Didn't Fish And Glad Of It

Sunday is normally a fishing day for me - at least some part of Sunday I'll hit the water in pursuit of carp, bass, perch, and then during the fall and winter it's trout.  Yesterday, however, I did not fish... and I'm glad of it.

Instead of hitting the water early, I hit the trail for a brisk morning walk around one of the big water pastures that both Charlie and me are thinking about pursuing in earnest someday.  During my morning walk I did slip down the sloped rocky and rugged terrain, on a number of occasions,  to explore the fringes of the lake for carp.  Stumbling through the rocky terrain, full of softball and soccer ball-sized boulders, it seemed like I was traversing through prime territory that could very well hold rattlesnakes. 

Images of long fangs penetrating a deep vein can give a fellow cause for reflection in their fervor of the pursuit of carp.  With that thought in mind yesterday morning, and realizing that this carp pasture was rather large, exploring the acquistion of a  kayak seemed to be a good option.  A kayak - one of those rather jazzy stabilized kayak numbers with the attachable outriggers.  But, suck a kayak now is just a thought and around $1100.00 away from this particular fellow. 

After the morning walk, I pull into the little store where I always get that sissy coffee I drink.  Getting out of the prairie schooner I see a fellow I've known for a good number of years.  When he sees me he points his finger and says, "Come here... I have something for you." 

It seems that Ronnie has just returned from the Dog Trade.  The Dog Trade is a Sunday flea market event that has been taking place for half of a century around this area.   Ronnie reached behind his pick-up seat and brought out a wall-hanging graphic, handed it to me, and said, "When I saw this, I thought of you.  Here you go." 

I love fly fishing stuff you can hang on the wall.  That spare bedroom at the bunkhouse - the fly-tying/mini-museum room I refer to, is quickly filling up with such stuff.  This gift from Ronnie was in pristine condition and I'm delighted he was so kind to acquire it with me in mind.  I shake his hand, slap him on the back and then... I probably insulted him by asking if I owed him anything.  Yeah... I insulted him... because Ronnie, in a nice way, let me know I owed him nothing. 

From this parking lot I travel to the mercantile store of which I owe my livelihood.  Running short on money there is a need to cash some paper so I can buy lunch for my in-destination grandson traveling from Tulsa.  As I pull into the mercantile store parking lot I see a man standing next to a rather large hog motorcycle, but pay him little attention.  Upon exiting the schooner he calls my name and I recognize the voice right away. 

David, is the son of my long time co-worker, dear friend, and fishing buddy Francis Rozell. We lost Francis almost two years ago and I haven't seen David since the funeral.   David looks rather sunburned, a little road worn, somewhat tired on this Sunday morning,  and there is good reason as to why. 

He shares that as he pulled into the mercantile parking lot he just completed a 4800 mile road trip that took him west and north.  He mentioned Yellowstone, Flaming Gorge, Beartooth, and the Pacific Coast Highway.  Then he reached into his pocket for something, and the conversation turned to while he was in Montana at an outfitters.  David handed me a plastic cup full of flies, explaining when he saw the fly shop in the outfitters he thought about how much I love to fly fish.

 

After a half-hour or better visit, David was ready to wash the road off and we said good-bye, but not before making plans to have a get-together to view the several hundred pictures he took on his trip... along with slamming some good food and maybe some brews to go along.  

In less than a ten minute span, I got to see and visit with two friends that were both in a gifting mood. 

I didn't fish Sunday... and I'm damn glad of it. Fly fishing is always wonderful... but, friends are always better.



Conversations With Carp - Strategic Talks

Yesterday afternoon it came a most wonderful rain shower.  It wasn't a long event - maybe 45 minutes, but it was a good steady rain. 

I checked the creek late in the evening, after the rain, and the carp were celebrating in good numbers.  If it hadn't been so muggy, the fly rod would certainly have been employed.  However, morning wasn't that far off.

This morning I would have bet my last dollar the carp would be out in good numbers, but was I ever wrong.  After searching for an hour and a half only three carp had been spotted and none of the three were favorable carp - they were suspended or stationary.  It was then I recalled on my last several outings, all morning events, the carp activity had seem minimal at best.  Deciding to call it a morning I retire to Club Carpio, which is the shade tree in the backyard and while sitting there with a cold beer I made up my mind to change strategy. 

The strategy change came late this afternoon around seven.  My hope was to find the carp more active in the late evening hours compared to the early morning.  Much to my delight this proved to be the case.

I guess we've all done it - plan an outing and think we have everything in tow.  As soon as the first carp was stuck this evening I realized that once again the camera was left behind at the bunkhouse.  I could have left the creek after the first carp to get the camera, but looking upstream there was signs of another carp so naturally I headed upstream.  When the fish came into view the yellow winged, olive-leg Creek Critter was rolled out and just like the first carp he ate it. 

After releasing carp number two I left the creek to return to the bunkhouse and fetch the camera hoping more carp would be waiting for me.  Upon returning to the creek I chose a different pasture.  By now, it was close to eight o'clock and light was fading quickly.  Downstream was swirls and riffles and with the same fly a young mirror carp came to hand.

Continuing, it isn't long until the second carp is spotted.  With this carp I choose the Mysis Shrimp, which has not seen employment in several months.  The carp couldn't get to the fly quick enough.  This fish took me through the biggest mess of leaves and algae, sulphur mud and all kinds of crap.  By the time he came to hand there was five pounds of algae wrapped around the leader. 

The stream flow of upper Rock Creek is down to a trickle.  Lower Rock Creek receives the benefit of the Travetine Creek confluence, which is spring-fed.  However, those springs are near running dry.  Two years ago, Charlie and I fly fished for carp through October, but that's probably not going to happen this year. 

Of course more rain events like yesterdays would help, but the forecast is not showing any rain - just triple digit temperatures for the next seven days.  



Win A Thomas & Thomas Two Hander

The good folk at Thomas and Thomas are having a contest where some lucky guy or gal will win a two hander fly rod.  All you have to do is help Thomas and Thomas pick a name for their new series along with a tag line.

To learn more details and to enter simply visit Thomas and Thomas Contest.



Conversations With Carp - Charlie Engages Via Creek Critter

These days if Charlie or me want to go on the hunt for carp we'd better get an early start.  On Wednesday morning when I stepped out of the bunkhouse at 4:30, it was already 84 degrees.  Charlie, being an early riser himself, evidently found out the same as he planned a dawn fly fishing outing. 

It seems that Charlie finally give up on that camera with the broken lens and has acquired a new one.  Now, he can send us images of the fruit he plucks from the local creek.

Traveling to the carp pasture that bears his name, Charlie quickly sticks a carp using the Creek Critter pattern. 

In his Wednesday morning dispatch, Charlie reported that when this carp grows up he's going to be the dickens to deal with.  Evidently this 20 incher gave quite the fight. 

Also in his dispatch of Wednesday, Charlie made comment on how poorly the creek is looking at this particular pasture and included an image to lay testament.

As I am writing this, the thunder clouds are building in the south and west.  Hopefully these clouds are serving as signal ships of impending rain. 

Hopefully. 

Fly Fishing Oklahoma - Blue Green Algae Alert

Recently both Charlie and me begin to explore Arbuckle Lake in pursuit of carp.  Last Saturday I noticed how much the lake had dropped due to the absence of rain.  Take that and add in the searing temperatures and a recipe starts to come together.

Today, the Chickasaw National Recreation Area released a Blue-Green Algae alert.  Here is the news release.

Areas of the Lake of the Arbuckles Tested Positive for Blue Green Algae

Chickasaw NRA has confirmed the presence of Blue-Green Algae in the Lake of the Arbuckles. Recent testing by the Department of Environmental Quality
(DEQ) has shown positive results for small blue-green algae blooms in remote areas of the Lake of the Arbuckles.

Blue-green algae (BGA) are free floating, microscopic organisms naturally present in reservoirs, lakes and streams. They are photosynthetic bacteria, which mean they need light to survive. They are usually found in low numbers, but in very warm, shallow and undisturbed waters that receive a great deal of sunlight, blue-green algae can increase in numbers and form blooms. When these blooms rise to the surface of the water, they can cause the water to look like a thick mat of pea soup or scum and often they turn bluish-green to red in color.

It is important to note that not all blooms produce toxins, but under the right conditions they can produce toxins that are harmful to humans and animals. The toxins produced by BGA may cause a variety of reactions, most commonly upper respiratory problems, skin rashes, eye irritation, vomiting and diarrhea. Adults are not often affected by BGA since they are less likely to be exposed; however, the consumptions or inhalation of BGA can be unsafe. Any contact with BGA can be harmful. Please use caution when boating, waterskiing, swimming, fishing, etc. Take a shower after coming into contact with surface water, whether or not a BGA bloom appears to be present, to wash away any potentially harmful bacteria. Children are more vulnerable than adults because they tend to play in the water and are not as cautious as adults and they are more likely to drink or accidently swallow water when swimming. Children usually weigh less than adults, so a smaller quantity of toxins may trigger a more severe effect. Pets and livestock are particularly susceptible to the harmful effects of BGA.

Chickasaw NRA is asking all visitors to please be aware of their surroundings while enjoying the Lake of the Arbuckles. If you notice any areas of concern, please contact Precious Braggs at 580-622-7262 or email at precious_braggs@nps.gov.

Will Bristol Bay Be Saved

Last night on PBS, Frontline aired a report via documentary entitled Alaska Gold.  The subject of this report covers what is taking place at Bristol Bay with Pebble Mine. 

Now I live 3000 miles from Bristol Bay so some might ask why I would be concerned with this issue.  The answer is that I'm an angler, and like so many others who fish we are always concerned with issues that could threaten our fisheries, waterways, wildlife, and wild areas. 

While watching the report it was easy for me to draw a parallel with what is going on at Bristol Bay and what has taken place and continues with the Arbuckle-Simpson Aquifer here in Oklahoma. 

There is a big difference, as far as size and scope, with what's taking place at Bristol Bay and the Arbuckle-Simpson Aquifer.  However, the issues and concerns have quite a few similarities. 

Both situations involve mining.  Concerns shared by the people of and around Bristol Bay and the Arbuckle-Simpson include the possible destruction of fisheries, concern of pollution, demise of our rivers and streams, environments coming unraveled, and possible changes of livelihoods and culture. 

If you missed last nights airing I've included the airing on this post and you can watch via your screen.

The producers have done an excellent job with this report and they fairly report both sides of the issue. 

I think you'll enjoy the report and also come away with concerns. 

Watch Alaska Gold on PBS. See more from FRONTLINE.

You can also find more information on Trout Unlimited's Save Bristol Bay.

Follow Up On Our Beloved Carp Apparel

Back on June 11th, I posted an article entitled "Our Beloved Carp Apparel".  My posting was instigated and in response to Trevor Tanner's article "Ode To Stank", where Trevor reveals his attachment to a certain cap that had certainly reached gnarly and stank status. 

When I published my post on June 11th, I figured there were other carp-by-fly fans that were just like Trevor and me, and they too just couldn't let go of certain pieces of apparel that had been with them for time. 

Sure enough, it wasn't long until I hear from Gregg Martin in Idaho and not only is Gregg the owner of crusty gear, it seems he has a whole collection of gnarled and stank-status carp-by-fly head wear. 

With Gregg, I think we may very well have found the kingpin of crud and I feel obliged to share his collection. 

The stinky, stank-status, crusty, crud-laden, and gnarly carp gear that we own are more than products of grime and grit.  These pieces of apparel have involved blood, sweat, and tears.  Blood from thorny bushes and sharp hook points; sweat from the sweltering temperatures of summer; and tears from the times those behemoth carp snap our leaders when there only seconds away from our grasp. 

Here's Gregg's offerings.

Gator Watch On The Prairie Ocean

It seems that each year there are more and more reports of alligator sightings here on the prairie ocean. 

If this is something that seems rather far-fetched then you might just want to reconsider and keep a keener eye on the water that you wade while fly fishing. 

Don't be like these guys.