Stripers biting on Texoma
Steve Barnes, a fishing guide on Lake Texoma who operates out of Denison, Texas, reports the fall striper bite is already underway on Lake Texoma.
“The Lake Texoma fishing is back on track for this fall,” Barnes said. “We have been catching limits of decent size fish in the mornings and afternoons but the afternoons have been producing more bigger fish. No skinny fish like last fall.
“Most fish have been caught on river ledges in 30 to 40 feet of water with live shad and some topwater action early. The lake has early turned over (about three weeks early) so the fall bite has started early.
“The quality of the fish is much better than it was last year so I will mostly fishing the lake this fall but will probably still fish a few river trips. River fishing has been up and down. Some days you catch nice fish and other days they are small, but it should improve as the water cools.”
To book a trip with Barnes, visit www.txfishingguide.com
Two Okies in WBT Championship, Lake Fork has big bounty, and more
Two Oklahoma anglers have qualified for the Women’s Bassmaster Tour to be held Oct. 23-25 on Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Ark.
Sheri Glasgow of Muskogee, last year’s Angler of the Year on the Women’s Bassmaster Tour, finished fifth in the season points standing to qualify in the pro division.
Denese Freeman of Lawton, finished 17th in the co-angler points race to qualify for the event. The top 20 pros and co-anglers qualify.
Lake Fork, the famous big bass lake in east Texas, will have a 7-month long bass tournament beginning Oct. 1.
The tournament is open to all anglers who pay the $20 entry fee. If you catch a largemouth bass during that time that is one of the top 50 in Texas, you will win $10,000.
If you beat Texas’ 10th largest bass, you win $20,000. If you catch a state record, you win $50,000. And if you beat the world record with a Lake Fork bass, you win $100,000.
For complete details and rules of the Lake Fork Bounty Bonanza, visit www.lakeforkbountybonanza.com.
Backyard Bassin’ has set its fall-winter tournament dates. Nov. 2 at Lake Murray (north unloading ramp); Nove. 30 at Lake Texoma (Catfish Bay); Dec. 14 at Arbuckle (Guy Sandy Ramp); Dec. 28 at Lake Texoma (Catfish Bay); Championship, Jan. 25 at Arbuckle (Guy Sandy Ramp).
For more information call Vernon Ritter at (580) 220-8138 or email vernon@backyardbassin.com or visit www.backyardbassin.com.
The Oklahoma Fur Bearers Alliance will hold its 2008 fall convention Oct. 18 at the VFW hall on the northeast side of McAlester. For more information, call John Weygandt at (918) 645-5667.
Wildlife Expo coming up
If you are not an outdoorsman but think you might want to be, visit the Oklahoma Wildlife Expo this weekend at the Lazy E Arena and you can get a taste of it.
It’s a great event for kids and novices, although expect it to be crowded. With great weather in the forecast, I would expect it to be a busy weekend on the grounds of the Lazy E Arena, near Guthrie, where the Expo is being held.
The event is free, which also makes it a big draw. You can win stuff and even sample vittles such as buffalo chili, venison jerky and fried catfish.
Visitors to the Expo get to try a variety of outdoor activies. You can fish for catfish in a pond, shoot a shotgun and a bow, ride a mountain bike, build a blue bird house, paddle around on an indoor pond in a kayak, learn about camping, etc., etc.
The Expo is put on by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. State wildlife officials originally didn’t allow private vendors at the Expo, but so many people wanted to buy stuff they have added an Outdoor Marketplace so visitors can shop.
The Expo will be Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the Lazy E Arena and on the grounds. The hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.
Friday might the best day to avoid the crowds, although several schools in the state are taking field trips to the Expo that day and 4,000 kids are expected.
Wakeboarding at the Oklahoma River
The Oklahoma River is hosting a very unique event this weekend: The World Wakeboarding Championships.
There will be wakeboarding and wakeskating beginning at 9 a.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The pro division finals are on Sunday which should make for some impressive acrobatics on the water.
Nearly 200 wakeboarders and wakeskaters from a dozen countries are competing on the Oklahoma River.
Wakeboarders are judged on the overall composition and the execution and variety of tricks and aerial stunts. On the river, there will be rails and ramps the riders will use to perform tricks while maneuvering at a speed of 25 mph.
Two judges ride along in the tow boat while three other judges watch from the shore and judge’s tower. A wakeboarder can earn as much as 100 points for each ride.
There also is a division for wakeskating, which is performed on a smaller board. The riders also are not binded in like they are when wakeboarding.
There are 16 separate divisions based on age, gender and skill level. Two pros are trying to make history.
Florida’s Dallas Friday, 21, the most decorated female wakeboarder in the world, is seeking a record-tying fourth championship on the women’s side.
Florida’s Philip Soven, 19, is seeking his third title in four years in the men’s pro division. A third crown would tie a pro wakeboarding record.
: There are three Oklahomans competing as amateurs, including 16-year-old Taylor Kress of Edmond who is in the junior men’s division.
The junior men’s division is like the minor league or college varsity equivalent of pro wakeboarding and those athletes are next in line to go pro.
The pros in the men’s division are competing for a total purse of $33,000.
You can watch the competition at the old airpark, SW 17 and Western. There will be a carnival-like atmosphere on the river, with music and tents where people can buy wakeboards and accessories along with food and drink. Autograph sessions are scheduled each day.
Bring your lawn chair if you plan to stay long. Tickets for adults are $10 on Saturday and Sunday and $5 for children ages 6 to 12. Admission is free for ages 5 and younger.
On Friday, admission is free.
Nice flatheads
Proof that the catfishing is good on the North Canadian River, check out these nice flatheads that three Piedmont boys caught on a trot line last Friday night.
Dalton Haley and Blaine Culp, seventh graders at Piedmont, and Blaine’s little brother, Braden, were showing off these flatheads caught on a trot line using gold fish for bait.
The fish weighed between 10 and 20 pounds and made for some good eats at the OU football game party on Saturday hosted by the Haleys.
