Mountain Fork River (Broken Bow Tailwater)
river in Oklahoma
One of Oklahoma's premier trout fisheries — tailwater trout (primarily rainbow and brown) thrive on cold releases from Broken Bow Lake; also offers good smallmouth and creek chub action upstream.
Conditions right now
No USGS gauge is linked to this water yet, so we can't chart flows.
What's working on Mountain Fork River
- 01Clear skies and mild 63°F temperatures create comfortable fishing conditions.
- 02Fall BWO and PMD hatches provide dry fly opportunities for selective trout.
- 03Midges and various aquatic nymphs remain a consistent food source subsurface for trout.
- 04Smallmouth bass are actively feeding on crayfish and hellgrammites in rocky areas.
- 05Streamer fishing with baitfish and leech imitations is effective for aggressive fish.
Past reports week by week
8 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Midge
Consistent primary food source for trout in tailwaters year-round, highly effective in fall.
October Caddis (Dry)
A larger caddis hatch occurs in the fall, offering a substantial dry fly pattern for opportunistic trout and bass.
Buy at AmazonZebra Midge
A weighted midge pattern that effectively gets down to feeding trout, crucial in colder fall water.
Buy at AmazonOlive Woolly Bugger
A versatile streamer pattern imitating leeches and baitfish, highly effective for aggressive trout and smallmouth bass in fall.
Flashback Hare's Ear Nymph
A versatile searching nymph, mimicking various aquatic insects active subsurface, excellent for fall trout.
Hellgrammite
A reliable subsurface pattern for smallmouth bass, as hellgrammites are a consistent food source in rocky river environments year-round.
Blue-Winged Olive Comparadun
Matches the consistent Blue-Winged Olive hatches that occur in the fall, targeting selective rising trout.
PMD (Pale Morning Duns)
Pale Morning Duns are actively hatching in fall, providing a key dry fly opportunity for trout.
Where to fish and who to ask
Aleck Creek / Sheppard's Bend Access
A favored bend with riffles and runs that hold trout and sight-fishable tailwater structure.
Beavers Bend State Park - Lower Mountain Fork Access
Popular wading sections, hikes to multiple runs and pocket water in park boundaries.
Broken Bow Dam Tailrace
Primary trout fishing area directly below the dam with wading access and deep pockets.
Fly shops within 40 miles
Beavers Bend Fly Shop
Beavers Bend Fly Fishing & Guide Service
Broken Bow Fly Shop
Tied2fly Fly-Fishing Guide Service
Get Mountain Fork River (Broken Bow Tailwater) reports by email
Save this water and we'll email you a weekly summary of conditions, hatches and what's working.
Oklahoma season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Read before you go
Winter Fly Fishing: Essential Cold Weather Tips & Tactics
Master winter fly fishing with proven cold weather strategies, gear selection, and tactics for catching trout when temperatures drop.
Fly Line Types Guide: WF, DT, Running & Shooting Heads
Master fly line selection with our comprehensive guide to weight forward, double taper, running lines, and shooting heads for every fishing situation.
Fly Fishing Pack vs Vest: Which Setup Is Right for You?
Compare fly fishing packs and vests to find the perfect gear setup for your angling style and fishing conditions.
Best Fly Fishing Sunglasses: Lens Color & Polarization Guide
Master lens color selection and polarization technology for superior vision and fish detection on the water.
Fly Fishing Nets – Rubber vs. Nylon & Why It Matters for Fish
The net you choose dramatically impacts fish survival. Here's why rubber nets are superior to nylon for catch-and-release success.
Best Budget Fly Fishing Combo Setups for Beginners
Expert guide to affordable fly fishing combos that won't break the bank but deliver quality performance for new anglers.
Quick answers
Common questions about Mountain Fork River (Broken Bow Tailwater).
What flies work best on Mountain Fork River (Broken Bow Tailwater)?
Our top scored fly patterns for Mountain Fork River (Broken Bow Tailwater) right now are Hellgrammite Fly (80% confidence), Clouser Minnow (Bass) (80% confidence), Elk Hair Caddis (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Mountain Fork River (Broken Bow Tailwater)?
Mountain Fork River (Broken Bow Tailwater) holds Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Smallmouth Bass. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
What are current flow conditions on Mountain Fork River (Broken Bow Tailwater)?
Live USGS streamflow readings for Mountain Fork River (Broken Bow Tailwater) are charted in the sidebar of this page and updated automatically from the nearest gauge.
Is Mountain Fork River (Broken Bow Tailwater) fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Mountain Fork River (Broken Bow Tailwater) each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.