Phil Lilley

Would that be the tungsten, heavy, nymph, thing, fly Brian Sloss is always taking about? Sorry, I didn't go back and look at old reports to see the official name. Now Sam, you're just playing with us aren't you. You would give us a glowing fishing report like this one without telling us what the fly was that caught the fish, would you? That's not the Sam Potter we all have learned to love and admire.

I really don't have a handle on this. Death causes many different responses- some use it for their own causes, others try to find blame with someone or something, and then there's others that will try to regulate our rights and behavior so that it will never happen again. My first thought would be to reflect on my own heart and relationships. They certainly aren't perfect- not even right- but my base line is my relationship with the Lord. Death does that- bring us all back to reality. Reality is that we all will die. We have no control. If we think we do we are lying to ourselves. Now we can argue guns and knives all day. We all have our opinions and we are passionate about them. I would suggest putting our passion towards living in a unselfish way, laying our lives down for each other, if nothing else, in small ways. If you can't seem to overcome selfishness, greed, backbiting, gluttony, lust, adultery, murder, stealing, anger... you might bend your knee to a loving and forgiving God, tell Jesus you've fallen short of the mark, ask Him for forgiveness and begin a whole new direction in the relm of eternity.

I can't upload images to the server temporarily so I'm having to attach these 2 maps. I doubt if I get up on the big lake before leaving for Alaska so I'm giving up my spots- all of them as far as I can remember. Bare in mind I don't fish Table Rock that much but when I do I usually do pretty good. Hope it helps.

Well with the rains I'd say we'll see generation at least till this weekend. If it's running this much, I'd say it wouldn't be worth it.

This is not an official reply to this topic but I am aware of this on Table Rock and Bull Shoals, both being Corp lakes. The Corp DOES have restrictions on fishing around marinas that serve gas. Now I'm not sure if that's 200 feet from a GAS PUMP or the whole dock. BUT the Missouri Water Patrol does NOT recognize Corp rules, only their own which there are NO laws governing fishing close to any dock. There was an incident on Bull Shoals at K-Dock where the owner was warned repeatedly to quit bothering fishermen who fished closed to his dock. It is unlawful to harass anyone in a boat in this manner, it seems. The owner of the dock finally went too far and rammed a boat into a boater who was broke down but was trolling by his dock to get back to the ramp. He is now up on ASSAULT charges. All you have to do is call the Missouri Water Patrol and advise them of the incident. Take a pic of the individual doing the yelling, owner, worker, boater. Enough calls and the yelling should stop. Let the MWP and USCAE duke it out. I think it's silly for one agency to make rules that can't be or won't be enforced.

For Immediate Release: Correction April 13, 2007 A service of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation News Contacts: Michael Bergin or Micah Holmes (405) 521-3856 Web site: www.wildlifedepartment.com Editor's correction: The following is a revision of a story included in the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's April 12 news release. In the original story, it was reported that the Oklahoma Forestry Service's Forestry and Wildlife Camp is free of charge; however, the cost of the camp for accepted applicants is $175. The Wildlife Department's Youth camp is free of charge, as was originally reported. The following news release reflects the changes. Outdoor camps slated for Oklahoma youth Youth interested in the outdoors have plenty of opportunities this summer to learn about wildlife, forestry and conservation from the state's experts. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's Youth Camp as well as the Oklahoma Forestry Service's Youth Forestry and Wildlife Camp will both be held in June, but applications are due this month. "Youth can learn a lot about the outdoors by attending either camp, but they need to get their applications in as soon as possible to make sure they get a spot in the camp they want to attend," said Jon Cunningham, game warden stationed in Payne Co. Cunningham also serves as the coordinator for the Wildlife Department Youth Camp. The Wildlife Department Youth Camp is scheduled for June 10-15, but applications are due April 27. The camp is free of charge and is aimed at youth interested in wildlife, fisheries and law enforcement. Held at Camp McFadden near Ponca City, the camp is open to Oklahoma youths ages 14 to 16 and is designed to give an increased awareness of protecting and managing Oklahoma's wildlife resources. Participants will attend courses in firearms handling, wildlife law enforcement, wildlife and fisheries biology, water safety, self-defense, rifle and shotgun training, waterfowl hunting and archery. The camp will be limited to 35-40 participants. Wildlife Department Youth Camp applicants should be interested in fish and wildlife management or law enforcement and must submit a 75-word essay explaining why they want to attend the camp, why they believe they should be selected and what they expect to learn while attending. They must also submit a letter of recommendation from a person of their choice other than a family member. Applicants must turn 14 prior to June 10, 2007. Obtain applications by logging on to the Wildlife Department's Web site at wildlifedepartment.com/campap.htm. Simply print off the application, fill it out and mail it in with the essay and letter of recommendation to: Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, Law Enforcement Division Youth Camp P.O. Box 53465 Oklahoma City, OK 73152. The Department also has been actively involved in recent years with the Oklahoma Forestry Service's Youth Forestry and Wildlife Camp. Scheduled for June 4-9 at Beaver's Bend State Park near Broken Bow, the camp will focus on the forestry profession in Oklahoma as well as the state's wildlife. Students will learn about wildlife and forest management, stream ecology, fire management, urban forestry and more. The camp is for youth ages 13-15 years old, and the deadline to submit applications is April 25. Accepted applicants will have until May 11 to return medical forms and the $175 camp fee. Applications and other additional information are available at whatisforestry.org/pdf/camper-application2007.pdf. and should be sent to: OK Forestry Services/Youth Camp, 2800 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105. They can also be faxed to (405) 522-4583 or e-mailed to info@whatisforestry.org.

I've narrowed my search down to the following: Not HD. Consumer, not professional and not over $1,000 (camera alone). There's a ton of cameras out there and so close to being the same. I want to use it for fishing. My plan is to put alot of fishing video on the web. I have good editing software and a good, fast laptop ordered. Plan on taking it to Alaska and posting mouthwatering clips for all you guys this summer... if I can find a decent upload connection (don't hold your breath). Any suggestions?

All 3 are sold.

3.0 inches Expect generation on Taney first thing Monday morning.

Rivers and Mountains By Ken Morrow. 2007. What is it about a small stream tucked inside a canyon high in the Rocky Mountains that can fool me into thinking no other man has even had the good fortune to experience it before? Why I am I compelled to use the word “experience” instead of “see” when I ask that question? Why do the mountains make me feel smaller and less significant in the universe? But most importantly, why does this diminishing of ego make me feel so much more alive and at peace with my own existence? Rivers and mountains have always held the mystical elixir which heals my soul. I honestly do not know if it is the rareness of the air or the awesome majesty of the dramatic landscape; whether it might be the smell of the fresh breeze picking up the scent of the evergreens and carrying it to me to sample; or if it is just the stunning vastness of it all that both melts the tension from my body like warm water melts ice from a windshield and simultaneously charges my consciousness with freshly animated enthusiasm. I have pondered these things many times over the years since I first visited The Rockies, and I have never gotten any closer to singling out the answer. I have grown content to believe that it is the special combination of all of these things which is unique to the Southern Rockies of Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico that beckons me like the siren’s song calls to the seaman and remakes me again and again just as the sea does for those born to sail her waters. It is there among the rugged peaks and canyon streams with the smell of smoldering pinon in my nostrils that I feel most alive and most at home…even though I have never lived there. So it was with great anticipation that I drove into Colorado from the Southeast out of the Oklahoma panhandle early in the morning of the next to last day of September. We were heading up to Lake City, Colorado, just in time for the end of the tourist season and beginning of the Brown Trout run in the Lake Fork of the Gunnison. Perfect timing. Along the way, we marveled at the brilliant fall colors in La Veta Pass west of Walsenburg. There was already some early snow on the peaks. And the vibrancy and array of bold colors on the dramatic mountain slopes contrasting against a bright blue sky was breathtaking. I was excited about showing these sights to my wife for the first time as I was about seeing them again myself. As our old Mitsubishi Montero carried us westward along the US highway, we watched the San Luis Valley and the Sangre de Cristo mountain range rise along the perimeter of this vast agricultural plain to form a magical horizon. When we pulled in to Southfork, we needed to stop for gas before turning north on CO149. The Rio Grande flows through the small town of Southfork, which has grown into quite the fly-fishing Mecca over the past decade. From the gas station on the highway, I could see a brand new fly shop in a log building across the highway. My wife noticed me spying the shop over the hood of the Montero and asked me I wanted to stop by there before we drove north. I smiled as we went into the gas station to pay. We drove across the street to find the shop closed with a sign in the door that said “Gone Fishing.” So we pointed the SUV northward and upward toward Creede. The stretch of CO149 from Southfork to Creede runs right along the bank of the Rio Grande. It is truly one of the most beautiful stretches of road in the United States. In my mind, it rivals the Pacific Coast Highway from Monterey to San Luis Obispo. We only saw a few fly fishermen out plying the waters for Browns in the afternoon sun. This was a good sign. In the peak of season, the public accesses along this stretch of highway can get a bit on the busy side. Apparently, most of the tourists were already gone. But the trout were still there. I just knew it. The other side of Creede, the highway begins to climb inexorably into one of the highest mountain passes in Colorado at about 13,000 feet above sea level. Pack horse outfits and dude ranches have popped up like mushrooms around Creede, especially to the north of town toward the high plains between the valley and the pass. Creede is famous for guest ranches and a nationally acclaimed repertoire theater company. On top of the pass, the snow was deeper and not so patchy. But the roads were clear and the snow was melting. This is one of those passes where you really do have to be out by mid-October if you want to get out before the following May. And this fact keeps our destination small and off the beaten track. We paused near the top at a scenic overlook of the headwaters of the Rio Grande to take some pictures. And then we began our descent into the tiny tourist town of Lake City. Lake City sits in a small valley at about 7,000 feet above sea level, surrounded by soaring mountain peaks so close that you can watch the wildlife scampering around near the summits. The town still has the appearance, layout, and tone of a silver rush town in the nineteenth century. Really only the vehicles, stop signs, and lighted business signage tells you that you haven’t just found the land that time forgot. About one third of the way from the edge of town to our destination at the center of town, we had to stop to allow a herd of mule deer to cross the road near the creek that runs through the center of town near its confluence with the Lake Fork of the Gunnison. My city-born European wife was delighted and amazed. She had been counting Pronghorns from the Oklahoma panhandle across southeastern Colorado. But a herd of mule deer three feet in front of the grill of our SUV was almost more than she could bear. Bear? I’ll come back to that in a minute. When I first visited Lake City as a boy, the population of the largest town in the most sparsely populated county in America was about 300 people. The city limit sign informed me that had not changed in over two decades. But as we checked into the Town Square Cabins, I learned that Lake City now had two types of residents: full-time residents and season residents. The seasonal residents doubled the population of the town from May through September. Most owned second homes along the river or small high mountain ranches they used as summer retreats. Some of these folks even owned several tourist-related businesses in the community. There were far more restaurants and shops open nowadays than there had been some twenty-five years earlier on my last trip. We had our run of the place. We picked a one bedroom cabin with a kitchen for $49 per night. Driving around to park right outside of our cabin, I pointed out the two cabins I had stayed in here as a boy. And that’s when it happened. My wife was looking through the papers we received at check-in. And one of them was a bear warning. “There are bears here! You didn’t tell me they had bears!” she exclaimed. I laughed, and asked, “Oh, I didn’t mention that?” “No, I would have remembered something like that, honey. You definitely didn’t mention any bears running around town! This says we have to keep our doors and windows locked and not to leave any food in the car.” I smiled and said as calmly as I could, “That’s right. And if we do those things, you have nothing to worry about. The bears are just curious and looking for food that they smell. They have very good noses. So you don’t want to leave any food, soaps, or perfume-smelling stuff unattended. They will wreck a car or a home trying to get to it. But you do NOT have to worry about being attacked by a bear.” That seemed to make sense and be okay with her. As we unloaded the Montero she asked, “So, do you think we might get to SEE a bear?” I told her that it was unlikely, but possible. And she seemed to calm down and get about the business of unpacking for our stay. Our cabin was very cozy and had all of the conveniences we would want for the long weekend we planned to spend in Lake City. The plan was for her to photograph nature and the town’s nineteenth century architecture while I stalked the banks of the high mountain streams for wild trout. We had our trusty, faithful Weimaraner with us. And he was just happy to be out of the back of the truck. Smoky Joe loves to travel, but two days of hard driving had him ready to stretch his legs on Terra Firma before settling down for a nap on something soft that didn’t vibrate or bounce. We got unpacked in time for dinner. We freshened up and headed out on foot (you don’t need to drive anywhere in an Old West town of 300 people) for an Italian restaurant of good repute just down the street. A&A Pasta Factory is owned and operated by an Italian immigrant who specializes in northern Italian peasant dishes. Perfect! We are both huge fans of that regional cuisine. And the restaurant lived up to expectations. The proprietor, Angelo, picked a very nice red wine to compliment our meal. The weak spot in the meal was definitely the dessert. He drowned the made-from-scratch Tira Misu in Frangelica. The alcohol was overpowering. But the Canoli I ordered for dessert was the best I have ever had. Restaurant prices in Lake City are high. If you plan a trip up there, you need to take that into consideration. Eating out twice a day for two will cost you at least $100 per day. This one meal cost us that much with wine and dessert. At the end of September, just about the only choices for eateries left in town are that pricey. It is a long trip by truck from the nearest meaningful airport up to Lake City. And it is very slow going for an eighteen wheeler. Grocery prices reflect this logistical reality of life in Hinsdale County. The Town Square Cabins consists of several cabins that will sleep dozens of people in the aggregate and a gas station and convenience store. It is located on about a half acre parcel right on the corner of the city park and CO149 – right in the heart of town. The cabins are ancient little log structures complete with uneven floors and flower boxes on the window sills. They are always very clean and fully functional. And they are very economically priced. Management is entirely a family affair. And they go out of their way to make your stay with them pleasant. And bears in the middle of town actually are very rare. We turned in early, succumbing to the rarified air and the long journey. And the next morning we headed down the street to the Lake City Bakery, a small Czech bakery on the southern end of town on CO149. Then we trekked back through town to the Mocha Moose coffee house for coffee and high-speed Internet. The last time I was in Lake City they had one AM radio station and no television. Now they had a coffee house with high-speed Internet! Some progress truly is a good thing. I had already corresponded with the the owner of Dan’s Fly Shop. So I knew better than to fish before 11 AM. For me, that’s perfect. I like lazy mornings and fishing from noon until dusk…especially on vacation. Next, I headed down to Dan’s Fly Shop, which is not far from the bakery. But nothing except for the bakery in Lake City opens until about 10 AM. And I do mean “about.” Regardless of what the signs say, you can give or take an hour either way. I spent some time getting my bearings on the maps of the local streams they provided and discussing fly patterns and tactics for this time of year. I bought a new hat and rented some hip boots because chest waders are unnecessary. And afternoon temperatures were still climbing to near 80 degrees for a few hours. Well, that and they were only $5 per day. I also purchased a few dry flies that are highly recommended for those streams and that I do not tie myself. And then I headed out in search of wild high-mountain trout! I fished that afternoon north of town about ten minutes up CO149 in a narrow canyon through which runs the Lake Fork of the Gunnison. All afternoon, I heard exactly three cars and one big truck go by on the highway and saw two couples who were fly-fishing. This was exactly what I had driven across three states for! I caught one Rainbow about fourteen inches long on size 16 Pheasant Tail Nymph drifted through a deep cut of a bend below a cliff face that just had to hold fish. And I landed one Brown that measured 16” about 300 yards downstream from there in a swirling deep pocket among boulders. In that same hole, I later hooked a monster of a Brown that I simply could not get out of the current on 5X tippet. He broke me off on a large rock. Every experience of that day is burned into my memory. It was the stuff great stories are made of. One of the great things about fishing these high mountain freestone rivers is that you often have to walk almost a mile between stretches of holding water. You get a lot of good exercise. But the walking is fairly easy when compared to walking streams in the Ozarks, Smokies, or Adirondacks further east. There are no old fences to cross, trafficked roadways to walk down the edges of, or No Trespassing signs interrupting public access. Well, there are a few of the latter these days, but not many. Fly-fishing for trout in the Rockies is more like bird hunting than it is like fishing in the Midwest or South. You walk and walk until you find game-holding habitat. Then you hunt/fish that piece of habitat until you catch a fish. If you’re lucky, you might catch two. But then you need to move on and find another spot because any fish still holding there are now put down. They simply won’t bite for the next half hour or so. So the quest for undisturbed fish continues. It is fly-fishing for trout in its purest form. I returned home just after dark sunburned, tired, and completely satisfied. That night we ate at a Steakhouse right across from our cabin off of the city park. Again, it was a very good meal, but pretty pricey. We decided to forego the wine to save some money. I think we passed on dessert that night also, but that wasn’t about budgets. We then walked around the corner to a little joint called Mammy’s Whiskey Bar. We had been told that this was “the local joint.” We walked in and ordered drinks. My standard is bourbon and coke. We sat down at an open table and immediately noticed a No Smoking sign on each booth. Uh-oh! I’m sorry, but I just can’t relax with a bourbon in a place called Mammy’s Whiskey Bar without a cigarette. It’s just not possible. We actually found it funny. The bartender asked if we wanted another drink and I explained, after consulting my better half who also smokes, that we just couldn’t deal with the no smoking thing. Everyone in the bar piped up and said they completely agreed with us, but they explained that the good folks of Denver and Aspen had passed a new state law that made it illegal to even smoke within 20’ or so of a DOOR to any establishment that sells food…at all…of any kind…at any time of day. In fact, if you smoke and head for Colorado, take your tobacco products with you! We could not find Marlboro Medium 100’s anywhere in Colorado. Cigarettes period were hard to locate and very expensive. As the Colorado old-timers say, “Too many Californians have moved here and turned Colorado into what they left behind in California.” The next morning, we just headed back to the Mocha Moose. In the course of our conversations with locals that morning, we became aware of the local political and economic tension Lake City is now grappling with. Growing pains. It seems that a bunch of religious conservatives have moved into town and are trying to turn the place into a Puritanical retreat. Historically, the residents of Lake City are mostly frontiersmen, hippies, and bikers. And they aren’t taking to well to the constant litany of religiously-motivated proposed city ordinances, or to the active recruitment of other outsiders to move into Lake City to stack the vote. I found this very interesting in light of all of the subtle remarks and conversations we had already overheard. In a very small town, very small things are extremely noticeable. But it certainly wasn’t an oppressive or intrusive political atmosphere in the town. It was merely a subtle subtext we had been clued in to because we of the types of questions we were asking and conversations we were having. That afternoon, my wife decided to come with me up to Capitol City, a sort of state park type of area up the Alpine Loop at about 12,000 feet. It is a weird little place with an interesting history at the end of a road that runs through a couple of old silver mines. This is the headwaters of Henson Creek – the creek along which the mule deer had crossed in front of us as we entered town. A huge waterfall cascades out of the side of a gigantic mountain and creates a small stream that meanders into a high mountain meadow. These meanders were dammed by beavers, and small beaver ponds were formed in a chain across the meadow. Living in these ponds are native Brookies! In the fall, they simply cannot resist a size 12 brown Parachute Adams. They hit it as soon as it drops to the surface of the water. If they haven’t risen to it within 15-20 seconds, it’s time to cast again because the fish you were casting to have moved on. The ponds are small enough that a modest caster like me can stand back from the edge and cast all the way across them. And the water is gin-clear and almost still. Finesse is key here. But the reward of native trout at 13,000 feet above sea level in the most sparsely populated county in the US is worth the effort. The entire afternoon that I played with those Brookies, I never heard an airplane, a vehicle, or another human voice. There are a few millionaires’ fishing cabins up there now, but their inhabitants were already gone for the season. These homes have to generate their own power and are environmentally self-contained. There isn’t so much as a power or phone line within ten miles of the place. And the road is gravel. The only things you hear are the water, the wind in the Aspens and Pines, and your fly line. It is, to me, fly-fishing Heaven. Those trout are very quick. And they are smaller than the fish I’m used to catching. A 2wt would be fine and only my choice because of the wind. The first few fish I hooked I was too heavy-handed with on my 4wt and didn’t get them landed. I caught one Brookie that was just over 12” long. The rest ranged from 6” to 8” in length. But, honestly, size was completely irrelevant. That glorious afternoon was all about experiencing raw nature as God had made it. It was a day I will not soon forget. Nor will I wait another twenty years to experience another like it. That night, we discovered that all of the restaurants except the two we had already eaten at were closed for the season. There were only two places in town other than those two where we could get food: the grocery store and the convenience store at our cabins. The owner of our cabins was going to start serving breakfast the next morning for the hunters in town. She did it because there was a demand for it and no one else would step up to take care of the hunters. So we decided to leave the next morning and head south for Taos, New Mexico, and the Fall Arts Festival. This stop on our journey had been primarily for me. The next leg belonged to my beloved wife. This is me on the porch of Dan’s Fly Shop Sunday morning just before leaving town. I had just returned the hip waders I had rented from them for the weekend. The place was closed. Notice the rental rods hanging outside on the porch with no one around? That is typical in Lake City. Everyone sees everything and nobody is worried much about crime. It is a wonderful trip back to a kinder, simpler time in American life. And Dan’s Fly Shop is as good as they get.

If you watch Saturday morning fishing shows, I like Verses. Larry Csonka was on the Kenai today. I fished it 3 years ago and wasn't impressed. It wasn't the Alaska experience I expected. Watching the show, I saw 2 bridges over the river, dozens of wade fishermen with the camera boat getting in their way... I know all the Kenai isn't like that but you get the idea how crowded is it there. Yes you will catch salmon, bows and dollys and you may see a bear (I did).

Did you find mainly largemouth? Could you tell if they were sows or bucks? Babler said the females were out closer to the main lake and the males closer to the spawning banks in the coves. Did you find this to be true? But he was talking about the main lake- clearer water too. You should have been fishing alittle warmer and less clear water is you were in the Kings arm. Thanks for the report!

Saw some more mayflies Thursday afternoon on the water. Not a lot but the trout were nailing them. I didn't have my fly rod, only jigs and spinning gear. They were the same bug- size and color.

Green Butt is the fly you tied at the conclave- right?

As long as it doesn't dry up it should be good.

Wow- that brings back memories... Growing up I used 33's exclusively. How many bass did I catch on farm ponds with that rig... more than I'd like to confess to cause back then I didn't throw much back. And I couldn't fry fish like I do now! Anyhow, I digress. I pulled out some old newspaper pics (from the Parsons Sun)of me and my buddies Leland Crooks or Brian Rea and some big blacks... 3-4-5 pounds. We threw broken back rebels mainly. Beetle spins. Small rock quarries were the best.

Watching Linder's show this morning, I saw more underwater action shots than ever. How do they get those shots!!! I've always loved underwater video. If I had unlimited funds, I'd go out and buy all the high-dollar equipment and shoot trout taking zebra midges here on Taney. Anyhow- they're really getting good at it. Seeing bass taking worms and baits, how lures move in the water, all bring it home for us anglers who live our lives above the surface.

http://smff_fff.tripod.com/ Their site needs some HELP!

Corp likes good PR. I suggest writing the Springfield NewsLeader, letter to the editor. Make it count.

Opps. I'll move it back.

Well, fishin's been good on the upper lake. Don't think anyone is complaining. Whether fishing off the dock or out in a boat, almost everyone is catching their limit of rainbows. Bait fishing is king. Power Bait (Gulp) is killing them. Doesn't seem like color makes a difference. I always tell people to use a white and another color on one hook. The water is pretty clear so 4 lb line or less is a must. I boated up past Fall Creek to check out a report. Threw a jig. 3/32 oz to an 1/8th oz, 4 lb flourocarbon, throwing straight- no float. Worked a orange-head/sculpin but they were orange shy. Put on an olive/sculpin and did better but they were biting light. Water started moving a little so I put on a white jig and more short bites... come cast I had 4-5 bites but no hookups. That's just the way it goes sometimes.

Gear Review: William Joseph Dry-namic Waders By Ken Morrow When I heard that one of my favorite outdoor tech gear manufacturers, Vortex Outdoors, was getting into the breathable fishing wader market under their William Joseph brand name, I just had to have a pair. I have a lot of confidence based on decades of using Vortex products and years of using their hunting (Badlands) and fishing (William Joseph) lines in these brands. And the breathable wader game has always been a frustrating tug-o-war between cost-prohibitive models that offer great performance, durability, and comfort and affordable products that simply don’t. There just never has been much success in the middle. The best things going for the buck for years were the offerings from Redington. But a few years ago Redington got out of the wader and wading boot business, leaving a gaping hole where they had once stood. When Sage bought them, I asked their CEO if they would revive the Redington wader line and he said they had no intentions of doing so. They are a fly rod company. So we all had to just make do. Until now! I’ve been wearing my William Joseph Dry-namic Waders now for several months and have put them through some pretty serious paces. I got them during the winter and have already had the chance to wear them on a two mile road hike from one fishing hole to another in temperatures in the upper seventies. I’ve busted brush in them, slid down embankments in them, spent plenty of time sitting and kneeling on streamside boulders and gravel, and snagged a few hooks in them. So I think I have a pretty good idea of how they stack up to the competition. I have tested and written extensively on economical breathable waders and on hunting waders over the years. I have a long history with Hodgman, Orvis, Simms, Cabela’s Dry Plus, Patagonia, White River/Redhead/Bone Dry waders from Bass Pro Shops, Red Ball, Dan Bailey’s, and LaCrosse waders and boots. And probably a few I don’t even recall. So I’m pretty confident in my overall experience with all types of waders from a wide array of manufacturers. I’ve found excellent neoprene waders in various weights for hunting and fishing. And there are a few really good breathable fishing waders out there for astronomical price tags and a very select few decent (but not stellar) more affordable breathable options. When it comes to breathable waders, the old mantra “you get what you pay for” has always been pretty much the rule, with Redington being the only notable exception. Until now! I had read all about the new WJ waders before I received mine. I knew enough about their design and construction…as well as the design philosophy and history of William Joseph…that I expected a very heavy pair of breathable chest waders like a Simms Guide or G3. When I opened the typically edgily-designed box from WJ and lifted the waders out, I was surprised to feel how light they were. Next, I noticed the softness and flexibility of the three-layered Teflon-coated Supplex breathable fabric…four layers from the knees down. The contemporary good looks struck me next. Excellent neutral two-tone styling makes these waders a clear standout from a fashion perspective. My wife, who happened to be standing over my shoulder, exclaimed, “Wow! Those are the first good looking waders you’ve ever had!” She’s a well known artist and designer. So such things make an impression on her. Personally, I’ve never really cared what my waders looked like before as long as they weren’t pink, red, yellow, or orange. But I took note of the fact that it mattered to her. So looks bumped up my priority scale just a notch or two. I also noticed that the suspenders and wader belt were not as wide as I expected. Most high-end waders use 2” or 3” nylon web belt material that is actually pretty heavy and sometimes too wide to be completely comfortable during extended wear. They do so for the sake of durability. The WJ suspenders and wading belt are about 1 ½” wide and have a little stretchiness and a lot of suppleness to them. And they are extremely light. Of course, the next thing I checked were those new fancy waterproof zippers and zippered pockets that are all the rage on high-end breathable waders these days. The “tech gear” phenomenon is having a noticeable impact on fly-fishing gear that has been apparent for the past few years now. And a lot more of this stuff is starting to actually make sense, and is being designed ergonomically with actual real-world uses in mind, instead of just slapped on to a product haphazardly to increase the list of cutting edge features for the catalogs. The zippers were smooth and had good holding power. The tabs would be easy enough to locate and pull with cold hands, in the dark, or while wearing gloves. That’s pretty typical for any Vortex Outdoors product. When the base of your experience comes from making expedition-grade backpacks and technical outerwear for climbers going up Everest or trekking across Antarctica, you get a lot of feedback about zipper failure and big pull tabs. Well, my next test was to put them on and walk around a bit – maybe do some jumping jacks and deep knee bends and such. Get the heart rate up in the 70 degree indoor environment and see how well they actually breathed. Again, my wife complimented their looks. She even laughed and said, “Hmmmm. I’ve never seen a sexy fly-fisherman before.” Sexy? OK. Appearance of my waders was definitely moving up the hierarchy of needs! I found the waders as comfortable as a pair of pajamas. I’ve never donned a pair I could say that about before at any price. And after ten minutes of calisthenics, during which time my wife’s “sexy” comments seemed to turn to “goofy,” I was not any warmer than I would have been wearing gym shorts and a T-shirt. Now that’s what I call comfort! So it was time to take these puppies to the stream and get them wet! William Joseph puts every single pair of these waders through a five point performance test prior to shipping, including a pressure test to insure 100% water-tightness. The seams are all double taped, inside and out. And the construction was flawless. The Hypalon articulated stocking feet were a vast improvement over everything which had come before when you put them into wading boots. No bunching, no folds, no bulkiness of any kind was noticeable. And that is a huge advantage in terms of both comfort and durability. So, in the dead of the Ozarks winter, I put on my fleece wader pants, a Polartec fleece sweatshirt over a cotton Henley, and a good pair of mid-weight 100% wool socks, rounded up by gear, and headed for a nearby stream. I was not disappointed. I’ve already told you about some of the paces I’ve put these waders through over the past few months. There’s no need to restate that now. Simply put, the William Joseph Dry-namic breathable waders exceeded all of my expectations. Warm weather or cold weather; hiking on a warm, sunny day; standing all day in sub-fifty degree water or wading a precariously slimy limestone warm water creek; picking my way through thorny brambles and post-ice storm tree falls; and having one or two missteps resulting in a fun slide down a twenty-or-so foot stream bank; these waders do it all. William Joseph Dry-namic Waders retail for $279 to $299 dollars at many fine fly-fishing retailers worldwide. You can order them from Cabela’s or Bass Pro Shops. And they come with a fabulous two-tiered warranty. During the first year, if you don’t like them for any reason, just send them back to WJ and they will refund your purchase and cut you a check for $50 for your trouble. After that and for life, they will guarantee them unconditionally against manufacturer’s defects. I actually prefer them to Simms top-of-the-line waders because they are lighter and more comfortable, yet perform just as well for about $50-75 less. My wife prefers them because they make me look “sexy!” Hey, making me look sexy isn’t exactly easy! And what forty-year-old bald guy wouldn’t pay $279 to look sexy? I’m thinking about wearing my WJ waders the next time we go out dancing at the local nightclubs. Who knows? I might even start a new fashion trend. And if some drunk spills a drink on me, I’d have it covered with no worries! You can read all about the Dry-namic waders and see more photos and reviews at http://www.williamjosephfishing.net, http://www.cabelas.com, or http://www.basspro.com …just to name a few. And WJ also has another wader out for 2007 designed to offer similar performance at even a lower price point called the V-2 Wader. They will run you about one hundred dollars less than the Dry-namics, and would be well worth checking out at that price.

Where's the camera I bought you?!

For Immediate Release: April 12, 2007 A service of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation News Contacts: Michael Bergin or Micah Holmes (405) 521-3856 Web site: www.wildlifedepartment.com Report reveals increase in fishing success of bass tournament anglers Online Controlled Hunts applications pouring in Outdoor camps slated for Oklahoma youth Outdoor Calendar Fishing Report Report reveals increase in fishing success of bass tournament anglers Bass tournament anglers caught more and bigger fish last year according to the most recent Oklahoma Bass Tournaments Report now available at wildlifedepartment.com. "The success of competitive bass fishermen can tell us a lot about the quality of angling opportunities across the state, and the newest report shows that bass fishing is getting better and better in Oklahoma." said Gene Gilliland, senior fisheries biologist for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "The Department has been gathering data on bass fishing tournaments across the state for the last 13 years, and the information we collect helps us manage bass populations." In 2006, the overall success rate at tournaments was 65 percent, up three percent over the previous year. Success rates are measured based on anglers or teams who bring at least one bass to the tournament weigh-in. "Not only that, but the average winning weight rose once again in 2006 to 10.9 lbs., which is nearly a one-pound gain over the last three years," Gilliland said. "The report summarizes the results of day-long weekend events as well as weekly evening jackpots across the state." Additionally, tournament anglers on average caught bigger fish in 2006 than they did during other recent tournament seasons. In 2006, the average angler caught about two fish per day that weighed 2.2 lbs., up slightly from 2.14 lbs. in 2004 and 2005. Sardis Lake claimed the number one spot on the list of top tournament lakes, followed by Okemah, Keystone, Thunderbird, Konawa, Arbuckle, Hudson, Texoma, Oologah and McGee Creek. Only lakes that the Department received at least 10 reports from were considered in the rankings. According to Gilliland, information from lakes with fewer reports may not convey their actual fishing quality. To see the rest of the top 20 list as well as other tournament results, download and print the 14-page report for free by logging on to wildlifedepartment.com. According to Gilliland, the continued improved fishing can be attributed primarily to favorable water levels and good bass recruitment in the last few years. "2001-2003 were very good years for fish reproduction in lakes across Oklahoma, and the fish that were hatched then are now reaching good sizes for anglers to catch," Gilliland said. With an estimated 1,200 tournaments held each year in the state, tournament anglers are an important part of the Department's fisheries management team. In the course of their pursuits, they provide biologists with hundreds of thousands of hours of fishing data every year. "Since our biologists cannot survey every lake every year, tournament data is vital information in our monitoring program," Gilliland said. The Department collects the data on "tournament report cards" that are submitted by tournament directors or through the Internet. Ninety-nine different organizations submitted almost 600 reports from 61 lakes for 2006. For more tournament information or to learn more about submitting tournament reports, log on to wildlifedepartment.com/tournamentcare.htm. -30- Online Controlled Hunts applications pouring in Just in the last two weeks, more than 3,500 online Controlled Hunts applications have poured in to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "People are eager to apply for their favorite controlled hunt, and the Internet is making it simple and quick," said Melinda Sturgess-Streich, assistant director of administration and finance for the Wildlife Department. "These early birds get to sit back now and wait for the drawings without worrying about their applications getting lost in the mail or arriving late." According to Sturgess-Streich, Oklahoma was one of the first states to offer online Controlled Hunts applications in 1999, and 2007 marks the first year that applications are available only online. "Now all applicants receive immediate confirmation when their applications have been processed correctly, giving them peace of mind," Sturgess-Streich said. "It's also a responsible use of sportsmen's dollars, since the money we save by not having to print booklets means more money available to spend on new and existing conservation projects." Last year, nearly 85 percent of those applying for Controlled Hunts used the online application system. Hunters can now submit their applications for the "2007-08 Controlled Hunts" over the Internet by logging on to www.wildlifedepartment.com/controlhunt.htm. After an individual submits an online application, they receive a message immediately confirming that their application was accepted. Applicants have until May 15 to apply online. Administered by the Wildlife Department, the Controlled Hunts Program offers a wide variety of highly desirable hunts through a random drawing. Some hunts are held to provide high-quality hunting experiences on high-profile areas where it is necessary to regulate hunting pressure. Others are held to achieve management goals for certain species, and others are held to provide hunting experiences in areas where access is otherwise limited. All applicants, including lifetime license holders, must pay a $5 application fee to enter the Controlled Hunts drawings. The fee is paid only once per person per year regardless of the number of categories entered. For complete application instructions, including tips on enhancing your chances of being selected, log on to wildlifedepartment.com, and submit an application by the May 15 deadline. -30- Outdoor camps slated for Oklahoma youth Youth interested in the outdoors have plenty of opportunities this summer to learn about wildlife, forestry and conservation from the state's experts. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's Youth Camp as well as the Oklahoma Forestry Service's Youth Forestry and Wildlife Camp will both be held in June, but applications are due this month. Both camps are free but are limited to a certain number of applicants. "Youth can learn a lot about the outdoors by attending either camp, but they need to get their applications in as soon as possible to make sure they get a spot in the camp they want to attend," said Jon Cunningham, game warden stationed in Payne Co. Cunningham also serves as the coordinator for the Wildlife Department Youth Camp. The Wildlife Department Youth Camp is scheduled for June 10-15, but applications are due April 27. The camp is aimed at youth interested in wildlife, fisheries and law enforcement. Held at Camp McFadden near Ponca City, the camp is open to Oklahoma youths ages 14 to 16 and is designed to give an increased awareness of protecting and managing Oklahoma's wildlife resources. Participants will attend courses in firearms handling, wildlife law enforcement, wildlife and fisheries biology, water safety, self-defense, rifle and shotgun training, waterfowl hunting and archery. The camp will be limited to 35-40 participants. Wildlife Department Youth Camp applicants should be interested in fish and wildlife management or law enforcement and must submit a 75-word essay explaining why they want to attend the camp, why they believe they should be selected and what they expect to learn while attending. They must also submit a letter of recommendation from a person of their choice other than a family member. Applicants must turn 14 prior to June 10, 2007. Obtain applications by logging on to the Wildlife Department's Web site at wildlifedepartment.com/campap.htm. Simply print off the application, fill it out and mail it in with the essay and letter of recommendation to: Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, Law Enforcement Division Youth Camp P.O. Box 53465 Oklahoma City, OK 73152. The Department also has been actively involved in recent years with the Oklahoma Forestry Service's Youth Forestry and Wildlife Camp. Scheduled for June 4-9 at Beaver's Bend State Park near Broken Bow, the camp will focus on the forestry profession in Oklahoma as well as the state's wildlife. Students will learn about wildlife and forest management, stream ecology, fire management, urban forestry and more. The camp is for youth ages 13-15 years old, and the deadline to submit applications is April 25. Applications and other additional information are available at whatisforestry.org/pdf/camper-application2007.pdf. and should be sent to: OK Forestry Services/Youth Camp, 2800 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105. They can also be faxed to (405) 522-4583 or e-mailed to info@whatisforestry.org. -30- OUTDOOR CALENDAR APRIL 19: National Wild Turkey Federation Garvin County Longbeards Oklahoma Hunting Heritage Banquet. Starts at 6 p.m. at the Bosa Center, Pauls Valley. For more information contact Luann Waters at (405) 642-9232. 19: Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan to be held at Oklahoma Panhandle Research and Extension Center Conference Room (RR 1 Box 86M), Goodwell. Meeting begins at 6: 30 p.m. For more information contact Jeri Fleming at (405) 744-9994. 19-22: Apache Rattlesnake Festival on Main Street, Apache. The event includes a carnival from 6-10 p.m., a powwow at the fair building every night at no charge with music and dancing downtown. Also includes guided snake hunts, picture booths, snake pit and a flea market. For more information call (580) 588-2880. 21: Spring Wilderness Hike at the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge. This strenuous hike will depart from the headquarters at 10 a.m. Registration is required and a $5 fee will be collected. For more information contact the Refuge at (580) 429-3222. 21 & 22: Backwoods Bowhunters 3-D Archery Shoots (located seven and 1/2 miles west of Hwy 4 on Britton Rd. between Yukon and El Reno). Shoot start at 8 a.m. Books close at 2 p.m. Scores in by 4 p.m. Cost is $10. Contact Johnny Pappan at (405) 350-1551 or e-mail jnlpappan@sbcglobal.net or call Pat Finnigan (405) 262- 7559 26: Bluebird Bob Walshaw will present hands-on programs on bluebirds and how to deal with the killer house sparrows at 7 p.m. at Bass Pro Shops in Broken Arrow. These programs will be held in the upstairs seminar room, are free and open to the public and door prizes will be awarded. 26: Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan public meeting to be held at City of Woodward Pioneer Room (1220 9th ST), Woodward. Meeting begins at 6: 30 p.m. For more information contact Jeri Fleming at (405) 744-9994. 27: OWF Celebrates 100 Years of Conservation with the Oklahoma Wildlife Federation's Annual Banquet at the Czech Hall, Yukon. Ticket Pricing is as follows: couple- $55; single- $45; kids - $10 and $65 at the door. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for live auction preview. If you are interested in attending or donating goods or services, feel free to email us at andy@okwildlife.org. 27-29: 41St Annual Rattlesnake Derby and Flea Market at the Downtown Square, Mangum. Rattlesnake hunt and exhibitions, flea market, arts and crafts, carnival and street dance. For more information call (580) 782-2434. 28: Spring Wilderness Hike at the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge. This strenuous hike will depart from the headquarters at 10 a.m. Registration is required and a $5 fee will be collected. For more information contact the Refuge at (580) 429-3222. 28: Celebration of Birds Festival, Cherokee. For more information, log on to www.greatsaltplains.com. 29: The Associated General Contractors Building Chapter (AGC) will be hosting its Fourth Annual Bass Fishing Tournament at Lake Eufaula. Fishing times are from 6:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Entry fee is $100 per boat. There will be numerous door prizes and give-a-ways. The tournament is a benefit for "Kids, We Care," which seeks to rehabilitate children through the sport of fishing." For more information contact Peter Morrical at (405) 478-3502 or Paula Chichester at (405) 528-4605. FISHING REPORT FOR APRIL 11, 2007 CENTRAL Hefner: Elevation above normal, water 62 and murky. White bass are being caught on jigs and spinners. Channel catfish being caught on cut bait, punch bait and stinkbait. Crappie being caught off the rocks around the dam. Report submitted by Kelly Roberson, game warden stationed in Oklahoma County. Overholser: Elevation above normal, water 58 and murky. Channel catfish are being caught on cut bait and stinkbait. Crappie are being caught around docks and rocky areas along the shoreline. Report submitted by Kelly Roberson, game warden stationed in Oklahoma County. Thunderbird: Elevation 8 ft. below normal and murky. Fishing has slowed, somewhat due to cold fronts. Crappie fair to good on minnows and jigs at 5-7 ft. around structure. Report submitted by Tony Woodruff, game warden stationed in Cleveland County. Wes Watkins: Elevation 3-3 1/2 ft. below normal water 54-61 and murky. White bass fair on crankbaits at 10-12 ft. around points and along north shore. Catfish fair to good on minnows, fresh cut bait, shrimp, chicken liver and worms in timbered areas at the west end of the lake, around boat docks and boat ramp. Crappie are being caught in deep water around brush piles and around the dam. Largemouth bass good on lighter colored spinnerbaits, sinkoes and tubes, brush hogs and assorted soft plastics with many appendages. Report submitted by M.M Fowler, St. Gregory's. NORTHEAST Birch: Elevation 1 ft. below normal and murky. Largemouth bass fair on artificial lures, crankbaits and spinners. White bass and striped bass hybrids fair on spinners on the north end of the flats. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs along creek channels. Report submitted by Paul Welch, game warden stationed in Osage County. Carl Blackwell: Elevation 2 ft. below normal, water 67 and muddy. Crappie good on minnows and jigs. Striped bass hybrids are being caught trolling with crankbaits and grubs. Catfish good on cut bait. Saugeye fair trolling. Report submitted by Jon Cunningham, game warden stationed in Payne County. Eucha: Elevation slightly above normal, water 57 and clear. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows at 8-10 ft. Largemouth bass fair on jigs and spinnerbaits. Catfish fair on trotlines using night crawlers. Catfish good on trotlines using worms. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa Fisheries. Ft. Gibson: Elevation 1 1/2 ft. above normal. Largemouth bass good on spinners and jig and frog combos off windy points. White bass excellent in the upper end of the lake and in tributaries on inline spinners, twister tails and jigs. Channel catfish fair on whole shad and cut bait at 12 ft. in the flat areas off the main lake channel. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 6-8 ft. around structure and brush. Report submitted by Don Cole, game warden stationed in Wagoner County. Grand: Elevation normal and clear. Crappie fair to good at 10-15 ft. around brush piles or baited areas using minnows and jigs. Commercial fishing docks reporting some good-sized crappie being caught. Channel catfish fair in Grand Lake river channel. Blue catfish being taken on cut and whole shad. White bass can still be caught around rocky gravel points and near mouth of lake tributaries. Report submitted by Jim Littlefield, game warden stationed in Delaware County. Greenleaf: Elevation normal and clear. Largemouth bass fair on spinners, crankbaits and plastic worms around brush and in creek channels. Channel and blue catfish good on stinkbait, sunfish and cut bait on bottom. Walleye fair on minnows and yellow or green jigs around brush. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County. Hudson: Largemouth bass good on spinnerbaits and jig and pork rides. White bass fair to good on small jigs and minnows. Crappie fair to good in shallow areas. Paddlefish snagging good in the upper end of the lake. Report submitted by Steve Loveland, game warden stationed in Mayes County. Kaw: Elevation 3 ft. above normal, water 55. White bass fishing has slowed in the upper end of the lake. Crappie excellent above the boat ramp on Beaver Creek. Fishing below dam has been very good for white bass, crappie walleye, blue catfish and channel catfish. Paddlefish snagging very good below Kaw Dam. Report submitted by Larry Green, game warden stationed in Osage County. Keystone: Elevation 1 1/2 ft. above normal, water 55 and murky to muddy. Largemouth bass slow on crankbaits and jig and chunk at 4-8 ft. in creeks and off midway bank in coves. Smallmouth bass slow on crankbaits and jig and chunk at 4-8 ft. around Salt Creek area points. Spotted bass slow on crankbaits and spinnerbaits at 4-8 ft. in main lake coves and pockets. White bass fair on 1/8 oz. grubs and spoons at 3-5 ft. in rivers and creeks up lakes. Striped bass below the dam fair on sassy shad and bucktails at 3-5 ft. during generation. Striped bass in the lake fair on storm swim baits and sassy shad at 4-8 ft. in rivers and creeks in the upper end of the lake. Channel catfish good on worms and shrimp at 4-8 ft. in coves and along riprap areas. Blue catfish good on worms and shrimp at 4-8 ft. in coves and riprap areas. Flathead catfish fair on large minnows and goldfish at 4-8 ft. in covers and along riprap areas. Flathead catfish fair on large minnows and goldfish at 5-10 ft. along riprap areas and bluffs. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 5-10 ft. in Salt Creek area. Report submitted by Larry Sellers, Woody's Bait and Tackle. Oologah: Elevation 5 ft. above normal and falling slowly. Water murky. Water temp in upper 50s to lower 60s. Channel and blue catfish good on shad near the mouth of the Verdigris River. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around standing timber at 10 ft. Crappie are suspended up off the bottom due to falling water levels. Crappie and white bass fair on jigs below the dam. Channel and blue catfish fair on shad below the dam. Report submitted by Brek Henry, game warden stationed in Rogers County. Spavinaw: Elevation slightly below normal, water 58 and clear. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around the dam area. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits. Catfish fair on trotlines using night crawlers. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa Fisheries. Tenkiller: Elevation 1 ft. above normal, water 56 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on bass jigs at 5-10 ft. Crappie fair in brush at 25 ft. on roadrunner jigs and around docks on minnows or tube jigs. White bass good in the upper end on minnows, spinners, spoons or jigs and fair trolling deep-running lures. Sunfish fair around docks on worm-tipped jigs at 10-15 ft. Report submitted by Monte Brooks, Cookson Village Resort. Webbers Falls: Elevation 1 ft. above normal and murky. Largemouth bass fair on spinners and crankbaits along riprap and in creek channels. Channel catfish good on cut bait on bottom. Blue catfish good on punch bait and sunfish on bottom. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 1-7 ft. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County. NORTHWEST Canton: Elevation 5 ft. below normal. Walleye and striped bass hybrids good on night crawlers near beach area. Walleye good along dam early and late on jigs and crankbaits. Channel catfish good on stink bait and cut bait. Report submitted by Mark Walker, game warden stationed in Blaine County. Ft. Supply: Elevation above normal. White bass fair to good on jigs below the dam. Walleye fair to good on jigs below the dam. Report submitted by Mark Reichenberger, game warden stationed in Harper County. SOUTHEAST Arbuckle: Elevation above normal, water 65 and stained in the main lake and muddy up creeks. White bass are up creeks and along dam. Crappie good off docks and brush piles at 12-15 ft. Bass good on spinnerbaits, finesse worms and crankbaits. Report submitted by Jack Melton. Arbuckle: Elevation 4 ft. above normal, water 59 and murky. Largemouth bass being caught on spinnerbaits, worms and crankbaits. Report submitted by Jeremy Brothers, state game warden stationed in Carter County. Blue River: Elevation normal, water 51 and muddy. Smallmouth bass fair on minnows and flies. Channel catfish fair on worms and liver. Trout slow on power bait, super dupers, rooster tails and meal worms. Report submitted by Charles Baker, technician at Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area. Broken Bow: Largemouth bass fair on soft plastics in the mouths of creeks and off points. White bass fair on white or chartreuse grubs with 1/4 oz lead heads. Catfish fair on juglines and trotlines baited with cut bait. Walleye slow. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County. Eufaula: Elevation 1 ft. above normal, water clear to the east and murky to the west. Largemouth bass good on jerk baits and plastic baits at 3-7 ft. around rocky areas. White bass fair on jigs in feeder creeks at 3-5 ft. Crappie fair on minnows or jigs at 2-8 ft. off the bank. Report submitted Ed Rodebush, game warden stationed in McIntosh County. Hugo: Elevation 1/2 ft. below normal, water 60 and murky. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits. Crappie good on live minnows and jigs. Blue catfish fair on cut bait and dead minnows. Report submitted by Wendell Smalling, game warden stationed in Choctaw County. Konawa: Elevation normal, water 66 and clear. Largemouth bass good on plastic worms at 5-8 ft. in weed beds. White bass fair on minnows and jig at 15 ft. in the discharge channel. Striped bas hybrids fair on minnows and jigs at 15 ft. in the discharge channel. Channel catfish good on chicken liver at 10 ft. along points. Report submitted by Daryl Howser, game warden stationed in Seminole County. Lower Mountain Fork River: Trout fair on (small) thread midge patterns, caddis fly patterns (emergers and dry flies), as well as mayfly patterns (again, both emergers and dry flies). There are at least two types of mayflies hatching now as well as caddis and a multitude of midges. Success reported using elk hair caddis, parachute adams, thread midges, and caddis pupae flies and a multitude of other attractor type flies. There has been very light pressure in the more restricted (red) zones, so there are still plenty of fish to catch and release. Report submitted by Sid Ingram, Beavers Bend Fly Shop. McGee Creek: Elevation 1 1/2 ft. above normal, water 58 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on soft plastic lures and spinnerbaits at 6-12 ft. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs over cedar brush off main creek channels. Report submitted by Larry Luman, game warden stationed in Atoka County. Murray: Elevation 2 ft. below normal, water 59 and murky. Bass are being caught on various baits along the shoreline. Report submitted by Jeremy Brothers, state game warden stationed in Carter County. Pine Creek: Elevation normal and clear. Bass fair on baby brush hogs when fished off points. Crappie excellent on minnows at the old bridge and around submerged timber. Catfish good on cut bait on deep-set trotlines. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County. Robert S. Kerr: Elevation normal, water 63 and stained. Largemouth bass good at 2-5 ft. using plastic baits, spinnerbaits and plastic baits fishing the weed, rock and woody shorelines. Crappie good at 5-6 ft. using minnows fishing for suspended fish next to the spawning areas. White bass fair at 8-10 ft. using jigs fishing below Webbers Falls and Kerr dams. Blue catfish good at 5-10 ft. using fresh cut bait fishing the flats next to the old creek channels and fishing below the dams. Flathead catfish good at 10-20 ft. using live bait on trotlines and juglines in the old creek channels. Report submitted by Rick Olzawski, game warden stationed in Haskell County. Sardis Lake: Bass excellent on spinnerbaits in grass beds. White bass good up creeks on grubs and sassy shad. Blue catfish and flathead catfish fair on trotlines and juglines baited with cut bait. Crappie good on minnows along gravel beds and around bridges. Walleye fair up creeks and around islands on grubs. Report submitted by Allen Couch, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County. Texoma: Elevation 2 ft. above normal, water 61 and murky north and clear south. Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass fair on plastic baits at 5-10 ft. in creeks and coves. Striped and white bass fair on live bait and sassy shad at 15-20 ft. in the south part of lake. Channel and blue catfish fair to good on cut bait and stinkbait at 10-20 ft. in the north part of lake and Washita River. Crappie fair to good on minnows and jigs at 5-15 ft. in Rock and Widow Moore creeks. Report submitted by Danny Clubb, game warden stationed in Bryan County. Wister: Elevation normal and murky. Largemouth bass good on plastic worms and spinnerbaits. Crappie good on minnows and jigs. Channel catfish good on liver and cut shad. Flathead catfish good on live sunfish. Report submitted by Randy Fennell, game warden stationed in LeFlore County. SOUTHWEST Altus-Lugert: Elevation 15 ft. below normal and rising. White bass and striped bass hybrids very good off the main swim beach. Crappie good to very good near the old fish-o-rama. Walleye good but most are not long enough to keep. Walleye must be 18 inches. You may want to check for current depth by going to: http://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/ALTU.lakepage.html. Report submitted by Sue Hokanson, Quartz Mountain State Park. Ellsworth: Elevation 5 ft. above normal and murky. Crappie slow due to raised water levels. Catfish fair to good on cut bait around the dam and off rocky points. Report submitted by Mike Carroll, game warden stationed in Comanche County. Foss: Elevation 3 ft. below normal and still rising. Recent rains have kept the river flowing and increasing the level of the lake. Water around 60 degrees and clear. Striped bass hybrids good. Walleye good around rocks. Crappie and catfish good. Report submitted by Eric Puyear, B & K Bait House. Ft. Cobb: Elevation normal and water stained. Crappie slow to fair around docks. Catfish fair on cut baits. Striped bass hybrids slow to fair. Report submitted by James Edwards Jr., game warden station in Caddo County. Tom Steed: Elevation 3 ft. below normal and murky. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 6-10 ft. along rocks. Report submitted by David Smith, game warden stationed in Kiowa County. Waurika: Elevation normal, water 60 and murky. White bass and striped bass hybrids good on white or pearl sassy shad or on live bait. Channel catfish good on live bait or punch bait. Crappie good on jigs or minnows. Report submitted by Phillip Cottrill, game warden stationed in Jefferson County.

Gezzz... a Shawnee cost $1350 and with the trailer... you're throwing the motor in for free! I'd jump on this one, if I already didn't have 12 Shawnees myself. May be I ship it up to King Salmon!!