Muzzleloader opener
It's the opening weekend of Oklahoma's muzzleloader season, and a cool front should bring relief from the warm, humid weather that anglers like and hunters don't. Jeff's favorite fishing guide on Grand Lake, his oldest son Haydn ("Slim") of Williams Guide Service, joins him while they set up for the hunt.
Crappie
Haydn's last day on the water was this past weekend, when the water was 68°F (about 66 in some places down the lake). The main-lake brush pile and dock bite is ending, and Crappie are moving back into coves and cuts where the water is 2 to 4 degrees warmer. Minnows still work, but the jig bite has picked up, and he caught a lot on small soft-plastic jigs, staying mid-lake around Shangri-La.
Paddlefish
Haydn caught a bunch of Spoonbill north of Sailboat Bridge, between the bridge and the mouth of the Elk River in 20 to 40 feet of water, mostly around the Gray's Ranch area. On two trips Saturday they lost count. He was trolling about 100 feet of line with size 107 divers and 12/0 barbless hooks. Remember, snagging hooks in Oklahoma must be barbless.
Deer rut
Haydn is seeing a lot of scrapes. He thinks it's about normal, roughly a week and a half before the first does come into heat and the chasing starts, especially with this cold front. No chasing yet, which is normal for a hot October.
Family tradition
Muzzleloader and firearm seasons are a tradition for Jeff's family and for families across the state. If you've never hunted, tag along with a family member who does and learn.