Phil Lilley

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!!

Willy- I would say 25-30 if you're fishing fairly gradual sloped banks like pea gravel, throw up to 10 or less. I think Bill overlooked that question. He's out on the Rock again today and will report when he gets back.

I don't think so. Consider the date. April 11. It's still early. Get a good rain, water colors up and gets warm and they'll be back in the mood. Some may will absorb their eggs but many will still lay them and so thru the spawn. That's my guess.

John Bishop- haven't heard that name before. Is there many guides on Roaring?

“I can’t get no satisfaction. But I’ve tried and I’ve tried and I’ve tried and I’ve tried. I can’t get no satisfaction.” Maybe Mick Jagger and Keith Richards are fishermen. But allow me to preface with a personal story. Back in the 80s and 90s, I played in a band. The bass player and I were co-workers at the time and formed the band one day at lunch. Buck was a good bass player and we enjoyed several years together playing clubs, festivals, and parties on the weekends. But Buck couldn’t “get no satisfaction.” It seemed every time we would get together for a rehearsal to learn a new song, Buck would have a new piece of equipment of some kind. A new amp, guitar, speaker, strap, or some “new and improved” item was introduced to us during these practice sessions. As soon as Buck would announce his new toy, he would inevitably comment that he really liked this one, but “If I only had ‘brand B’ or ‘model X’ I would be ‘perfectly happy.’” “Perfectly happy.” How many of us have ever achieved this status? As folks who enjoy the art of angling, we are more apt to be in a state of discontent to some degree at all times. I am unaware of any of my fishing buddies who would even attempt false admission that they are totally at ease with their fishing life. There is always a new rod, exotic location, bait, boat, gadget, or other object of desire in our hearts. Plato wrote in “The Republic” that “Necessity is the mother if invention.” Obviously, Plato was not a fisherman. In my youth, I was “perfectly happy” with my Zebco 33 reel and fiberglass Eagle Claw rod, casting a hook impaling a worm or shiner under a split shot with a red and white plastic bobber an acceptable distance above the bait. I sat on the bank in my jeans, tee shirt, and Red Ball sneakers. I had no boat, a few choice artificial baits, and a Western Auto bicycle that took me to all the “exotic” fishing locations within a two mile radius of my home. I caught fish and enjoyed every outing with anticipation of the next trip to the water. Yes, I can say with much certainty that at that point in my fishing life, I was “perfectly happy.” Now some forty years later, I have trouble recalling my first instance of “angler envy.” Maybe it was the first time I saw my childhood hero casting a fly rod to a school of feeding bass. Or it could have been my first trip to the Blass sporting goods section. Crossing Lake Dardanelle at the bridge on highway 64 and seeing the sleek boats cruising for fish comes to mind. Weekly episodes of George Purvis on Arkansas Outdoors and Jerry McKinnis on his show with film of great fishing in other parts of Arkansas certainly gave me reason to ponder other fishing venues. Then, of course, there was Curt Gowdy fishing those places around the world that I could only dream about. Regardless of the time or event, I have been forever hooked on the desire for bigger, better, or just different. I am excited as the winner of a new car on “The Price Is Right” when I open my mailbox and find a new fishing catalog. I jump to the “gear review” section of each outdoor magazine I receive. I make trips to my favorite fly shops just to see what “new and improved” goodies they have on the shelves. And I admit I hear “voices” when I pass the Fish Pond vests and Winston rods in those shops. But necessity? What is “necessary” about the vast majority of items we have in our angling supply inventory? Do we really have to have the bells and whistles to catch more fish? Or is it true that generally these items were designed not to catch fish, but rather to catch the fisherman? Many gadgets are touted as being designed to give the angler an advantage. I am at a loss as to whether this advantage is over the fish or the other fishermen. Of course, there is the possibility it is really to give the maker the advantage over his competition. I suspect that much of the hype is aimed simply at getting the angler’s dollar into the hands of the manufacturer or distributor. But, I am still searching for that item that truly gives me any real edge. That does nothing to stop me from pointing at a new item in the most recent catalog and telling my wife, “I need one of those.” Of course, she, being the more pragmatic one, just answers with a groan of displeasure. She also realizes that my “kid in a candy store” expression will soon pass when I finally think things out and grasp the difference between “need” and “desire.” Several years ago, I pulled my boat into the launch area of a small lake close to my home just as a brand new SUV with a sleek new bass boat in tow was backing down the ramp. As he let the fiberglass craft equivalent to a water bound Ferrari drift into the lake, I struck up a conversation with the owner. He was happy to cover all the bells, whistle, and advantages of his vessel which cost as much as my boat, motor, trailer, truck, and home all together. I drooled at the four tackle boxes organized by soft plastics, plugs, spinners, and jigs. I counted twelve rods of various lengths and styles. A depth finder, fish graph, AM/FM stereo, computerized trolling motor, and electric anchor winch were all within the confines of his new toy. Soft padded seats seemed to be everywhere. And there was enough storage space to keep the entire inventory of most bait and tackle shops. I began to calculate budget cuts that would allow me to make the payments on such a rig on my current wages. I needed one of those boats. He then commented that my dented aluminum john boat with only a trolling motor and one plastic boat seat would probably be just fine to fish this lake. How true he spoke. As I launched my boat, he cranked up the big 225 horse motor, turned his cap backwards, gave me a wave, and sped off to the other end of the lake. The lake was small enough that the trip only lasted less than 20 seconds. He then darted from one spot to another, throwing up a huge rooster tail for the five second ride to his new promising spot. While observing this, I lowered my trolling motor into the water and began my slow cruise around the lake’s perimeter. Cast after cast, I would inch around the edge dragging bass from brush, stumps, and logs as I went. After a few casts, I would hear the big engine fire up and move again. I admit I was envious of such a nice piece of equipment. I wanted my neighbors to stare in envy at an equally first-rate boat in my carport. As I returned to the ramp and began to load my boat onto the trailer, the big motor cranked one last time and headed en route to the same ramp. He was walking to his SUV as I was pulling out and I stopped to pick up more conversation. We traded short fishing stories and I found that the number and size of bass I had landed and returned to the water was higher than his. In fact, in one spot he bragged about pulling a couple of three-pounders after one of his longer stays, I had come behind him a few minutes later and landed three more bass. One of these weighed four and one five pounds. He then asked where he could get some gas for his rigs and I told him to get his boat loaded and follow me to my sister’s store where he could fuel his boat and SUV. I waited while he ran the boat onto the trailer, strapped it down, and opened and closed every storage unit door on the rig twice, putting up rods, tackle boxes, and various other items scattered about the floor of his boat. Eventually everything was in place and strapped down and we were on our way to the store. As he pumped gasoline into the boat, we traded a couple more stories and favorite fishing spots. Watching the numbers roll by on the gas pump, my envy for his equipment began to fade with every gallon and dollar. The “desire” in my heart quickly faded into oblivion. It was a lesson that sticks with me today. Well, for the most part anyway. Like a lonely puppy, the envy keeps coming back again and again. And those that make and sell fishing equipment keep raising the bar. Every year I view the “new and improved” offerings. And every year there is another “latest and greatest” to covet. A new rod is just a bit stronger and will cast a bit farther. A new bait has a bit more wiggle to attract a few more fish. More comfort. More room. Less aggravation. Less wasted time. Better. Improved. The best. The fastest. The slowest. I even noticed a recent ad for a rod that bragged “The perfect rod defined.” I have my doubts. I am still longing for the perfect fishing vest. I continue the quest for the ideal waders. I am hopelessly in pursuit of the perfect rod. Will I ever find the guaranteed fish catching fly or lure? What company will develop the line that will be frictionless enough to allow me to cast a mile to cover more water faster? Where is that leader material that is less than one-thousandths of an inch in diameter with a 50 pound tensile that is truly invisible to fish? When will someone invent a “transporter” boat that will instantly take me from the dock to my favorite fishing spot some five miles away? Maybe Lowrance, G Loomis, and Mustad will combine forces and develop the first “Automatic Fish Catcher” that will instantaneously find the biggest fish, hook him, and bring him to your hand. When they do, I want one. I will be “perfectly happy.” Honestly, if only I was nine again with my Western Auto bicycle, Eagle Claw rod, and Zebco 33 reel, I would be “perfectly happy.” It would do my heart good to see someone in the middle of a big BASS tournament in a simple john boat with a 10 horse motor heading out well behind the screaming bass rigs and find in the newspaper the next morning a headline reading “FISHERMAN WINS BASS TOURNAMENT WITH A WORM AND A CANE POLE.” Until then, I will be like Diogenes. Only instead of searching for an honest man, I will be searching for the perfect fishing gear. Methinks Diogenes has the upper hand.

Gear Review: William Joseph W2O Wading Boots By Ken Morrow I’ve probably spent as many hours of my adult life wearing wading boots as I have wearing hunting, hiking, and work boots. And that is a lot of hours, let me tell you! My quest for the perfect hunting boot ended a few years ago when I found a wonderful pair of Irish Setters. Alas, they discontinued that model the next year. I’ve still never found a work boot I’m completely happy with because there seems to be some inherent give and take in the protection versus weight equation. And while preferences and theories of hiking boots vary, I have personally found a couple of models that strike the appropriate balance for me. But wading boots have always fit into one of three unsatisfactory categories for me: too heavy, too flimsy, or just plain junk. Until now! This past winter, I got a box from William Joseph that contained a pair of their new W2O Wading Boots in my size. I had read a couple of reviews on-line and seen them on their website. But upon first examination I was very impressed. The looks were “as advertised,” very sporty and fashionable. In their catalog, WJ suggests that the ideal wading boot should not be so ugly as to cause other anglers to kick the wearer’s butt. In my experience, there are three fashion sensibilities among fly anglers: the Elmer Fudds who try to look ridiculous, the LL Bean crowd who try to look wealthy, and the good ole boys who mostly want stuff to work well without making any fashion statement. Of course, they have developed a non-descript fashion signature all their own in spite of themselves. Elmers won’t like these boots because they aren’t stupid looking. Beaners will find their looks acceptable to the point where performance is the key. And the good ole boys will love them because they can get away with looking good, but not draw scorn from their buddies in the parking area or fishing camp. WJ says you’ll be tempted to wear them around town with your street clothes. While I suffer from no such urge I can see what they are talking about. Hefting the boots out of the box, I was instantly impressed with their featherweight status. These are by far the lightest wading boots I have ever personally touched. They weigh about the same as a pair of sneakers when dry, or a wet pair of jogging shoes when you walk out of the stream. So I immediately began checking them for safety and durability indications. Sneakers they are not! Constructed of pre-shrunk leather, Hypalon wraps, a mountaineering insole, and combination rubber-felt soles; the W2O boots mean business. They have an articulated heel high-top ankle that gives added comfort to the angler who covers a lot of ground like a good hiking boot or athletic high-top would. They employ a flawless speed-lace system combined with a positive traction industrial Velcro leather ankle strap. The toe and heel of the sole are capped in extruded rubber plates resembling steel taps on a pair of dancing shoes, and the rest is high quality felt. I stepped on the toes, squeezed the sides and tops and tried to bend the boot heel-to-toe to check flexibility. Using their style of dense material design WJ often employs in their products, they have come up with an incredibly light and amazingly rugged wading boot. Eureka! Try as one might; however, the only real and meaningful test for any footwear is actually wearing them. And a lot of specialty footwear products these days have some interesting little quirks that you only discover from extended wear. Nike joggers and cross-trainers, for example, are great for me when wearing them for the sport they were intended for. But if I sit down in them, or wear them for regular daily “street” wear, they hurt my feet – badly! Well, I have worn these WJ W2O’s now for several months in ice cold waters, rocky bottoms, silty/sandy bottoms, weedy streams, asphalt parking lots, grassy campsites, over rocky and broken mountain trails, and on a 2 mile road march from one fishing hole to another. And I’m in love! I will say this about them though, if you are fishing extremely cold waters in a cool climate, give some preparation to keeping your feet warm. These boots do not offer much in the way of insulation on purpose. But I never needed more than a pair of thick wool socks under my waders and then the boots…even when standing pretty much in one place in sub-50 degree water all day. But the next time I do that, I’m taking a set of Grabber Warmer toe warmers to stick on the toes of my socks. I wasn’t uncomfortable enough for it to matter, but I was uncomfortable enough for it to be noticeable after several hours. As usual, when you add the unconditional, no BS warranty that William Joseph backs all of their products with, the W2O Wading Boots are simply an amazing value for anyone who cares more about the weight of their wading boots than they do the insulation factor. I personally think that all hike-in and pack-in anglers should have a pair or two of these boots. That is the application for which I believe they truly shine their brightest. And if WJ ever decides to discontinue this model of boot, I’m going to order three more pairs for my future use. You can find the WJ W2O Wading Boots and all of the wonderful William Joseph fishing gear on-line at http://www.williamjosephfishing.net or at many fine fly shops around the world.

Makes sense. Kinda like "Buddy Fishing". That's backing the end of the boat your buddy is fishing from into the trees when the fish REALLY start biting.

I knew you didn't but wanted to head off a firestorm... you know how some guys are... Man I'm going to have to get down there and fish. Sounds like a great place.

Surely not. Seining means taking a long net and harvesting fish by netting. I think you got your terms mixed up.

Talked to Buster this evening. He said he's been catching some big rainbows just above Fall Creek throwing a straight 1/16th oz sculpin jig and working off the bottom. He says, and I agree, that you can catch more and bigger trout using a jig without a float and of course sculpin is his favorite color (mine too). I tend to use a little heavier jig though- 3/32 or an 1/8th. I hope to get out tomorrow and try it. We'll see.

I bought these for Alaska but Jim says we have enough. I'm not going to use them- have to pay for shipping and restocking fee so I thought... "Why not offer it to my buddies at a bargain before I ship them back?!" So here's what I have- 4) 6740 models $45.95 2) 6760 models $49.95 plus whatever to mail and a little for a box. 9 stainless steel ball bearings (6720 has 7 ball bearings). Double-shielded ball bearings in key locations. Instant anti-reverse one-way clutch bearing. Anodized aluminum spool with distinctive hole pattern for lighter weight. Titanium spool lip for added line protection. Large diameter titanium ball bearing line roller. Smooth front drag system with stainless steel and oiled felt washers and audible drag adjustment. Sure-ClickTM Bail. Corrosion-resistant stainless steel main shaft and components. Machined aluminum handle with rosewood knob. Spare aluminum spool included. Protective drawstring storage bag. 6740.....195yds/10#.....5.2:1.....12.3 oz. 6760.....230yds/17#.....4.6:1.....20.9 oz. Drop me an email phil@lilleyslanding.com Mo residents will have to pay 9% sales tax- sorry!

Black Woolhead Leech, John Jackson Red Zebra Midge, Back2roots #10 Primrose & Pearl, Duckydoty #22 D-Rib Midge, Kyle Hilger #18 JuJuBee Midge, Randy Hilger Thread Midge, Troutchaser Eggs Bodacious, Don May River Demon, Leonard Keeney Prince Nymph, jjtroutbum 1/105th oz Ginger Jig, Rolan Duffield Ginger Mini Bug, Steve Smith Green Glitter Smallie Worm, flysmallie Infamous Pink Worm, Dan Sears Pine Squirrel, Leonard Keeney Y2K Bug, Kicknbass