Its waters, drawn from the southwestern edge of the Ouachita Mountains, begin to collect near Hatfield, Ark. The scenic river then flows southwest into Oklahoma, passing the town of Smithville before eventually pouring into Broken Bow Lake. In total, the Upper Mountain Fork River flows for about 32 miles.  

Guide Rob Woodruff fishes from behind a shelf into faster riffles, sending flies downstream and drifting them past large boulders.

Many topographers consider the river too small and insignificant to include on their maps. Truth be known, the Upper Mountain Fork may be southeast Oklahoma’s greatest treasure. The river is the home water of the hard-fighting Ouachita-strain smallmouth bass, one of the more unique strains of smallmouth bass in the United States, according to Paul Balkenbush, a streams management supervisor with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.

This average-size smallie was taken from a faster run.

“The Ouachita-strain is a geographically and genetically distinct stock of smallmouth not found anywhere else,” said Balkenbush. “It has specialized to do well in a specific habitat limited to southeastern Oklahoma.”

Tim Knapp, who owns and operates Rivers Edge Cottages in Watson, Okla.,  agrees the Ouachita smallmouth is distinctly special. He discovered the unique fishery when his parents moved to nearby Smithville in 1979.

“I started fishing the river 30 years ago, and it continues to thrill me,” Knapp said “The Ouachita-strain smallmouth is an airborne acrobat. They take to the air as soon as they’re hooked. When you hook a 3-pounder on the required light tackle, you get abused.”  

The Upper Mountain Fork is a classic pool-and-drop river, with a gradient of 8 to 10 feet per mile. The river bed consists of rock ledges that create small drops and occasional long pools of flat water. Anglers floating the river will encounter waterfalls, rapids, rock shoals, bluffs, cliffs and canyon-like walls. The deepest holes are below the rock ridges dissecting the river and below the bluffs. 

According to fishing guide Ethan Wright, the average size smallmouth in this river ranges between 10 and 14 inches, with nicer fish measuring 18 to 20 inches. The Upper Fork River also supports a healthy population of spotted bass and smaller numbers of river-tough largemouth bass. Skillet-sized green sunfish, called goggle-eyes by locals, will contend with spotted bass for any diminutive crankbait or small plastic that passes too close.

“You typically find the smallmouth in protected pockets or faster moving water, holding behind boulders or in deeper runs,” said Wright. “The largemouth bass are found in flat water, holding under fallen logs or undercut banks. The numerous spotted bass are generally found everywhere in between fast and flat water.”

The area adjoining the river is remote and rugged commercial forest land. Like many unpopulated areas, it’s important not to wander far from the river itself. There are several access points to the river and feeder streams ranging from low-water crossings to Jeep trails to highway crossings. Anglers should consider purchasing a detailed regional map from the U.S. Geological Survey or other source. 

“The remoteness of this area means this river seldom gets fished,” said Knapp. “It’s where I go when I want to get away and experience serious solitude and great fishing. It’s a very scenic river with lots of boulders, long holes interspersed with riffles and rapids. More importantly, it’s full of bass.”

Smallmouth this large are the exception — but every season, regulars see a number of fish over 3 pounds, with some pushing 5 pounds.

General Information

— Location: The Upper Mountain Fork is about 4 hours northeast of Dallas and Oklahoma City. Smithville is the closest town to the best fishing.

— Water quality: Anglers can float the river throughout much of the year. In late summer, anglers may need to walk some low-water areas. Also, water levels become dangerously high and fast after prolonged periods of rain. It’s important to know whether the watershed has received any recent rains before heading to the river.

— What to bring: Water clarity and stout fish require relatively light spinning tackle with 6-pound-test line or 5-weight fly-fishing outfits. In spring, baitfish imitations work best. Fly anglers will want to try woolly buggers and lightly dressed streamers, and conventional anglers should throw 4-inch worms. While baitfish imitations continue to produce in summer, crawfish imitations catch better fish. Buzzbaits and poppers often will draw the more memorable bronzebacks up from under boulders.

— Accommodations: Fishing guide Ethan Wright can be reached by calling (580) 494-6109. Tim and Suzy Knapp’s Rivers Edge Cottages in Watson, Okla., can be reached by calling (580) 244-7296, or by visiting www.riversedgecottages.com.   

— Regulations and licensing information: For more information go to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation’s helpful Web site at www.wildlifedepartment.com.