AR River -- Misc follow-ups

[Bill Butts]

Arkamo~

Your inquiry regarding possible additional low Dams in the Tulsa area is correct. I don't know who has proposed them, but the OK Dept of Wildlife Conservation has just started a telemetry study of Stripers above and below Zink Dam related to the potential negative effects of additional Dams. I hope to be able to provide further details on the proposed Dams in the near future.

Okie~

I hope to make it down one day this week, but there is not plan yet. I would like to fish the river on a darkish rainy day if the opportunity presents itself.

Have you been on it in recent days?

Kevin~

You asked about whether we use sink-tip lines, at times. Yes, in fact, that is all I have used on the past two trips when the water has been between 2000 and 700 cfs. Many guys use only floating lines, but I believe that is not properly equiping yourself for this massive praire river. I am also experimenting with an intermediate clear Striper line (very slow sink...kind of a neutral buoyancy) which is less affected by the waves (swells) on super windy days.

I was told a few months ago that the best water level to flyfish 300-500 cfs, but after several trips my personal preference is the 1000-1500 cfs range. More fishable holding water.

Also, I would suggest fishing flies not less than 4" long. Chartreuse/White and Gray/White have accounted for the majority of the larger fish.

Hope this is helpful to you.

Please keep us posted on your trips and successes.

[Okieflyfisher53]

Bill,

I've been a couple of times in the late afternoon after work with not much luck. I have had to work the last two Saturdays and have spent Sundays fishing other waters for crappie and bass.

Steve

[Kevin Blankenship]

Thanks for the follow up. I have been considering trying a sink tip or sinking line and will more than likely give it a shot now. I may try to hit the water after work today and see what happens.

[Arkamo Traveler]

Thanks for the follow-up. I'm never too excited to hear about another dam.