09-10-2007, 03:10 PM
The American Fisheries Society recently honored the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation Fisheries Division with a prestigious "Outstanding Project of the Year Award" for its renovation of the Evening Hole and Lost Creek areas of the Lower Mountain Fork River.
The award was given based on sport fisheries development and management, and the Evening Hole and Lost Creek areas in southeast Oklahoma fit the bill in more ways than one.<br />
The labor- and research-intensive renovation of the Evening Hole and Lost Creek areas in southeast Oklahoma has been referred to as the most ambitious stream restoration project ever in the state.<br />
"This was a huge project for all that were involved," said Barry Bolton, chief of fisheries for the Wildlife Department. "We're very proud of the team of people who made the project happen."<br />
The Evening Hole was once a wide, shallow area that was susceptible to summer heat and provided few stream obstructions, such as logs and boulders, to serve as points of concentration for trout to wait in ambush for passing insects.<br />
"Basically, the area was capable of holding a few trout, but it wasn't near what biologists envisioned it could be as a trout fishery," Bolton said.<br />
After several years of careful design and construction as well as the contributions of several agencies and anglers groups, Wildlife Department personnel completed the Evening Hole restoration project. After draining the water from the Evening Hole, heavy equipment was used to place tons of rock material into the streambed to help shape a narrower, swifter-flowing stream. Using extensive stream research and knowledge of trout habitat, Wildlife Department biologists and personnel carefully imbedded huge logs and rock material into the streambed. The end result was a faster-flowing stream with cooler water conditions and ideal habitat for trout.<br />
During renovations, a nearby 1,200 ft. long stretch of wooded area was converted into a trout stream that empties into the Evening Hole.<br />
Ambitious trout stocking efforts since the completion of renovations have kept the area a hot spot destination for anglers from Oklahoma and elsewhere.<br />
"We've got a trout fishery in the Evening Hole and Lost Creek areas that can rival any other as far as quality trout habitat and angling opportunities," Bolton said. "Not to mention the scenery is beautiful."<br />
The "Outstanding Project of the Year" award given to the Wildlife Department fisheries division is one of several Sport Fish Restoration project awards intended to recognize excellence in fisheries management, research and education as well as emphasize the success of the Sport Fish Restoration program, which is a tax collected on fishing tackle, boats and motorboat fuel that is returned to states for the enhancement of fisheries and boating opportunities. The program was created in 1950 and, according to the American Fisheries Society, has provided billions of dollars toward improved fishing and boating.<br />
Additionally, southeast region fisheries supervisor Paul Balkenbush and biologist James Vincent were both given the American Fisheries Society's "Award of Merit" for their work on the Evening Hole and Lost Creek projects.<br />
According to the American Fisheries Society, the "Award of Merit" "can be given for outstanding leadership, administration or project-related accomplishment" in the fisheries profession.<br />
At Lost Creek as well as the Evening Hole, brown and rainbow trout both have a one-fish-per-day limit, and fish must be 20 inches or longer. Also, anglers in the areas may only use artificial flies and lures and barbless hooks. For complete fishing regulations and license information, consult the current "Oklahoma Fishing Guide" or log on to wildlifedepartment.com.
The award was given based on sport fisheries development and management, and the Evening Hole and Lost Creek areas in southeast Oklahoma fit the bill in more ways than one.<br />
The labor- and research-intensive renovation of the Evening Hole and Lost Creek areas in southeast Oklahoma has been referred to as the most ambitious stream restoration project ever in the state.<br />
"This was a huge project for all that were involved," said Barry Bolton, chief of fisheries for the Wildlife Department. "We're very proud of the team of people who made the project happen."<br />
The Evening Hole was once a wide, shallow area that was susceptible to summer heat and provided few stream obstructions, such as logs and boulders, to serve as points of concentration for trout to wait in ambush for passing insects.<br />
"Basically, the area was capable of holding a few trout, but it wasn't near what biologists envisioned it could be as a trout fishery," Bolton said.<br />
After several years of careful design and construction as well as the contributions of several agencies and anglers groups, Wildlife Department personnel completed the Evening Hole restoration project. After draining the water from the Evening Hole, heavy equipment was used to place tons of rock material into the streambed to help shape a narrower, swifter-flowing stream. Using extensive stream research and knowledge of trout habitat, Wildlife Department biologists and personnel carefully imbedded huge logs and rock material into the streambed. The end result was a faster-flowing stream with cooler water conditions and ideal habitat for trout.<br />
During renovations, a nearby 1,200 ft. long stretch of wooded area was converted into a trout stream that empties into the Evening Hole.<br />
Ambitious trout stocking efforts since the completion of renovations have kept the area a hot spot destination for anglers from Oklahoma and elsewhere.<br />
"We've got a trout fishery in the Evening Hole and Lost Creek areas that can rival any other as far as quality trout habitat and angling opportunities," Bolton said. "Not to mention the scenery is beautiful."<br />
The "Outstanding Project of the Year" award given to the Wildlife Department fisheries division is one of several Sport Fish Restoration project awards intended to recognize excellence in fisheries management, research and education as well as emphasize the success of the Sport Fish Restoration program, which is a tax collected on fishing tackle, boats and motorboat fuel that is returned to states for the enhancement of fisheries and boating opportunities. The program was created in 1950 and, according to the American Fisheries Society, has provided billions of dollars toward improved fishing and boating.<br />
Additionally, southeast region fisheries supervisor Paul Balkenbush and biologist James Vincent were both given the American Fisheries Society's "Award of Merit" for their work on the Evening Hole and Lost Creek projects.<br />
According to the American Fisheries Society, the "Award of Merit" "can be given for outstanding leadership, administration or project-related accomplishment" in the fisheries profession.<br />
At Lost Creek as well as the Evening Hole, brown and rainbow trout both have a one-fish-per-day limit, and fish must be 20 inches or longer. Also, anglers in the areas may only use artificial flies and lures and barbless hooks. For complete fishing regulations and license information, consult the current "Oklahoma Fishing Guide" or log on to wildlifedepartment.com.