KEEPING IT LOCAL
Don’t overlook small, urban waters for fishing adventures
While popular fly fishing destinations await west of Oklahoma in New Mexico and Colorado and east in Arkansas and Missouri, that doesn’t mean fly fishermen — or any angler for that matter — in the Oklahoma City area must travel great distances to find a fishing hole.
You have probably heard the phrase, “Keep it local.” I think that it should apply to our fishing options, as well.
Places to go fishing are all around us, even in an urban setting such as Oklahoma City.
First, you have the eight public “Close to Home” fishing areas just in Oklahoma City and 21 more in the surrounding communities of Norman, Moore, Edmond, Mustang, El Reno, Guthrie, Choctaw, Harrah, Yukon and Del City.
These fishing holes are managed by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and stocked with hybrid sunfish and channel catfish. Many also have largemouth bass. Fishing is catch and release only for bass.
State wildlife officials do not stock bass or manage the “Close to Home” waters for trophy fish. Instead, they focus on providing fishing opportunities that will offer a high rate of success for catching a fish, which is why hybrid sunfish are stocked the most.
A state fishing license is needed to fish the “Close to Home” waters, but some municipalities, such as Oklahoma City, also require city fishing permits. Check the regulations for each city before going.
Not only are those public “Close to Home” areas stocked with fish and maintained for anglers to enjoy, there are numerous creeks that zigzag across the city that are often overlooked by anglers, but provide fishing opportunities.
You might have one in your neighborhood or housing development. Creeks like Chisholm Creek, Bluff Creek, Deer Creek, Coffee Creek, Deep Fork Creek, the North Canadian and Oklahoma River all offer a spot to explore if you have access to them.
Most of these creeks will hold several local species of fish like sunfish, largemouth bass, catfish and carp to name a few. All will take a fly when presented in the proper way.
I like to target these fish with a fly rod. Keep it simple and use a 4-, 5- or 6-weight fly rod, a floating fly line that matches the rod, 7.5- to 9-foot leader and an assortment of flies.
When choosing the fly, think about what is in the water and is available for the fish. You are trying to match the fly to what they eat every day.
The fish are ready to take the opportunity to eat whatever falls in the pool of water they live in. Think about flies that imitate grass hoppers, crawfish, frogs, small baitfish, leeches and insects that they see regularly.
Grab that box of flies, hemostats, hat, sunglasses, sandals or wading boots and you’re ready to go explore. Those hemostats will come in handy getting those flies out of the sunfish’s very small mouth.
Daylight is hanging around longer these days, and I carry a fly rod and tackle bag with me wherever I go, just in case I get a chance to throw a fly.
Depending on your preference, keep a spinning rod or fly rod with an assortment of lures or flies with you in your vehicle. Maybe you might have a few minutes on the way to or from work to cast a line. Or spend your lunch hour fishing at a nearby pond.
Take some time this year to explore the water that you drive by every day. You might be pleasantly surprised at what fishing adventures you will find.