Forums59
Topics1,037,871
Posts13,935,843
Members144,150
|
Most Online39,925 Dec 30th, 2023
|
|
Lower Mountain Fork - Newbie question
#10258954
09/04/14 03:02 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 20
drewfusk
OP
Outdoorsman
|
OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 20 |
Heading to LMF for the first time next week, planning on starting the morning at EH, Bluffs, Lost & Spillway creek, then wanted to head to Zone 2 later in the day. What's the best route/place to park to access Zone 2?
|
|
Re: Lower Mountain Fork - Newbie question
[Re: drewfusk]
#10259212
09/04/14 04:40 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,092
Turf Dawg
Extreme Angler
|
Extreme Angler
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,092 |
You can park at the dam at the bottom of the camping area but try to check and see when they are going to be generating. If they are doing it later in the day you will want to go there first. Personally, if it is your first time I would not even go to zone 2
Turf Dawg Landscaping Texas Licensed Irrigator LI 0020041 Commercial Pesticide Applicator for Turf and Ornamental, Pasture & Rangelands and Right-of-Way Texas Dept of Agriculture license #0525163
|
|
Re: Lower Mountain Fork - Newbie question
[Re: drewfusk]
#10260021
09/04/14 09:28 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 21
troutbug
Outdoorsman
|
Outdoorsman
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 21 |
Use extra caution in zone 2, because of swift and rising water. WHEN THE HORN BLOWS, GET
|
|
Re: Lower Mountain Fork - Newbie question
[Re: drewfusk]
#10264044
09/06/14 10:07 PM
|
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,244
KQT
Extreme Angler
|
Extreme Angler
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,244 |
First get some near deers from Tarponfly. Zone II is my favorite because you can be somewhat isolated and I have caught more native fish there. If you decide to try zone II felt boots are a must. Gnomes come out at night to polish the stones to extra slippery.
Common carp 26 Goldfish 9.78lb Mirror Koi 14lb Koi 16lb Channel Catfish 26lbs Blue Cat 30lb Bass 9.5lb
|
|
Re: Lower Mountain Fork - Newbie question
[Re: drewfusk]
#10264059
09/06/14 10:16 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 297
Chatterbait
Angler
|
Angler
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 297 |
Felt?
I would use wading boots with felt and metal studs. I have used both. The metal studs will help keep you upright much better.
I guess it has been me but the generation schedule for Zone 2 is seldom followed when I call the recorded line to find out. Also, I've gotten a mile or so into Zone 2 only to have the siren go off.
Try Zone 1 in the park. Not effected by power generation like Zone 2.
|
|
Re: Lower Mountain Fork - Newbie question
[Re: drewfusk]
#10272845
09/10/14 04:41 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 20
drewfusk
OP
Outdoorsman
|
OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 20 |
Thanks for all the tips - we did the 7 hour round trip drive yesterday, and spent the entire day in Zone 1. Started the morning at Cold Hole, walked Lost Creek, did Evening Hole. Break for lunch, then spent the afternoon at Spillway.
The waters were somewhat busy when we got there; 5 people on Cold Hole, 4 people on Lost Creek, 2 on Evening Hole. Add the 3 of us, it made for a lot of walking around to find some space to fish, but still a fun trip. I caught 2 on Lost Creek that I was happy with, 16-18", not keepers but fun nonetheless. Evening hole was somewhat of a bust, but watching the albinos ignore everything we threw at them was good for a laugh.
Wish we had hit Spillway earlier in the day - nothing but fish coming up to the fly and rejecting it.
I strictly fish dry flies, Ants and elk hair caddis seemed to do best. Anything with bright/flashy color was immediately rejected. Next trip I think we need to stay for a few days to make it worth the drive time. Also hitting it around stocking would be nice; any idea on what weeks/day of week they show up?
|
|
Re: Lower Mountain Fork - Newbie question
[Re: drewfusk]
#10278554
09/12/14 05:37 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 20
drewfusk
OP
Outdoorsman
|
OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 20 |
Thanks PL, definitely going to book a full day with TF when his schedule opens up a bit. But not sure I'll give up my dry fly routine. After 25 years of fly fishing, I'm not sure I can bring myself to put a bobber on my fly rod...my bass rods maybe.
New question - for those that have camped out (tent) @ the state park - any issues, or solutions, with the ticks overnight?
|
|
Re: Lower Mountain Fork - Newbie question
[Re: drewfusk]
#10279424
09/12/14 11:58 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 8,404
TarponFly
TFF Celebrity
|
TFF Celebrity
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 8,404 |
Don't have to use a bobber to fish the Near Deers. Just makes it easier on most.
Ticks are usually bad in warmer months. With all the foot traffic they usually hitch a ride with all the tourists. Usually I get them walking thru lost creek area. I have never gotten one camping. I'm sure some have. Wear deet and u will be fine. Hunting season the deer hideout in the park so the ticks come back too.
Saw a 10 point buck in lost creek the other day. -Beautiful.
|
|
Re: Lower Mountain Fork - Newbie question
[Re: drewfusk]
#10282067
09/14/14 09:40 AM
|
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,069
fshng84
TFF Celebrity
|
TFF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,069 |
Thanks for tips TarponFly! Checked it out Saturday; fished the Blue Zone... lots of little, wild Rainbow Trout caught and released, a Stocker Rainbow Trout caught and kept, and then a Bruiser Rainbow Trout hooked but lost while attempting to land it. Also, caught and released a Brown Trout (first one ever!).
|
|
Re: Lower Mountain Fork - Newbie question
[Re: drewfusk]
#10282245
09/14/14 01:35 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 4,541
J-Moe
TFF Team Angler
|
TFF Team Angler
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 4,541 |
Excellent video, thanks for sharing.
|
|
Re: Lower Mountain Fork - Newbie question
[Re: drewfusk]
#10283706
09/15/14 01:17 AM
|
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 8,404
TarponFly
TFF Celebrity
|
TFF Celebrity
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 8,404 |
I walked past you two times
|
|
Re: Lower Mountain Fork - Newbie question
[Re: drewfusk]
#10283715
09/15/14 01:25 AM
|
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,069
fshng84
TFF Celebrity
|
TFF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,069 |
Alrighty! Thanks again for the tips! Gotta a lot to learn about this area!
|
|
Re: Lower Mountain Fork - Newbie question
[Re: drewfusk]
#10283965
09/15/14 03:04 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 74
bigjhoov
Outdoorsman
|
Outdoorsman
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 74 |
I'd recommend you check with Rob Woodruff or Jesse King at Three Rivers Fly Shop if your considering getting a guide. They are extremely knowledgeable of the river and can offer you a much more professional experience.
|
|
Re: Lower Mountain Fork - Newbie question
[Re: drewfusk]
#10284363
09/15/14 01:42 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 728
split cane rod
Pro Angler
|
Pro Angler
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 728 |
I strictly fish dry flies, Ants and elk hair caddis seemed to do best. Anything with bright/flashy color was immediately rejected. Next trip I think we need to stay for a few days to make it worth the drive time. Also hitting it around stocking would be nice; any idea on what weeks/day of week they show up? I have to agree with bigjhoov on this one. Being a purist, you're going to be using a tapered leader and gonna need to know how to actually cast a fly instead of plop a jig and a bobber. Rob Woodruff has a degree in Entomology. He gives classes on the insects and their life-cycles at LMF. He is an Orvis-endorsed guide, too. Jessie King was guiding on the LMF while other guides on this forum were in diapers. He knows the area better than anyone around. He owns the fly shop on Hwy 259 right by the first entrance to the park. Another option would be to check with one of the Orvis stores in the Dallas area. Their fly fishing 101 and 102 classes are put together to help you with your casting as well as teaching you how to read the water and current while not focusing on one style of fishing or any one certain fly. Some of the store associates carry Oklahoma fishing guide licenses. They would be able to show you around. Being a dry fly fisherman, or a purist as some would label you, you should have gone to Zone II while you were there. I was there this weekend, and there were some decent sized fish taking Griffith's Gnat in the current just below the dam and also below the first riffles. I think some people call that area 'the chutes'. They were also taking soft hackles swung in the current. Do yourself a favor and check out guides associated with the Lower Mountain Fork River Foundation. You'll find gentlemen that know and respect the area. They are the reason we have such a wonderful trout fishery so close to Texas. The LMFRF has put in lots of hard work to give you the opportunity to catch pesky little par-marked, wild rainbow trout. Some people find it boring to catch those beautiful wild fish. I even had a ton of fun catching bream below the bridge by the swimming hole this weekend. Some decent-sized rainbows mixed in with the bream was a real bonus. They were taking copper john and olive hares' ear with a gold rib. Don't let anyone here step on your enjoyment of fishing strictly dry flies. There are plenty of fish that look up to feed. Rob Woodruff can fill you in on what they're looking for. PURISTS ROCK! JR
Split Cane Rod
|
|
Moderated by banker-always fishing, chickenman, Derek 🐝, Duck_Hunter, Fish Killer, J-2, Jacob, Jons3825, JustWingem, Nocona Brian, Toon-Troller, Uncle Zeek, Weekender1
|