FORT GIBSON — How long can we stand this heat? Looks like the hot weather is predicted for several weeks ahead.

Please keep in mind when out in the heat to have plenty of water.

A sports drink like Gatorade will help replenish the body of fluids lost from sweating.

Do not become a statistic. When you are feeling weak, light headed, nausea, excessively sweating, and/or have muscle cramps, call for medical attention or have someone near you call for medical emergency.

You may not have much time to correct a problem. Be safe and stay hydrated.

There has been a lot of talk about the blue-green algae. Please do not go into the water in areas that the Corps of Engineers have posted.

This algae is nothing to play around with. It is very toxic and harmful to everyone.

The Corps of Engineers has posted information on different areas of Fort Gibson Lake.

The areas are small, but they do have the algae blooms. It has been confirmed there’s blue-green algae in other surrounding lakes.

If you see posted signs in an area you’re taking children or family, please head the warnings.

At the bottom of this article I have posted a link to the Corps of Engineers Facebook page.

The Corps Facebook page offers additional information about Fort Gibson Lake and other surrounding lakes.

If you want additional information about the blue-green algae that is invading our waters, I have put a web link to the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality information page. This is a great article about the dangers of this algae. It should answer some questions. It did mine.

Anglers have been catching crappie around the docks located in Ranger Creek, 14-mile Creek, and around the Sequoyah Bay area.

Bobby Garland lures have been used. Colors will vary according water conditions.

I did hear of spawning channel catfish in the Wildwood or Jackson Bay area. Most of the channel catfish were caught using fresh cut shad or Canadian nightcrawlers.

The catfish caught were in the two to four-pound range. A good eating size in my book.

Anglers below Fort Gibson Dam have been catching a few crappie using minnows or a Bobby Garland lure.

Early in the morning or late in the evening was the best time to go.

It's cooler at that time of the day. Anglers caught the crappie on either west or east side of Fort Gibson Dam.

Many anglers are cooling off by wading to the cable catching sand bass.

With the turbines on or off, those sand bass are hungry and want to eat.

When they turn the turbines are off, you could wade to the safety cable and throw towards the dam.

Light tackle is all you need to use. Eight to 12-pound test line with a roostertail, small slab, or a silver spoon will work.

If you have tried this method in the past, let me know how you did.

It has been a proven method of catching sand bass. It is all about presentation and how you work the lure or bait.

I weighed one of several crappie a customer caught while fishing below the dam. He was using a Bobby Garland lure and minnows.

He also caught plenty of sand bass, but didn't want them.

The catfishing below the dam has been slow.

Not to mention how slow snagging for the spoonbills have been. Even the fish are tired of this hot weather.

We have many weeks of hot weather ahead. All we can hope for is relief this fall.

Come on fall. Please stay cool.

Check on the elderly and those that do not have air conditioning. Make sure all your pets have fresh water.

Until next time be safe, be cool and keep the hook baited.

Visit the Corps of Engineers Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/usacetulsa and the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality at http://www.deq.state.ok.us/factsheets/customer/BlueGreenFS.pdf for more information on blue-green algae.