I'm thinking about giving texoma a try for stripers, anyone have any experience fly fishing up there?

thanks

chad

I have been out with Capt. Scott Bridgess a few times. Always a blast. Contact him goldpine@sbcglobal.net o find out when it really starts to turn on.

Yes, several folks on this board do it. (The Texoma smallmouth are fun too.)

Good article in the latest issue of Southwest Fly Fishing magazine about Texoma striper fishing, starring our own Steve Hollensed of Flywater Angling Adventures. I've fished with Steve a number of times and we've always found fish. A boat is not a requirement, but certainly helps. Chartreuse Clousers and Deceivers on sink tip or full sinking lines are best, off rocky points or shorelines. As it warms, floating lines and poppers on top early morning. When it gets hot, stripers blitz baitfish on top in mid lake and it gets downright pandemonious.

Hey Mick, a fishin� buddy of mine just gave me a heads up that the Spinster fly was mentioned in that article?
On page 52 it says:
�Add it all up and Lake Texoma is one of the nation�s best sweet-water striped bass hotspots, a lake that has attracted the pioneering efforts of George Glazener, originator of the Spinster fly��
Mentions the Spinster fly again on page 54 as a preferred bait.

I have found it to be the best Texoma striped bass fly for structure and lethargic winter fish.
White and chartreuse Clousers are absolutely the best fly for schooling and active fish.

Another point - rocky points and big rocks eat full sinking lines - reserve those for deep water structure and channl edges - sink tip, intermediate and Class III are good near shore fly lines, dependent on variable conditions. My favorites over the years were shooting head systems - heads from floaters to sinkers.

Time on the water is the way to learn Texoma striper fishing �
George

Congratulations George! It is nice to see you get recognition for your hard work.

I second this.He also has snoopy rods for you that cant cast sinking lines.

I have not fished with Scott but would highly recommennd him on the basis of performance reputation. He was/is associated with a very good friend of mine that was one of the very first fly fishing guides on Texoma, who caught his frst striped bass on a fly rod from the back of my boat. Had an invitation once to fish with Scott and shulda jumped at the chance.

The first and only striper guide I ever fished with on Texoma was Floyd Mabry - the first inductee into the Texas Fresh water hall of Fame - quite a guy!
G/

I need to get a copy of that magazine and see what I missed � Mick is right on about �off rocky points or shorelines� but advice is very limited in scope. There are at least three other seasonal patterns that are very productive, requiring different approaches and technique.

Rex W. has lots of Texoma striper experience and sure others as well � I have marked a map for him showing him seasonal high percentage spots - y'all need to get him to make a club presentation�
George

Thanks for the info gents. I may give it a go on sunday from the banks.
Chad

I know pray for water to go over the spillway. You can catch 100 a day when water goes over behind the dam.

George is overselling me, he is the real Texoma guru around here. I highly encourage you to take notes when he starts talking about Texoma.

George is right, the only way to really learn that lake is by time on water. But the shortcut is to read the posts on the "Whites and Stripers" section of this board. The bait and lure folk's posts will help identify the current general location of the Stripers. Then you can convert their patterns into fly fishing equivalents. For example, if they are only catching them on slabs, then you'll need to bring your sinking lines and plan on fishing deep.

But you are in luck, because the current reports are that the topwater bite has been good this week. Topwater Stripers on a fly rod is a WONDERFUL experience. HOWEVER, get there EARLY. The best topwater bite is usually from before I can drag my butt onto the lake in the morning until the sun comes up - earlier is better. For most of us, topwater means to use the largest floating fly that you own and cast it along the bank.

I don't know where to bank fish right now to find the Stripers. But here are a few spots that usually have some bass when the Stripers are not there. The area around the lighted fishing pier in Eisenhower state park (I know, not exactly a secret location, but that point does hold fish.); anywhere in Eisenhower along the base of the cliffs (not easy to get to, but those rocks hold fish); and the rip rap on the lake side of the dam (I like the lake side of the dam better than the river). All three of these spots often hold smallmouth too.

Good luck and have fun!

I have gone out with Scott several times. It has always been in conjunction with a project healing waters trip out of ft hood and Bill Adams. Scott seems to always put the the Soldiers on fish. I hope to volunteer with them when I return from Honduras, weather it is at Ft Hood or hopefully my next duty station will have a program.

Finally made it out to the banks of the mighty Texoma! Started on the lake side of the dam but was quickly forced out due to high winds. Went into the park and fished the coves. Had a few smallies on but wasn�t able to get anything to shore. Ended the day around 1pm and having only landing one fish.

Post-spawn stripers should be in mid-lake area - too early for main lake dam area.
Good top water action should be occurring soon behind islands if not already - don't forget points and rocky areas - smallies too....IMO
G/