Zach Bearden

Santa Clause, I would like a new purdy tying station for christmas..... *pokes Terry*

Well, today mom and I went out down to the Watts Property. I started out fishing Hopper Dropper and caught a double on my first cast! WOOT! I then hopped on down to that first big riffle and started casting a single biot nymph that I tied. I missed a fish or two (darned curly Q) and then started hooking up. That riffle has been pretty much washed out. The deepest part I found was about calf deep. I kept hooking up and soon enough I had someone ask me what I was using. I let them have the fly I was using and he went on down and started fishing. I stayed in my hole and caught a few more. Later on I went back up to the top and watched as a few fish rose here and there. I made a cast with my little four wt. and BAM! I had a nice hookup! It felt like a tarpon on that four. He jumped, and got a few peoples attention when he slapped back down on the water. He pulled off about 60 more feet of line before he jumped for a second time and destroyed my little 2lb tippet. I would guess him to be about 3lbs. Great fish. My end total: about nine. We then went down to T&M where I polish nymphed all the little pockets and such with a frenchy where I pulled out a total of seven. If you use indicators and split shot I would put my indicator about twelve inches ahead of my fly. I recommend a tungsten bead if you've got them. If not, don't sweat it. Just use a shot to get your flies down. I use two pound maxima ultragreen all the time. Good luck guys and gals! If you have any questions about anything just give me a holler at (918) 816 9535 and I can answer your questions (or at least try )

indicator schmindicator, Be a man! Use a Curly Q.... lol jk Beetles: I fish them on a dead drift over a fishy looking hole most of the time. I have found that on high wind days that they seem to be more likely to hit a beetle. Also if they are sitting right beside the bank or are under a tree they are very likely to come up and crush one. Doesn't mean they wont hit one in the middle of the river. Knots: I personally use whats called an "Orvis Tippet Knot". Not because the name, but because of how fast and effective it is. I'm not sure where you can get instructions on tying one but from someone that ties it regularly can show you in person. If I am rigging for a trip or something of that nature I will take the time to tie blood knots. I like the strength that they give me. But if I am fishing a beat I won't take the time to tie one.

Tim, I about got attacked by a snake yesterday! I was fishing the second hole in the C&R and mom saw one. Next thing I know that snake has swum down the current and is about a foot in front of me and is looking straight at me. I freaked out and it left. Later on I saw it and it was in front of me again. Started swimming towards me and I freaked again and it swam off. Not really sure what it was but it was tan and brown... Looked like a diamondback O_o But the fishing was great after we left the shop! I started casting a chrenobyle and could only get looks. There was a fish that was sitting behind a rock and he would just look at it. I plopped that beetle in there and *THUMP* the fish took it first cast. Good fish about 16" I love beetles... lol

If I understand you correctly your talking about a Baitcaster? If so, your getting what is called "backlash" or a "birdsnest". To prevent this keep tension (not alot but enough to keep the line from just flying off the reel) on the line as you cast. I don't bait fish anymore but I don't know how to explain it any better. And by the way, your not dumb you just need a bit of practice. Which would be a small sinker on the end of your line and just casting in your yard or a small field. Good luck with it!

When I get into that combat fishing (not because I walk on top of people but if they get close to me) I start to dredge with multiple nymph combinations. You'll get plenty of hang ups but also tons of fish that drop to the bottom. But like Dan-O said I like to go to the C&R area. Theres plenty of fish, not alot of fast water that I like but some good fish.

I've come to the conclusion that I officially hate the Core.... With all of the water running its pushed the striper up and (I personally think) the trout down. When the water was off we would go striper fishing and never once did I see the small sips of a trout. I'm trying to convince mom to take me to Roaring River for a bit of Polish Nymphing but with gas so high shes not budging. Theres nowhere else around here to trout fish.

Mono thread... I guess thats my only advice, sorry.

Well, this morning we went down to Marval and went upstream just to see what it was like. There is NO visibility down there. I walked out and had about 1 foot to see the bottom. I was standin on the bank watching for any kind of movement and noticed a bunch of shad running away from something. I was casting a Pure White clouser with peacock herl on top of it out there with no takes. The water seems to be backed up quite a ways. Mom and I may go to T&M tomorrow and see whats going on down at the carbodies... As soon as I can find the mudline I imagine we can find the stripers. Good luck all!

We got down to Public access at about 8 this morning. Started fishing about 10 minutes later. I was down there for the stripers but couldnt really find any. I caught 2 whites with a big clouser and a white and olive deceiver. I had a type 3 tip on and was fishing the deep holes. Mom stayed in the shallow stuff and caught a total of 10 whtes. A couple of guys and I went upstream looking for the stripers but never found them. We did find a few more whites and a ton of buffalo. The water is pretty murky down there and about 3 foot of visibility. I would fish something chartruse and white if your going after the stripers. As for the trout. I still have no clue. The water is pretty warm down there. I only heard of one person catching any trout down there and it was a 14" rainbow on a big streamer while he was fishing for the striper. Good luck!

Went down tonight, Water is very murky... If I were going to fish for trout I would use a black streamer around size 10. Maybe something with deer hair for a head? I did see some carp up there snooting around in the shallows. I never really cast to them but I would have liked to catch one. I did miss the one strike I got. Tomorrow we head down to Public access and are going to fish for Striped Bass. They may possibly be up here with all of that discharge... If I get anything I'll report it on here. Good luck guys and gals!

Honestly, I don't have any clue what they are going to do... This morning before I went to school I went down and checked out Public Access. The water is pretty much chocolate milk. But as for at the Dam? I have no clue... I am so caught up with band this year. I don't know how much fishing I'll get to do......

River is basically unfishable.... They have 2 generators running 24/7 and have water gushing out of the spill thing. Im talking about the thing that has constantly got water coming out of it so the river wont run dry.

hehe, I think that all the vegitation will be gone... Well, some of it. Maybe then we could get some mayflies in the river, rather than just scuds and sowbugs... As for all the holes, im not too sure what will happen. Maybe some of the boulders will be moved around. Any number of things can happen.

How is it doing now? I know we got a rain down here in OK. the other day. I didn't know if you guys had gotten any part of it...

Sounds like its time to pull out the 4oz sinkers eh?

I know this ones kinda dead but... I personally would recomend the video by S.A. I cant remember the couple who does the video but they teach you alot including planes and show you what the big no no's are. He is an excellent caster and she is as well. He writes for a magazine and is also a photographer. Its Brian something.... Any help? I self taught how to fly cast with this video and then had some people (Bill Butts, Kelly Gattenby, and various others) refine it. I fish heavy rods because I cant afford the expensive lightweight ones. I do have a Scott 4wt that weighs somewhere around 2.5 oz. I love the thing... I got it as a gift from the guys at Backcountry Outfitters (some really good guys) so that I can take it to Tryouts for Team USA. The rod cast wonderfull, I also have and Echo Distance Comp. Rod. I do get cramps in my arms when I go between the two... Not too sure what happens there.

hehe good luck guys, we headed off to Tulsa for some bass. They have been blowing the thing out. I dont think there is going to be a single fish in the upper part of the river for a while.

Okie, whatcha up to this Saturday? We planning on hitting the water in the afternoon to try and catch some stripers/whites... Definatley thinking about zink as a possibility. Call me if you get a chance.

Jim, you mind explaining the "Soccer Field" ? Thanks

My biggest fish on a dry came from Zone 3. The riffle right above the bath house. Caught him on a Parachute adams that you gave me that day we came in and talked with you. He was around 5 lbs. Sweet fish and I had to give it my all to land him on 2lb maxima.

Alright Leonard... I know what you mean now! It gives it a forked tail look! gotcha!

Sorry Jeremy, Ive got no pics of em.

Lucky lol So you guys still game for Sunday if its not too bad?

Sweet! thanks tim! are there some good riffles in the creek? or is it mostly calm flats?