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River guide · Oklahoma

Fly Fishing the Lower Mountain Fork River

The best tailwater trout fishery in the Southern Plains, the Mountain Fork runs cold and clear out of Broken Bow Dam through the Ouachita Mountains, holding brown trout to 10 pounds and drawing anglers from Dallas to Little Rock all winter long.

  • 6 shops nearby
  • tailwater
  • November–May (peak)
  • Oklahoma
  • 5 key hatches
See fly shops ↓

The best time to fly fish the Lower Mountain Fork River is November–May (peak). Key hatches include Midges, Blue, Little Black Caddis / Spotted Sedge Caddis, Trico. 6 fly shops near the Lower Mountain Fork River can outfit your trip.

Fly shops near the Lower Mountain Fork River

Shops and guides that fish the Lower Mountain Fork River. See all 8 Oklahoma shops →

Beavers Bend Fly Shop & Professional Guide ServiceBroken Bow Trout ProTied 2 Fly Fishing & Guide ServiceOn The Rivers Fly Fishing Co.
4 fly shops shown

Species on this water

BassBonefishPanfishSalmonSteelheadTrout

Nearby towns

Stephens GapBroken BowKetchikan

Rivers nearby

White RiverNorfork RiverSpring RiverSan Marcos River
Hatches & seasons

When & what to fish on the Lower Mountain Fork River

River typetailwater
Best seasonNovember–May (peak); fishable year-round
AccessThe trout zone begins below Broken Bow Dam (off Hwy 259A, 3 miles east of Hochatown); about 5 miles of the trout water runs through Beavers Bend State Park with multiple pull-off and wade-in points along Beavers Bend Road; wading and drift-boat float access available.
Key hatches
  • Midges — cream, red, blood midge (year-round, winter peak)
  • Blue-winged Olive / Baetis (spring and fall)
  • Little Black Caddis / Spotted Sedge Caddis (spring and fall)
  • Trico (summer mornings)
  • Mahogany Dun / Great Autumn Brown Sedge (September–October)
From The Fly Bench

Tie the flies that work on the Lower Mountain Fork River

Step-by-step tying recipes & videos for these patterns.

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Gear up

Gear up on the Lower Mountain Fork River

Everything you need before the next trip — rods, lines, leaders, and fly-tying materials.

Shop the gear Flies that work

The flies that work on the Lower Mountain Fork River

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Updated June 2026