As the sun broke down the long stretch of river my son and I were fishing, it was a welcome sight. To say this day was cold was an understatement. The wind had been blowing since we arrived, and the wind chill was near 30

degrees.

Located thirteen miles East of Tulsa, the Kerr MCcellan river channel was created open trade between the Mid-West and the rest of the world. It is uncommon to see several tugs and barges while fishing the upper part of this river

system.

My son and I were fishing the area just to the outside of a pretty large oxbow just a half mile upstream for a lock and dam. Often crappie in the river channels will slowly migrate along the bank between two oxbows looking for baitfish and cover out of the strongest channel. Fishing the mouth of an oxbow on the river side can produce many good fish and many different species. Crappie, not being the most aggressive of gamefish, tend to hang near the upper side of the oxbow, just outside of the eddy created by the two channels flowing together.

You should cast your line into the oxbow and retrieve it back into the river channel near the upper edge of the oxbow. As the dam opens and closes to allow boats through the water flow is stronger coming out of the oxbow and this movement is what causes the baitfish to travel out into the channel. As the dam upstream opens to allow boats through the water

reverses and travels back into the oxbow.

Once you able to detect the changing flows you can position your boat on the outside or the inside of the oxbow. When fishing the inside of the oxbow concentrate on heavy cover near or in the opening to the river. Stumps, brushpiles, weed beds, and any drop-offs. These areas will produce quality fish. In normal currents, when the flow is not fluctuating,

concentrate on the banks between the oxbows.

Maps of this river channel are available at each lock and dam located on the river. Also the Corp Of Engineers are always happy to help with any questions you may have. There is personnel at each lock and dam 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Good luck fishing the river channels and oxbows in your area and remember to teach a kid respect for the great outdoors.

R L Miller