Stocker Trout Fishing News

Great news… as announced last week, the Blue River received it trout stockings! 

Last weekend we made the run across the border from Texas to Oklahoma. Friday we hung out in Norman and had dinner at Torchy’s Tacos for tasty tacos and margaritas. Later, we stopped at the Guitar Center Store to checkout the ukuleles – big sale going on until 31 October on guitars and ukuleles. Always had a weakness for stringed “things” like fishing rods and reels, guitars and ukuleles, etc! Ended Friday, “chillin” on the sofa while watching several seasons of “Always Sunny in Philadelphia” in preparation for a round of fishing on the Lower Illinois River the next day. Saturday morning we headed west from Oklahoma City to Gore, Oklahoma to fish the Lower Illinois River – specifically, the tail race section below Lake Tenkiller. It was a nice day with temps in the 50s to 60s; because we prefer to stay dry when the temps are below the 70s, we opted for waders instead wet wading like we do in the summer. Overall, it was a nice day fis...

Liking the news about the Blue River getting trout stockings next week!  Time to get gear ready, and make a run across the border to OK for those in the North Texas area! Video retrieved from Blue River Fishing and Hunting Area video posted on Facebook; do check it out! PS: Info on Hughes Crossing of the Blue River that may be of interest to some… Blue River!  

Stopped at Cabelas in Allen to check out the Fly Tying Class that the Dallas Fly Fishers have been holding every Tuesday for the month of October. This was the last one for the month, then the Dallas Fly Fishers will shift to Fly Tying Demos on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Also, while there tonight, learned the Dallas Fly Fishers will be hosting a TPWD Basic Fly Fishing Class at LLELA – Lake Lewisville Ecological Learning Area, on Saturday October 27, 2018. Should be a fun time for those interested in learning to fly fish! For more details on the event and the Dallas Fly Fishers, see the links below: https://www.llela.org/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/29434/1507 https://www.dallasflyfishers.org/home.html Note: The live feed while at Cabelas had issues; added pictures and past video snippets of fishing trips to LLELA.    

Had a fun time on the Lower Illinois River Saturday! Still working on the video of the trip; will post soon as able. For now, here is a snippet of our Fishing Partner catching the First and Last Trout of the day….! Also, here is the link to the article that details the Bubble Fly Rigs we use including the Ajusta Bubble one used by our Fishing Partner this trip… How To Set Up Bubble Fly Rigs.     View this post on Instagram   #video snippet of the action yesterday #fishing the #lowerillinoisriver …fun times! yes, #mylifeisgood❤️ still!! A post shared by COAF Field Team (@coaf.field.team) on Oct 21, 2018 at 1:45pm PDT

Here is a quick tie fishing fly pattern that uses minimal material; for ease of reference, we call it the Simple Midge. Works well on Bluegill, Sunfish, and fingerling Bass. Hope to try it on trout this upcoming Trout Stocking Season! Recipe calls for: Peacock Herl Mallard Flank Size 16 Caddis Hook (can go up/down as desired) Black Tying Thread Peak Rotary Vise (rotary vise used in video, conventional one will work as well)

Having some fun and a quick update from the Team before we head to OK this weekend for maybe some fishing! https://youtu.be/uJE6Vxs_RbU

Lots of fun the other day at Celebration Park fishing with the Micro Fly Rod. While there, decided to put bait on the Water Wolf Camera Rig and toss it in the pond to see what was lurking below. It was mainly Bluegill and Sunfish, but did get a glimpse of Catfish and a Bass… but, for the most part, it was mainly turtles taking our bait! Water Wolf Camera: https://amzn.to/2ylIYDT

Finished the “How We Fish Bubble Fly Rigs” video to go with the article, “ How to Set Up Bubble Fly Rigs “! Video shows the three rigs we detailed in the article… Bubble Float: https://amzn.to/2Numo5B Torpedo Float: https://amzn.to/2x82Tp1 Ajusta Bubble: https://amzn.to/2Nz1kuC Lots of fun showing how we fish them; even caught a fish or two!  

Having fun catching little fish with the Micro Fly Rod. Next step… taking the Micro Fishing Challenge to catch a fish that can fit on a US Quarter using a Micro Fly Pattern! Starting out with what we have on hand for the smallest hook – a size 22 dry fly hook. However, did place an order with TenkaraBum at TenkaraBum’s Store for micro fishing hooks in size 26 and size 30! Do check back and/or join us in trying to catch a fish on the fly that can fit on a Quarter!         View this post on Instagram   #microfishing #flyfishing challenge… catch a fish on #fishingfly that can fit on a quarter! starting with a size 22 hook but have an order in from #tenkarabum for size 26 and 30 hooks. Cover me I am going in! A post shared by COAF Field Team (@coaf.field.team) on Oct 10, 2018 at 7:38pm PDT

The other day we caught a nice Bass using a Bluegill for live bait at Celebration Park’s East Pond. Decided to try it again using a Water Wolf Camera to get underwater video of the action. Brought a spinning rod for fishing the Water Wolf Camera and Live Bait Rig. Also, brought the two piece Micro Fly Rod and the midge pattern we tied at Tuesday’s Dallas Fly Fishers’ free fly tying classes held at Cabelas in Allen every Tuesday this month! Park was busy with lots of activity but as the norm, no one was fishing the pond. In short order caught a little Bluegill, baited up the Water Wolf Camera and Live Bait Rig, and casted the rig into the pond. Let it sit for about 15″ then decided to check it. While doing so, dropped the rig and broke the cabling used to connect the hook and line to the camera… Bummer. Put the camera away, and shifted to fishing the Micro Fly Rod. Caught a number of little Bluegill and Sunfish. All were small but were still fun to catch. Wh...

Had a fun time fly tying this evening at Cabelas in Allen. The Dallas Fly Fishers hosted a fly tying class in the meeting room at Cabelas! Looks like they will be back several times this month. Do check it out when you get a chance!   View this post on Instagram   no #fishing this evening but did #flyfishing related things… at #cabelas in #allentexas …stopped by the #flyting class hosted by the #dallas #flyfishers …learned some fishing fly patterns and tips that will be put to good use in the upcoming trout stocking season! really liking the #midgepattern …much simpler techinique than what I have been using. Do check it out, looks like they will be back several times this month! #cabelasallentx A post shared by COAF Field Team (@coaf.field.team) on Oct 2, 2018 at 7:09pm PDT

Too nice an evening Sunday to not go fishing. Went for a quick trip to Celebration Park to fish the East Pond. Decided to fish the 4wt Redington Pursuit Rod with the Echo Ion 2/3 Fly Reel spooled with a Rio Trout Max Skagit Head in 200 grains Bite started slow but picked up as the evening progressed. Managed catching little Bluegill and Sunfish once we settled on an Elk Hair Caddis. No Bruisers, but after a while decided to use one Bluegill as live bait! Sure enough had nice Bass take the Bluegill! Gear Used: Rio Trout Max 200 grain: https://amzn.to/2NVLxXz Redington Pursuit 4wt (not-available but Classic Trout is): https://amzn.to/2Ql5tQD Echo Ion 2/3wt Fly Reel: https://amzn.to/2zKJpcA