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Post by hankinsfly on Aug 13, 2017 13:41:24 GMT -6
Met my buddy and his son and two of his friends for a going-away trip on the Baron Fork near Tahlequah. Big lightning and rain leaving OKC at 5am. His son is soon to start his first year of college on a track scholarship. The Baron Fork is an awesome river. The storms veered off southeast and left us dry, save for a few periods of very light right. Caught some smallies, and continue to be humbled by them. Did better on this trip than in Arkansas recently. Still searching for that 18", but caught a few that fought hard. Biggest was about 14". The boys fished poppers all day and did well in the morning. I had several chasers but few eats early on streamers. Smallies were busting baitfish on top all over the place. I had one chaser that would definitely had been my 18", easy. Finally switched to small popper and caught a few. I didn't get a picture of this flat, but it was beautiful. Wide, medium-slow current, knee-to-thigh deep. Crystal clear. We had plenty of cloud cover, adding to our advantage. Fished hard, broke for lunch, then hit the river again. We caught lots of wild, river largemouths as well. You should see these smallmouth breaking surface, chasing baitfish. I could not get any of these to eat or even see my streamer. It is a single fish quickly chasing and popping on top, and I could make no discernible point to cast to as they were circling around and disappearing as soon as they came up. I could catch no fish that I sight fished to. Again, humbling, but this is what keeps me thrilled to fish to these wild, hill country treasures. None of the youngsters were interested in camping (apparently there was a party at Grand Lake), so they went home. I had about two hours of daylight left so I went to check out the Illinois up at Peavine. Water was perfect, had a little stain to it and would have been a good level to float. I fished down to the first shoal from the public access and took my biggest smallmouth here, a strong 14" on a craft fur Clouser at the corner of tailout of the shoal. Might be my last chance to chase smallies this year, but I will be looking forward to the next. I'd like to plan out an Okie smallmouth tour next spring and start at Flint Creek, head down to the Illinois, Baron Fork, Upper Mountain Fork, and the Glover. Following are some pictures.
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Post by mirvc17 on Aug 13, 2017 14:12:13 GMT -6
Sounds like fun. I can't bring myself to out and fish around here (either at Quartz Mountain or over in the refuge)--usually just too hot and mostly small sunfish. I did that for a few years and I just wind up leaving sweaty and thirsty.  You gonna come over to Medicine Park this winter? I hope the rainbows they stock are quality like last year. |
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Post by hankinsfly on Aug 13, 2017 14:54:17 GMT -6
Yes, let's meet up and fish Medicine Creek this winter. That side you go to seems to be good. It's kind of cool to be able to get and fish to trout and not have to worry about waders and all that, and it is a short drive away. How bout you consider this trout camp deal as well this winter?
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Post by mirvc17 on Aug 13, 2017 15:02:00 GMT -6
Yeah I think a couple of times I lucked out and the fish were pooled below the stocking tube. I've definitely been following the trout camp trip. Any target dates floating around yet? (I don't remember reading any)
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Post by hankinsfly on Aug 13, 2017 15:09:44 GMT -6
Nothing specific yet, but it looks like December or January seem to be consensus. That will give people time to get through Thanksgiving and whatnot.
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Post by mirvc17 on Aug 13, 2017 15:16:05 GMT -6
Sounds good. I haven't seen any of the new changes to the LMFR and I skipped a typical summer trip due to the reports, buffoonery, and what not. I got my fixes in NM instead, but I am looking forward to coming back since my two winter trips fell through last time around...
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Post by hankinsfly on Aug 13, 2017 17:31:08 GMT -6
Nothing wrong with NM! But yeah, it ought to be a good time. I have camped there at LMF when it was COLD. Very cold. I can winter camp no problem, especially car camping. Have you fished MP early in the trout season? Like around the earliest stocking?
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Post by mirvc17 on Aug 13, 2017 17:40:59 GMT -6
Yes, I think I fished it a day or two after it was stocked. Last year it got delayed by over a week IIRC due to high water temps. Talk about a crack addict wanting to get a fix--I was itchin' big time.
I'll camp with you, no matter the cold. I've got an Eddie Bauer Peak XV coat with 850 fill-power ready to assist--well, me that is...
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Post by danimal on Aug 13, 2017 17:51:01 GMT -6
Where did u guys access the Baron Fork Hankinsfly (nice pics by the way)?
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Post by hankinsfly on Aug 13, 2017 18:47:40 GMT -6
Now you're talkin', Mirv! Trout bite well in the cold anyway. Danimal- one of my buddy's son's friends has family with land on the Baron Fork. Going through Tahlequah, pass the turn for Highway 10 and the Illinois River bridge, you make a right turn just after the bridge and get on some dirt roads back to the farm. They have about a mile of Baron Fork riverfront property. Would like to go back there. But I have another option that is not public.
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Post by darrelln09 on Sept 2, 2017 22:02:37 GMT -6
I was inspired by your post so I took my limited skills to the Baron Fork Creek today, both above and below the Welling Road Bridge. Managed to hook a few Smallmouths and Bluegills on a Grand Hopper. Some of them seemed so small they couldn't even get a #8 hook into their mouths but it was still fun to see them try. Also fished a Hot Flash Shad Minnow fly. They were definitely attracted to it but I think they were biting the tail and not getting up to the hook. Missed a lot of them on that fly. Tried a Popper in the fast water but didn't have much luck. Beautiful river though. Easily waded and unbelievably clear. I'll definitely go back. Thanks for the inspiration! Attachments:
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