Caught a nice little 16 inch smallmouth on the other side of the bridge there. Had no idea there were SM in there, I was fishing for the trout. Aerobatic little devils, it was fun.
I fish there all the time! Never been blessed to be out there on a fast flow day though. Normally when the flow is down you can go about 100 yards behind where you spent most of this video and there is a deep hole that holds some fish!
Yeah. I have seen plenty of guys pound those holes literally TO DEATH though. They are the first to get fished out by the masses because they are so vulnerable to fishers. I am working on some new downstream theories based on the actual location of where the lowest flow riverbed cuts through the rock floor. It is intriguing to me. THANKS FOR THE SUB!
Appreciate this vid and the advice of moving up in gear weight, I always just grab a 5/6 when heading over for the trout releases. We live on the west side of the PK and hit this spot regularly as the clarity is better below the lake than above it on the Brazos. You're right, it holds plenty of species and plenty scenic as well. Great instructional tips, keep it up!
Glad you liked it! Have been hibernating through this harder (than usual) winter, but am about ready to get back at it. Weather was supposed to be better this weekend, and so far - NOT. Sad ...
Thank you sir. It’s videos like this that are helping me along this journey I have recently begun. I’m new to fly fishing, about a month now. I’m close to Texoma Denison dam, so I’ve been going up there a couple days a week, walking the banks of Shawnee creek and catching small striper and tiny bass. I’m loving it and eager to learn and go more.
Texas Fly Caster I’ll definitely check it out in a few days, busy Paramedic at an ER. Any suggestions on flys? What time of day? Etc? Thanks for any advice
@@jasonkeith674 Clousers as I recall ... BIG ones. I have covered that dam a lot on my website - bit.ly/3cgYuDm should do the trick. The MAIN THING is catching the generation when the horn goes off, and then pounding it hard! And I am a big fan of the OK side.
I will be traveling to Dallas from Colorado Springs next week. I've never fly fished for small mouth looks fun. This is one of the spots that was recommended. Looking forward to it.
Amazing diversity for sure. I have not caught enough smallmouth to know if this one was a meanmouth or actual small mouth. The fact I can't just say, "smallie," or "spot," makes me think its a meanie.
I use Clousers. Had to change up colors a bit but black on black won the day. Tied on circle hook. Floating saltwater cold line. Fluorocarbon leaders sink good enough (heavy clousers).
Are you using clousers? What fly line are you using. I fish there often off a float tube. Biggest Striper I have caught there is 21” in 2017. I caught a drum that size I didn’t land as well. I usually use a full sink 7-9 ips line there but need to get an intermediate and/or slower sink line. I second the recommendation for a heavier rod. I broke a 5 wt there summer 2017.
I thought I replied to this one, but it doesn't look like it. Yes Clousers. Floating line. I can't strip fast enough to keep a sinker out of the rocks. Use a fluorocarbon leader - it sinks - and you would have difficulty casting a sinker as far as a floating line. Essentially 9' of fluoro is a sink tip and I bet it's hard to cast to a distance where the water is 10' deep. My 2-cents.
The flow is actually cut down a lot. But this discharge is not the lowest flow. The water is very muddy. A guy said there is some kind of break in the dam gates and it is being repaired - the color of the water is because of where it's coming from in the lake water column. It is still plenty cold. Even when they slow down the discharge (as long is it doesn't become sulfurous) the fish will be there. THEIR NUMBERS are going down daily as they get fished out in that pool though. There are more and bigger further down - much harder to find. It is always a question of quantity or quality. I chose quality, but a lot of fly guys like the quantity -- it can go into the hundreds of sand bass - in a day. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE to predict when the flow changes as there are so many variables including the USACE / Brazos River government / rain gods.
@@TexasflycasterYes that does, i don't think i will be there over thanksgiving break because of the number of people that are going to be there, I do know that water is usually clear coming out of the dam on low flows. Maybe when there is less people i'll be down there.
Keep in mind this fly fishing was one of those "phenomena" that happens when a series of other things happen - mainly huge releases from the dam. It gets fished out, and once food supplies drop, striper will drop down the river as well.
Hello, I recently just got into flyfishing and i'm so glad I found your channel. I've been prepping and visualizing catching a really big striper with my fly rod. When do you think is a good time to fish the dam at PK after they shut off the gates? In your video you stated that was 4 days after. Do you remember how many gates were on or how many cfs was releasing? Thanks!!
The CFS were slow. I was there 4 days after, but 4 days is not a part of the formula. You could backtrack through the PK Dam data to the weeks around when this went on-air and figure out the flows from there. A good time fish it is when the bait is dwindling and the big ones are getting more hungry.
Been some time. That was 8wt with 10# tipp floating line (salt grade) and I think it was a heavy #2 red over white synthetic Clouser. Definitely a Clouser! Fast retrieve.
Caught a nice little 16 inch smallmouth on the other side of the bridge there. Had no idea there were SM in there, I was fishing for the trout. Aerobatic little devils, it was fun.
I fish there all the time! Never been blessed to be out there on a fast flow day though. Normally when the flow is down you can go about 100 yards behind where you spent most of this video and there is a deep hole that holds some fish!
Gave ya a sub hopefully see ya out at the river!
Yeah. I have seen plenty of guys pound those holes literally TO DEATH though. They are the first to get fished out by the masses because they are so vulnerable to fishers. I am working on some new downstream theories based on the actual location of where the lowest flow riverbed cuts through the rock floor. It is intriguing to me. THANKS FOR THE SUB!
@@Texasflycaster that sounds awesome!!!
Just now seeing this, great video. It was also great meeting you today at Fly Fest. 😉
Thanks! You too!
Nice! Did you forget your landing net?
very rarely use a net.
Appreciate this vid and the advice of moving up in gear weight, I always just grab a 5/6 when heading over for the trout releases. We live on the west side of the PK and hit this spot regularly as the clarity is better below the lake than above it on the Brazos. You're right, it holds plenty of species and plenty scenic as well. Great instructional tips, keep it up!
Glad you liked it! Have been hibernating through this harder (than usual) winter, but am about ready to get back at it. Weather was supposed to be better this weekend, and so far - NOT. Sad ...
Thank you sir. It’s videos like this that are helping me along this journey I have recently begun. I’m new to fly fishing, about a month now. I’m close to Texoma Denison dam, so I’ve been going up there a couple days a week, walking the banks of Shawnee creek and catching small striper and tiny bass. I’m loving it and eager to learn and go more.
I hear Denison Dam is really happening now! Apparently they are doing huge water releases for generation?
Texas Fly Caster I’ll definitely check it out in a few days, busy Paramedic at an ER. Any suggestions on flys? What time of day? Etc?
Thanks for any advice
@@jasonkeith674 Clousers as I recall ... BIG ones. I have covered that dam a lot on my website - bit.ly/3cgYuDm should do the trick. The MAIN THING is catching the generation when the horn goes off, and then pounding it hard! And I am a big fan of the OK side.
I will be traveling to Dallas from Colorado Springs next week. I've never fly fished for small mouth looks fun. This is one of the spots that was recommended. Looking forward to it.
Yes it it! I have not done it in awhile because my skiff is not optimal to chase these guys along the shorelines. It's cold as heck now too!
Nice going, Looks like a nice mix of Bass their.
Amazing diversity for sure. I have not caught enough smallmouth to know if this one was a meanmouth or actual small mouth. The fact I can't just say, "smallie," or "spot," makes me think its a meanie.
I use Clousers. Had to change up colors a bit but black on black won the day. Tied on circle hook. Floating saltwater cold line. Fluorocarbon leaders sink good enough (heavy clousers).
Or black.
Do you park at the arch bridge and hike up?
@@ryanashby2459 no. You can drive up closer and the parking is very good
maps.app.goo.gl/U2WMFsv4cjA3BbK8A
@@Texasflycaster Perfect! Thanks!!
Were u there in July or August and are waders necessary?
that place is awesome fishing but holy hell, are the campgrounds above that place haunted as heck! lol
Now that is interesting. Haunted like how?
Are you using clousers? What fly line are you using. I fish there often off a float tube. Biggest Striper I have caught there is 21” in 2017. I caught a drum that size I didn’t land as well. I usually use a full sink 7-9 ips line there but need to get an intermediate and/or slower sink line. I second the recommendation for a heavier rod. I broke a 5 wt there summer 2017.
I thought I replied to this one, but it doesn't look like it. Yes Clousers. Floating line. I can't strip fast enough to keep a sinker out of the rocks. Use a fluorocarbon leader - it sinks - and you would have difficulty casting a sinker as far as a floating line. Essentially 9' of fluoro is a sink tip and I bet it's hard to cast to a distance where the water is 10' deep. My 2-cents.
You replied as a comment. Not a reply to this comment. It is below. Thanks.
how long will this discharging of water last?
Is it worth it to head up there?
The flow is actually cut down a lot. But this discharge is not the lowest flow. The water is very muddy. A guy said there is some kind of break in the dam gates and it is being repaired - the color of the water is because of where it's coming from in the lake water column. It is still plenty cold. Even when they slow down the discharge (as long is it doesn't become sulfurous) the fish will be there. THEIR NUMBERS are going down daily as they get fished out in that pool though. There are more and bigger further down - much harder to find. It is always a question of quantity or quality. I chose quality, but a lot of fly guys like the quantity -- it can go into the hundreds of sand bass - in a day. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE to predict when the flow changes as there are so many variables including the USACE / Brazos River government / rain gods.
Hope that helps.
@@TexasflycasterYes that does, i don't think i will be there over thanksgiving break because of the number of people that are going to be there, I do know that water is usually clear coming out of the dam on low flows. Maybe when there is less people i'll be down there.
@@joshuaskorick63 Yeah, it is usually crystal clear. Not this time. But they are still biting anyway. Just treacherous.
Great video. I need to make a drive that way one day and chunk a few flies.
Keep in mind this fly fishing was one of those "phenomena" that happens when a series of other things happen - mainly huge releases from the dam. It gets fished out, and once food supplies drop, striper will drop down the river as well.
Thanks for the advice. Just looks like such a nice place.
Hello, I recently just got into flyfishing and i'm so glad I found your channel. I've been prepping and visualizing catching a really big striper with my fly rod. When do you think is a good time to fish the dam at PK after they shut off the gates? In your video you stated that was 4 days after. Do you remember how many gates were on or how many cfs was releasing? Thanks!!
The CFS were slow. I was there 4 days after, but 4 days is not a part of the formula. You could backtrack through the PK Dam data to the weeks around when this went on-air and figure out the flows from there. A good time fish it is when the bait is dwindling and the big ones are getting more hungry.
What’s your set up? Line weight and fly?
Been some time. That was 8wt with 10# tipp floating line (salt grade) and I think it was a heavy #2 red over white synthetic Clouser. Definitely a Clouser! Fast retrieve.
What color bate should I use
Red-white works not a lot of selective bites - more like a frenzy
Where is this?
PK Dam.
What wt rod
I like 8wt - gets distance and stands up to those bigger striper. Makes the hundreds of dinks kind of boring though!
I have a lake house at Pk!!!
How is that lake looking these days? I know they had an absolutely epic release a couple of weeks ago - a virtual disaster film type of scenario.