Oologah/Talala Creek

I'm going to try and put together a group of fellow Crappie.com folks to replinish the brush in the Talala Creek area. So far there are three of us. I live fairly close to Vada Point ramp and thought we might stage/build the piles at my place, then drag them to a waiting boat for placement. I could take a trailer with rocks down to the ramp so that rocks can be added, tied off to the pile, then driven out to deploy.

A collection of old pallets will be helpful.

If anyone would like to help and can withstand the heat, chime in here. If it's too hot, we could always build at sunrise one morning and deploy the next.

Suggestions welcome.

Craig

Craig, I am game. It will have to be after the 7th of July before I can help.

Doug

Just let me know what I can do to help.

I have 10-15 concrete blocks I have been saving for this purpose. I can also come up with some pallets from work. Just let me know when. I am good anytime after July 8.

I'm game too, after the 7th for me too.

Cool! I stopped by the Corp office the other day and discussed it with them. I let them know that the property I'm on is adjacent to the Corp property that runs along the creek on the north bank up to Onion creek. I asked if he thought there would be any problems if we took some trees out of the flood plain area and he said he didn't think there would be a problem. I can get a tractor to just drag the trees to the ramp. I too have a small amount of blocks as well as one of my good friends does too. Another friend has offered his pontoon boat to help deploy pallets. The trees could be dragged behind a regular boat.

I've been wanting to place several piles for sometime now concetrating on areas that no matter what direction the wind is out of, we'll have at least 3-5 piles to explore out of the wind.

Some areas already have brush, but just need to be topped off a bit. We'll set a date soon. If it's really hot, we can always take a break at my place.

I would like to help. I live in Bartlesville, about an hour from Vada Point. I'll try to gather some pallets from the local newspaper here but sold my trailer and can only carry what the truck will hold. I need to know when you plan to get started. I never built any of those structures so I'll plan to bring common tools.

Loy Morrison

I can come help. Let me know what date.

How many pallets u need?

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Originally Posted by Crappie Bandit

I would like to help. I live in Bartlesville, about an hour from Vada Point. I'll try to gather some pallets from the local newspaper here but sold my trailer and can only carry what the truck will hold. I need to know when you plan to get started. I never built any of those structures so I'll plan to bring common tools.

Loy Morrison

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PU truck of pallets would be fine. If there are enough pallets overall, we can use deck screws and build a triangle, stuffing a few larger limbs inside along with some rocks.

I have some 3'' deck screws that are left over from a few jobs that I've been hording, perhaps a couple of you guys do too.

Items that would help would be....

Nylon rope
Deck screws
Cinder blocks with holes (any style)
Chain Saw/Bar Oil/fuel
Boat

As far as a Date/Time, I'd like to go for 3rd week in July, but it might be a bit too warm and not get any cooler until late September.
I can work in the heat, but if there is no wind, I'm usually spent by noon.

My thoughts that a lot of us are used to being somewhere at the crack of dawn to get a boat launched.
If there are enough people, and we can stream line things, I bet we could drop a good 20 piles in a three hour time span.
I know that it's possible because I've seen 96 piles built and dropped in a 4 hour span with the help of the Corp.

If one of you has an older pontoon boat and is not concerned about possible damage to the carpet/flooring, it's welcome. We could always lay a sheet of plywood or something down as a buffer to protect the flooring.

I think I'm going to check with the Corp office and see if it's possible for us to use one of their pontoons along with an operator.

Of course, bring something to snack on and a couple of cool drinks.

It should be a good time for all, if anything we'll get to meet each other and know who we've been waving to, or giving the shaft. I'll try to post a map of Talala Creek area that we can vote for areas to brush. There are remnants of some piles that just need resupplied.

All in all, I'd like to see us be safe, have fun meeting, get some piles created, kick back and have some discussion.

Thanks to all those interested!

Ed Moes, Crappie.com owner may send t-shirts to those attending.

Let's set a date for Saturday, July 28th. Those who would like to help, sign up.

Crappie.com Habitat day at Talala Creek

Meeting location- my place, pm for directions. I live very, very close to the ramp. I'll have a Crappie.com banner out by the road that can't be missed.


Time- 5:30 a.m. This is due to the expected heat. If it's too early, it's ok, you can help deploy.


Ed's been a great supporter of Crappie fishing and this is just another way he shows it.

I look forward to doing this and would consider helping others do the same for their favorite fishing waters if close enough.

If you can make it, sign up and make sure you give us your t-shirt size.

Craig, that sounds great. I won't be able to make it though because that is the day of the last Crappie.com tournament. I may be able to help gather up materials ahead of time though.

Odie

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Originally Posted by deerhunterodie

Craig, that sounds great. I won't be able to make it though because that is the day of the last Crappie.com tournament. I may be able to help gather up materials ahead of time though.

Odie

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No biggie Doug, date may not be set in stone depending on how others feel. This is not something that has to be done right away. I figure the 28th would give us time to organize, yet beat the dog days a little.

I spoke to my Corps buddy at Oologah a minute ago and he's going to ask the lake manager if we can use a boat and a man. He said their policy is they don't do that. They've been asked many times and the answer is always no but he's going to check anyways and get back to me. I'll be there that morning and can bring rope or cinder blocks or whatever you want me to bring Craig. Just let me know.

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Originally Posted by Crappie Reaper

If you can make it, sign up and make sure you give us your t-shirt size.

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I have a good saw and about 10 blocks i can bring.may be able to get some old pallets from work . look forward to meating some of you crappie masters

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Originally Posted by meatdragger

I spoke to my Corps buddy at Oologah a minute ago and he's going to ask the lake manager if we can use a boat and a man.

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Great Idea! Let them know that we are a group of fishermen/women that have met through Crappie.com and the owner of Crappie.com is helping out by supplying t-shirts for the workers. Note that it is not Sponsored by Crappie.com for liability reasons. One pontoon boat and one operator would be great! Perhaps my buddy that is retired from the Oologah Corp would be interested in joining us protecting the Corps interests while there? I'll have to try and get in touch with him.

I've got a friend with a tractor lined up to drag bigger trees to the ramp.

I also have a very good friend that has fished the Talala Creek area since the lake was impounded. He's retired and fishes maybe 250 days a year now. He's seen brush come and go over the years and knows the area better than the fish. I asked him if he would be on the deployment crew to advise some of the best areas for us to drop. Of course, anyone is welcome to drop brush into the area of their choice. What we do NOT want to do is create a boating hazzard. Since Crappie tend to change depths day to day, depending on pressure and daylight, I've always thought that you drop the brush 8'-18' deep on average. I wouldn't hurt to create a couple of deeper piles as well as some shoreline brush for the spawn.

Blocks and pallets are key, I'll start checking with store managers asking if they have some damaged ones they want hauled off.

Make sure you give me your shirt size within the next week so I can let Ed know what to send.



I'll be able to provide the meat for some burgers after the work. BYOC (bring your own chair) It would be great if we could get a professional to join us for questions and answers, I don't qualify for that.

I'm getting p.m.'s that the 28th is a bad day. Can we step up to the 21st? Please post your thoughts here vs a pm.

Craig, I think what you guys are doing is a great thing. I know t-shirts is not a lot, but I'm happy to support the effort and the hard work in any way I can. Don't forget, I need t-shirt sizes for those participating. They'll be good and cool t-shirts to wear in the heat. I use the Gilden Dri-Blend just for that reason. I will start a separate thread for the t-shirt sizes OK Craig. Attendees should reply in that thread with their t-shirt size if they want one. I'll post it now. Gimme a minute.

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Originally Posted by Slab

Craig, I think what you guys are doing is a great thing. I know t-shirts is not a lot, but I'm happy to support the effort and the hard work in any way I can. Don't forget, I need t-shirt sizes for those participating. They'll be good and cool t-shirts to wear in the heat. I use the Gilden Dri-Blend just for that reason. I will start a separate thread for the t-shirt sizes OK Craig. Attendees should reply in that thread with their t-shirt size if they want one. I'll post it now. Gimme a minute.

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Great Ed and thanks! It would be nice if a whole bunch of Crappie.com folks built habitats at their lakes in groups. I know we have a Structure/habitat forum, but it's mostly based on individual efforts. That Jerry Blake and Darryl Morris clan over in Arkansas started it. :crazy:

[QUOTE=Crappie Reaper;1961453]I'm getting p.m.'s that the 28th is a bad day. Can we step up to the 21st? Please post your thoughts here vs a pm.[/

The 21st will work for me

Need to set a date. You're never gonna be able to accommodate everyone. If it's 28th I'm there if it's the 21st the family is throwing a surprise birthday party for dad that I wouldn't miss for the world.

The main conflict I see is that it is on a day of a Crappie.com tournament, and maybe another day should be picked due to that. However; that being said, it really is impossible to pick a day when everyone can be there. Pick a day and if there is any way to arrange being there - those of us that really want to be there will try and find a way to attend. I will try and have a coworker swap days off with me; or I will use a day of vacation time, so I can attend.

Good job guys. Always good to give back by providing the fish with stucure. I am doing the same thing on MS board on a little lake called Arkubulta.

Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2

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Originally Posted by dinobot

Need to set a date. You're never gonna be able to accommodate everyone. If it's 28th I'm there if it's the 21st the family is throwing a surprise birthday party for dad that I wouldn't miss for the world.

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It's got to be the 21st Bot. Enjoy the day with your Father. I'll be happy to guide you to the better piles once they are attracting decent fish. You're always welcome here up North.

Now if we could just get Crappie Chatt to come down and supply us with entertainment....

Sounds good Craig you know I'd love to come up and help but Dad comes first. However that means I'm free on the 28th anyone need a partner for the tourny lol

Crappie reaper, where do we sign up or get exact info. I am available on the 21. I have a nitro and quite a few cinder blocks.

If you don't know how to get to Vada Point, coming from Tulsa on 169 passing through Talala (watch your speed!) and take a right once you pass the second bridge which is 310 Road. Drive east until the road T's, turn right, the ramp is about a mile south from there. I'll have a Crappie.com banner out by the road the night before where you should turn into the neighborhood I live in. Feel free to park on the grass since I hate mowing it. I've only got 4 outside chairs. I'll have coffee going (black) and cool air if someone gets hot. I'd really like to have at least one speaker that might be able to give some of us a few tips, Lord knows I could use a few.

This started out as me and a few other guys wanting to rebuild the brush in Talala Creek since it's usually done by a couple of individuals while the main parks on the lake get rotated in a Corp sponsored brush pile event which is a hit every year. The Talala Creek area is one of the very few that can be fished in about any wind but the piles have lost there hospitality with the double rise and fall of the water this last spring. I'm just trying to create more areas to check out since so many people enjoy the area.

Hog, sign up on the sticky that Ed started and make sure you post your T-shirt size. Haven't seen you on the water since early spring before the rains. You might end up becomine a regular at my place and Talala Creek. Cinder blocks are good!

Thanks reaper. I have been chasing crappie in Talala creek about twice a week since April with jigs only. A trip with huckabee on eufala spoiled me against minnows temporarily. This is the first year i plan to fish the summer on talala. Usually i just fish talala in winter and late spring. Lightning creek is my honey hole in the spring.

I'm letting my daughters make a decent size sign to post outside my neighborhood that might let any Crappie fishermen that use Vada Point ramp know about the day and how to get in touch with me. It looks as if we might have a pretty decent turn out for this shindig.

Remember, to bring some nylon rope if you have some laying around you can spare. I might spend a week end day real soon dragging the trailer to places like Walmart and Lowes asking for pallets that are bad. I really want to thank everyone that is interested in helping. I think we're going to be starting something that could spread across Crappie.com and lakes across the Nation. Bring a camera too so we can post a bunch of pictures of the event.

Some of you might remember Crappie Dentist. He does not frequent the board like he used to, but gave me a call and is donating around 50 - 60 oak pallets about 3'x3'6". Over the years Jake has become a close friend and it's because of meeting through Crappie.com. I'll be heading his way with the trailer this weekend.

It looks as if concrete blocks and rope will be the main needs. A good working chainsaw will come in handy for cutting some limbs to stuff into the pallets. Those of you attending that have a decent cordless to sink some deck screws will help too. I've got one impact, a drill and a hammer drill that we can use. I'll also have 91 octane real gas to use in the chain saws. I'll also donate some gas or money to whoever doesn't mind using their boat to help deploy.

I still need to print up a map of Talala Creek to mark some of the better areas that have held Crappie over the years. We're getting close to the 21st and I can't wait to spend some time on the water after the new piles are placed. They should really help keep some of the bigger Crappie in the area.

Thanks to all those helping!

Reaper- I would really like to lend a hand and be on the water for a day, but will justing back from a week in Nebraska and will be pooped.:Doh:

I saw the sign today. I have quite few concrete blocks. Looking forward to it.

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Originally Posted by cricket george

Reaper- I would really like to lend a hand and be on the water for a day, but will justing back from a week in Nebraska and will be pooped.:Doh:

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I understand pooped completely. How bout I assign you to setting up my live minnow tank in the shop? :yikes

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Originally Posted by bosshog

I saw the sign today. I have quite few concrete blocks. Looking forward to it.

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Those of you who fish Talala Creek should agree that it needs a mess of new brush. I noticed that someone recently reloaded some brush next to Whisperers go to spot. I caught a few decent fish off it last Sunday. It was the only spot in the area I could get more than one bite.

The sign has been in place for over a week and I've not had one phone call from others that frequent the Vada Point ramp. Hopefully they will at least visit Crappie.com.

Reaper - I will see how I feel. I might come up on a different day and do it.

I loaded up 12 blocks and a clay chimney tile I had at my old house last night. It's a start. I'll be chasing the pallets from Crappie Dentist on Monday. We're a week away, I hope it's a fairly cool morning like today is.

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Originally Posted by Crappie Reaper

I loaded up 12 blocks and a clay chimney tile I had at my old house last night. It's a start. I'll be chasing the pallets from Crappie Dentist on Monday. We're a week away, I hope it's a fairly cool morning like today is.

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Jake, thanks for the pallets! I'm going to use three per drop making a tripod, then attach brush to the sloped sides while tying a couple of cinder blocks inside. Should make up about 30 drops when said and done. I'll post some pics.

My friend Bill is building a temporary pallet launching platform on the back end of his boat. I plan to do the same, but will need someone to Operate my boat during the drop. Hopefully Whisperer will handle this for me.

Anyone else who would like to use their boat, bring it and we'll fashion something to clamp down so as not to damage your boat.

GPS systems are key for the deployment group. I want to make sure that everyone involved has the coordinates of each pile deployed. I gave my friend Bill a Garmin GPS system that my good friend from Crappie.com, Ken a.k.a., Starfish gave me. I installed it on his boat yesterday morning. I've got an old original I finder that someone could use if they don't have a GPS (if I can find it). I'm going to print a few maps of the Talala Creek area and go over some of the mo betta places that have held nice Crappie over the years but has had the habitat deteriorate in time. Also need to think about making sure that drops are made to suit any wind condition giving us decent spots to check out no matter which way the wind is blowing. Pickings are very slim when there is a North or West wind. Some of the best fishing in the Talala Creek area is when the wind is out of the East or South. Regardless, it would be nice to have a few more places to fish when the wind is N or W.

Thanks again Jake!

Eds Daughter is on top of the shirts he's giving us. 5:30 is an early start, but I figure we can use the pre dawn time in discussion and organizing who is doing what. I plan to stay top side at my place feeding brush to a trailer headed for the ramp. I plan to take the truck with a 16' trailer full of pallets and blocks/rope and park it so as the trailer is partially in the water so the deployment boats can load and not have to get too shallow. If I leave the deck of the trailer above water, it should be good enough. Anyone launching a boat at Vada Ramp should be warned of the lake being down close to a foot, so keep your motor high until you're away from the ramp.

I hope everyone the signed on can make it. This will bring a lot of Crappie back to the Talala Creek area. Thanks for everyones help!

Can we organize and make old fashioned maps with the brushpiles marked on the maps, for those who do not have GPS on their fishfinders? I know it would be hard to make them as accurate as GPS, but it would get someone close enough to find with a decent locator. Just wondering? I look forward to seeing everyone and having a great time turning Talala Creek into an outstanding fishing area!