TPS

[ZACKRO]

ALSO WAS WANTING TO KNOW WHAT YOU CAN DO IF THE WATER IS RUNNING I HAVE HAD NO LUCK THE TWO TIMES I GOT THERE AND THE WATER WAS RUNNING

[Okieflyfisher53]

Zackro,

I'm sure this isn't the reply that you were hoping for, but it is my best advice. If they are generating from Tenkiller you might as well go somewhere else to fish. I only know of two areas that are fishable there during generation, and neither have been productive for me.

Steve

PS I would lose the caps if I were you. They are unnecessary and annoying.

[lostinthecity]

I fish the Illinois about 1X or 2X a month and tt's true--best thing to do is find somewhere else.

There are a few places where one can fly fish when the gates are full blast, but is always been real slow for me then and a long hike to boot.

Except...my last resort when the gates are open is to tight line drift a worm on about 1/3 oz of wieghts deep in that fast water right out of the gates and cast out almost to the other side. There must be a hole down there where they hang out to escape the current because have been able to catch 10 or 12 there--not every time--just about every other trip.

[Zach Bearden]

I agree with Okie Just move on and go to the lake and look at it or something... No sence in wasting time there... The only time ive had it productive is in the summer down at marval right off of the rocks, It puts a huge eddy in the river and also some slack water (very tricky to use a flyrod in.)

Thats just my 2 Cents

[Bill Butts]

Hey guys,

Apparently most of you are referring only to trout fishing opportunities on the Lower IL River.

Keep in mind, from just above Gore Landing down to the mouth of the AR River is some of the best Striper water in the region, year around.

You do have to have a boat to properly access this fishing, but what a tremendous resource and opportunity to catch these truly magnificent fish.

The AR River has one of the few self-sustaining Striper fisheries in the US. And, those fish are found in almost every significant tributary of that river system in OK and AR.

It's not quite as simple to learn how, when and where to catch them, but everyone I know that has caught their first good one, especially on a fly rod, is hooked for life.

If you'd like more info, post your questions or email me.

BTW, has anyone been on the Lower IL just above the AR River mouth and seen the zillions of Cormorants wintering there? Anyone have any pictures of them?

Bill

[Mikey]

I hate them darn birds...only water fowl I see when I'm duck hunting. Why can't I shoot 'em? ::grumble grumble::

[Zach Bearden]

Yea I can get you some pics of em... And the striper fishing is good right now is what my friend Randy says He says hes been catching 10-12 pounders on white jigs about 3" long, 14lb line. Hey butts hows about in the summer you take me striper fishing down here? I can catch them on a live trout but no real good luck with a fly rod...

[Okieflyfisher53]

Umm Okie the stripers dont move up until summer...

Hey Zach, is it already summer in Gore? It is still winter up here in Tulsa. Sorry Zach. I just couldn't resist.

Steve

[Bill Butts]

Zach,

You've got a deal for Striper fishing on the Lower IL.

The hardest part of catching those fish is finding them.

So, if you can show me where they are I can help you learn to catch them on a fly rod.

Lots of water in Tenkiller Lake right now (7.5' above power pool), so it looks like a good upcoming year for Striper fishing.

The very best times on the Lower IL for Stripers is during extreme heat or extreme cold when they are releasing water through Tenkiller Dam.

In the winter, the IL river water is warmer than the AR River and in the summer the IL River water is cooler than the AR River. Make sense?

If I were you, I would ask your buddy Randy to take you some time soon.

Has he sent you any pictures of the fish he's catching?

If he's catching them on 3" white jigs, all you need is 3-4" white clouser minnows and a 15'sink-tip #3 sink-rate line on an 8 or 9 weight rod.

If you need more help with the tackle, let me know.

You're welcome to PM or email, too.

Let us know how you do.

Bill