Girl vs. Wild NewsOK.com Blogging Community

This past weekend I attended Mark Patton’s fly fishing school on the Illinois river. It was amazing. Mark and his crew made everything regarding fly fishing absolutely understandable and exciting. I had been fly fishing for a few years now, but was still blown away by all that I did not know prior to this class. We started the day with an early rise and shine of in class sessions. We covered fly gear, knot tying, working the water, and fly to leader ratios. I loved the science behind it all. I now can tie knots like a ninja.

After lunch we headed to the MarVal resort area and had a hands on casting session and then took our casting to the river. The instructors were great. I had some of the best casting instruction I have ever received and really feel like I can cast with finesse now. Casting truly decides if you will catch or not catch. Fish are skidish so if your cast doesn’t hit just right you have no chance at a strike. The weather was perfect sunny with a light breeze and I waded in for a little river action.

I can say with a the biggest grin of excitement Mark Patton’s fly fishing school in the best around.

Girl vs. Wild,

Jacquelyn Farris

I am headed to lake Tenkiller to do some fishing. I am not a worm and bobber fisher, but a fly fisher. Don't get me wrong, a good worm and bobber off a pond dock brings back memories of my childhood in Maud, OK. I spent many a weekend fishing on what was called the Duck Pond with my little tackle box and Snoopy pole to match. Those were sunny days on the ranch dangling my red cowboy boots over the edge. My Dad and I fishing is one of the greatest memories I have.

But with age, a ripe 26, I have passed on the Snoopy pole and am in the calm waters of fly fishing. I remember my first fish caught. I was behind my house in South Fork, Colorado on the Rio Grande. It was early August, and the river was perfect. I could see the fish rising all around me. Waste deep I had been casting for awhile and finally tracked one straight to a strike. I hooked that brown and was pulling him in. Beyond excited I wished badly for someone to see it was true. I had finally hooked a fish all by myself. No one around I ran up river to fetch my camera from the house while the fish flopped on the bank. I get back slipping twice in the mud, grab the fish and try to snap a photo. At the very second I push the shutter he swan dives out of my grasp.To this day my friends tease and joke that it never really did happen. I swear that fish was mine. That is no fish tale.

Girl vs. Wild,

Jacquelyn Farris

The grass is not always greener on the other side. In fact, I would say 9 out 10 times it isn’t. The same goes for this great state.

Oklahoma is A OK. In fact it’s far better that just OK. This past weekend I went on a winter camping trip in the Wichita Wildlife Refuge. I grabbed a few friends and we hit the road.

Driving west on 44 we start chatting and laughing of good times, and dreaming up grand plans for the future. All of a sudden it hits me. I am in Oklahoma, and am having a great time. That’s right, I like it here. I live in this great state and look at all these amazing places I have at my fingertips. I have the best of both worlds!

Monday through Friday I have a great job that allows me to be creative and push my limits. I get to run through the city and take it all in. Local hot spots, live music, and eclectic food. As soon as Friday breaks I am ready for an escape. I pack fast and within an hour I am in the great outdoors. Far from the fast world, traffic and electricity, into experiencing the pleasures of what life is really all about.

Now I know what you’re thinking, because I have heard it a thousand times. If I could only live in Colorado or Utah, life would be perfect. I know from experience what you’re thinking because I lived in Colorado for 3 years. I ran through the mountains and loved every bit of it. But there was something missing for me. Family, success, and drive.

Well, I ask you this. Have you thought about what it is you want from those places?

If it’s mountains, hiking, clean trails, fresh streams and rivers, climbing great rocks, setting new routes, kayaking, or deep valleys. We have it all here. Just open your eyes!!! Oklahoma better than A OK!

Girl vs. Wild,

Jacquelyn Farris

CLICK ON THE PHOTO FOR MORE PHOTOS FROM MY ADVENTURES

Yesterday I was desperately seeking an adventure. Any adventure. I needed to just explore, climb, conquer. I came up short though, and with the past holiday I went to the dreaded mall with my dear Mom. Brave women she is, with no fear wheeling through the massive crowds. Like Alaskan salmon swimming upstream after the prize.

With Alaskan salmon the prize is mating. There flesh tears fighting upstream, and the rough waters pool with blood all in search of love. These crazy people were merely after sweaters, socks, and of course Uggs. It became a game braving the crowds and I soon realized pushing and shoving was the norm, and not entirely frowned upon. I also was quick to learn that being small was great. On a tall day I am 5”3 and am a feisty spitfire with defeat a foreign word. These crowds became my icy waters and even though I wasn’t fighting upstream for an amazing love I still needed to keep my mind in the game.

Distractions were everywhere, and I curse the cart vendors waving lotion in my face. Did I look like I need lotion? Couldn’t they see I was on a mission?It was a jungle out there and I was off and not to be messed with. Starting at the north end of the mall and headed to the far southeast corner I hit traffic jams and bottle necks, but no worries I was a force to be reckoned with. I made it to my store, and my goal half met!

You should know that in the stores it’s far worse. Keep your elbows up in fighting ready. You’re most likely to encounter issues in the stores and some ladies get rough. Scary stuff. I saw the prize and headed straight for it and made sure to not miss a step. Out of the corner of my fierce eye I saw another girl headed straight there. Oh man I better get a move on. Don’t worry, I beat her there and got the last classy and sassy black dress. Score 1 for the fierce, 0 for the opponent. After 45 minutes of searching, finding, buying my mission was complete and I was home free. Successful with the mall and it’s animals conquered!!!! Good Luck…

Side note: On any day rain or shine I will trade just about anything to be outside finding adventures and fun. However sometimes society requires us to play inside. Don’t worry I will never trade the great outdoors for a stroll in the mall.

Before the next Christmas carol turns you into the Grinch, hit the stream. This is something you will regret not doing when you are up to your eyeballs in wrapping paper. I know lives are busy and swept up in the frenzy of last-minute Christmas shopping, but take a day.

I took the load off your shoulders and did the leg work for you. All you have to do is pack the car and hit the river. That’s right winter fishing.

Get your road map out and circle the Mountain Fork river. This amazing Oklahoma river has some of the best fishing in the state and not a lot of people know you can fish in the December. Put on your winter waders and wade in.

Located in the Ouachita Mountains in southeastern Oklahoma north of Broken Bow this river is stocked with Rainbows and Browns with an average size of 9 - 12 inches, but take note that if you fish downstream of the park: The fish are bigger and the water is wider. That’s a good thing!

I know some of you are still caught on the fact I said fishing and winter in the same sentence. You can do it I swear. Make sure though you are wearing good waders with thermals on underneath. I am a big fan of the Patagonia Capolene line. Head to Backwoods on N. May Ave. in OKC. The Backwoods staff knows how to layer you up right.

Practice the buddy system. Be sure to let someone know where you are headed. Very few people frequent the Ouachitas in the winter and you would hate to be hurt or lost with not a soul looking for you. With that said, why not take a friend and you can show off your fishing prowess?

Here are last-minute closing notes if you are looking to fish amazing Oklahoma waters. Maybe even try out the new rod Santa brought you. Head to the Ouachita Mountains and fish the Mountain Fork River. With 12 miles of tail-water it is sure to not disappoint. If that didn’t get you, a 2-pound fish is not uncommon!