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Lower Mountain Fork - Newbie question #10258954 09/04/14 03:02 PM
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drewfusk Offline OP
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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
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Turf Dawg Offline
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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


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Re: Lower Mountain Fork - Newbie question [Re: drewfusk] #10260021 09/04/14 09:28 PM
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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
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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.


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Re: Lower Mountain Fork - Newbie question [Re: drewfusk] #10264059 09/06/14 10:16 PM
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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
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drewfusk Offline OP
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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] #10273071 09/10/14 06:03 PM
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I don't know the stocking schedule but strongly suggest you book a 1/2 day or full day trip with TarponFly. He will put you on the fish and get you off your "dry fly only" routine. It was flat out the best money I have ever spent on fishing. I use what he taught me on other rivers and have even adapted it to ponds.

http://www.texasoklahomafishingguide.com/texas_oklahoma_fishing_guide_services_rates.htm

Re: Lower Mountain Fork - Newbie question [Re: drewfusk] #10278554 09/12/14 05:37 PM
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drewfusk Offline OP
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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
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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
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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
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Excellent video, thanks for sharing.

Re: Lower Mountain Fork - Newbie question [Re: drewfusk] #10283706 09/15/14 01:17 AM
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I walked past you two times

Re: Lower Mountain Fork - Newbie question [Re: drewfusk] #10283715 09/15/14 01:25 AM
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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
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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
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Originally Posted By: drewfusk
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


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