Spring River, Twin Bridges SP, Oklahoma, July 29th, 2010: Fishing a tad slow, great potential!

Fishing barge- has indoor fishing spots!

Paddled all around these islands...very scenic!

I arrived at Twin Bridges SP, Oklahoma around 3:30 in the afternoon and got the kayak launched- extreme heat both air and water.  Paddled all around the islands in the middle of the channel.  There is a really good put-in point for kayaks and canoes if you go up the hill in the state park...great vista to see the entire river as well.  This is the point where the Neosho River and the Spring River merge to form the Grand River and Grand Lake in Oklahoma.  I got a chance to chat with the fishing barge operator...this is an incredible catfish fishery.  On the way out, he was cleaning a very large flathead catfish caught on a jug line.  I am going to come back later and target some of these catfish!

Fish ON!

MLT

Oklahoma Yard Ornament..my compliments to the designer!

Spring River, Centennial Park, Quapaw, OK June 2nd 2010: Very, very fast section of river

This is a section north of the put in spot that I like to go to when I go to the Spring River in Oklahoma. It is technically a state park run, but it is not in that great of shape. I drove on the rock bank to get to the put in site. As I started to paddle upstream, the current got real intense w/ some undertows and sudden current changes. I was insistent, however, on getting to the other side of the bank so I made a couple of attempts before I got over. Portaged the kayak about 75' and got it back in the water (current was too strong to paddle up at that point). I had intended on fishing this point (the spot about 10 miles south was EXCELLENT for White Bass and Stripers), but with the current as strong as it was, this became a "paddle only" trip..probably was not the most safe out of all my floats....really challenged me as a paddler and kept me on my toes. The spot, however, is beautiful, big time! I do not know if the photos give it justice.

Fish ON!

MLT

Spring River, Oklahoma, May 3rd, 2010: White Bass and hybrids on Brown Rooster Tails

I got a chance to fish Oklahoma for the first time in my life today....what a kick! I was working in Neosho, MO. during the afternoon and had a couple of hours to get the "Bossy Flossy" out on the water. I originally went to the state park by where Grand Lake starts, but after taking a look at a map, decided to head north of the lake to the Spring River (which empties into Grand Lake).

This is the perfect river for me....it has somewhat of a sporty current, but not too much to overwhelm. Launched off around 3:30 p.m and started to paddle up stream. Got a quick bite on a roadrunner w/ a small white grub, but was not able to land it. This river has a TON of small shad running about all over.

Stopped at some wood structure and started to cast on the west bank as I was letting the current take the kayak down river. Got up on some white bass...what a kick!! They fight like trout! I forgot how much fun they were to catch. Caught 7 or so (released all of them). The biggest one was about 13", but you would not know it with the fight they provided...had a sensitive rod w/ 6# test, so that added even more to the excitement!

Left around 6:00 p.m. or so.....will be back!

Fish ON!

MLT