TR: Mountain Fork River (SE OKLA.)

Made the trip down to the lower Mountain Fork River in the Ouachita
Mts. in SE Oklahoma yesterday. Given my past fishing experiences in
OK, I went ready to hate it. Man, was I wrong and I learned some
things: Get Some Wading Cleats, Always carry a net, Always carry a
camera, and Big Fish like Big Files.

Got there late - it's a long drive. Went by the Fly Shop at Beaver's
Bend - they said there were a lot of small browns up close to the dam,
and that I should be able to catch a few and enjoy the scenery along
"Spillway Creek".

Started up closer to the dam, and it reminded me of a "trout park",
complete with corn, bobbers, and slobs in lawnchairs. Turned around
and headed promptly down-river.

Got in the water, took immediate notice that the rocks were slick as
greased owl crap.

Started fishing about 10:30am - caught a two 8-10" browns on
cracklebacks fished dry. Tied on everything else dry but the kitchen
sink. Had a few fish show interest, but no takers.

Switch to wet. About 1:00, was a half-mile or so downriver fishing
around some rocks - threw a streamer with a multilcolor tail and let
it bounce down and around. Had a big hit and took a nice fat 'bow.
Probably went about 16", but was thick as a brick. Tried the same
tactic there and downwater for the next half-hour - no more fish.

About 2:00, I had switched to another streamer - this time something
that looked like an olive wooly bugger with a long green fur tail.
Compared to the stuff I usually fish, it was like throwing a
Volkswagen. Fished a swing drift pattern and as soon as it hit the
end a gentle take.

I thought at first it was a small brown, but it turned out to be the
biggest rainbow I've ever netted. Easily 22", maybe 24" - I don't
carry a scale or ruler. What a fight! It was only about 15' from
me, but it took what seemed like forever to bring to hand. My hands
shook and I had goose bumps for about an hour afterward.

I'll never forget the first time I really saw the fish - about midway
through when I had him closer to me before he made a big, splashy run.
Absolutely breathtakingly beautiful. I wish I had Wolfgang's
vocabulary, because I haven't sufficient flow of speech to describe
the experience.

I didn't have a net, so I had virtually no way of controlling the fish
when I brought it to hand. It wasn't quite played out, and as soon as
I extracted the hook it was gone. I had a camera, and did manage a
few "fighting shots" before his hit. After that, well, I had my hands
full.

I'll post them, along with some "river pics" if anybody would like to
see them.

It was a fantastic trip, and I didn't even get to fish what I heard
was the prettiest part of the river. I'll go back several times
between now and the fall.

I'm happy to say I was wrong about the Lower Mountain Fork. Once away
from the trout-parkers, it ranks among the best fishing experiences
I've ever had.

"Charles Crolley" wrote ...
Made the trip down to the lower Mountain Fork River in the Ouachita
Mts. in SE Oklahoma yesterday. Given my past fishing experiences in
OK, I went ready to hate it. Man, was I wrong and I learned some
things: Get Some Wading Cleats, Always carry a net, Always carry a
camera, and Big Fish like Big Files.

snip

I didn't have a net, so I had virtually no way of controlling the fish
when I brought it to hand. It wasn't quite played out, and as soon as
I extracted the hook it was gone. I had a camera, and did manage a
few "fighting shots" before his hit. After that, well, I had my hands
full.

I'll post them, along with some "river pics" if anybody would like to
see them.


Yes, please.

Dan

On Mon, 20 Jun 2005 13:16:36 GMT, Charles Crolley
wrote:

snip my trip report, which is long - even to me

Here's a link to the pictures (2 pages) - my mug is all over page 1.

http://66.137.62.188/mountainfork1.html

Charles Crolley wrote:
snip
Always carry a net,

My experience is contrary to this. I think the phenomenon is covered by
Murphy's umbrella rule: it will not rain when you carry an umbrella, but
will if you don't. I've learned to become quite good at in-the-water
fish release, sometimes when the fish is ten feet or more away.

Big Fish like Big Files.

Hmmm. . . some of the largest fish I've caught have been on teeny, tiny
flies. I'm talking microscopic, hurt-the-eyes-to-tie-on-Dave-Mohnsen
flies.

I'm happy to say I was wrong . . .

Don't *EVER* say this on roff! Jeez - what with rw and wayno making
kissy-noises, this place is going to hell in a hand basket. ;-)

Sounds like a fun time, Charles. Nice TR.
--
TL,
Tim
------------------------
http://css.sbcma.com/timj

Charles Crolley wrote:
On Mon, 20 Jun 2005 13:16:36 GMT, Charles Crolley
wrote:

snip my trip report, which is long - even to me

Here's a link to the pictures (2 pages) - my mug is all over page 1.

http://66.137.62.188/mountainfork1.html

Nice fish, but is that Gink hanging from your vest?
--
TL,
Tim
------------------------
http://css.sbcma.com/timj

On Mon, 20 Jun 2005 14:13:19 GMT, Charles Crolley
wrote:

On Mon, 20 Jun 2005 13:16:36 GMT, Charles Crolley
wrote:

snip my trip report, which is long - even to me

Here's a link to the pictures (2 pages) - my mug is all over page 1.

http://66.137.62.188/mountainfork1.html

Nice photos. The only problem I see with them is your vest is too clean. g
--
Charlie...
http://www.chocphoto.com

"Charles Crolley" wrote in
message ...
On Mon, 20 Jun 2005 13:16:36 GMT, Charles Crolley
wrote:

snip my trip report, which is long - even to me

Here's a link to the pictures (2 pages) - my mug is all over page 1.

http://66.137.62.188/mountainfork1.html


Nice pics -- thanks for posting.

Dan

On Mon, 20 Jun 2005 10:20:06 -0400, "Tim J."
wrote:

Charles Crolley wrote:
On Mon, 20 Jun 2005 13:16:36 GMT, Charles Crolley
wrote:

snip my trip report, which is long - even to me

Here's a link to the pictures (2 pages) - my mug is all over page 1.

http://66.137.62.188/mountainfork1.html

Nice fish, but is that Gink hanging from your vest?

It was the only floatant I had in this (my spare) vest. Since I was
fully prepared to hate the experience, I didn't take my "A" game or
equipment.

Just started last year. Still have a lot to learn. I went as a favor
to a buddy, fully expecting to pull out a book and drink bourbon most
of the day, so I didn't expect to need much else.

On Mon, 20 Jun 2005 10:26:10 -0400, Charlie Choc
wrote:

On Mon, 20 Jun 2005 14:13:19 GMT, Charles Crolley
wrote:

On Mon, 20 Jun 2005 13:16:36 GMT, Charles Crolley
wrote:

snip my trip report, which is long - even to me

Here's a link to the pictures (2 pages) - my mug is all over page 1.

http://66.137.62.188/mountainfork1.html

Nice photos. The only problem I see with them is your vest is too clean. g

If it helps, the reason I'm not wearing waders is that I crapped in
them and just haven't gotten around to wash them out.

What can I say? It's my spare vest, and I'm tidy.

"Charlie Choc" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 20 Jun 2005 14:13:19 GMT, Charles Crolley

Charlie-thouight you were on way west--you don"t have to fill up all the
spare tanks with water and haul it west---they have hoses out there now.

Jeff and I are now sleeping at Slide Inn for two full weeks last word I
heard so plan to come over and take me fishing---we can go up a local creek
where even old farts can wade and catch fish.. Sorry to hear that Jeff is
now calling me an old fart--after sleeping in a small small room with five
others the night after eating Reids stew at Penn's know that I am not an
outstanding member of that farting group..Now snoring might be another
question.

Have a good safe drive out--getting another axel for the tank from Africa
might be

Joe