Lower Mountain Fork River Fishing Report 04/30/24
(Bottom Of Page)
Fly and Gear ordering and delivery: We can get flies to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Please see the bottom of this column for ordering options.
We also have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes. They make excellent gifts. Click Here To Order or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at sales@perfectflystore.com.
Type of Stream
Tailwater
Species
Rainbows (stocked with holdovers)
Brown Trout (stocked with holdovers)
Size
Medium
Location
Southeastern Oklahoma
Nearest Town
McAlester OK
Arkadelphia AR
Hot Springs AR
Texarkana AR
Season
Year-round
Access:
Good
USGS Real-time Stream flow data:
Mountain Fork near Eagletown OK
Non-Resident License
State of Oklahoma
Weather
National Weather Service Link
Seasons:
The season is dependent on water temperatures
Spring:
Early Springtime is usually okay, provided the discharges are acceptable.
Summer:
The water can get a little too warm for trout during the summer.
Fall:
Late Fall is probably the best time for catching the large trophy brown trout because they spawn during the Fall.
Winter:
Wintertime is a good time to fish the Lower Mountain Fork River. Trout can be taken on the dry fly during this time.
Recommended Tackle & Gear
Fly Line:
4, 5 or 6 weight
Leaders:
Dry fly: 9 to 12 ft., 5 or 6X Nymphing:
71/2 ft., 3 or 4X, Streamers 0-2X
Tippets:
Dry fly: 5 or 6X, Nymphing: 3 or 4X,
Streamer 0-2X
Best Fly Rods:
Perfect Fly Supreme Four, Superb Five
or Ultimate Six
Fly Reels:
For 4/5/6 fly line
Fly Floatants and Misc Items:
Floatants, KISS Strike Indicators
Tools & Accessories:
Nippers, forceps, retractors, etc.
Fly and Gear ordering and delivery:
Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations. We can get flies and gear to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Your can also call us at 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide what flies and gear to use. All orders are shipped free in the U.S. If under a $100 order requiring Priority mail is a charge of only $8.10. Orders over a $100 are shipped free via Priority Mail.
Copyright 2016 James Marsh
Fly Fishing Lower Mountain Fork River Oklahoma
Mountain Fork River actually originates in western Arkansas and flows into southeastern Oklahoma. It is a total of 98 miles long. The section that holds trout is the tailwater below Broken Bow Lake which lies in the Kiamichi Mountains. The stream is within an easy days drive for anglers from Dallas, Texas; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Little Rock, Arkansas; and Shreveport, Louisiana. Fly fishing the Lower Mountain Fork River is a top destination for many anglers.
The tailwater has a good population of larger size brown trout and rainbow trout for the first twelve miles below Broken Bow Dam. Brown trout of up to ten pounds are not unusual.
The Lower Mountain Fork River tailwater has a variety of different types of water that ranges from smooth flowing, slower moving sections to fast water rapids. It contains an almost four mile long section called “Zone 2” that has special regulations that requires barbless hooks and artificial flies and lures only. Only one trout over 20 inches can be harvested.
In addition to the main Lower Mountain Fork River, Spillway Creek provides additional fly fishing opportunities of a completely different nature. It flows through a canyon with fast pocket water and sections of runs and riffles. The smaller stream offer a completely different type of water with both brown and rainbow trout.
Fly fishing the Lower Mountain Fork River can be done wading as well as from a boat. There are sections where each method has its advantages. Five miles of the stream is in Beavers Bend State Park.
This river has an abundant population of several different aquatic insects, crustaceans and plenty of baitfish, sculpin and minnows. Hatches occur throughout the year. The larger trout can become very selective when feeding and realistic imitations usually work the best.
We have taken sample of the aquatic insects from this stream and developed a hatch chart and large data base. Please call or email us for suggestions on what flies to use. We will be most happy to help you.
Lower Mountain Fork River Fishing
Report – Archive:
01/21/20 The stream levels have just dropped down to a normal level and the river in good shape. You should be able to catch plenty of trout.
02/26/2020 The stream levels are just a little above normal and the water only slightly stained. Trout are still being caught in good numbers.
04/24/21 Stream levels have often been high lately but they should be settling down. Trout are being caught in good numbers when the levels are okay.
05/04/21 Stream levels are very high right now but should fall out soon. We were getting good reports as there are some very good hatches taking place.
05/11/21 The stream levels are down to normal levels and we are getting good reports of catches again. Good hatches are taking place. Shoot us an email or call us for a recommended fly and gear list.
05/19/21 The stream levels are high right now, too high to wade. Fish as soon as it drops. We were getting good reports prior to the recent heavy rain.
05/27/21 The stream levels are down to a normal level and the water is good shape. You should be able to catch plenty trout. Send us an email or call us for an updated fly recommendation list.
06/05/21 The stream is running very high this morning due to recent rain. Wait until it drops to fish it. We were getting good reports.
06/18/21 The water is getting warm. We recommend holding off until cooler weather arrives.
07/26/21 There are some good catches of trout coming from the tailwater. Fish the upper section as near the dam as legal. There are good hatches taking place.
08/13/21 The section below Broken Bow Dam produced some good catches recently. The water remain cool enough there and there are some hatches taking place.
08/26/21 The tailwater section is still turning out trout for our customers. The stream is a little high most of the time but okay. Hatches are still taking place and our terrestrial imitations are also working.
09/14/21 We are still getting a few good reports each and every time the discharges and stream levels are okay. They have been high often. Be sure to check them prior to taking a trip to fish.
09/26/21 We received some good reports recently. Actually, as long as the stream levels are not too high it continues to fish good. The cooler weather is helping.
10/06/21 Stream levels are up and down but in good shape most of the day. We are getting some good reports from customers. There are some good fall hatches going on.
10/17/21 The stream levels are fluctuating but in good shape most all day. Good hatches continue and we continue to get good reports from our customers. Our sculpin streamers are catching some good ones.
10/27/21 The stream is a little above normal and falling right but will likely rise some more as it is raining. We have been getting good reports, especially from our customers using our articulated leech and sculpin streamer patterns.
11/03/21 The stream levels are up a little high due to recent rain but should fall back down soon. We were getting great reports prior to the higher levels.
11/11/21 Stream levels are now back down below normal levels. We did received three good reports from customers recently. Good hatches of Mahogany duns, BWOs, Blood midges are taking place. Our sculpin streamers and leech pattern streamers are also working.
11/18/21 The stream was high the past day but back down below normal level and clear. We have been getting good reports from customers catching good numbers of trout.
11/28/21 The stream is a little below normal level and good which is good for wading. We received three good reports from customers fishing this past week.
12/07/21 The stream is up to a normal level but has been low. You should be able to catch plenty trout.
12/15/21 The stream is very low but that can change fast. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
12/23/21 The discharges and stream levels are well below normal again but still providing good opportunity. We received two more good reports this past week.
12/31/21 The stream level got up to near normal and currently is back down a little but still in good shape. We received three good reports from customers fishing this past week. Our blood midges, and articulated sculpin are working good.
01/08/22 The river is down a little below normal level but that should hurt it. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
01/16/22 The stream is very low but okay. You just have to be careful to not spook the trout. We received four good reports from a customer fishing this past week. Our articulated sculpin streamers and blood midge are working very good.
01/24/22 The stream is recently back down low again due to low discharges. We received three good reports from customers fishing this past week. Winter stoneflies and blood midges are hatching.
02/01/22 The stream is down low currently but not to low to fish. We received three more good reports from customer fishing this past week.
02/09/22 Stream levels are still very low but trout are still being caught. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week. Good winter hatches continue. Red or blood midges, winter stoneflies and little BWOs.
02/25/22 The stream is flowing well below normal level. We received two good reports from customers fishing very recently. There is a chance of rain Saturday but should have little affect.
03/05/22 The stream is still very low but we still received two good reports from customers fishing the tailwater. There are some Blue Quills, Little Brown stoneflies and little Black caddis showing up in addition the the BWOs and midges.
03/13/22 We are still getting some very good reports. Discharges and stream levels are low but okay. The weather is going to be very nice all of the coming week. New hatches should be taking place.
03/21/22 New hatches of Blue Quills, Little Brown stoneflies, Blue-winged olives, and Little Black caddis are taking place. Stream levels are very low but we are getting some good reports.
03/29/22 Stream levels are a little below normal but okay. We are getting good reports from customers. Good hatches continue to take place.
04/06/22 The stream is still flowing just a little below normal and in good shape. More good reports have come in. Good Cream and red midges, Blue-winged olive, little brown stonefly and little black caddis hatches are taking place.
04/14/22 The stream is flowing at a normal level and in good shape. We continue to get good reports from customers. Good hatches continue to take place.
04/22/22 The stream level is back up high, too high to wade safely. It should fall back down soon. We have been getting good reports when the levels were okay. Good hatches are taking place.
04/30/22 The discharges and stream levels are still very high, too high to wade or fish for that matter. Give it two or three days to drop and clear.
05/08/22 Discharges and stream levels were down for a short time but back up high due to recent rain. Give is a day or two to drop again. We were getting good reports prior to the high levels.
05/16/22 The stream level just fell down to a normal level and in good shape. It has been high, too high to fish and we didn’t get any good reports this past week. It should be fine now.
05/24/22 The stream is down well below normal but still very fishable and certainly can be waded safely. We received two good reports from customer fishing this past week. Good hatches are taking place.
05/31/22 The stream is back up to a normal level in good shape. There are lots of insects hatching and dry fly fishing is even good. We should be getting some good reports.
06/07/22 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. There are multiple hatches taking place and we are getting a few good reports from customers.
06/14/22 The stream was up a little recently from rain but is flowing at a normal level today. We received two good reports this past week. Fish the upper sections near the dam.
06/21/22 We received three good reports from customers fishing this past week. Good hatches continue to take place.
06/28/22 More good reports have come in from customers fishing this past week. The stream is currently in good shape with okay levels and clear water. Good hatches are coming off.
07/05/22 Conditions are good – good stream levels and good hatches. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
07/12/22 The stream is flowing at a very high level due to recent rain. Give it some time to drop and clear.
07/19/22 The stream level is still high, too high to fish well. Check it again in a couple of days. It is falling and should be back in good shape again soon.
07/26/22 Stream levels are still high and the water too warm for good fly fishing opportunity. Check back with us.
08/02/22 The conditions remain about the same as last week – not so good.
08/09/22 Still no reports from anyone fishing. Conditions are not good and we recommend holding off for a while.
08/30/22 Stream levels are up above normal due to recent rain and the water is lightly stained. It should drop and clear soon. The water is much cooler and you should be able to catch trout.
09/07/22 Stream levels are down to a normal level and the water mostly clear. We received two good reports recently.
09/14/22 The stream is flowing a little below a normal level and mostly clear. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week. Cream midges, Spotted sedge caddis and little BWOs are hatching good.
09/21/22 Stream levels are normal and the water clear. We received two more good reports from customers fishing this past week. You should be able to catch good numbers of trout.
09/28/22 Our sculpin streamers, articulated and plain ones are catching good numbers of larger size trout. Conditions are good.
10/21/22 Sorry for the missed reports, Conditions have been good most of the time the past two weeks. The stream is a little high now due to recent rain but should be back to normal very soon. Good hatches continue to take place.
11/10/22 The stream is still flowing a little above normal level and lightly stained. We are still getting some good reports. Good late season hatches are taking place.
11/24/22 The stream has just come up to a little high due to rain but should fall back up in a day or two. We have been getting lots of good reports from customers.
12/07/22 The discharges and resulting stream level is up to normal and the river in good shape. We have been getting very good reports from customers when the stream levels are near normal.
12/29/22 Stream levels are back low again, but is still fishable. We are still getting reperts. Good winter stonefly hatches are taking place and our sculpin streamers are catching some big fish.
01/26/23 Stream levels are down to a normal level and the water is clear. We are getting good reports. Sorry for the missed reports. I had to stay in the hospital for a few days but doing well now.
02/13/23 Stream levels are a little below normal and the water is mostly clear. We are getting good reports the past couple of days. Midges, BWO’s, sculpin streamers and winter stoneflies are working good.
02/21/23 The discharges are currently high. We were getting good reports when the stream levels were okay. Keep a close check on them and fish when they drop.
03/06/23 Stream levels are very high, too high to fish. Give it some time to drop and clear. We have been getting good reports up until the levels shot up from heavy rain.
03/14/23 The discharges and stream level is still way too high. Give it some more time to drop and clear.
03/22/23 The stream is still far too high to fish.
03/27/23 The stream level is down to a normal level in good shape. There are good hatches taking place and you should be above to catch trout.
04/06/23 The stream level is still very high. Hopefully, it will fall back down fast. We get some very good reports when it is done thanks to good hatches.
04/15/23 The discharges are pulsing and okay levels exist some of the time. Make sure you check the discharge schedule.
04/24/23 The stream level is just a little above normal and the water mostly clear. We received two good reports very recently. Good hatches are taking place.
05/04/23 The stream is still just a little above normal level and clear. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week. Lots of insects are hatching.
05/12/23 The stream is flowing a little below a normal level early this morning. It has been fluctuating up and down. Good hatches continue to take place.
05/21/23 The stream is still fluctuating up and down but near normal levels most of the day. We received two good reports recently. There are lots of insects hatching.
06/10/23 Stream levels are near normal and the stream in good shape. Good hatches are taking place.
06/24/23 Sorry for the missed report. The discharges are pulsing and the stream levels are mostly okay during the day. Good hatches are taking place. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
07/01/23 Stream levels are near normal but the water is warm. Fish early morning or hold off until cool weather returns.
07/11/23 Fish the cooler water of the discharges as near the dam as you can. Trout are still being caught in decent numbers.
07/18/23 Stream levels are high this early morning but it is pulsing and should be down to a normal level later today. Fish the upper section of the tailwater where the water is a little cooler. Good hatches are taking place including lots of tricos.
07/31/23 We received two more good reports from customers fishing this past week. Fish near the dam discharge (within a few miles) where the water is cooler. Good hatches are taking place.
08/07/23 The stream is still well below a normal level and clear. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week. Our pre-rigged midge larva and pupa; pre-rigged dropper rigs; and pre-rigged double nymph rigs work good.
08/17/23 The stream is still low and clear. Hatches are still taking place. Fish the sections nearest the dam discharges where the water is cooler.
08/24/23 Discharges and the stream level is low but okay. We didn’t receive any reports from anyone this past week. It should be okay as long as you are near the dam where the water is cooler.
08/31/23 The stream is a little below normal in good shape. We received one good report from a customer fishing it this past week.
09/07/23 Good conditions still exist. The stream is flowing near a normal level and clear. Good late season hatches are underway.
09/14/23 The discharges and resulting stream levels are low and the water is clear. Use caution to stay as low and as hidden from the trout as possible. Trout still eat in low water.
09/21/23 The stream is still low but okay. We continue to get good catch reports from customers.
09/28/23 The stream is near a normal level and clear. Good red blood midge and little BWOs are hatching. We received two good reports from customers this past week.
10/05/23 The stream is a little below normal level and clear. Good hatches continue and we continue to get good catch reports.
10/12/23 The stream is flowing near a normal level and clear. We received three good reports from customers fishing this past week.
10/23/23 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week. Good late season hatches continue to take place.
11/02/23 The stream discharges and levels are high due to recent heavy rains and needs a couple of days to drop. Prior to this we were getting good reports.
11/12/23 Rain had the stream high for a while but it is down near a normal level. Good BWO and Cream and Red (blood) midges are hatching. Fish our pre-rigged tandem midge larva and pupa under an indicator for some good results.
11/19/23 The stream is flowing just a little below normal level and clear. Our pre-rigged in tandem midge larva and pupa, the creams and red or blood midges, are producing good catches for our customers.
11/28/23 The stream discharges and level are down to normal and the water clear. We have been getting good reports when the levels are okay. Our cream and red or blood larva and pupa rigged in tandem really produces good catches. We pre-rig these flies for those that have trouble seeing the tiny flies.
12/05/23 We received three good reports from customers fishing this past week. Stream levels are normal and the water is clear. Very good midge hatches are taking place.
12/14/23 Discharges and stream levels are a little high but it can be fished successfully in many places. Good midges are taking place. Fish them with the larva and pupa in tandem as mentions in recent reports above.
01/01/24 The stream levels are down to normal and the water is clear. We are getting good catch reports from customers. Light Green and Red or blood midges are hatching. We have these pre-rigged in tandem which is the best method of presentation and great for those who have trouble tying on tiny flies.
01/10/24 Conditions are good. We received eight good reports from customers fishing this past week. In addition to the above midges, winter stoneflies are hatching.
01/17/24 Stream levels are just a little above normal and the water mostly clear. Winter stoneflies and light green and red or Blood midges are hatching. We received four good reports from customers recently.
01/26/24 Discharges and stream levels are normal. There has been some heavy rain but so far it has little effect. We received three good catch reports from customers fishing this past week. Fish the larva and pupa of the midges in tandem under an indicator. We can pre-rig this for you.
02/04/24 Discharges and stream levels are well below normal and the water clear. We received three good reports from customers fishing this past week.
02/12/24 The stream is flowing a little below normal level and clear. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
02/20/24 Discharges and stream levels vary but stay a little above normal on the average. Good light green and red or blood midge hatches are taking place along with Winter stoneflies.
02/27/24 The discharges and resulting stream levels are staying near a normal level. Our Winter stonefly nymphs are producing well. LIght Green midge larva and pupa rigged in tandem are also producing some good catches.
03/05/24 The stream is flowing at a normal level with clear water. Blue-winged olives, Blue Quills, little Brown stoneflies and little Black caddis have started hatching. We received two good reports from customers fishing yesterday.
03/12/24 The discharges are pulsing and averaging a little below a normal level most of the day. The high level is just a little above normal and that mean wading should be safe and productive as long as the discharges don’t increase. We received two more good reports from customers fishing the past week. The hatches taking place are listed above in the 03/05 report.
03/19/24 The stream levels are near normal. We received three good reports from customers fishing yesterday. Blue-winged olives, Blue Quills, little Brown stoneflies and little Black caddis are hatching good. Light green midge larva and pupa are also working good.
03/26/24 The river is still flowing near a normal level most of the day. We continue to get some very good reports from customers fishing it. There are lots of insects hatching. See the list in the above report.
04/02/24 The river is flowing just a little above a normal level and lightly stained. It has been very high the past few days. Good hatches are taking place and you should be able to catch good numbers of trout.
04/09/24 The stream level in normal and the water is clear. We are getting good reports. Very good hatches continue to take place.
04/16/24 The stream level is a little high this morning. Good hatches continue to take place. We continue to get very good reports from customers when the levels are okay. It can be fished now but will be better when a little lower.
04/23/24 Conditions are good. The stream is flowing at a normal level for this time of the year. We received two good catch reports from customers fishing recently.
04/30/24 The stream is flowing just a little below normal level and lightly stained from rain. We received two more good reports from customers fishing recently. Good hatches continue to take place.
Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations.