Bird Watcher

You might post this in the Lower Illinois River forum on here. Some of those guys would probably have more insight. I could help you out on Grand, but Tenkiller and Fort Gibson are a little out of my range.

Why not stay at one of the casinos and be 40 minutes closer? Indigo Sky in Seneca is 10 minutes from 3 or 4 ramps on Spring River and was just completed last fall. To your original question. Yes. I have about 15 years ago. It was nice then.

That's awesome Oneshot. What did winnning the award involve?

I have heard nothing but great things about Hydroturf.

Just got back home about an hour ago from the weigh in. Was very cool. There was hardly an empty seat in the entire BOK. I'm not good at estimating crowds, but there must have been at least 20-30,000 people there. Everyone stood, took their hat off, covered their heart, and clapped at the end of the national anthem too. Some guys caught them Yesterday, some guys caught them Today, but one guy caught them both days. Tomorrow should be a complete game changer. I think the guys that caught them Today are going to see their fish going away and I think the guys that caught them Fri. are going to see their fish come back to them. I really think someone is going to have 23-25# tomorrow. 60's with a 20mph South wind. I think there's going to be some 11th hour heroics. I might be wrong too though. I was one other time in my life.

I agree Champ. I just love the way this one is shaping up to really showcase the lake. I'm partial because it's the lake I fish 99% of the time and it's my "backyard" lake, but I think she's going to put on a show over the next two days. It's really cool to see.

I was laughing about that one watching the weigh in. "Man, this here shimano could flat throw the lure for me Today. Couldn't believe how far it could cast. First time I ever used it. I was amazed." hahaha.

KVD with 20#. Bad news for the rest of the field.

I'm going to try and be there when the doors open tomorrow. I'm excited to see the hoopla.

It's going to be an awesome one to watch. I love the factor the weather will play. The lake is full of quality bass but these guys are going to have to work their tail off to stay on top of them. The guy who wins this one is going to demonstrate why he's a pro amony pros. I find the mental aspects of how these guys figure patterns out, have confidence to stay with them or the wisdom to abandon them fascinating. I don't bass fish much at all anymore, but I definitely think you can learn something about fishing in general by watching how they go about finding and catching quality bass.

Went down and crappie fished Elk River Today. I don't know which boats are who, but those guys were everywhere this afternoon. I wish I knew how to recognize them better. It would have been cool to know who I was watching fish.

It all depends on how far away from the city park you want to stay, but there are quite a few old resorts in that area. I think Martin's Landing has some rooms and to rent and they are definitely fisherman friendly. Four Seasons is on the North side of Grove towards the Paradise point area and I know their rooms are decent and you can back up to them. It would be about a 15 minute drive to the ramp at the park. There also are some on Honey creek on the south side of Grove.

For as many tournaments as they hold on Grand Every Fri. Sat. and Sun. all year long, if every fish caught in this tournament died it would still just be a drop in the bucket. I also heard from another fisherman that all the regatta permits have been suspended for the last month in preparation, so bank whatever dead fish those would have created towards the bottom line.

A friend of mine and her family fish that tournament every year. There's some huge prizes. I could see going and hanging out in one of those fish houses with a heater and a couple buddies, but forget that type of weather.

Jeff, if you catch them right there's a window to hunt them in Barton and Vernon county. I can't speak for East of here. I've never tried it over there. I'd say probably right now if you went driving around.

Aw heck. Just remember. The faster you are going, the less boat you have in the water.

That's a really pretty fish.

Reminded me of Bran Stark from Game of Thrones. That picture makes me miss summer.

Would you mind posting up your credentials for being a film critic there Roger Ebert? Lighten up Francis. People do this stuff for fun. I bet the people who made them don't take them near as serious as you are. Oh, and there's always the freedom of choice. If you don't like it, don't open it.

Yes. The area where BIll is talking about. Above 10 hwy bridge there is an old abandoned state park called Moccassin Bend. You can pull off at the bridge and walk up river to some gravel bars and fly fish. Once they get way up the river you could walk and fly fish for them at Peoria (forget the name of the access) or Bicentennial park south of Baxter Springs, KS. Of course they will make it to the dam at Baxter Springs, KS and you can fish for them there too. KS has a cheap option for NR. You can buy a one day 5$ permit.

Yep. I haven't heard anything that far up yet, but the river did put on a decent rise earlier this week and the temps were 45-49. That should start a little movement. I am hoping very much for a high and muddy Spring River during April and will never complain about rain again after last year:)

They've been in the river all winter. Water came up and was muddy earlier this week, but I still saw a picture from a buddy on Monday who was crappie fishing and caught quite a few of them.

Maybe around State Park where the two Rivers arms come together? IDK.

KVD won the last BASS elite event on Grand with 78# over four days. I don't think the LM population was as good then as it is now.

Me too. Really nice one at that.