Phil Lilley

After Brian's post, I had to search for his answer... and found the site for the event- Best of the West. Interesting contest. Look at the videos of the casts. I wish they had a wider view of the actual cast. 120'9" is a long cast!! http://flyfisherman.com/rmwest/bestinthewest/

Home, home on the range...

Just was looking out my office window and admiring the fall colors beaming off the lake. Checked the webcam and here's what it looked like -

I suspect many of you started out fishing the same way I did. As a kid, I would chase any fish that bit. Crappie, bluegill, trout, bass, suckers it didn't matter. The object of the game was to have fun and to catch something, anything really. In time, the urge to catch big fish, a five-pound bass, an 18-inch rainbow, a fat and sassy channel cat, as long as it was bigger than average it put a smile on my face. Unfortunately somewhere along the way, most of us learn to turn our noses up at some fish while prizing others. It's sad really. Why not get excited over a 10 lb carp? Maybe some rebellious streak, or possibly I'm just an overgrown kid (probably both), but I do still get a thrill catching a big fish, any fish. I especially like fishing for carp, because even average size carp are far bigger than most freshwater species and truly big carp of twenty or even thirty pounds are possible. I could try to convince each of you of the fighting power of these fish or of their value as a sport-fish, but I've found the quickest way to convert a non-carper into an avid carp obsessed maniac is to simply put the rod in the non-believers hands when that first carp intent on emptying your reel and reaching the other side of the lake! Few Fish anywhere can rip line off a reel faster than even an average size carp. While carp fishing has evolved, mostly overseas, into a very specialized pursuit complete with its own set of specialty tackle, you can catch carp with the gear you most likely already own. If you've got a 5 to 7 ft fishing rod with a spinning, bait casting, or spin-cast reel spooled with 8 to 12 lb test line; you've got what it takes to catch that first carp. Unlike many of the fish we chase, carp are more grazers than out and out predators. Think more along the lines of a deer than a mountain lion. Often they are content to efficiently mooch along the bottom separating out food items from inedible sticks and rocks. Assisting carp with this type of feeding are four short barbels used to taste/smell new food items. Additionally carp possess teeth not in the mouth but in the throat, which are used to grind up hard food items like mussels, small clams, and various plant materials. Because a carp is virtually surrounded by food, it may be less likely to home in on your bait. Clearly a strategy suited for predators like bass or crappie, is not very effective with these foraging carp. To maximize our chances of catching a carp, we need to both find the fish and bring them to us. Finding the fish is a game of its own. For now, keep an eye peeled for any jumping or rolling fish. Also look for bubbles that appear to be moving slowly along. Often carp will stir up the bottom and give their presence away with rising bubbles or even clouds of silt. Carp are creatures of habit. Keep your eyes open and take note of where you see activity. Given similar conditions you are likely to find the carp there again in the future. Our Club Members in Missouri have had good luck at Stockton, Table rock, Bull shoals even lake Taneycomo, but most Ozark reservoirs hold catch able carp populations. Early Mornings and Night seem to be best for big fish. I've caught carp in water from 1 ft to 30 ft deep. Unless I see carp in an area, I will try to fish on the bottom between 5 and 15 ft deep. You might try getting up wind and floating several free small pieces of white bread over surface feeding fish. Sometimes they will take notice of surface baits. Imagine being able to watch a 20 lb fish swim up and suck in your bait! If you've found the fish and want to keep them in the area, or attract them, try chumming. The best starter chum I can think of is plain old sweet corn from the grocery store. Better yet, buy the gallon size cans from the discount center if you can. It is difficult to chum too much. A single ten-pound fish can really hover up the bait in a hurry. Just imagine how fast a whole school of fish can eat. Getting the corn out the fishing area requires creativity. Tossing by hand, using a slingshot, lashing a throwing scoop to the end of a broomstick, all are at least partially effective. Swimming, boating, or float tubing are also good ways to get the bait out. Chumming both attracts the fish and creates a competitive feeding situation, like tossing seed to pigeons. Carp competing with each other are less cautious and more easily caught. Ok, let's say you've found a likely spot and chummed it up a bit. Now you are ready to rig up and bait up. The key to remember here, is that a small rig can always catch a big fish, but a big rig is not likely to catch small or even medium sized fish. Despite their large size, carp have relatively small mouths and tend to feed on small food items like baby clams, seeds, insects and the like. So, lets start off using a strong hook anywhere from size 4 through 8. Since a carp bite will likely be much softer than say a slashing bass, extra sharp hooks are required. The Eagle Claw lazer sharp bait holders are a step in the right direction. For bait, I strongly recommend canned corn. Right out of the can or flavored with anything from sugar and kool-aide to peppermint, sweet corn is almost magical carp bait. Other baits to try include soft dough baits, worms, and bread. Due to the suck and blow-feeding pattern of many carp, I have the most confidence in an exposed hook point. Rig-wise, carp can be very sensitive to resistance. For this reason, I recommend using a sliding casting sinker of 1/4 to 1/2 ounce. With a sliding rig and light bite indicator (discussed below) you should be able to see the carp bite before the carp notices the resistance and spits out the bait. Carp fishing can be a waiting game. It really pays to fashion some sort of rod holder. The traditional forked stick can work well with one modification. Instead of propping the rod tip in the air, try placing two forked sticks in the ground about 3 ft apart. Then position the rod horizontally across the two sticks Position the sticks so that the rod points directly at the bait. Once you have cast out and placed the rod on the sticks, slowly reel as much slack as you can out of the line. Pull a little bit of slack from the reel, and hang a light bite indicator like a small bobber on the line between the first and second rod guides. Finally back the drag way off so that a running fish can't pull your rod in the water before you have a chance to grab it. When a carp begins to play with your bait, you will be alerted by the bite indicator starting to jiggle, fall, or rise. This is the moment you have been waiting for! When the dance turns into a slow steady pull or drop take up the slack, secure the spool, and set the hook. Remember to slowly re-apply the drag or you will soon find you are out of line! A carp's first run can truly be a knee wobbling experience. Just keep up the pressure and the fish will eventually turn, maybe. Don't try to horse the fish in. Fish this large require a lift up and wind down strategy. When the fish is not running, slowly lift the rod tip, then slowly wind in the line gained while gently dipping the rod tip lower and keeping a tight line, repeat, until the fish tires and is played in close to the shore. A long handled net is a real fish saver since there is no way you can lift a fish of this size with the rod. If you happen to have one, I'd recommend using the rubber meshed boat nets like those used for walleye or pike as they will cause less damage to the fish and they are tough enough to flex deep and envelope your newest trophy capture. Consider carp like bonefish or tarpon, while a blast to catch they do not have to be eaten. However small carp from clean waters are very good when properly prepared. If you do plan on releasing your newest capture, please consider holding the fish horizontally. Lipping, gilling, eyeballing, or gaffing these heavy fighting machines can easily damage them. A fish friendly and accurate way to weigh your prize is to keep the fish in the net. Then hook the scale onto the net rather than directly into the fish. You can later subtract the weight of the net from the total to yield the fish's weight, or not... Well, I hope you are now on your way to targeting and catching your first carp on rod and reel. If you happen to contract carp fever, please don't hold that against me. Carp fishing can become a true addiction. But don't worry, you are not alone. Brian "Carpaholic" Nordberg http://carpanglersgroup.com

You got that right. Fishin's better too.

They said it would be sometime in the fall. I'm still waiting on a reply.

very very nice- thanks for sharing.

They haven't ruled on it yet...

Leaving tomorrow early for north MO to hopefully stick a deer or two. Vince and I will return Sunday late. There's no internet excess so.... behave yourselves :0 Dano will watch the place.

Excellent pics Brian!! Thanks for sharing them.

Guess you didn't jinx them!

http://ozarkanglers.com/gen_taney.php Check this page for generation. The cfs tells how much water ran and when.

You can fish off our dock- just check/register in the office first.

The reg would be designed to try to help grow bigger rainbows without affecting the way people fish down here, ie. bait fishing. There's too many people, elderly, kids, who cannot fish any other way that utilize the public dock and resort docks. And these people like to keep fish. As to the catch and release using bait- yes there would be hooking mortality... but there is now. I witness anglers who fish half-most-all day bait fishing and if it's a good day they will catch as long as the trout are biting and release all but their limit. Will imposing a slot in this area change this- no. Will it make it worse- no. The 14 inch minimum is designed so that almost all rainbows caught can be kept legally... up to a limit. It could be made 15 or 16 inches. The whole idea is if they get lucky and grow to the minimum limit, they are saved till they are larger. I'm not seriously saying this should happen... I'm just thinking (typing) out loud.

For Immediate Release October 19, 2006 A service of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation News Contacts: Micah Holmes or Kristen Gillman (405) 521-3856 Web site: www.wildlifedepartment.com Oklahoma teachers and students eligible to win trips to Wyoming, New Mexico and Texas Recent rains in southern Oklahoma the start waterfowl hunters were looking for Deadline nears for special youth waterfowl hunts Upcoming Hunter Education Classes Outdoor Calendar Fishing Report Oklahoma teachers and students eligible to win trips to Wyoming, New Mexico and Texas Several students and one educator will win a trip of a lifetime thanks to a contest sponsored by the Oklahoma Station Chapter of the Safari Club International (OSCSCI) and Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC). Winners will compete for trips to New Mexico, Wyoming and Texas through a youth writing contest and teacher application process. "It's absolutely imperative that we do everything we can to give kids the opportunity to share and actively take part in their hunting heritage, and that is exactly what this contest is designed to do," said Sam Munhollon, who serves on the board of directors for the Oklahoma Station Chapter of the Safari Club International. "As a grandfather of 12 grandchildren, I know first hand what a special bonding experience it can be to go hunting with your family." Winners in the 15-17 age category (one boy and one girl) will receive an all-expense-paid guided antelope hunt in New Mexico. Funding for the trips, including a full shoulder taxidermy mount of the youth's harvested antelope will be provided by the Oklahoma Station Chapter Safari Club International. Students in the 11-14 age category are competing for an all expense paid trip to the Apprentice Hunter Program at the YO Ranch in Mountain Home, Texas. The Safari Club International's Apprentice Hunters' Program is a unique, hands-on experience which covers a wide range of topics including; the ethical basis of modern sport hunting, wildlife management, field identification, and wild game cooking. The Oklahoma Station Chapter of the Safari Club International will provide travel reimbursements to attend the weeklong course. The four statewide winners and their legal guardians will be invited to Oklahoma City to attend an awards ceremony in March. In addition, the top 25 essay entrants will receive a one-year youth membership to Safari Club International. The winning student essays will be published in the OSCSCI newsletter "Safari Trails." Publication qualifies the winning entries for the National Youth Writing Contest sponsored by the Outdoor Writers Association of America. Several past national winners have come from Oklahoma. "Students aren't the only ones eligible to win," said Colin Berg, education supervisor for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "One educator will be awarded an all-expenses-paid scholarship for an eight-day conservation education school at Safari Club International's American Wilderness Leadership School (AWLS) at Granite Ranch near Jackson, Wyoming." The AWLS program is conducted during the summer and presents an outdoor program for educators which concentrate on natural resource management. Participants learn about stream ecology, map and compass, language arts and creative writing in an outdoor setting, fly tying, shooting sports, wildlife management, the Yellowstone ecosystem, camping, white-water rafting, educational resources and how to implement outdoor education ideas. Lodging, meals and training materials will be provided by Oklahoma Station Chapter Safari Club International. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation will cover transportation to Jackson, Wyoming. Both the essay contest rules and teacher scholarship applications are available from the Department's Web site www.wildlifedepartment.com/out_ed.htm. Essays and applications must be postmarked no later than Nov. 17, 2006, or delivered by 5 p.m. Nov. 17, 2006, in person to the Department of Wildlife's Jenks Office at 201 Aquarium Drive, in Jenks. Address entries to: Essay Contest, Attn: Education Section Supervisor, ODWC Jenks Office, P.O. Box 1201, Jenks, OK 74037. -30- Recent rains in southern Oklahoma the start waterfowl hunters were looking for Dust off the decoys, find your duck calls and patch your waders; duck season has already begun in the three Panhandle counties and will begin soon in the remainder of the state. "Biologists are reporting excellent duck reproduction in Canada, which translates to more young birds in the fall flight. And more young birds can have a big impact on hunter success," said Mike O'Meilia, migratory game bird biologist for the Wildlife Department. "Of course, the overall success of our Oklahoma waterfowl season depends on the weather. The good news is that there is lots of food and vegetation around the lakes, but we really need some more timely rains to bring the water levels up so that ducks can get to that food. If we could get some more rains like we had last week across the state it could shape up to be a great year for waterfowl hunters." Duck season dates and daily limits are similar to last year, with most of the state enjoying a six-bird daily limit and 74-day season with a 12-day mid-season closure. O'Meilia noted that Oklahoma, as a member of the Central Flyway, will be participating in the Hunter's Choice trial over the next three years. Oklahoma is participating only as a control state, meaning Oklahoma hunters will not use the Hunter's Choice bag limit. The trial will evaluate the effectiveness of a new bag limit system designed to maintain maximum duck hunting opportunity. For more information about Hunter's Choice, log on to wildlifedepartment.com. In zone 1 (most of northwest Oklahoma), the first half of the duck season will open Oct. 28 and run through Dec. 3, with the second half beginning Dec. 16 and running through Jan. 21, 2007. Pintail and canvasback season will open Oct. 28 and run through Dec. 3, and then re-open on Dec. 16 and run through Dec. 17. Youth waterfowl hunting days in zone 1 will be Oct. 21 and 22. In zone 2, the duck season will run from Nov. 4 through Dec. 3 and Dec. 16 through Jan. 28, 2007. Pintail and canvasback season will open Dec. 21 and run through Jan. 28. Youth waterfowl hunting days in zone 2 will be Oct. 28 and 29. Panhandle counties will offer the longest duck season. It is currently open and will run through Jan. 4, 2007. Pintail and canvasback season will run through Nov. 14. Youth waterfowl dates for the panhandle were Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. Hunters will be allowed a daily limit of six ducks combined, no more than five of which can be mallards. Of those, only two mallards may be hens. Only two scaup, two wood ducks, two redheads may be included in the daily limit. There is a shortened season on pintails and canvasbacks with a daily limit of one pintail and one canvasback during the specified time period in each of the established duck seasons. The statewide Canada goose season will run from Nov. 4 through Dec. 3 and Dec. 16 through Feb. 18, 2007. The daily limit will be three birds. The season for white-fronted geese will run Nov. 4 through Dec. 3 and Dec. 16 through Feb. 9, 2007. The daily bag limit is one. The regular season for light geese (snows, blues and Ross') will run Nov. 4 through Dec. 3 and Dec. 16 through Feb. 18. The daily bag limit is 20. Sandhill crane season will be from Oct. 28 - Jan. 28, west of I-35 only. The daily limit will be three birds. Hunters who wish to participate in the waterfowl season must have a resident or non-resident hunting license, a 2006 Federal Duck Stamp, and unless exempt, a 2006 Oklahoma Waterfowl License, a Fishing and Hunting Legacy Permit and a Harvest Information Program Permit. The federal duck stamp costs $15 and is available at U.S. Post Offices. Hunters pursuing sandhill cranes must also purchase a separate sandhill crane hunting permit. Hunters should consult the "2006-07 Waterfowl Hunting Guide" for complete hunting regulations and license requirements. Waterfowl Guides are available at hunting and fishing license dealers statewide or hunters can obtain complete regulation information from the Wildlife Department's Web site at www.wildlifedepartment.com. -30- Deadline nears for special youth waterfowl hunts Brek Henry loves his job. Henry serves as a game warden stationed in Rogers County for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. Every day is a new adventure with new challenges, but some days are just plain fun. One day last December was one of those days. "Several game wardens and other Wildlife Department employees got together to host a youth waterfowl hunt where we introduced several kids to hunting for the first time," Henry said. "That morning as the sun was coming up and the ducks were coming in, the boy I was taking hunting turned around and said, 'This is as much fun as I've had in my whole life,' and the first thing I thought was, 'Me too.'" Henry and his colleagues are hoping to duplicate that experience for more Oklahoma youngsters this year. Youth 14 or 15 years of age have a special opportunity to participate in a special two-day waterfowl hunt coordinated by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and hosted at the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge near Vian. On the field day, Thursday, Dec. 21, youth will participate in several waterfowl hunting related demonstrations including duck calling, hunting safety and decoy placement. "The day before the hunt, the kids will get an opportunity to shoot a shotgun, learn about retriever training and how to identify ducks on the wing. We're even going to give every kid a duck call to take home with them - which I'm sure the parents will love," Henry said. The following day, Dec. 22, the youth will be taken on a guided waterfowl hunt on the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge. "The area we are going to be hunting on that Friday is normally closed so the kids will have the area all to themselves. This should make for a real memorable hunt," Henry said. Participants will be chosen through a random drawing and youth must submit a postcard with their name, address and age to: Youth Hunt Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge Rt. 1 Box 18-A Vian, OK 74962 All entries must be received by November 1. Lodging will not be provided, however, lunch will be provided by the Oklahoma Game Wardens Association on the field day and breakfast will be provided on the hunt day. Oklahoma youngsters age 12 to 15 have another opportunity to apply for special controlled waterfowl hunts sponsored by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The hunts are designed to provide youth who do not have an adult mentor who waterfowl hunts an opportunity to experience the traditions of waterfowling. "When it comes to our hunting traditions there is nothing more important we can do than taking a young hunter afield," said Mike O'Meilia, migratory game bird biologist with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "These hunts can provide a unique opportunity for those kids that might otherwise never have the chance to experience waterfowl hunting. Our hope is that the experience will spark a lifelong interest in hunting and dedication to wildlife conservation as an adult sportsman or woman." Youth hunters will be randomly drawn from a list of applicants for each hunting area. Applicants must be 12 to 15 years of age on the day of the hunt, have proof of successfully completing a certified hunter education course, and have an adult guardian who can accompany them on the hunt. A Wildlife Department employee will accompany each youth and their adult guardian for the controlled waterfowl hunt at one of several Department-managed areas. Only the youth hunter will be allowed to hunt. The locations to choose from are: Hackberry Flat, Altus-Lugert Lake, Canton Lake, Ft. Gibson Refuge, Ft. Cobb Lake Refuge, Vann's Lake, Wagoner Co., Webbers Falls Refuge, and Wister Lake Refuge. Each youth applicant and their guardian may apply only once and must provide the following information on a 3x5 postcard to be eligible for the drawing: names, addresses, telephone numbers, youth's hunter education number, and the name of the desired hunt location and two alternate hunt locations where they would like to hunt. The scheduled date of the hunt will be coordinated with successful applicants after the drawing. Applicants may apply only once and should specify the primary hunt area desired and two alternate locations. Applications must be received by November 15, 2006, and should be mailed to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, Youth Waterfowl Hunts, P.O. Box 53465, Oklahoma City, OK 73152. Successful applicants will be notified by November 17, 2006. The Wildlife Department will provide successful applicants the necessary nontoxic shotgun shells and a 20-gauge single shot shotgun will be available for use if the youth does not have his or her own shotgun. For more information contact Jeff Neal, Wildlife Department migratory game bird technician at (405) 424-0122. -30- HUNTER EDUCATION CLASSES SCHEDULES PRIOR TO GUN SEASON Course locations are listed by town, followed by date, course location and time. If a phone number is listed, pre-registration is required. Courses are a minimum of eight hours and are free. Students must pass an exam with a score of 70 percent. For updated information on upcoming courses, check our Web site at www.wildlifedepartment.com/hunted.htm OCTOBER 26: Hunter Education Home Study, Tulsa Tech Center, Peoria Campus; 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. (918) 299-2334. 26: Hunter Education Home Study, H & H Gun Range, OKC; 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. (405) 947-3888. 26: Hunter Education Home Study, Sportsman's Warehouse, OKC; 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. (405) 302-4800. 26 & Nov. 9: Hunter Education: Murray State College (LS 100); Tishomingo 30: Hunter Education Home Study, Bass Pro, OKC; 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. (405) 218-5200 NOVEMBER 2: Hunter Education Home Study, H & H Gun Range, OKC; 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. (405) 947-3888. 3 & 4: Hunter Education: Great Plains Technology Center, Lawton; Nov. 3 (6 p.m. - 10 p.m.) and Nov. 4 (9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.). 3 & 4: Hunter Education: Big Pasture School, Randlett; Nov. 3 (6 p.m. - 10 p.m.) and Nov. 4 (9 a.m. - 1 p.m.). 4: Hunter Education High School Bldg #6, Jenks; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (918) 299-2334. 4 & 11: Hunter Education: High School Auditorium, Bokchito; 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. (918) 299-2334. 6: Hunter Education Home Study, Bass Pro, OKC; 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. (405) 218-5200 7: Hunter Education Home Study, H & H Gun Range, OKC; 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. (405) 947-3888. 7: Hunter Education Home Study, ODWC Office, Jenks; 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. (918) 299-2334. 7: Hunter Education Home Study, Sportsman's Warehouse, OKC; 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. (405) 302-4800. 9: Hunter Education Home Study, H & H Gun Range, OKC; 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. (405) 947-3888. 9: Hunter Education Home Study, Tulsa Tech Center, Peoria Campus; 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. (918) 299-2334. 11: Hunter Education: Community Center, Owasso. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; (918) 299-2334. 11: Hunter Education: Zoo Education Center, OKC; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; (405) 521-4636. 11: Hunter Education: High Plains Tech Center, Woodward; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; 11: Hunter Education: Meridian Tech Center, Stillwater; 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.; 11: Hunter Education: Kiamichi Tech Center, McAlester; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. 11: Hunter Education: High School, Mangum; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. 11: Hunter Education: High School, Pauls Valley; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; (405) 521-4636 11: Hunter Education Home Study: Midwest City Library, Midwest City; 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.; (405) 732-4828. 12: Hunter Education Home Study, H & H Gun Range, OKC; 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. (405) 947-3888. 13: Hunter Education Home Study, Bass Pro, OKC; 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. (405) 218-5200 14: Hunter Education Home Study, H & H Gun Range, OKC; 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. (405) 947-3888. 14: Hunter Education Home Study, Bass Pro, OKC; 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. (405) 218-5200 14: Hunter Education Home Study, ODWC Office, Jenks; 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. (918) 299-2334. 13, 14, 16: Hunter Education: Bass Pro, Broken Arrow; 6 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.; (918) 299-2334. Must attend all three nights. 15: Hunter Education: Zoo Education Center, OKC; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; (405) 521-4636. 16: Hunter Education Home Study, Sportsman's Warehouse, OKC; 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. (405) 302-4800. 16: Hunter Education Home Study, Bass Pro, OKC; 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. (405) 218-5200 16: Hunter Education: Tulsa Tech Center, Riverside Campus, Jenks; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; (918) 299-2334. OUTDOOR CALENDAR OCTOBER 26: Tulsa Ducks Unlimited Annual Banquet to be held at the Tulsa Event Center at 26th & Memorial. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the door. To order advanced tickets call Richard Godfrey at 918-521-6669. The event includes dinner, a live auction, a silent auction, raffles and give-a-ways. There will be a special raffle table for the ladies and a Greenwings only room for the kids. We are fortunate to have as a special guest emcee, Dick Faurot, an avid outdoorsman and meteorologist from KOTV-6. 28- Nov. 5: Deer - Muzzleloader Season. Antlerless days vary by zone. Be sure to consult the "2006-2007 Oklahoma Hunting Guide." 28: Fall Clean-up at Crow's Secret Nature Center at Lake Thunderbird State Park, Norman. The program starts at 9 a.m. and runs until noon. Meet other volunteers behind the nature center as we gear up to clean up the lake before winter. Lunch will be provided afterward so registration is necessary. Contact Julie Morris at (405) 321-4633 for registration. 28: Wildflower Walk at Oxley Nature Center, Tulsa. The program runs 10:00-11:00 a.m. and is open to all ages. The tree leaves are turning their autumn colors, and goldenrod and asters color the prairie. Join us at Oxley for this final wildflower walk of the season. Free, registration not required. For more information, contact the staff at (918) 669-6644 or if you prefer by email at oxley@ci.tulsa.ok.us. NOVEMBER 3 & 4: Project WILD for college credit at Oklahoma State University, Stillwater. Class runs from 4 p.m. - 10 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. For more information or to enroll call Education Outreach at 1-800-765-8933. 4: Flying WILD at Oxley Nature Center, Tulsa. Class runs from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. For more information or to enroll call Deidra Wakeley at (918) 745-9264. 4: National Wild Turkey Federation Women in the Outdoors program sponsored by Garvin County Longbeards chapter at the Waters' Place, East of Wynnewood. For women and girls aged 14 years and older. Registration fee is $50, which includes use of all equipment, instruction and lunch. Fee also includes a one-year membership to Women in the Outdoors. Pre-registration is required. Make checks to NWTF and mail to PO Box 457, Wynnewood, OK 73098. For more information call (405) 665-2323. 11 -12: National Wild Turkey Federation Women in the Outdoors Skills Workshop sponsored by the Greasy Creek Gobblers and Tenkiller State Park at Tenkiller State Park Vian, OK. For more information or to register contact Leann Bunn at (918) 489-5641/email: lbunn@otrd.state.ok.us or lbunn@oklahomaparks.com 11-Feb 15, 2007: Quail Season. Be sure to consult the "2006-2007 Oklahoma Hunting Guide." For a complete listing of upcoming outdoor activities and events, go to wildlifedepartment.com and check out the Outdoor Calendar. FISHING REPORT FOR OCTOBER 18, 2006 CENTRAL Arcadia: Elevation slightly below normal, water 66 and semi-clear. Catfish good on punch bait and worms in the morning and evenings off the southwest bank just off bottom. Crappie good on crappie jigs in the morning and evening off southwest banks just off bottom. Report submitted by Linne Mason, gate attendant. Overholser: White bass being caught off points and boats trolling. Channel catfish being caught on cut bait and shrimp. Crappie being caught off points and around docks on jigs and minnows. Report submitted by Kelly Roberson, game warden stationed in Oklahoma and Canadian counties. Wes Watkins: Elevation 6- 6 /1/2 ft. below normal, water 70-79 and murky. Catfish good on fresh cut baits, minnows, chicken livers, bait shrimp and minnows in deeper water around the dam and in feeder creeks and main lake channel. Crappie good on jigs and minnows around dam tower and underwater structure at 8-10 ft. White bass good on assorted crankbaits. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits around grassy and weedy beds with some action on dark colored soft plastics and good Carolina-rigging along main lake channel lip and early morning and evening on topwater lures. Report submitted M. M. Fowler at St. Gregory. NORTHEAST Copan: Elevation 2 ft. below normal and murky. Blue catfish good in deeper pools near the dam with shad. Crappie fair around brush lines, at 10 ft. on small to medium minnows. Report submitted by Marni Loftis, game warden stationed in Washington County. Eucha: Elevation 11 ft. below normal, water 62 and murky. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around brush and structure at 14-16 ft. Largemouth bass fair on plastic worms. Catfish fair using cut shad. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa Fisheries. Ft. Gibson: Elevation 2 ft. below normal, water 85. White bass fair to good on jigs and spinners trolling. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 7-15 ft. Report submitted Marvin Stanley, game warden stationed in Wagoner and Muskogee counties. Grand: Elevation below normal and clear. White bass fair on gravel points using spoons and spinnerbaits. Channel catfish fair to good on juglines at 15 ft. and in the old river channel at 30 ft. on cut or whole shad. Report submitted by Jim Littlefield, game warden stationed in Delaware County. Hulah: Elevation 1 ft. below normal and murky. Blue catfish good in deeper pools near the dam with shad. Crappie fair around brush lines, at 10 ft. on small to medium black minnows. Report submitted by Marni Loftis, game warden stationed in Washington County. Keystone: Elevation 4 1/2 ft. below normal. White bass fair on rooster tails trolling the lake around points. Striped bass good on topwater lures just below the surface below the dam. Blue catfish good on shad, liver and large minnows below the dam. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 10-15 ft. in coves and around docks. Report submitted by Larry Sellers, Woody's Bait and Tackle. Oologah: Elevation 1 1/2 ft. below normal, water 70 and clear. Crappie good on minnows and jigs around brush piles at 15 ft. Blue catfish good on shad around standing timber on upper end of the lake. Report submitted by Brek Henry, game warden stationed in Rogers County. Sooner: White bass and striped bass hybrids fair in deep water on shad and slabs. Catfish fair on cut bait in the channels. Crappie fair around brush piles at 10-12 ft. on minnows and jigs. Report submitted by Doug Gottschalk, game warden stationed in Noble County. Spavinaw: Elevation 6 ft. below normal, water 63 and clear. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around dam area. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa Fisheries. Tenkiller: Elevation 5 ft. below normal, water 71 and clear. Crappie fair around docks at 15-20 ft. on minnows. Sunfish good around docks at 10-15 ft. on worms midday. Report by Monte Brooks, Cookson Village Resort. SOUTHEAST Arbuckle: Elevation 4 1/2 ft. below normal, water 72. Crappie good around brush piles at 18-25 ft. Bass fair using Carolina rig, crankbaits and jigs. Watch for underwater hazards. Report submitted by Jack Melton. Blue River: Elevation normal, water 63 and clear. Catfish fair on liver and worms. Bass fair on minnows and flies. Report submitted by Matt Gamble, technician at Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area. Broken Bow: Oct. 16. Elevation 6-7 ft. below normal. Largemouth bass fair in the mouths of creeks on topwaters in the morning and evening. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around structure at the north end of the lake. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County. Eufaula: Elevation 4 ft. below normal and clear, Largemouth bass good on crankbaits at 3-8 ft. along creek channels. White bass good on slab spoons at 8-20 ft. on the flats. Blue catfish fair on shad at 15-25 ft. drifting the flats. Crappie good on minnows or jigs at 8-20 ft. around standing timber. Report submitted Ed Rodebush, game warden stationed in McIntosh County. Hugo: Elevation normal, water 78 and murky. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits and plastic worms. Crappie fair on live minnows. Channel catfish fair on liver and stinkbait. Report submitted by Wendell Smalling, game warden stationed in Choctaw County. Konawa: Elevation 1/2 ft. below normal, water 64 and clear. Largemouth bass good along the points and around the dam at 5-10 ft. Report submitted by Daryl Howser, game warden stationed in Seminole County. Lower Mountain Fork River: Trout fair to good. Pay attention the behavior of the fish. They will normally make it known what type of fly and at which level in the water column they prefer. Fly selection has ranged from very tiny midges to quite large (by comparison) streamers, and of course, everything in between. Report submitted by Sid Ingram, Beavers Bend Fly Shop. Pine Creek: Elevation below normal and clear, elevation below normal. Bass good onplastic worms at 15-18 ft. near points. Crappie good on minnows around submerged timber and structures. Catfish fair on trotlines baited with cut shad and some reports indicate that they are also biting on dough baits. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County. Robert S. Kerr: Elevation normal, water 67 and clear. Largemouth bass fair at 4-6 ft. using plastic baits and spinnerbaits fishing the rock and weed cover. Crappie fair at 10 ft. using minnows fishing in the old creek channels. White bass fair 10 ft. using jigs fishing below Webbers Falls and Kerr dams. Blue catfish fair at 8-10 ft. using fresh cut bait fishing the flats next to the old creeks and river channels. Flathead catfish fair at 25 ft. using live bait on trotlines and juglines. Report submitted by Rick Olzawski, game warden stationed in Haskell County. Sardis Lake: Crappie good along structure on minnows and jigs and off bridges. Largemouth bass fair on shallow running crankbaits and spinnerbaits running shallow. Report submitted by Allen Couch, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County. Texoma: Elevation 5 ft. below normal, water 77 and clear. Largemouth and smallmouth bass fair to good on plastic baits at 10-20 ft. in the creek channels. Striped and white bass fair to good on sassy shad and live bait at 15-20 ft. near the islands. Channel and blue catfish fair on cut shad and stinkbait at 10-15 ft. deep at Washita Point. Crappie fair to good on minnows and jigs at 10-15 ft. at Widow Moore and Kansas creeks. Report submitted by Danny Clubb, game warden stationed in Bryan County. Wister: Elevation 2 ft. below normal and murky. Largemouth bass fair to good on plastic baits off points at 10-12 ft. Blue catfish fair on cut bait. Crappie fair on minnows around brush piles at 10-12 ft. Report submitted by Randy Fennell, game warden stationed in LeFlore County.

I have a friend who lives in Wichita. He was diagnosed with brain cancer 2 1/2 years ago. Father of 3 young kids, lead man in a ministry to young boys... he had alot of life in front of him. He underwent lots of treatments, some traditional and some not. All of the patients that went through treatment with him have died as of this summer. Christmas last year he was praying... pouring his heart out to God. They were frustrated because the tumor had grown even with treatment. It looked as if it had won. But as he prayed, he felt God tell him he was going to live.. cancer free. So he stopped his treatments and told everyone what he heard. To say the least, most thought he was delusional. But he held fast to his belief. In April, the scans showed the tumor was growing but not as fast. In August, the scan showed the tumor had shrunk to nothing. There are lots of stories- some good and some not so good. But all involved our hearts and lives searching for meaning to life, especially when life itself is threatened. Father, our hearts go out for this precious little girl, her parents and her family. Show yourself mighty in this situation... show your hand of mercy and healing, peace and strength. Give the doctors wisdom to know what to do. Cause everyone involved to seek you with a humble heart. In Jesus's Name.

You have a good point. Anyone else?

What about... 1. When the hatchery gets done and they are raising mroe trout, raise the limit back to 5. Or 'for sure' raise the minimum length of rainbows stocked to 12-13 inches and make the feds to the same. 2. Change the slot from 12-20 to 14-30, or 14 and over released. This would take pressure off the food base below the dam IF 14 and under rainbows would be really taken out... water running- they would be by boaters water not running- they would not (darn fly fishers don't keep fish ) 3. Impose a slot with no bait restrictions from Fall Creek to Cooper Creek - 14-20 on rainbows. #3 is one of those statements thrown out for discussion... see where it goes.

You mentioned the 60's and 70's and how it was. No it will never be that way again, regardless of rules. There's not enough food in the lake to grow trout (rainbows) like that again (lack of scuds). But my memory of how it was just 2-3-4 years ago... the number, size, quality of rainbows in the 'zone' was very good, comparible to most fisheries in the country. We're just in a funk... just like the Cardinals were last night. We need rain. We need non-stop generation for 6 months. We need generation like it was 4-5-6 years ago. then you will see rainbows come back and surpass the numbers, quality they were in 2000-2001.

This issue does not follow party lines- that's very evident.

I don't think many, if any, are 'snaggers'. I'm sure every one of the anglers fishing outlets #1 or #2 would rather fair hook a fish than foul hook one. I foul hooked several fish below rebar the other day... it will happen anytime you're fishing for stationary fish while you're getting the fly down to them- right in their face- and they don't take it. It catches a fin or catches the bottom and when you quick-set the hook, it catches them where you don't want to.

Drove to the dam today after 3 pm. Parked and walked down above #2 and started stripping a #16 black soft hackle. The water was off- had not ran all day. Wind was blowing downstream at a pretty good clip. Had 2 strikes and landed one small rainbow. I made my way down past outlet #2, staying in the middle of the stream away from the guys who were fishing the flume. I didn't see alot of fishing in the outlet- I was surprised. But the ones that were in there were biting fairly well. I walked out and headed down to rebar. It started to get cloudy and the temp started to drop- something I wasn't prepared for. I was in shorts and a tee shirt and I got cold fast, esp wet wading. Talked to Doug from St Louis who said he caught a 12 lb brown in the am and hooked several other big browns. He caught and released his trophy- caught on a #18 gray scud below rebar. I saw others using a tiny white eggs, practically fishing it dead on the bottom and having good success. Lots of nice browns and rainbows all over but not as many as last year at this time- several have expressed the same observation. It may just be a late season.

It's amazing you got that screen name after 1367 people have registered on a FISHING forum. Congrats!!

Got a tech question--- A 'skin' is what programmers call the look and feel of a webpage. The default skin is blue and it what the forum came with. I have purchased and installed different skins to give the forum a warmer look. I set the default skin to Paparus so this skin should come up automatically when you open and log on. My question- is it working properly for everyone. I've had a few people ask. If you have the blue skin, for some reason it doesn't give you the option to change skins. If you're BLUE and want to change, I have to change it for you, as admin. No problem on my end so please email me if you want to change. To change skins otherwise, go to the bottom of the forum where you will find the skin selector on the left side. The blue skin doesn't have some of the new options and links the other skins do.