I am +1 with TarponFly on the Blue over BendBow. Even the OK stockings seem to be slanted toward Blue this year - check the numbers. We'll see this Blue-on-Black.

Helps to read between the lines ... Just found this in an e mail subscription (11/20) and unedited (See portions earlier):

River Flow is Very Low
Current release from the Broken Bow Spillway is less than half of usual flow.

Here is an update from ODWC Fisheries Regional Supervisor Don Groom on the reason and what is being done to correct it.

"Many of you by now have noticed a reduction in the flows from spillway. The reduced flows are not a result of the bridge construction as many are attributing to. Last week, as part of scheduled maintenance, the USACE conducted a visual inspection of spillway structure components. This inspection required the flow to be lowered for a brief period. Following the inspection there was an issue with the valve that has prevented further operation. The USACE have measured the current release spillway at approximately 59 cfs.

The USACE is working hard to address the issues and make the repairs in a timely manner, however, given the nature of what needs to be done, repairs will likely take several weeks to complete. Upon placement of the bulkhead, flows from the spillway will be turned off entirely for an undetermined amount of time. Although, it is undetermined it may range from a day to a few days. ODWC will be working closely with the USACE to minimize the amount of time of no releases in order to provide as much water as possible to the spillway reach.

Temperatures in the stream are currently in the mid to upper 60s depending on locations within the spillway. The USACE is willing to spill water through the tainter gates if ODWC requests it.

Given the current information that I have been provided by the USACE, I will not request an additional release from the spillway at this time. Stocking will continue to primarily focus on the lower sections of the trout stream to make up for a lack of stocking in these areas during late summer into fall. I have also asked that the State Park leave the stop logs in place at this time. Although, this may not be popular with many, I believe it is the prudent thing to do under the circumstances.

I still anticipate mitigation fish from the USFWS the first week of December. Stocking of these fish will be focused on Zone II and III. Also of note, we received two truck loads of nice browns from a trade with Wyoming on Oct 17th. I sent one truck to Zone III below re-reg and scattered a few from the other truck in the lower sections of spillway creek with the majority going into upper evening hole.

I will update the group as details evolve."

Respectfully,

Don Groom

Region Fisheries Supervisor

ODWC

Why can't someone enforce the regs on keeping Brown Trout? We keep paying for them and they end up as a fish stick for a snack.....

Agree.

OK seems to have always had challenges with enforcement due to lack of funds resulting in lack of manpower. It's pretty common knowledge that when hunting season kicks in, you won't see any fish enforcement anywhere. They appear to be overworked and underpowered.

The ParkRangers and Wardens have actually been instructed NOT to write tickets this summer. This was mostly due to regs being unenforceable. Now that the signs are back up and summer crowds have died down, there should be an attempt to enforce. there is no Hunting in the State Park for the Rangers to worry about. Also, the foundation did quite a few nice things for the Rangers and wardens over the last 2 years, so some consideration should be given.

Keep all the dang rainbows you want, leave the Browns alone. But too many Bubbas don't know or care that there is a difference.