This round I recap Sunday's fishing trip to the Blue River in Oklahoma - specifically,
Do checkout the livestream, and do checkback for more Livestreams from the Team!
YouTube Shorts of a past fishing trip to Turner Falls Park in Oklahoma. That Season, they stocked trout above the Waterfall which made for interesting fishing as sections of the river were clobbered with brush and trees.
Luckily, I found a nice spot that offered excellent access and focused my efforts on finding the pattern. After a number of fishing fly changes and varying retrieves, I noted the trout preferred an Olive Near Deere fished with short pull retrieves and no strike indicator.
Also, the trout were readily striking but I missed a few until I began setting the hook as soon as I saw the trout "flash" in the water as it struck the fishing fly.
Fun trip, do give it a try. But, do check with the Park as stockings may be delayed or canceled contingent on water conditions.
Olive Near Deere Materials
Past trip to the Blue River fly fishing for trout. Used various flies including this one - the Producer! See full video at COAF Field Team
For several Winters the COAF Field Team focused on fishing local community lakes and ponds for Rainbow Trout. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department would publish its Winter Rainbow Trout Stocking Schedule the latter half of November each year. The Team reviewed the schedule and adjusted work/personal commitments to maximize their chances at fishing for the scrappy Trout.
These locations included Bethany Lakes in Allen, Towne Lake in McKinney, and the Commons Pond in Frisco. Of the three, Bethany Lakes typically received a stocking mid-December, and then stockings in Towne Lake and Commons Pond would follow the next year in mid/late February.
About four years ago, the Team decided to try fishing the Blue River in Oklahoma. They heard from others that the River was less than two hours away, was stocked weekly starting November through March the following year, and offered an excellent opportunity for larger Rainbow Trout compared to the little Stockers being released the Team's area.
The Team's first fishing trip to the Blue River was November 13, 2010. The Team caught Trout; moreover, they saw some Bruisers that went easily over five possibly ten pounds! As it turned out, a Trout Derby was in progress. In support of the Trout Derby, larger fish were included in the stocking.
Since then the Team has returned several times to fish the Blue River with good results each time. More important, when the Trout fishing bug strikes, they have discovered a day trip to the Blue makes for a good cure!
Planned to fish the Lower Illinois River in Oklahoma by the Power Plant. When we arrived, we noted the river was high and the current was strong. They were generating power, so we went to our backup plan… fishing for trout at a place we never been to before… Marval RV Resort.
Since it is further downriver, we hoped the current would be slower and wadeable. It was still flowing fast and wading would be a hazard other than protected areas near the bank.
No worries… learned a few things about the area, caught a fish or two as well as one trout by our Fishing Buddy.
Check out the video as we fish a new place by trial and error!
Answering the mail concerning one of Oklahoma’s fishing regulations that some may not be aware of… check out the video!
Related links:
In preparation for the approaching Trout Stocking Season, put a video together about three Oklahoma rivers – two that offer year round trout fishing and one seasonal fishery.
Do check it out; we also included some key items to be aware of in the the Trout Area Regulations and General Trout Regulations posted by Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation online at https://www.eregulations.com/oklahoma/fishing/trout-area-information.
May be useful to first timers thinking about fishing this Season!
Good Luck and Good Fishing!
PS: Added a bonus tip at the end that my be for interest to some!
Able to make it yesterday – Saturday – January 23, 2021 to Turner Falls Park for Rainbow Trout fishing. Was not able to fish the Park when they stocked Rainbow Trout late last year. No worries was there yesterday.
The trout are still there but were extremely “picky”. Tried different fishing flies including the Pat’s Rubber Leg, Near Deere, Megaworms, Mop Flies, Dry Flies, and Midges. After removing the strike indicator, had several take an Olive Near Deere managing only one trout and missing the other two.
Fishing buddy caught four on Powerworms fished with a split shot and near bottom. Water was clear and could see the trout react to different baits and fishing flies.
Was different than past trips… more vegetation clobbering the river made for tough fishing. Had to locate open areas and fish the pockets and holes. Also, there were more campers and fishermen than in past trips.
However, area was not crowded; trout were just “picky”!
PS: Also, learned barbless hooks were required; different than past seasons. And, did note the warning signs concerning wild hogs… definitely saw signs of them.
Here is a video to mark the start of the Oklahoma Trout Stocking Season – specifically, the Blue River which was stocked today with Rainbow Trout. Getting some questions from folks, so here is some info to keep at the ready this season!
Another fun trip to beat the heat; this one is a TBT to Turner Falls Park in Davis, OK. The OPST Commando Head made for ease of casting by the Waterfall using an “air anchor” to avoid the metal railing along the walkway. See full video at: https://youtu.be/n-vkX-REKkc
