Phil Lilley

Just read this topic... kinda getting back slowly. OA started as a trout site back in 1997. I reported on Taneycomo, wrote articles for this lake and such. Then I wanted to branch out a bit and tried to get reports from our guides as well as marinas on TR- if you've ever tried to call a marina for a report, you'll understand when I say that's a tough job- getting any detailed info from them. Most reports you read on even guides sites are general in nature but that's bass fishing... esp during the dog days of summer. But I tried. Bill Babler has helped emincely, reporting and writing articles. Bull Shoals was, and continues to be the hardest to get information on. Then several years ago, the we added the White and Norfork Tailwaters- then the Current, Eleven Point and North Fork of the White. REports and articles by Sam Potter, Brian Sloss and Brian Wise. The key was details and consistency. They did a great job. Then the forum in Nov, 2005. Had no idea what to do with it... I knew if I added all the other lakes, river and streams, OA would be lacking in maps and articles. But this isn't a short termed deal. I look to keep adding information on all waters AND am always open to ideas. Dutch- you're always welcome to give your opinion and it will be respected. Trout fishing does dominate the forum mainly bacause of it's beginnings. I'm promoting the forum at Lake of the Ozarks, Truman, Grand and Stockton hoping to add more bass fishermen. But I believe I have more forum competitors in the bass fishing world. Thanks!

Glasses... nothing is working so I'm doing alot of squinting. My eyes have about had it for the day. Next June - not sure of the dates yet... I know I have a week blocked off and am going to add a week. Hope to go up for 2 week prior to work on the place.

Vince brought this trophy in this am for a pic before releasing it. He caught it downstream of the resort on a crank bait. 24 inches about 7 pounds.

I put together a page of pics and information for everyone. Hope you enjoy! http://ozarkanglers.com/alaska2006

OK the pics are ready. I did alittle research on the area and posted it with the other info. Hope you like it. http://ozarkanglers.com/alaska2006

King Salmon, Ak is an old US Air Force Base that has recently been reactivated because of 9/11. If you download goggle earth and search for King Salmon, you'll see the runways clearly. Follow Lake Camp Rd from K.S. to the east until it deadends at the river... that's the public access/boat ramp. There's a road that cuts off and goes south called Mike's Rd. Google has butchered the overlay of it's marking of the road though and the image is not good at all- but Jim's Naknek River Camp is just upstream of the cove that looks like a bird's head and directly across the river from the long narrow cut/cove across the river. The small airstrip north of the small lakes on the road to their place belongs to a guy who retired as a state ranger. He has 2 planes and still does some flying for the state. He finds dead walrus on the beach, amoung other interesting items such as very old fishing net floats, and lands on the beach to retrieve them (he has tundra wheels on the plane). He cuts off the heads of the walrus and boils them, leaving the skull and teeth. Some of the teeth are 30 inches long and 10 inches in diameter. He can't sell them because he's not part of a native tribe but gives them away as gifts to friends and relatives. He and his wife lives there year round, the only ones out on Lake Camp that do. And yes they do keep the road clear out to the access in the winter. They get up to 4-6 feet of snow pack per year. Last winter Jim said a local told him they had an unusual cold spell- 10 days when the temp didn't get above 20 below. Naknek is 10 miles west of King Salmon at the mouth of the river. It has several canneries and lots of ship yards where fishing boats are stored onshore. They are only used for about 4 weeks each July to net salmon. The fishing time and catch is closely monitored by Alask Fish and Game to insure a good spawning crop. In the early 1900's, king salmon populations were almost depleted because of netting. Even today, they don't see the large kings (over 100 lbs) because the gene pool of the large ones is gone. The canneries import over 2000 workers to clean and work the plants, mainly college aged kids from east Europe and Russia. They work 12-15 hours per day and make good money. They are housed in a series of trailers that line the main road. Naknek has a annual population of 600.

Haven't got the pics done yet but will write me version of the 10-day trip. I differ with Bill assessment. I know he's had some great trips, floating rivers and such, but the fishing here isn't that tough. It's alot like Taneycomo with 3-4 units running BUT there's alot of places to get out and wade. Pressure- we'd see 6-12 boats on a 7 mile stretch. They were on one particular bank alot and that's where we caught alot of our silvers. But we caught silvers on the flats the first week stripping the normal silver flies- bright and flashy. Caught all the pinks you ever want on the same flat this week- same method. I caught a good number of rainbows drifting eggs (beads) on spin and fly from a boat. I took 2 of the Johnson kids using spinning and drifting beads and a split shot and they had no trouble catching 18-22 inch rainbows. Naknek River is challenging and it's not back woods... but it's nothing like the Kenai- no where close. Better fishing and not half the crowds. Margot Creek. Located east of Brooks, this little stream was full of rainbows, char (Dollies) and salmon... and oh yes bears!! We saw most of and had all of our close encounters here. All told I figured we had over 40 bear encounters on the trip- some were the same bear but many were not. We drifted beads again here, using shooting line and weights. Not alot of weight as Bill mentioned. Fishing for silvers on Naknek I used very little. But the swift water in Margot and Brooks warrented more lead to keep the fly on the bottom. My favorite time is when I can see the rainbow or char, cast to it and make a perfect drift- hook and land it. I did this several time on Margot Creek. Brooks. We boated to Brooks 3 times in 2 weeks. Bear haven in July but they had headed to the high country, smaller streams and easier pickin's. We did see a couple-3 or 4 here. Rainbow fishing was excellent on the lower river but tougher on up in the faster water, upper river. Brooks Lake is beautiful! I've mentioned being resourceful... if nothing else on this trip I've come away very much more grateful for what we have. In King Salmon and the communities around, EVERYTHING has to be shipped in, mostly by barge and some by air. Everything is more expensive so you try to make due with what you have- if you're fixing a motor or repairing something in the house. Driving to town at $4.40 per gallon will make you think twice about going for a loaf of bread. Jim & Phyliss are starting something 99% of us only think about- starting a vew business at 50 years old... and from practically scratch. It reminds me of our first years here at the resort... we had to be resouceful- we didn't have the mony to hire or buy new things. But they've picked a wonderful place to start it! More later. WalMart didn't have the glasses I need and so my eyes are buggy...

I could require varification of membership... when someone new registers the program automatically sends an email with a password to log on- then once on you can change the password. Some forums do this. I didn't in the beginning cause I had too many people complaining about the new format in fishing reports (the forum). I didn't want to complicate it further. I could do it beginning now- I think. We'll see- when I get caught up.

Well- I'm in Naknek, Alaska at the local library. Weather hasn't been too bad till today- mid 40's, winds 15-25 and rain. I heard it was supposed to be 105 at home today... which one would you pick?? I've landed pink, silver and sockeye salmon, rainbow and char (dolly). Pinks up to 5 lbs, silvers up to 7 lbs, sockeye up to 9 lbs, largest rainbow only 6-7 pounds and char up to 3 lbs. We've fished the Naknek River, boated to Brooks and fished the river and the mouth of Brooks Lake and fished Margo Creek yesterday- best day of the trip so far. Saw 12 bears, 2 sets of mothers with cubs. No close calls, if you don't call 40 feet close. Looking forward to exploring more small creeks and catch some bigger char and rainbows. The sockeye are old-hat. The silvers are fun on the flats in the big river. Oh- of course- all on fly. Here are some pics... got some great video too. Bear Class at Brooks Camp (required) First bear on the river. He stepped out in back of me while I was fishing- about 30 feet away. Bill and I had to cross the river (quickly). He went on up and bothered the rest of the group before leaving. 60 minute boat ride to Margo Creek. Foot print Leftovers. Sockeye in an eddy. Jim Johnson with a Char. Junior sniffing out his next "snack". Nice rainbow. Char. Jim- bear eating a sockeye behind him. Rainbow. Bill posing for a pic. This was the lake looking toward the glaciers across Naknek Lake. Too many beatiful scenes to take pics of and they don't do them justice. I did manage to "swat" my eye glasses off my head Wednesday (high dollar prescriptions) so I'm fishing with a handicap. I'm still out fishing Bill! And if you ever go to Alaska- don't ever hold a male sockeye by the jaw for a pic... I have 8 bandaids on my left hand as a reminder to not do that again. Blessings!!

True- but I haven't had to ban anybody yet... the spammers hit and run and never come back. They don't care. They're just hoping for a few hits before they're discovered and topics deleted. That's what I see up to now.

Up to 30 emails that I know of. Mr Schoonover won't know what hit him... no response to a deluge of emails.

Well- I didn't send it out till 4ish yesterday and alot of people probably had already left work... yes I've found most people on the forum check it from work, not at home. So we should get more activity on Monday. Also, non-members who check the board should send a note. Copy and paste the address and go.

AFter the emailing... I've received 15 responses who have sent emails to the Corp.

Good luck getting to the river... the traffic was backed up all the way to the Landing tonight- both lanes- and it wasn't moving. I've never seen it that bad. The midnght car parade is tomorrow night. The "burnout" was tonight but the "canceled it"... they just didn't tell the tourist who came to burn and/or watch. Should be interesting.

For Immediate Release August 10, 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 Wildlife Commission sets waterfowl dates, honors conservation supporters Heat, drought combine to cause fish kill at Great Salt Plains Lake September 1 deadline for bonus youth deer hunts Generous seasons await waterfowl hunters Vehicle auction scheduled for Aug. 17 Outdoor Calendar Fishing Report Wildlife Commission sets waterfowl dates, honors conservation supporters The Wildlife Conservation Commission has set the dates and bag limits for Oklahoma's upcoming waterfowl season and waterfowl hunters across the state can look forward to another productive year. Duck season dates and daily limits will be 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. "Biologists are reporting excellent duck reproduction in Canada, however, in Oklahoma our waterfowl season is always dependent on the weather and right now we really need to see some good, timely rains across the state," Mike O'Meilia , migratory game bird biologist said. "Right now there are good stands of wetland plants around the lakes and in the marshes, but what we really need is steady rains to flood these food sources for the ducks in October and early November." To see the complete season dates and bag limits log on to wildlifedepartment.com. Also at the August meeting, the Wildlife Conservation Commission honored Robert L. Hutchins for his lifetime of achievement in wildlife conservation. The 86-year old Hutchins has worked tirelessly in his support of a wide variety of organizations and agencies working to improve habitat and increase youth hunting opportunities in Oklahoma and across the nation. Hutchins, often known as "Mr. Duck," provided leadership and served the state's sportsmen and women when he was appointed to the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission in 1993. He played an integral role on the Ducks Unlimited's Marsh Committee which supported work on wetlands across southwest Oklahoma including Hackberry Flat, Waurika, and Mt. Park wildlife management areas. He was instrumental in proposing and implementing a Wetland Development Area at Lake Ellsworth. He was also honored by the Oklahoma Wildlife Federation as the 1986 "Conservationist of the Year." In other business, the Commission accepted a $6,000 donation from the National Rifle Association (NRA) Foundation. The funds will go towards a pair of important Wildlife Department outreach efforts, the Wildlife Expo ($5,000) and the Wildlife Youth Camp ($1,000). "The NRA Foundation has a long history of supporting youth shooting sports in Oklahoma and we are proud to partner with the Wildlife Department once again on these two worthy efforts," said Darrin Delong, NRA field representative. Through banquets and other fund-raising events the NRA Foundation has raised $1.2 million for shooting sports programs in Oklahoma since 1995, including the Wildlife Department's Shotgun Training Education Program (STEP) which introduces thousands of Oklahoma youth and adults to shotgun shooting each year. In other business, the Commission recognized four citizens for their enthusiastic and dedicated support of a federal program called State Wildlife Grants. Hal McKnight, owner of Wheeler Dealer Bicycles in Oklahoma City; Blake Hollingsworth, an Ardmore banker; and Andy McDaniels and Rick Matheny, both with the Oklahoma Wildlife Federation, traveled to Washington, D.C. last March to speak with Oklahoma's elected officials about conservation work in Oklahoma. Specifically, the group voiced their support of Oklahoma's Wildlife Action Plan and the State Wildlife Grants program, which is designed to prevent wildlife from becoming endangered by conserving rare and declining wildlife species. "Many of our elected officials share our passion for Oklahoma's land, water and wildlife and it's important that we as individuals express how important this program is to the people of Oklahoma and to our wildlife," McKnight told the Commission. State Wildlife Grants use federal dollars on early, preventive wildlife conservation efforts at the state level. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation receives Oklahoma's portion of the funding, which is matched by state and partner dollars. For more information about the State Wildlife Grants program, visit www.teaming.com. In other business, the Commission recognized Sam Barrick for his support of the Wildlife Department's law enforcement efforts. He, along with several others from Carter and Love counties, made a donation to the Wildlife Department which was used to purchase a variety of law enforcement equipment. The Commission also recognized two Department employees for their outstanding service to the sportsmen of the state. Employees recognized were: Richard Hoar, senior wildlife biologist in northeast Oklahoma, for 30 years of service; Keith Thomas, fisheries technician at the Oklahoma Fisheries Research Laboratory in Norman, for 20 years of service. The Wildlife Conservation Commission is the eight-member governing board of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The Wildlife Commission establishes state hunting and fishing regulations, sets policy for the Wildlife Department, and indirectly oversees all state fish and wildlife conservation activities. Commission members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. -30- Heat, drought combine to cause fish kill at Great Salt Plains Lake High temperatures and prolonged drought led to a major fish kill at Great Salt Plains Lake in northcentral Oklahoma this week. Biologists with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation estimate 10,000 fish have died due to low dissolved oxygen levels in the lake. "This is a major fish kill and it reflects how this abnormal weather not only affects farmers and ranchers, but it also affects our lakes and our fisheries resources," said Barry Bolton, assistant chief of fisheries for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "We are monitoring the situation closely. Unfortunately, there is simply not anything we can do to remedy high heat and lack of rain." According to Bolton, Great Salt Plains is a relatively shallow reservoir making it particularly susceptible to warm water temperatures. "What we really need is some rain, cooler temperatures or strong winds - unfortunately none of these conditions are in the short-term forecast and there is a real concern that this situation could get worse before it gets better," Bolton said. "However, nature is very resilient and long term outlook remains positive. We will continue to monitor the situation and we will adjust our management efforts, such as stocking, in the future if that is appropriate." There have been no other fish kills reported in other state reservoirs. For more information about fishing in Oklahoma log on to wildlifedepartment.com -30- September 1 deadline for bonus youth deer hunts Beginning deer hunters have a unique opportunity to participate in four youth controlled antlerless deer hunts that will take place on private lands in several Oklahoma counties. Applications must be received at the Wildlife Department no later than 4 p.m., Friday, September 1. The hunts are scheduled for either October or January. This year 58 bonus antlerless deer gun licenses will be drawn for youth 12 to 16 years of age who have completed their hunter education requirements. "These hunts are on private property and should provide young hunters a great opportunity to see some deer as well as a chance to harvest a doe," said Bill Dinkines, assistant chief of wildlife for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission has endorsed the youth hunt program and we are thankful for the landowners' willingness to allow these kids the opportunity to hunt on their property." To apply for a hunt, applicants must send the Department a 4" by 6" index card in an envelope titled "Private Lands Youth Deer Hunts." The card should provide the hunter's name, date of birth, mailing address, telephone number, hunter education certification number, social security or driver's license number, their order of hunt preferences (may list all 4 hunts) and lifetime license number if applicable. A non-hunting adult who is at least 21 years old must accompany the youth, and must also be listed on the index card. The index card should be labeled "Private Lands Youth Deer Hunt" and should be mailed to: Department of Wildlife, Attn: Wildlife Division-Youth Deer Hunts, P.O. Box 53465, Oklahoma City, OK 73152. Hunts will be offered in: Craig County (Oct. 8) Ellis County (Oct. 6-7) Osage County (Oct. 20-22) Alfalfa County (Jan. 13-14) The drawing will be held Sept. 7 and successful applicants will receive a notification letter in the mail about their hunt the following week. The letter will inform them of their selection and provide details about the hunt and license requirements. Selected resident youth will need to purchase a $10 Resident Youth Deer Gun License unless they possess an Oklahoma Resident Lifetime Hunting or Resident Lifetime Combination License. Selected nonresidents will need to purchase a $201.00 Nonresident Deer Gun License. The youth's non-hunting adult does not need a license. Any antlerless deer harvested during the controlled hunt will be considered a bonus deer and will not count against the youths' combined season limit. For additional information concerning the hunts, contact the Department at (405) 521-2739. -30- Generous seasons await waterfowl hunters Waterfowl hunters can now mark their calendars with all the important duck, goose and crane hunting season dates. Duck season dates and daily limits will be 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. The regulations were set by the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission at their August meeting. "Biologists are reporting excellent duck reproduction in Canada, however, in Oklahoma our waterfowl season is always dependent on the weather and right now we really need to see some good, timely rains across the state," Mike O'Meilia, migratory game bird biologist for the Wildlife Department said. "Right now there are good stands of wetland plants around the lakes and in the marshes, but what we really need is steady rains to flood these food sources for the ducks in October and early November." 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. Hunter's Choice sets up a separate category of ducks (pintails, canvasbacks and hen mallards). Hunters may take only one of the species that is listed in this aggregate, or combined category in the daily bag limit. Liberal season lengths, 74 days in the Central Flyway since 1997, combined with a long-term decline in pintails and scaup and a small continental population of canvasbacks have led flyway biologists to believe these species may need additional protection. For the past several hunting seasons, 39-day seasons within a season, have been used to limit the harvest of pintails and canvasbacks. "The Hunter's Choice has the potential to have the same effect as seasons within seasons," O'Meilia said, "and Hunter's Choice may be more acceptable to hunters." Over the next three years, half of the 10 states in the Central Flyway, including Oklahoma, will maintain similar seasons as previous years, while the other five states will use the Hunter's Choice bag limit. At the end of the trial, biologists will evaluate the effectiveness of the two bag limits and ask hunters which they prefer. 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. Opening Oct. 7 and running continuously through Jan. 4, 2007. Pintail and canvasback season will open Oct. 7 and run through Nov. 14. Youth waterfowl dates for the panhandle will be 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 can log on to wildlifedepartment.com to check out the latest wetland status reports. Once the season begins, periodic 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 will be available by Oct. 1 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- Vehicle auction scheduled for Aug. 17 The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation will sell 26 vehicles at a live auction Thursday, Aug 17, at 6 p.m. at the Department's headquarters located at 1801 N. Lincoln in Oklahoma City. "The vehicles, mostly all 4X4 Ford and Chevrolet trucks, are vehicles that are being replaced in the agencies fleet," said Johnny Hill, property manager for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "We're going to sell everything as is to the highest bidder." A total of 26 vehicles will be available at the event, including several ¾ ton Chevrolet trucks, a 2002 Chevrolet one-ton dually truck, two 1999 Chevrolet Tahoes and a 1996 Dodge Caravan. For more information about the auction call (405) 521-4600 or for a complete list of auction vehicles, log on to wildlifedepartment.com. The sale will start promptly at 6:00 p.m. and items may be inspected from 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. the day of the sale. -30- STATEWIDE HUNTER EDUCATION COURSES 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 10 hours and are free. Students must pass an exam with a score of 70 percent. For updated information on upcoming courses, contact the Wildlife Department's Hunter Education Hotline at (405) 521-4650 or check our Web site at www.wildlifedepartment.com/hunted.htm 18 & 19: Hunter Education: Great Plains Technology Center, Lawton; August 18 (6 p.m. - 9 p.m.) and August 19 (9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.). 18 & 19: Hunter Education: Walters School Auditorium, Walters; August 18 (6 p.m. - 9 p.m.) and August 19 (9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.). 19: Hunter Education: Green Country Tech Center, Okmulgee; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. 19: Hunter Education: Southern Oklahoma Tech Center, Ardmore; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; 19: Hunter Education: Kiamichi Tech Center, McAlester; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; 19: Hunter Education: Taloga County Fairground; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; 19: Hunter Education: NSU Net Building, Auditorium, Tahlequah; 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.; 19: Hunter Education: Wagoner Civic Center; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; 19: Hunter Education: High School, Arnett; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; 19: Hunter Education: Caddo/Kiowa Tech Center, Ft. Cobb; 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.; 19: Hunter Education: First Baptist Church, Hollis; 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.; 19 Hunter Education: Police Department, Cleveland; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; 19: Hunter Education: Hobart Fairgrounds; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; 19: Hunter Education: Alva Tech Center, Alva; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. 19 & 20: Hunter Education: Fairground, Buffalo; 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. 19: Hunter Education: Red Castle gun Club, Sand Springs; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (918) 299-2334 19: Hunter Education: Community Center, Owasso. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; (918) 299-2334. OUTDOOR CALENDAR AUGUST 19: Oklahoma Wildlife Federation dinner at Oklahoma City Sportsman's Club at 6 p.m. For more information contact the Federation at (405) 216-5540. 24: Aquatic Education Clinic: Crystal Lake Clinic, OKC Parks and Rec. Pre-registration is required. Register by calling Bob Martin at (405) 755-4014. 25-27: OKLAHOMA WILDLIFE EXPO 2006 at the Lazy E Arena. Friday 3 p.m. - 8 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Sunday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. For a complete listing of upcoming outdoor activities and events, go to wildlifedepartment.com and check out the Outdoor Calendar. FISHING REPORT FOR AUGUST 9, 2006 CENTRAL Arcadia: Elevation 1/2 ft. below normal, water 80-85 and semi-clear. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits around brush piles at 4-6 ft. in the morning to mid-day. Channel catfish good off northeast banks and central coves on sunfish, shad and worms in the evening just off bottom. Flathead catfish good along northeast banks on shad and worms. Crappie fair to good on worms and minnows in the evening just off bottom and around fishing dock at 5-7 ft. Report submitted by Linnie Mason, gate attendant. Overholser: Elevation normal. Catfish being caught on shrimp and doughbaits. Crappie slow on jigs. Report submitted by Kelly Roberson, game warden stationed in Oklahoma and Canadian counties. Thunderbird: Elevation 6 ft. below normal and clear. Channel catfish fair to good at night on stinkbaits and cut baits. Only three boat ramps are open: Hog Creek, Fishermen's Point and Little Axe. Report submitted by Tony Woodruff, game warden stationed in Cleveland County. Wes Watkins: Elevation 4 1/2-5 ft. below normal, water 79-89 and clear. Catfish fair on minnows, jigs, chicken livers, stinkbaits, cut baits and cheese/chicken liver. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around boat docks, brush piles, structure at 10-12 ft. or just off bottom. Largemouth bass poor with some action on rattletraps around weed beds early morning and evening and around lip of main lake channel on silver-colored crankbaits. Report submitted M. M. Fowler at St. Gregory. Wes Watkins: Elevation 4 1/2 ft. below normal, water 90. Largemouth bass slow on plastic worms around structure in deep water. Channel catfish fair on cut baits at 10-12 ft. Crappie slow on minnows and jigs around the dam and deep structure. White bass fair on rattletraps and crankbaits when schooling. Report submitted by Ronnie Arganbright, game warden stationed in Pottawatomie County. NOTHEAST Bell Cow: Elevation 3 ft. below normal and clear. Largemouth bass slow. Channel catfish fair on cut bait, minnows and doughbaits. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around docks at night. Report submitted by Gary Emmons, game stationed in Lincoln County. Birch: Elevation 1 ft. below normal, water in the mid-80 and clear. Catfish fair on cut shad off windy banks. Crappie fair around deep brush piles at 20-30 ft. on minnows and jigs. Report submitted by Paul Welch, game warden stationed in Osage County. Carl Blackwell: Elevation 2 ft. below normal, water 84 and murky. Striped bass hybrids good on live bait. Catfish good on cut bait and punch bait. Crappie fair around fishing docks. Report submitted by Jon Cunningham, game warden stationed in Payne County. Chandler: Elevation 3 ft. below normal and clear. Largemouth bass slow. Channel catfish fair on stinkbaits and live baits. Crappie and bass slow. Report submitted by Gary Emmons, game warden stationed in Lincoln County. Grand: Elevation normal and clear. White bass good on spinnerbaits or spoons, following schools of shad. Channel catfish fair at 30-40 ft. in river channels on cut shad. Report submitted by Jim Littlefield, game warden stationed in Delaware County. Greenleaf: Elevation 1 ft. below normal and clear. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits and crankbaits in creeks and along shoreline. Channel catfish fair on cut bait and stinkbait on bottom. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 12-14 ft. around fishing docks and brush structure. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County. Hudson: Elevation normal and clear. Largemouth bass fair to good on plastics. Catfish good on worms and shrimp. Report submitted by Steve Loveland, game warden stationed in Mayes County. Kaw: Elevation 2 ft. below normal and murky. White bass good on slabs, twister tails and crankbaits on windy points in the Pioneer Beach and Sarge Creek areas. Blue catfish good on juglines baited with shad and with rod and reel in the Washunga Bay and Coon Creek areas at 4-25 ft. Channel catfish excellent on stinkbait and blood bait from Traders Bend north to the State line fishing in deep water brush piles. Crappie fair using jigs at 15-18 ft. over sunken brush in the Five Fingers and Beaver Creek areas. Fishermen should be advised that the lake level has been lowered 2 ft. for the planting of Japanese millet for waterfowl. Bear Creek ramp is not usable, and the Coon Creek ramp is very difficult for large boats. Boaters should use extreme caution lake wide for stumps, rocks, and sandbars. Report submitted by Tracy Daniel, game warden stationed in Kay Counties. Keystone: Elevation normal, water 90 and clear to murky. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits and eight-inch plastic worms at 8-15 ft. around brush piles in deep coves. Smallmouth bass slow on crankbaits and small jig and chunk at 10-18 ft. off points and bluffs. Spotted bass fair on crankbaits and topwater lures early from the surface to 10 ft. off points and bluffs. White bass fair on rooster tails, crankbaits and minnows at 8-12 ft. off main lake points and under bridges at night. Striped bass fair below the dam on topwater lures and bucktails from the surface to 4 ft. on topwaters when no water is running. Striped bass fair in the lake on deep crankbaits and big swim baits at 15-20 ft. along Hwy 64 rip rap. Channel catfish fair on worms and shrimp at 8-12 ft. in coves and creeks. Blue catfish fair on cut shad and punch baits at 15-20 ft. in river channel flats. Flathead catfish slow on goldfish and large minnows at 15-20 ft. off rocky points. Crappie slow on medium minnows and jigs at 15-20 ft. around brush piles. Report submitted by Larry Sellers, Woody's Bait and Tackle. Oologah: Elevation normal, water mid-80. White bass fair on jigs fishing flats near the main lake. Watch for schooling fish. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around brush piles at 20-25 ft. Channel and blue catfish fair on jugs baited with shad on flats near the river channel at 25 ft. Report submitted by Brek Henry, game warden stationed in Rogers County. Sooner: White bass and striped bass fair on live shad in deep water around the dam. Channel catfish fair on cut and live baits in the channels. Report submitted by Doug Gottschalk, game warden stationed in Noble County. Tenkiller: Elevation 3 1/2 ft. below normal, water 87. Crappie fair around docks on minnows at 10-20 ft. Catfish good on juglines with cut baits and on stinkbaits at 17-21 ft. off points. Sunfish good around docks and bluffs on jigs tipped with worms. Report by Monte Brooks, Cookson Village Resort. Webbers Falls: Elevation 1 ft. below normal and murky. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits along rip rap. Channel catfish fair on cut bait and stinkbaits on bottom. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 12-16 ft. around brush structure. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County. NORTHWEST Canton: Elevation 5 ft. below normal. White bass and striped bass hybrids fair drifting shad and slabs. Channel catfish good drifting shad. Walleye fair drifting shad and night crawlers. Report submitted by Mark Walker, game warden stationed in Blaine County. Ft. Supply: Channel catfish fair on liver and shad along the dam. Report submitted by Mark Reichenberger, game warden stationed in Harper County. Great Salt Plains: Elevation 1 ft. below normal. Fishing below the dam is slow due to a heat/drought related fish kill. Also fishing in the lake is slow because of low water levels and a smaller fish kill in the lake. Report submitted by Ben Bickerstaff, game warden stationed in Alfalfa County. SOUTHEAST Arbuckle: Elevation 3 1/2 ft. below normal, water 58 and clear. Crappie slow. White bass slow. Channel catfish being caught at 15-18 ft. in Guy Sandy Creek. Bass fair night fishing on Carolina-rigged fries and Texas-rigged 10-inch blue fleck power worms early and late. Report submitted by Jack Melton. Broken Bow: Elevation 5-6 ft. below normal and clear. Fishing slow due to heat. Largemouth bass being caught on topwaters early mornings and late evenings. Crappie good along structure and standing timber on minnows and jigs. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County. Eufaula: Elevation 3 ft. above normal and clear. Largemouth bass fair on plastic baits on Carolina rigging deep. White bass good on slab spoons at 8-10 ft. early morning and late evening. Blue catfish slow. Crappie fair on jigs or minnows at 10-20 ft. in standing timber. Report submitted Ed Rodebush, game warden stationed in McIntosh County. Hugo: Elevation 1/2 ft. below normal, water 84 and murky. Largemouth bass fair on plastic worms. Crappie fair on minnows. Report submitted by Wendell Smalling, game warden stationed in Choctaw County. Konawa: Elevation 1 ft. below normal, water 95 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on plastic worms along weed beds at 10-12 ft. Catfish good on stinkbait along points at 5-10 ft. Report submitted by Daryl Howser, game warden stationed in Seminole County. McGee Creek: Elevation 1 ft. below normal, water 84 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on shad colored lures on schooling bass early and late in open water and fair on soft plastic lures at 10-20 ft. Crappie fair on minnows at 10-20 ft. around cedar brush. Report submitted by Larry Luman, game warden stationed in Atoka County. Lower Mountain Fork River: Fishing has slowed considerably. Folks who normally catch/release lots of fish are doing well. The air temperature has been high for several weeks and the water temperature is rising as well. Seems that the best flies mimic some stage of caddis, caddis larva, pupa, emerger, and adult. Small flies seem to be working well, especially in zone 2, try midge patterns, caddis patterns, and occasionally a colorful streamer. In zone 1 grasshoppers and ants are a good choice. We are observing more and more of the large Hexagenia mayflies. Report submitted by Sid Ingram, Beavers Bend Fly Shop. Murray: Water 85 and clear. Largemouth bass fair early morning and late evening. White bass fair. Catfish fair on stinkbaits. Report submitted by Jeremy Brothers, game warden stationed in Carter County. Pine Creek: Elevation slightly below normal. Bass excellent on plastic worms Texas rigged at 12-18 ft. and good on topwater lures late in the evening. Crappie fair on minnows and at night crawlers on pole and line. Sunfish good throughout the lake on red worms. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County. Robert S. Kerr: Elevation normal, water 84 and clear. Largemouth bass fair at 3-5 ft. using plastic baits fishing the weed and rock structure next to deeper water. Crappie fair at 10 ft. using minnows fishing the old submerged creek channels in the Dirty, Sallisaw and Big San Bois creeks areas. White bass fair surface to 6 ft. using shad imitation lures fishing the islands in the Tamaha and Sequyoah National Wildlife Refuge areas. Blue and flathead catfish fair at 10-15 ft. using live bait and fresh cut shad fishing the edges of the old river channel. Report submitted by Rick Olzawski, game warden stationed in Haskell County. Sardis Lake: Elevation normal and clear. Largemouth bass slow. White bass and walleye fair trolling around islands. Blue and flathead catfish fair on trotlines and juglines baited with cut bait and shad. Crappie good on minnows around bridges and brush piles. Report submitted by Allen Couch, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County. Texoma: Elevation 4 1/2 ft. below normal, water 83 and clear. Largemouth and smallmouth bass fair to good on topwater and deep-diving baits from the surface to 15 ft. around riprap and underwater structures. Striped bass and white bass fair to good on topwater baits, spoons and live bait from the surface to 25 ft. scattered from Catfish Bay to the Islands. Channel and blue catfish fair to good on live bait and cut shad from 10-20 ft. from Johnson Creek to Platter Flats. Report submitted by Danny Clubb, game warden stationed in Bryan County. Wister: Elevation 1/2 ft. below normal, water 83 and murky. Largemouth bass fair on topwaters in the evenings and for awhile after dark. Report submitted by D.G. Belcher, game warden stationed in Latimer and LeFlore counties. SOUTHWEST Altus-Lugert: Elevation 29 ft. below normal. Lake level is dropping very quickly. North shore ramp and Hicks Mountain boat ramp is high and dry. Main boat ramp is very low-small boats only. Use extreme CAUTION when on the lake. Water murky. Crappie fair on minnows. Striped bass hybrids very good. White bass have been biting on minnows near Lakeview Boat Ramp north shore. Catfish good on juglines. Walleye fair. Report compiled by Quartz Mountain Grocery. Foss: Elevation 3 1/2 ft. below normal, water 85 and clear. White bass good in late evening. Striped bass hybrids fair. Walleye and saugeye slow. Catfish fair. Bass slow. Report submitted by Eric Puyear, B & K Bait House. Waurika: Elevation 4 ft. below normal, water 81 and murky. White bass and striped bass hybrids good off points on shad. Catfish good on punch bait. Crappie fair in deep water around standing timber. Report submitted by Phillip Cottrill, game warden stationed in Jefferson County.

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Vince and I got out at daylight this am. Cloudy and rainy- perfect. We used 1 oz jigging spoons and caught about a dozen whites from 1.5 - 2.5 pounds in water from 40-70 feet deep at depths from 20-70 feet. No real pattern- just try to get the spoon down to where the fish were. We'd watch the depth finder and adjust our depth. Caught several spotted bass- 2 keepers. Lots of top water action all morning till we left at 10 am- still busting shad on top. Mainly spots. Had a couple hits on a small spook but none caught. There were about 10 boats including Don House and Rick LaPointe. Buster showed up about 9:30 for a trip. They quit hitting the spoon about 8:30 am.

Forecast is for mid to upper 90's. I think they will start early to mid afternoon and generation hard till 10-11 pm. That's my guess.

There's plenty of gravel.. and bedrock underneath.

http://ozarkanglers.com/taneycomo/weithman.php

I'm reading a book by a friend of mine, Joe Norvell. He lives just south of here in Arkansas and helps with a ministry to young men in trouble. It's a basic book about faith in Christ. I found in the first chapter a section that talks about 'position in life' and how we identify with position as part of the basis of who we are, of think we are. What caught my eye and lead me to think of some of the posts lately is the mention of what Jesus said about seeking the "high place". Here He was at a Pharasee's house observing how different people were being treated. Luke 14:7-11 - 7 When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: 8 "When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, 'Give this man your seat.' Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. 10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, 'Friend, move up to a better place.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Don't boast of your 'credintials' and name-drop. Those reading will only think of you as pompous and will not give you the credit you may deserve as really knowing something about what your posting. The best thing is to have others testify of your accomplishments with honestly and admiration. But if you don't have people around that will do that, then you really have lived wrongly.

$5.50 per day if you don't want to buy the annual.

I remember the last time we heard regs were going to change on the white... someone threw a ranger wrench in the works and it didn't happen.

Is that from the dam to ?? What about lure/bait restrictions?

Got a cool down today... of sorts. Cloudy and alittle rain but the humidity is high so it still feels hot. I got out this morning for an hour- 10 am I boated up 200 yards short of Lookout Island and started fishing a #12 red stimulator (dry fly) along the bluff bank. It's that time of year when our rainbows (and a few browns) start looking up. Water was slick, no wind, and very few boats. No activity as I boated up- I always look regardless of the time of year when I'm boating up past the bluff. I look for any surface activity, giving me a hint of what I should tie on first. But this time I was GOING to fish a dry. As I started, I had a few rainbows start feeding along the bank but 10+ feet from the edge. That's ok- that's where I threw. I caught 2 small rainbows right off the bat. Then a nice one- 15 inches. I love when a fish takes a surface fly- nothing like it. Moving down the bank real slow, I threw either to rising or to places that looked fishy. I'd leave the fly on the surface for 20-30-40 seconds which is a long time if you think about it. Caught 2 more medium sized rainbows and then they quit. Ran into Babler and he said he had the same thing happen- was catching fish and then they stopped abrupted. I did what I wanted to do and it was time to do some "real" work. The hot spot still has been down by Cooper Creek. Bill said they've found schools of nice 12-14 inch stockers down there for the last week- some schools are fresher than others (stupider). Most are taking a spoon but some are taking a jig under a float better. Buster is using a jig head with a power bait egg under a float 5 feet deep and doing excellent. That the way you can use power bait on your fly rod!! Jig and float with a pinch of paste! Best fishing was been mid morning to 2-3 pm. Early fishing just isn't that good unless you're fishing off our dock in which the early bite is best using night crawlers and power baits. Generation is coming on anywhere from 11 to 3 pm, depending on heat. Babler drifted a #12 tan scud under a float 10-12 feet deep on the flats from Andy's down and did real well Monday and Tuesday. But it had to be deep- twice as deep as the water depth. Used alittle split shot above the fly 24 inches too. He did say he saw 3-4 BIG rainbows on the shallow side of the lake below Andy's yesterday during generation. They were real spooky. He said they were 10 pounds-plus. Beautiful fish with lots of red on their sides. Linc has been fly fishing a bit below the dam. He's been doing real well using a #18 black zebra midge under a stimulator as an indicator. He was a report up and I'll tell him to add to this one with more info. I'm leaving for Alaska Sunday night, flying out Monday early. Will be on the river by 5 pm Monday their time (3 hours early). Wish I had room for everyone... I feel guilty going when so many never get the chance to go and this is my second trip. All Bill and I are having to come up with is our airfare- we are technically "guiding", helping out Jim Johnson with his clients while his brother, Tom, is delayed because of an accident his wife had. He is a seasoned Alaskan guide and will be up in a couple of weeks to spell us. Dano has agreed to watch the kids while I'm going, although I hope to check and report from a library computer in King Salmon during our stay. Be Blessed!