Blue River Fly Classic

Blue River Fly Classic
A One Pattern Fly Event

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Chapter 58 Day 45 - Trout Season

Update On Blue Brown River

Matt, area manager of Blue River pretty much hit the nail on the head with his river report of 8:30 this morning. 

The river is not chocolate milk, but, it is a watered down version of beef broth.  Having to go to Tishomingo today I decided to swing my Blue and have a look-see for myself.  The question for many of you wanting to come is the simple asking, "Is the river fly fish-able?"  It wasn't today, well.. I mean to say it could have been fly fished, but, capturing fish would have been a huge challenge. 

The bad news is it's probably not going to be fish-able any this weekend with more rain predicted for tonight. 

I've seen the river much worse, and today you could still see rock structure in the middle of some wide stretches.  The fringes are somewhat clear and shallow areas could be fished.  By simply listening to the river today it was easy to sense the river's flow was up significantly. 

On the trip down to the river, it became quite evident that the river area received a much harder rain than we did here near my prairie home.  Checking Rock Creek before I left, I found that this little creek is still fairly clear.  Not the case for Blue River however. 

Sorry to be the messenger of such disappointing news for those of you that live a good distance from the river.  But, I rather see you not make a trip than make it to find a stew, soup, cocktail of nature's doing. 

Here's the pictures from today.





14 comments:

trout slayer said...

BE BACK SOON TO SLAY EM UP!!

Gregg said...

Barry,

That is normal summer "clear" on a local brown trout river, it doesn't become gin type clear until winter when the flow on the dam upstream is shut off competely, springs and leakage allow about 15 CFS and large pools help the fish survive the winter. I realize this is undesirable for your river.

Gregg

Unknown said...

New to the river and will be up there for a couple days between the 27th thru the 30th. Thanks for the update

Barry said...

Hope your outing is a good one!

JW said...

Thank you for pics! Be up next week. Something big and dark will be tied on unless it clears!

Mitchell George said...

Question from a Texan for you guys. What is the cheapest way in terms of licensure to get up there for a two day fishing trip?

Barry said...

JW Hopefully it will clear by then, but, if not then big and dark is a good strategy.

Barry said...

Mitchell,

I don't know if there is a cheap way because to fish Blue River you must have an annual non resident fishing license. Or, you can buy a five day, but, you have to buy the Wildlife Passport too. So, the cheapest way is the annual non resident fishing license and being it is the end of the year, you will be better served to wait until January 1, 2012

Unknown said...

If the river is still cloudy, what would be best to fish with?

Barry said...

If you're talking current river conditions it sounds like the campground area has cleared up significantly. However, when the water is brown I've always used a brown colored bugger. I know that doesn't make much sense, but, it's worked for me time after time. Darker patterns in darker water. I don't fish egg patterns but many do and swear by them in off color water. Worth a try I guess.

Barry said...

If you're talking current river conditions it sounds like the campground area has cleared up significantly. However, when the water is brown I've always used a brown colored bugger. I know that doesn't make much sense, but, it's worked for me time after time. Darker patterns in darker water. I don't fish egg patterns but many do and swear by them in off color water. Worth a try I guess.

Unknown said...

Thanks for the information! If the river is clear what would be best to fish with? A few weeks ago on Lower Mountain Fork I had luck with BWO 20's and 22 midges

Barry said...

Big C,

Midges are always a must carry on Blue River... they can be predominant. This river, like many, can give you a different situation each day. Even though the Lower Mountain Fork is the most magnificent trout fishery we have in Oklahoma, I've always believed that Blue presents the bigger challenge of the two. The reason is Blue is half as small as the the LMF and twice the pressured, of the two, during winter. And, then there is the geography of this river... pocket, after pocket, after pocket. Don't forget the nymphs, the soft hackles, and streamers early. This river can be a riddle. Bring the midges, the Adams, and even the EHC.. just in case. There is no set answer.

Unknown said...

Thanks much for the information! Great on the pockets, had the best luck at LMFR on these using my Tenkara rod(s) Trying to put together a couple of fly boxes for my son in law and I. Love the challenge of Oklahoma's trout rivers!