Catching a big trout on a fly: It’s on my bucket list
Glen Byrd of Norman caught this 22-inch rainbow trout at Spillway Creek on the Lower Mountain Fork River. Photo by Bob Williams of the Prairie Fly Fishers.
Some day, I hope to catch a rainbow like the one Glen Byrd of Norman did last month on the Lower Mountain Fork River in southeastern Oklahoma.
Bob Williams of the Prairie Fly Fishers in Oklahoma City took the photo and was kind enough to share it with me, immediately creating the urge to jump in my SUV (if it wasn’t still in the body shop thanks to last month’s baseball-size hail storm in Yukon) and take the four-hour trip to the state’s best fly fishing waters.
I am not a fly fisherman, yet. I’ve been fly fishing four or five times and lost a big Rio Grande brown one summer on a family vacation in Creede, Colo., because I didn’t know what I was doing. I tried to horse him too much. Even my guide was depressed because he knew it was a big fish.
However, my wife, knowing of my desire to become proficient with a fly rod before I die, cashed in bunch of her Cabela’s points and bought me a new fly rod and waders that are still in the box.
(I can no longer criticize her use of a credit card).
Why I want to be a fly fisherman so bad, I’m not sure. I’m certainly more comfortable with a spinning rod.
It’s probably because like Brian Ellis of the 89er Chapter of Trout Unlimited told me, “trout don’t live in ugly places.”
I suspect that line didn’t originate with Brian, but it was the first time I had heard it, so I give him the credit for such wisdom.
That’s certainly true on the Lower Mountain Fork River in McCurtain County, especially in the spring.
It’s a great place to visit whether the fish are biting or not. Plan a trip next month and work in both a turkey hunt and trout fishing.
As far as the fishing goes, it’s been great recently, as you might expect. Sean Baker of the Three Rivers Fly Shop provides this fishing report for the fly anglers.
“All colors of egg patterns (especailly chartreuse and dark red), san juan worms and March brown emerger pattern has been working really well at the top of Evening Hole.
“Small (size 20 and higher) Light Cahill have been working at Stump Hole for dries and Olive BH Scud patterns (size 16) for nymphs.
Finally the Miracle Nymph both sizes have been working great as have the various colors of Zebra Midges. Golden Stone Fly nymphs have been found in Spillway and by the Powerhouse, so make sure you have one or two of those with you.
“In Zone 2, be ready with the March Brown Dun & Emerger patterns. For you die hards, note that the CADDIS ARE HATCHING in Zone 2. If you’ve been holding off, now is the time to experience some fantastic dry fly fishing on the Lower Mountain Fork.
“On the Upper Mountain Fork, walleye, sand bass and smallmouth bass are moving upstream right now. The Narrows has been fishing really well. Take a chartreuse and a white Clouser for sure.”
I hope those waders of mine fit.
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Comments
Hi Ed
Thank you for including our fishing report on your blog. The day after I wrote that report, a friend of mine from Dallas was with me when I managed to hook and land a 20″ brown on a size 12 March Brown dun. Even though the wind was blowing rain sideways, it was a beautiful day on the river. Let me know when you feel like getting those new waders a little bit dirty.
I know one or two spots we might be able to get an entry crossed off of that bucket list of yours.
Sean
[...] are a few folks keen on catching a big trout on the fly – my only suggestion is that instead of putting that goal on a list of things to do before dying, why not try making a habit of it. Easier said than done, and probably a significant part of the [...]
Ed,
Don’t wait, or don’t start. Once you’ve waded into a trout stream and felt the rhythm of the perfect cast, seen the delicate take of one of the most beautiful fish that swims while surrounded by beautiful scenery, you will be forever addicted to flyfishing. So if you are going to start, start NOW because if you wait until you have almost completed your race, you’ll be so disappointed you didn’t start in your youth.
One more thing before you go, make sure to put your spinning and casting tackle in a good dry place after you’ve oiled everything up, because they will be lonely for a while. For the first 10 years after I took up serious flyfishing, my poor boat was so lonely I could hear it weeping in the garage, but I couldn’t get up from my fly tying desk. I think after 25 years I’ve reached a good balance but that’s mostly because it’s so far to trout fishing, but shhhhh don’t tell my boat!!!
Good advice, Bob. Being an outdoor writer, I sort of dabble in all of it and become a master of none of it. However, I have already waded into that trout stream you mentioned a few times and I want more. A couple of experienced fly fishermen told me that once I master a fly rod (if might be a better word), I will never want to use anything else. My fly fishing friend John Gifford even goes after big Lower Illinois stripers on a fly rod. Me, I would settle for a big rainbow or brown. At least for starters.
I can account for the caddis and March Browns hatching in Zone II Ed. A couple of weeks ago, it was fantastic. Caught several bows from 14-19″, and one 15″ brown. They were just tearing the water up. Flies everwhere. Gotta give it a try.
Also if you go to the Mountain Fork river try to shop at some of the mom and pop fly shops in the county and if you hire a guide get one who lives there in the county. That way you are helping the local economy.
My 2 cents.
Great Blog Ed.
I wish I would of contacted you sooner. I have put on the Oklahoma Fun Hunt and Picnic for the past 2 years. The event has been a big success and we hope to make even bigger in the coming years. I would love to have you there next year. Pointing dog Journal has an article online from the 2008 event. Check out the website at http://www.oklahomafunhunt.com
hope to see you there next year.
Kelly McGonigal