Upper & Lower Mountain Fork River

[Guest]

I am two days away from fishing the upper and lower Mountain Fork River for the first time, and I thought I would post here in hopes that someone who fishes the LIR may have some experience with the LMF. We will more than likely only have time to fish the lower part of the river for one day, so I would like to maximize the time as much as possible (although getting skunked would make a great excuse to go back and seek revenge at a later date!!).

I am assuming since it is a tailwater also, then the same flies that normally work on the LIR will work on the LMF as well. One thing I am not sure about, is the upper part of the river. I have heard that it holds a good population of smallies, and having never fished for them before, was wondering if anyone on here might have any suggestions as to what flies might be productive.

Any info would be greatly appreciated as far as flies for both trout and smallies.

Thanks,

Cole

[DaddyO]

Cole,

I've fished the Beavers Bend park area of that river. After fishing, Taney, Norfork and the White, I wasn't real impressed with it. I think midges will work in about any river system so try them out. Look back through the forum for Greg's (Hopper) posts. He fished the LMF with pretty good success. I think he even posted some pics of the flies that he used. They also have a Hex hatch that is supposed to be wild. I just don't remember when that hatch happens.

Good luck, have fun and let us know how it works out for you.

Phil

[Guest]

Thanks Phil,

I've heard about the Hex hatch, but I think it occurs in August. I figure that most flies used on the LIR will work down there as well. This isn't really a full blown fishing trip to the LMF, just sort of a "scouting" trip. We'll only be fishing the lower river for about a half day. I am mainly concerned with which areas to focus on (i.e. - Spillway Creek, Lost Creek, Evening Hole, etc.) We probably won't make it to the lower sections of the river on this trip.

I thought about starting at the upper Spillway Creek access, hoofing it downstream to the Lost Creek area and fishing back up to the access. Or, I am thinking we may park near the Lost Creek area if possible, fish it for a bit, then head up Spillway Creek for a litte ways. After that we might try the evening hole before packing it in. Without ever having been to this area before, I don't know if the aforementioned is even possible in the amount of time we will have to fish.

So, if anyone has any suggestions as where to start and park, or an area that we should focus our efforts on, it would be greatly appreciated. But, I assume the size of the crowds will be the ultimate determining factor of where we fish!!

I'll make sure to post a full report (maybe even with some pictures if I remember to take my camera!)

Cole

[fly2fish]

http://www.beaversbendflyshop.com/cgi-bin/ib3/ikonboard.cgi

Stop in at Sids, he will be more than helpful on what and where to fish.

F2F

[Danimal]

I fished the upper for the first time this past weekend and wound up with just a few small spotted bass on a hellgramite pattern.I hear there are some good smallies in the river but here is the problem -- that river is a nightmare to wade. It's mostly solid bedrock that pushes up diagonally then drops back off into deep water every 20 or so feet. If the river were high enough to float right now I'm sure you could get to some good fish but it needs at least another half foot to be floatable. I usually pride myself on being able to bushwhack farther than most but I literally wore myself out at 2 different access points over the weekend (went about a mile and back each day). I saw lots of worm boxes and such at both places which might explain the poor fishing. You might want to check with Sid or the folks at Three Rivers Fly Shop to see if they know of any other access points on the upper. As for the lower, the Evening Hole offers your best shot at a big fish. I've caught several 3 to 5 lb rainbows on basic #16 and #18 zebra midge type stuff. If that doesn't work bounce a small crawfish pattern along the bottom. Oh, and if you find any good fishing on the upper, please let me know. I hope this helps. Good luck. Dan-o

[Hopper]

Since your only going to be there a short time, start at the lost creek diversion dam and work down to the lost hole this will give you your best chance for success. I have had the most success using soft hackles and midges. Midges under an indicator have landed some nice fish, 18# and 20'S. Use a #16 or 18 midge as an attractor fly and add a #18 or #20 midge dropper 12-18 inches down. Dead drift soft hackles just like fishing a wolly bugger.

Gregg

[Zach Bearden]

I fished down there a few times. I was fishing biot nymphs in the evening hole place long line and caught quite a few. There are plenty of fish in the entire system and were eager to eat when I was there. Be careful wading some of the faster areas though, I've taken a spill or two down there

[FlyfishinOK]

We go down several times a year to fish and float. I agree with Hopper on where to fish. I never fish it this time of year because I get infected with buck fever.

Did you know there is an Oklahoma section further on down the form page and it has Broken Bow info.

Here are some links to a few of my trips down there.

http://ozarkanglers.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=24400

http://fishing-notebook.com/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=9285

[Guest]

Alright guys, we spent a few hours last Friday morning exploring the area. Didn't have a whole lot of time to fish, so we kinda had to hurry through some spots. We started out at the Lost Creek diversion and fished a few hundred yards past where it meets the main part of the river. We were unable to fish the evening hole area, but plan on returning sometime this fall, or early spring of next year.

Didn't really get into a whole lot of fish, and the fish we did see seemed rather spooky. Caught a few small wild rainbows out of Lost Creek, and another 12" stocker out of the main part of the river, along with missing a few nice fish. I really, really like the looks of the place and can't wait to get back.

We also spent an afternoon fishing for smallmouth on the upper part of the river near River's Edge Cottages where we were staying. Wound up catching a few small bronzebacks, with one 15" fish as the largest.

Overall it was a really neat experience, & can't wait to get back. Thanks to everyone for all of the info. and tips.