First Trip to LMF... Help/advice needed

[joelock74]

Hello, I'm new to the thread and fly fishing. My boss is an avid fly fisher and has me got me hooked (pun intended there) so far I have got my feet wet (another pun, I can't help myself) in the LIR and have been catching lots of small trout and would like to try to land some larger fish. The family and I are going to BB for the week to get away and due to a family members health condition I have to keep a safe distance from most people. What's even more important that me catching a "big fish" is introducing my daughter to the outdoors and nature. I was wondering if anyone could help me with a good location that would not be to terribly crowed that she can use some powerbait and try to catch some trout and her dad could maybe throw his line as well. Any help with locations, flies, type of powerbait, etc..... would help and greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[FlyAndStream]

Hey Joe, and welcome to the forum. This may not be the best place to ask about what type of powerbait, as fly fisherman we primarily use flies to catch trout, which often leaves at at odds with bait fisherman on our rivers. That being said, if you’re new to the sport and are looking for key information, a good thing to do is stop in and visit the fly shop while you’re there and chat with the good folks there. They can always get you setup with what you’ll need for the day and point you in the right direction. The shop would be an excellent resource to hire for an afternoon so your daughter can learn and have fun. That’s probably what I would recommend to begin learning this river and how to catch it’s fish.

[joelock74]

FlyAndStream, thanks for the reply, I should clarify. I have zero intention of using powerbait or any of it's counterparts, I think its impure and takes away from the challenge/objective. With that being said my daughter is 6 years old and there is no way she could operate a fly rod, but she sees pictures of rainbows I've caught and now wants to catch some for herself, everything that is rainbows and unicorns is cool at that age. I would love nothing more than to hire a guide or go into the fly shop or any store for that matter, but due to a serious help condition in the house we are still quarantining as a family. I was just hoping to find a place out of everyone's way where my daughter could catch a few trout and I would still be able to throw a fly line as well.

[jonbo]

The Bluffs/ Cold Hole area you can do both. It's the big flat area featuring a big parking lot next where the river forms kind of a big pond, a long run, then a big deep slow hole with bluffs above it. It's the best area for Kids,I think. It's likely to get crowded. Unfortunately it's about impossible to find family friendly, uncrowded, and ideal fly-fishing together in one spot. And... big fish are about evenly distributed throughout the Park, as far as I can tell. If you fish an egg pattern, about everything will hit that. Eventually a pretty large fish will find it.

[jonbo]

Actually, now I think more about it I think you can go to the Grapevine Campground and fish from shore AND wade out some. You could most likely find more seclusion there than you ever could at the Bluffs, if you pick the right spot. It's slow there, too, good for your daughter's powerbait fishing.

[joelock74]

jonbo, thank a million for the response. Great information, I really appreciate the reply.

[golferjeff]

Joe - don't be afraid to check out the re-reg dam in Zone 3. There is a sizable pool right at the base of the dam where the water slides off the chute and swirls around. Rarely crowded. You can catch just about anything down there - rainbows, sunfish, largemouth, smallmouth, browns, walleye and white bass. You can fly fish right next to your daughter and her powerbait (Pinch the barbs). She would need some help getting across the rocks to the fishing spot, but it would be worth it. It is not in the park.... so does not get the attention and crowds the park does. send me a PM if you need more info.

[joelock74]

Thank you golferjeff....PM sent

[FlyAndStream]

So joelock74 how was your week getaway to the LMFR for fishing?

[joelock74]

Sorry for the delayed response, got crazy busy with work and the holidays. Let’s start by saying I got to fish so it was great. My daughter was a little bored and antsy so most of the fishing time it turned into a hiking expedition(ok with that). I caught a few rainbows (not large, but my largest). Overall I didn’t get to fish as much as I like, however I got to observe a lot of people a pick up on some great info and try some new techniques like high sticking. I also spent some time talking with the guys from Patriot Anglers( good guys). In closing it was a great trip and it felt more like “fly fishing” than I usually do on the LIR closer to home. I’m driving down from Tulsa one day next week for a day trip and can’t wait.

[coach33]

I have not been in years, actually have the opportunity to go down this week and stay at a nice cabin with some friends. Was going to take out one of my friends that has the cabin to try to teach him to fly fish. He is pretty excited. HOPING and praying I can get some easy spots for him to at least catch something. Size is not the biggest issue, just want him to fall in love with this sport like I have! Crossing fingers!!

[joelock74]

Dec 30, 2020 12:53:40 GMT -6 coach33 said:

I have not been in years, actually have the opportunity to go down this week and stay at a nice cabin with some friends. Was going to take out one of my friends that has the cabin to try to teach him to fly fish. He is pretty excited. HOPING and praying I can get some easy spots for him to at least catch something. Size is not the biggest issue, just want him to fall in love with this sport like I have! Crossing fingers!!

A lot of good info above. It was my 1st trip to the LMF. I probably did more scouting and research than I did actual fishing( picked up a lot of knowledge). I took the info the guys provided above pulled up the map on my phone and dropped pins where I wanted to look. There’s plenty of places to fish and plenty, stop into the fly shop they are more than gracious there. I know you may feel as if you don’t need a guide but those guides know these waters, I was talking to a guys the brewery that hired one for the day and he landed a 18 inch. It’s reasonably priced and they’ll make sure it’s a memorable experience I’m sure. That’s my biggest regret not hiring one and after seeing the price I was even more bummed. I will hire on my next trip. Good luck and hope you have a good time.

[coach33]

Yea, we are actually thinking alike. My waders and boots are back in NM where I usually fly fish (I HAVE TO GET THOSE BACK) and the friend of mine anxious to learn has everything he needs but waders and boots as well so, we just decided to get a half day guide on Saturday. Figured the guide could really us both and really just show us the lay of the land. I will share my experience when it is over if people here do not mind!

[coach33]

Had a guide later part of Saturday, Half Day. SO GLAD we decided to take this route. He met us at BB Fly Shop and we were off. I have fly fished many times so was hoping he would be a great help to my friend who had never been. Guide was amazing. My friend ended up catching 10 and I caught 6. The detailed information he gave was amazing and will really help me through my other trips. Great personality, super friendly, just an amazing experience. Wonderful time and a much needed getaway, even if it was just for a half day.

[joelock74]

That sounds great. Glad you had a good time. Im trying to get back down myself from Tulsa.