Armored Catfish Live in Oklahoma???

[ESipes_89]

Hi,

I was out bassin' the other day and hooked an armored catfish on the back side of the Rocky Lake dam in W. Oklahoma. I didn't have my camera and didn't know what to do with him so I threw him back. Why I state this is because I didn't think that these fish were inhabiting Oklahoma waters. Does anyone know much about this fish that can tell me a little more about what it is and where it lives in the US?

If it hasn't been reported in Oklahoma, should I report it?

Thanks,
-Eric

[bassfisher02]

Hm, looked in my Sport Fish of Freshwater handbook and the "Armored Catfish" isnt listed...

But I researched it on Google and found its native to south America, and has been introduced in Florida waters. I would deffinitely report it, just so they can have it on record. How big was the fish?

[FlyRod]

Unknown to most, the Fighting 45th Division (Thunderbirds), Oklahoma National Guard, of WW2 fame, had a Troop of Armored Catfish assigned to each regiment. These were intended to lend support during amphibious operations.
The admiring French, in appreciation of "B" Troop's valiant efforts during a battle on/in the Loire River, awarded several of the troopers the Croix de Guerre. "B" Troop killed or captured over one hundred German Carp in this engagement, with the loss of only one trooper (he happened upon some Frenchman's "ligne de Trot" and, well, you know...he was EIA, served with Pommes frites and a nice Chardonnay.)
There was an embarassing, yet humorous, moment during the awards ceremony when a French Army cook broke ranks and attempted to douse "B" Troop's First Sergeant in butter and lemon (with just a dash of white wine.) The 45th Division's Commander, Major General B. "Hang half a hunnert on 'em by halftime!" Switzer, was heard to mutter "Ain't that damned Frog ever heard of corn meal?"
After the war, though the experiment was deemed a success, all Armored Catfish units were deactivated. Most have passed into history now, but there is one of them, a late-model Catfish, Armored, M31A4, on permanent display at the 45th's wonderful museum in Oklahoma City (in the mess hall freezer.)
Here are some linkies:

http://www.45thdivisionmuseum.com/Exhibits/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croix_de_Guerre
http://www.edhelper.com/ReadingComprehension_43_82.html

Speaking of Major Generals...Linda Ronstadt before she porked out and a young Kevin Klein.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vytosDX9dVM

I hereby attest that the foregoing is factual in every way.

FlyRod
Military Historian non pareil

[ESipes_89]

Originally Posted by FlyRod

Unknown to most, the Fighting 45th Division (Thunderbirds), Oklahoma National Guard, of WW2 fame, had a Troop of Armored Catfish assigned to each regiment. These were intended to lend support during amphibious operations.
The admiring French, in appreciation of "B" Troop's valiant efforts during a battle on/in the Loire River, awarded several of the troopers the Croix de Guerre. "B" Troop killed or captured over one hundred German Carp in this engagement, with the loss of only one trooper (he happened upon some Frenchman's "ligne de Trot" and, well, you know...he was EIA, served with Pommes frites and a nice Chardonnay.)
There was an embarassing, yet humorous, moment during the awards ceremony when a French Army cook broke ranks and attempted to douse "B" Troop's First Sergeant in butter and lemon (with just a dash of white wine.) The 45th Division's Commander, Major General B. "Hang half a hunnert on 'em by halftime!" Switzer, was heard to mutter "Ain't that damned Frog ever heard of corn meal?"
After the war, though the experiment was deemed a success, all Armored Catfish units were deactivated. Most have passed into history now, but there is one of them, a late-model Catfish, Armored, M31A4, on permanent display at the 45th's wonderful museum in Oklahoma City (in the mess hall freezer.)
Here are some linkies:

http://www.45thdivisionmuseum.com/Exhibits/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croix_de_Guerre
http://www.edhelper.com/ReadingComprehension_43_82.html

Speaking of Major Generals...Linda Ronstadt before she porked out and a young Kevin Klein.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vytosDX9dVM

I hereby attest that the foregoing is factual in every way.

FlyRod
Military Historian non pareil

"Ligne de trot", I swear FR, you are one clever SOB. Anyways, I'll go down to the OSU extention center, which handles things like this, and report it come monday. The fish was about 10" long and about a 1/2lb. I'm assuming it was someone's pet that was let loose in the lake and washed over the dam due to the flooding rains but I'm not sure.

-Eric

[FlyRod]

Originally Posted by ESipes_89

"Ligne de trot", I swear FR, you are one clever SOB. Anyways, I'll go down to the OSU extention center, which rents out sheep for "recreational" use, and report it come monday. The fish was about 10" long and about a 1/2lb. I'm assuming it was someone's pet that was let loose in the lake and washed over the dam due to the flooding rains but I'm not sure.

-Eric

Truthfulized. No charge.

And A Very Boomer Sooner To All!

FR

[ESipes_89]

That's pretty good. I'm a sooner fan myself and it sucks that the local fish and game are controlled by aggies. Also, remember you can't spell yOU Suck without OSU.

-Eric