Just Wondering

[osuangler]

I was just wondering if anyone could give me some advice on fly fishing waters here in NE OK. I love using my fly rod and spend lots of time on Roaring River. I have used my fly rod before here and caught lots of perch, mostly on ponds, but sure would like to broaden my casting areas! Anywho, hope to hear from you!

[DaddyO]

Can we assume that you go to the Lower Illinois river for trout? How about the Arkansas River for Striper, Hibrids and whites? Upper Illinois river for smallmouth.

[osuangler]

You would assume correctly on the lower illinois. I have never fished the upper river much. Pretty good, huh?

[DaddyO]

I would say that the Upper Illinois has it's moments. I've had 40+ fish per person days and I've had days that were a lot worse. I haven't spent much time fishing for Carp, although I understand that people like to do that. If so, the Upper is a good choice for that. It is better to fish it during the week to avoid the weekend hatch of canoes. However, I have had days where I have literaly caught fish between canoes.

I haven't fished Spavinaw, yet, although a buddy of mine is trying to get me to go chase the bluegill with him. I may have to do that this year.

[rps]

Add to your list: Spavinaw Creek, 14 Mile Creek, and the tail water at Copan

[fly2fish]

The Barron Fork that parallels the Illinois before they merge together has a lot less floaters and I think a better population of smallmouth. Start at the Welling bridge and you can go either up or down stream. I use zonkers in white or tan and still catch the perch and largemouth as well. Haven't tried any PMS that I tied yet but they should work the same especially the brown ones.

Middle Spavinaw between Eucha dam and and the beginning of Spavinaw lake is OK you can pretty much wade almost all of it.

F2F

[osuangler]

Thanks guys! I will definetly give those a try. What flies/lures would you recomend? I have never fished with a zonker before. How do you fish them?

[fly2fish]

Thanks guys! I will definetly give those a try. What flies/lures would you recomend? I have never fished with a zonker before. How do you fish them?

I cast toward logs, rocks or anything that would hold fish and first cast I strip back fairly fast over the top, if no strikes I strip, pause, strip, pause letting it drift by. Usually fishing in water less than 3 feet deep. The zonkers I use have lead in the mylar body so they do sink quickly. Tan, brown, and white primary colors I use. I haven't tried the PMS flies that I use on trout but they should work just as well

F2F

[osuangler]

I cast toward logs, rocks or anything that would hold fish and first cast I strip back fairly fast over the top, if no strikes I strip, pause, strip, pause letting it drift by. Usually fishing in water less than 3 feet deep. The zonkers I use have lead in the mylar body so they do sink quickly. Tan, brown, and white primary colors I use. I haven't tried the PMS flies that I use on trout but they should work just as well

F2F

Good deal. I appreciate the advice and will get to it asap. Planning any fishing trips this month?

[Zack Hoyt]

Drop Greg Dodds an email over at Check Ur Fly guide service(http://checkurfly.com/). He is a close personal buddy of mine and would be more than happy to give you some pointers on where to fish. He is a fellow Okie as well......but I wont hold that against either of you guys.

Also dont be afraid to stop by the Beaver Tailwaters. It tends to be the ugly stpdaughter of the Ark tailwater system, but has some very good and technical fishing. Also the White river above Beaver Lake(East of Fayetteville) makes for some great white bass and walleye fishing when it begins to warm up. I know these arent in NW Ok, but they are still a decent option when Roaring River is boring you.