Day 3, June 4, Thursday. Snorkel Tahlequah, Alongside the Illinois River and a Spring Creek Dip.
I was unsure of my invitation to Michael and Isaac to snorkel downtown Tahlequah. Though i am generally eager to snorkel clear water just about anywhere, i was worried that they would not share the same motivation in an urban setting. But it is here, to me, the epicenter of the NANFA OK gathering that i wanted to immerse myself into and the bonus was the historical significance of the site... the stream and springs the Cherokee gathered at after their terrible walk of forced relocation.
Standing on the road we could see very few fish but when i laid in the water, vibrant life erupted. Hundreds of Southern Redbelly Dace swarming among the pit digging mighty Stonerollers.
The armored bulldozers were burrowing down gathering and spitting out mouths of gnarly rocks, while the vibrant Dace swarmed in to spawn at each opportunity.
Common Orange Throats and elusive Fantails were present and were also spawning among the finer cobble.
Lots of big crays made their appearance.
I snorkeled a spring pool set higher and a bit further downstream eager to see something unique but diversity was again minimal. However what the living waters lacked in diversity it certainly made up in quantity.
Here the three plus me are getting ready to drive to the Illinois River. The orange barricade by Michael's yellow Jeep had been moved from the crossing that morning, as well as the one placed on the other side. After the first high velocity splash through's that the young speeding males seemed to relish most, we considered in the name of public service and our own personal safety to move the barricades back. But we were odd visitors and the wonderful spot was much enjoyed by all. In the water you can see the nice gravel break line that makes for the perfect spawning habitat.
Driving about 30 windy river miles and guided by the marked cardboard signage we relocated to a gathering site along the Illinois River. Grilled hotdogs, chips and drinks were provided to the chilled and hungry along with the other NANFans gathered and admiring the shaded trailered mega aquarium packed full of all kinds of interesting Oklahoma species. I quickly grabbed my snorkel and plunged in.
I am not exactly sure of the ID but i think it to be a Redeared Josh.
We gathered in the shade to listen to those in the know speak, watch fish get dissected and peered through microscopes.
Gut Teeth.
Shocking commenced and the sun was very hot. As others stood at the bank's edge i waded into the river for a cooling photo opportunity of those gathered.
Freshly shocked Redhorse. Identity unknown but by a few scale counters and lip checkers.
Swimming across the rapid flow of the Illinois River i was greeted by Fred 3 and 4, the King and Prince to those in the know. Behind them crosses the bridge featured in the film "Where the Red Fern Grows" but i prefer the author's other story "Summer of the Monkeys". I was standing refreshed on the gravel bar while others seined in the sun but my fellow snorkelers were in need of a cooling rinse requiring a gravel road drive to clearer waters.
Spring Creek. The water was pretty and inviting. We quickly got in and began to work ourselves upstream pulling ourselves along the right edge close to the stream bank.
We found a few steep pyramidal mounds, not quite active but the locals were still cruising about waiting for stimuli by man or chub.
Remembering Host Brandon telling me to look under stones, sure enough i caught sight of our Oklahoma mascot fish, the Sunburst Darter peeking, and teased him out for a few closeups. I can see his sunburst belly too.
Leaving Michael and Isaac behind to work the mounds, Cyan and i progressed upstream to deeper water. Looking down i saw a mass of Crayfish gathered into a twisting ball. With Cyan holding steady i pulled down and while hugging tight her ankle i snapped a few photos. I also took a bit of video and now agree with Cyan as it appears they have converged upon a piece of flesh and had gathered for the feast.
Working further upstream i came to a chute and began to catch glimpses of faint coloring on the Shiners. Surely something special was ahead and i expected to see a series of mounds but i found nary a one. However plenty of Chubs, Shiners, Hogsuckers and other species appeared to be resting in the shadows of the log jam behind me. Confused and disappointed i rose up out of the water to orient myself for a downstream speed float, but twisting in the current i stumbled and fell catching myself on my hands as my face plunged into a swirl of gravel and whirling color. Color flushed to the right and left as the stream's flow sheared off a steep gravel bar that provided prime spawning ground creating a wall of living color. Cardinals, Redbellys, Stonerollers, Ozark Minnows, mystery shiners, and hungry Darters... all told hundreds gathered in the day's last light.
Satisfied and a bit chilly Cyan and i free floated downstream to where Isaac and Michael had given out and gathered in the sunlight. With enthusiasm we shared the stream's encounters as we warmed ourselves in the day's remaining rays.
Another Pi Day for Georgia Michael and we being just 3 months and a few days since 3 14 15, all agreed Sam and Ella's, say that fast, was one of the best all time pizzas we had ever enjoyed. Just a skip and a hop from where we started the day in Tahlequah Town Branch's living waters.
Pi Day 3.14159265