Hi Okie,

Try the Lower Mountain Fork River for brown trout. It's probably a 3-hour drive from Tulsa, but it's a much more pleasant and scenic fishery than the Lower Illinois. Better trout fishing, too.

You can fish a short, 2 or 3 weight in Spillway Creek. Or you can bring a 6 or 7 and sling streamers in Zones II and III for those larger trout in deeper water.

If you get down there, ask around for a guide named Ethan Wright. Do yourself a favor and go ahead and have a few Starbucks bold-blend coffees beforehand so that you can keep up with him. Tell him John G. sent you. He'll put you on fish.

Ethan lives in Hochatown, which is next to Broken Bow.

While you're down there, stop at Broken Bow Lake. It's easily the most scenic lake in Oklahoma, and maybe the entire United States. Don't forget your camera.

I guarantee you haven't fished with a guide like Ethan. Start running now to get into shape!

Best to you!