May 6. Elevation 1/2 ft. above normal, water clear in the east and murky in the west. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits and spinnerbaits along rocky areas. White bass good on jigs below the dam when water running. Blue catfish good on shad and shrimp along rocky areas and shallow flats. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 4-10 ft. along riprap, bridges and standing timber. Report submitted by Ed Rodebush, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.
Hugo: May 6. Elevation normal. Crappie fair to good on minnows along the river channel and along drop-offs. Largemouth bass good on spinnerbaits and lizards around brush along creek channels. Blue catfish good on cut shad below the dam. Report submitted by Jay Harvey, game warden stationed in Choctaw and Bryan counties.
Oklahoma Fishing Highlights
We all know Texas has taken a hit when it comes to fishing this year, and it’s still not over. One of my sources who’s connected to Corpus Christi, Texas, said the red tide has kicked up on that part of the Texas Gulf Coast.
We had a little rain last weekend, but we’re still low, and wherever there is still water, it’s pretty nasty stuff.
With no further ado, let us head a little ways north, to Oklahoma, and see if Oklahoma is ok.
FROM OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION REPORTS
Lower Illinois: October 3. Elevation normal, water 44 and murky. Largemouth bass slow on crankbaits at 1 ft. in coves. White bass slow on jigs and spinnerbaits at 1-2 ft. in coves. Striped bass slow on live shad at 1-2 ft. in the mouth of the river. Channel catfish good on cut bait on bottom all along the river. Crappie slow on jigs and spinnerbaits at 1-2 ft. in coves. Trout good fly-fishing the surface, on rooster tails at 1-2 ft. and on Power Bait on bottom at the dam. Report submitted by D. Tracy, Town of Gore.
Texoma: October 2. Elevation 6 3/4 ft. below normal, water 80 and clear. Largemouth and smallmouth bass fair to good on surface lure, plastic combination baits and spinnerbaits at 5-15 ft. in the creeks and around the points. Striped and white bass fair to good on live bait, sassy shad and slabs at 10-15 ft. in the river channels and flats. Channel and blue catfish fair to good on live bait, worms, and stinkbait at 10-15 ft. from Platter Flats to the north. Crappie fair to good on minnows and jigs at 5-10 ft. in the upper creeks around brush and riprap. Sunfish good on worms, shrimp and small tube jigs at 5-10 ft. around the fish attractors and riprap. Report submitted by Danny Clubb, game warden stationed in Bryan County.
Arbuckle: October 1. Elevation 6 1/2 ft. below normal, water 73 and clear to stained in creeks. Bass being caught on square-billed crankbaits, spinnerbaits, finesse drop-shot and shakey head. White bass being caught on roadrunners, rattletraps and spoons when chasing shad. Crappie being caught on jigs at 32 ft. and on swim jigs at 6-12 ft. Channel catfish being caught on doughbaits near baited holes and on crankbaits in shallows. Sunfish being caught on poppers and fly-rods along shady banks at 6-8 ft. Report submitted by Jack Melton
Broken Bow: October 2. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass good on crankbaits around points, structure, mouths of creeks and ledges early and late. Catfish good on juglines and trotlines baited with cut bait. Crappie good on minnows and jigs around structure in the upper end of the lake. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Eufaula: October 2. Elevation 4 ft. below normal, water clear. Largemouth bass fair on plastic baits and crankbaits around deeper points and deeper rocky areas. Blue catfish good on fresh shad along the shallow flats. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 6-12 ft. under bridges and standing timber. Report submitted by Ed Rodebush, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.
Hugo: October 2. Elevation 3 1/2 ft. below normal, water 78. Catfish fair on juglines baited with cut bait. Crappie fair on minnows in creek channels. Report submitted by Jay Harvey, game warden stationed in Bryan and Choctaw counties.
The lake I am interested in is Murray, but there’s no report from there. Although their lakes are low, they are obviously getting more rain in Oklahoma than we are here in Texas.
Oklahoma Fishing Reports
FROM OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION Reports —
Trout stocking suspended at Lower Illinois River
Trout stocking at the Lower Illinois River near Gore has been suspended until water quality improves according to officials with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The trout fishery is supported by water released from Lake Tenkiller. The majority of that water is released for hydropower generation. However during non-generation hours the only water available to maintain suitable flows, oxygen levels and water temperatures has come from an allocation loaned to ODWC by Sequoyah Fuels Corp. That allocation has run out.
The Lower Illinois River is one of the only two year-round trout fisheries in the state and is managed by the Wildlife Department. While the long, dry summer of 2011 has contributed to poor water quality and insufficient water quantity, the underlying issue is that there is no permanent water allocation in Lake Tenkiller dedicated to the trout fishery. ODWC is pursuing possible solutions with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other users of water in Lake Tenkiller. Officials hope that trout stocking can resume once flows are restored and water quality improves.
SOUTHEAST
Arbuckle: September 17. Elevation 6 ft. below normal, water 73 in upper arms and 77 in main lake. Bass being caught on crankbaits, spinnerbaits and finesse worm rigs. White bass on grubs and rattletraps off points. Crappie good on blue/pearl jigs at 12-25 ft. Channel catfish being caught on doughbaits in Guy Sandy Creek. Sunfish good in shallows. Report submitted by Jack Melton.
Broken Bow: September 18. Elevation 7-8 ft. below normal, water high 80s to low 90s. Largemouth bass good on motor oil or black large plastic lures Texas or Carolina rigged around points in early morning, late evening and at night. Catfish fair on juglines and trotlines baited with cut bait early and late. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around structure. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Eufaula: September 18. Elevation 4 ft. below normal, water clear. Largemouth bass fair along rocks and deeper points. White bass fair on flats early and late. Blue catfish fair on shad drifting the deeper flats. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 10-18 ft. in standing timber. Report submitted by Ed Rodebush, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.
Konawa: September 19. Elevation 2 ft. below normal, water 80 and clear. Largemouth bass good on topwater lures and crankbaits at 5-10 ft. in coves and weed beds early and late. Report submitted by Daryl Howser, game warden stationed in Seminole County.
McGee Creek: September 18. Elevation 3 2/3 ft. below normal, water 80 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits and swim baits at 6-12 ft. and on topwater lures along the shorelines early and late. Crappie fair around cedar brush at 8-16 ft. just off of main creek channels. Report submitted by Larry Luman, game warden stationed in Atoka County.
Pine Creek: September 18. Elevation normal, water murky. Bass fair on spinnerbaits and soft plastic baits around the back end of creek channels. Crappie good on spoons around structure in deeper water. Catfish fair on trotlines baited with liver near creek channels. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Sardis: September 18. Elevation 2 1/2 ft. below normal, water 78. Largemouth bass good on swim baits, crankbaits and spinnerbaits early and late. Channel and blue catfish good on cut bait. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 12-14 ft. Walleye fair trolling. Report submitted by Dane Polk, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.
Wister: September 19. Elevation 1 1/2 ft. below normal, water murky. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits, spinnerbaits and topwater lures early and late. Catfish fair on juglines baited with cut shad and liver and excellent on night crawlers. Report submitted by Randy Fennell, game warden stationed in LeFlore County.
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