I am new to fly fishing, have the gear and taken some casting classes but never actually fished. I have a friend that fly fishes in Austin and is willing to go fishing with me. I am looking at the blue river in Oklahoma, is that a good choice for this time of year? If so what is the best way to fish it, i.e like where to camp or what part of the river is better this time of year. If you know of better places than the blue river let me know. We both don't want to drive for 12 hours to get somewhere thogh. Thanks for the input.

Blue River is stocked with Rainbow Trout in November. May be better to wait on the Blue River till then. Currently, it's being stocked with Catfish, and then there is an opportunity for Smallmouth Bass.

Here are YouTube Video playlists that may give you an idea of the trout fishing on the Blue River and its Catch and Release section.

Also, here are video playlists for trout fishing Oklahoma's two year round Trout Fisheries - Lower Illinois River and Lower Mountain Fork (also know as Beavers Bend)

Hope it helps.

Blue River Videos
Catch and Release Section Videos
Lower Illinois River Videos
Lower Mountain Fork/Beavers Bend Videos

The Little Red is a little above Little Rock. It is a tail water (flows out from below a dam) so it's always cold enough for trout a few miles from the dam. The dam releases water on a schedule that you need to be wary of rising water, so you can call to get the times. I've fished it a couple of times. You can move downriver and fish for a while before the water rises but you need to know when to get out of the river proto. It has a hatchery that releases small rainbows and it is known for big browns. It can be tough but it's pretty enough with decent access. Might be a zoo in the summer...I dunno. Here's the Orvis Report

Illinois River in Oklahoma

Upper or lower depending on if you are wanting trout, stripper or small mouths

Two year round trout rivers in Oklahoma. The lower Illinois and lower mountain fork

The Blue is a great smallmouth River. Wet wading and snakes for sure. Tough fly fishing water for the smallies though. Just the nature of the falls in the River.

If you are in Austin you are near a bunch of excellent Hill Country fly fishing. Pedernales Falls State Park, a bunch of great spots on the Blanco River near Wimberley, all kinds of great warm water action up and down the Colorado, the Guad, etc.

The Blue is a long, long drive for a tough fishing experience. The wading is a challenge and it's one of the snakiest spots I've ever visited. You can catch some beautiful smallies there, but you can catch great smallmouth in the Blanco river too, and that's probably less than an hour from home for you.

You're probably more excited to cast at a fish than read a book, but ... That darn Aaron Reed book is all over your back yard down there. And I don't get paid for saying that either!

If you wish to fly fish in Oklahoma look into this guy.

www.oklahomaflyfishing.net