Born and raised in Claremore, Oklahoma, Gordon Montgomery always preferred being outdoors. Early in his thirty-year career, Gordie worked the first five at the Old Skelly Ranch and Woods and Water before going out on his own guiding fishing and hunting trips. Over the years Gordie has built relationships with clients in what he still describes as a fun job. Nowadays, most of his business is repeat, introducing fishing and hunting to new generations of the same families. “I’m entertaining people while sharing the know-how of fishing, and then seeing how they light up when they start catching fish.”
So, what is Gordie’s secret for catching lots of fish? “Oklahoma, particularly this part of the state, has some of the most well-known and well fished rivers and lakes in the country. There are no secret fishing holes. It’s about knowing where fish can be caught under varying conditions.”
Gordie’s fishing trips are on northeastern Oklahoma’s interconnected rivers and lakes encompassing Grand Lake, Lake Hudson, Lake Skiatook, and Fort Gibson. You can count on an enjoyable day with a true pro and catching lots of fish in the most scenic part of the Sooner state. Gordie takes care of providing poles and bait. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, cap or hat, and be ready to take lots of photos. At the end of the day, Gordie can even clean and fillet your catch, and send you home with a recipe for the best way to cook it. Then it’s time to relax and talk, and watch a hawk makin' lazy circles in the sky.
Weather can be challenging in Gordie’s fun job. Think about it. He runs a year round business dealing with rain, snow, sleet, floods, drought, ice storms, thunderstorms with lightning and wind that comes sweepin’ down the plain. Yeeow! Ayipioeeay! It’s where Gordie’s knowledge and experience count most. Knowing how the flow and temperature of water in the morning and afternoon impacts fish, conditions that prolong the spawn of different species makes all the difference for a good day of fishing.
Gordie has built and maintained strong relationships based on honesty and respect with property owners in northeastern Oklahoma who he leases land from for hunting birds, migratory waterfowl, and whitetail deer. Access to these private hunting areas is a big benefit for Gordie’s clients. Fishing trips are scheduled April through June. Game bird, waterfowl, and whitetail deer guided trips are set during fall and winter based on Oklahoma’s hunting seasons. Contact Gordie for dates and scheduling.
Gordie’s White Bass recipe
Before preparing, cut any red meat from fillets
It’s best to soak fillets out for 24 hours with some salt in water
I like smaller pieces of fish for cooking
For breading I use ¼ box of Jiffy Cornbread mix combined with cornmeal and salt and pepper to taste
Deep fry at 350 degrees
Book reservations or get more information by calling 918.557.4791 or sending an email to: mail@gordieswildlife.com.
Gordie's Wildlife: GordiesWildlife.com.
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife hunting season schedules. WildLifeDepartment.com/hunting/seasons.