Topic: Fly Fishing in Arkansas (Read 1850 times)

mariekie · « **on:** March 19, 2009, 06:49:56 PM »

I have a question regarding Fly Fishing in Arkansas. Since I have no knowledge of the Arkansas rivers I was wondering if any fly fishing people out there can point me in the right direction........Best rivers and streams, as well as the best time of the year. Now please keep in mind the fact, that I am no spring chicken and am basicaly a "fair weather" fisher person........

My experience with fly fishing is mainly in the rivers west of the Rockies.

Mariekie

davemittan · « **Reply #1 on:** March 19, 2009, 07:35:00 PM »

I'm not a fisherman, but I do live near Cotter - "Trout Capital USA"
Maybe that link might help you. I'll ask around for some other links. You might send me an e-mail if I don't get back with you in a couple of days......

geodrake · « **Reply #2 on:** March 19, 2009, 11:12:05 PM »

The White river in northern Arkansas provides some fantastic trout fishing, down stream from the dams. Bull Shoals is a place to consider. It is big river fishing and you should keep an eye out for rising water when they open the dams. There are some trophey areas there too. Browns and Rainbows.

davemittan · « **Reply #3 on:** March 20, 2009, 12:56:45 AM »

Funny you should mention Bull Shoals - that's where we live. Last summer, record lake levels had resulted in higher river levels too. Fishing suffered as a result. It looks like the levels might be down to more normal levels lately. I don't know if we'll have the usual number of fishing tournaments this year......

davemittan · « **Reply #4 on:** March 20, 2009, 05:20:43 AM »

I haven't heard from any contacts yet, but I did remember that Gaston's site has some info. I don't think Gaston's has a RV park, and the Bull Shoals state park is usually booked solid. But there is a COE park about 5-10 minutes away (outside of Lakeview) - e-mail me if you want more info......

tswms · « **Reply #5 on:** March 20, 2009, 08:37:12 AM »

Gastons is a good source. There is also good fishing on the White river just below the dam on Beaver lake. Good Corp campsites in the area also near Eureka springs. This is my home area, but I prefer bass to trout.

Tony

mariekie · « **Reply #6 on:** March 20, 2009, 10:09:20 AM »

Dave, George and Tony.........Thank you so much for the information thus far!!

Dave, Gaston's site was very helpful and with further search on the internet it seems as if fly fishing in Arkansas should be excellent and I am looking forward to it. The plan is to be there during the middle of May.

I am not too concerned about campgrounds. Somehow, between this forum and Trailerlife, one always finds the right spot.

Once again.........."Thank you" and feel free to send some more information!!!!!

Marsha/CA · « **Reply #7 on:** March 20, 2009, 11:54:29 AM »

Marie,

Tim and I have fished the White River near Bull Shoals. It's mostly sandy bottom with no big boulders or rocks. Browns and rainbows galore.

There is a very nice state or county campground right near the river, sorry I can't remember the name of it. I think it had partial hook-ups. We stayed at a Passport America which was about 10 minutes away. Fairly good camp sites, on a scale of 1-10, I'd put it at a 7. I think they honored the passport fees for 4-6 days.

We ended up hiring a guide for a float trip and used spinning rods. Had we had more time, we would have pulled out the fly fishing gear, as there were good spots to wet the line.

As usual when we start talking about this stuff, I get antsy to get the gear out get going.

Have fun and as usual keep us posted.

Marsha~

davemittan · « **Reply #8 on:** March 20, 2009, 12:49:19 PM »

Marie -

That state park on the river is usually booked solid. But there's a Corps park nearby in Lakeview we like a lot. Water at some sites - electricity at all of them - a central dump location. They take the America the Beautiful senior pass, which saves you some money (if you qualify

). The D section is "first come first served".

Also, there's a "Dam Site" park on the Bull Shoals side of the dam.

Tom · « **Reply #9 on:** March 20, 2009, 12:50:37 PM »

Quote

As usual when we start talking about this stuff, I get antsy to get the gear out get going.

Me too Marsha. I'm sitting here looking at my new Sage fly rod I bought from your local fly shop, and which I haven't yet used.

Flytyer2 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 21, 2009, 12:42:18 PM »

Gotta get in on this one since I live near Mountain Home and moved there specifically for fly fishing.

There are a number of tailwaters on which to fly fish with White River below Bull Shoals Dam being the largest and most famous with some 100 miles of cold water fishing. The White River has something for everyone with plenty of public access, and great camping at the state park below the dam as mentioned in a previous post. Next is the Norfork River, my homewater and favorite place to fish. It is below Norfork Dam, 4.6 miles long, and was the former world record holder for brown trout at 38 lbs 3 oz (current world record is from Little Red River, below Greers Ferry Dam at Heber Springs, AR at 40 lbs 4 oz.) The Norfork tailwater is somewhat technical, but produces lots of fish, with many browns and rainbows over 20 inches. There are two places for public access: one is below the dam at Quarry Park, a COE campground that is A1 for RVers; many sites have both electric and water, and the other is Ackerman-Handicap Access. Then there is Little Red River which has already been discussed. It's some 25+ miles of cold water fishing, with lots of fish as well. There are several areas available for public access, and JFK Park, a COE campground below Greers Ferry Dam is on the water, has great camping, and some pretty decent fishing. There is also good tailwater fishing below Beaver Dam near Eureka Springs, AR, and Taneycomo below Table Rock Dam at Branson, MO. Gary LaFontaine told me a year or so before he died that Taneycomo was his favorite place to fish for brown trout in the US. The tailwaters hold four species of trout with browns being the largest and most popular, rainbows, cutthroats, and brook trout. There is also some great smallmouth fishing in Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River, both in north central Arkansas, and several rivers and streams in northwest Arkansas.

There is a great book regarding these rivers and fly fishing, Homewaters written by members of the Midsouth South Fly Fishers (I was privileged to author a couple of chapters). Hope this helps. PM me for preferred rod weight, flies, and line to leader to tippet set-up if you're interested.

Marsha/CA · « **Reply #11 on:** March 21, 2009, 03:23:13 PM »

Oh my gosh, I may have to change my Spring plans and head to Arkansas. Marie, you are gonna have a ball.

A record brown trout that weighted 38 lbs.!!! That would break my rod/reel!!! Browns are great to catch because they put up such a good fight. Oh boy....and here I sit...<sigh> $:-\$

The biggest Brown trout that I've caught was a 20". I have no idea how much it weighted.

Marsha~

Tom · « **Reply #12 on:** March 21, 2009, 03:25:19 PM »

Quote

A record brown trout that weighted 38 lbs.!!! That would break my rod/reel!!!

Leave the Sage rod behind and take a pool cue Marsha

Flytyer2 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 21, 2009, 03:43:20 PM »

Here I am with a brown on the Norfork River, near our house.

BTW our season is year long, and fishing is pretty fair all the time; be aware of hydropower generation, though, in the spring.

mariekie · « **Reply #14 on:** March 21, 2009, 03:53:49 PM »

Flytyer2,

All I can say is WOW!!!!!!!!!!! My brain is on total overload....

Thank you for all that amazing and valuable information. It is definitely on file. Now for serious advice. As far as my equipment is concerned; I have a TFO 6wt/9ft, Winston 5wt/9ft and TFO 4wt/9ft. That should work?

As soon as we are in Arkansas I will post for more detailed information, about flies, etc. etc.

Do you have any specific Guide services to recommend, for a guided float trip?

My next question - Coming from New Orleans, which is the most scenic and best way to the Cotter area, with a 35' MH and Jeep dinghy.

Marie

davemittan · « **Reply #15 on:** March 21, 2009, 03:54:36 PM »

Quote from: Flytyer2 on March 21, 2009, 03:43:20 PM

......be aware of hydropower generation, though, in the spring.

Maybe that's why they have this sign fairly close to the Bull Shoals Dam?

(It made me a little nervous when I was down there taking pics......)

Flytyer2 · « **Reply #16 on:** March 21, 2009, 08:17:30 PM »

mariekie, any of those rods will work great. You may want to start with the 4 or 5 wt, and go to the 6 if it is windy. Typically, you might get by with 4X tippet, but I'd use at least a 5X, and perhaps even a 6X or 7X depending on water conditions. From New Orleans, take I-55 north to Memphis, then I-40 west to Conway, AR, then US Hwy 65 north to Harrison, then US Hwy 62 east to Cotter--this is not the shortest, but maybe the quickest. There are some outstanding guides in the area, and three I recommend are John Wilson and John Gulley of Norfork, AR, and Davy Wotten of Bull Shoals?. You should be able to find their names on the internet. The two Johns are neighbors and Davy is a good friend; all are among the VERY BEST guides in the region. John Wilson is a world champion fly fisher several times running, and will definitely put you on big fish. John Gulley was the Orvis Guide of the Year a few years ago. Davy is one of the biggest innovators in the international fly tying world. If you can't find info for them, let me know. I would hire any of the three, and you'll learn a lot, to boot.

mariekie · « **Reply #17 on:** March 21, 2009, 08:28:51 PM »

Flytyer2.......All that great information is highly appreciated. One more reason why I love this forum!!!!!! My husband and I are already spinning our tires and can't wait to get to Arkansas.

Mariekie

geodrake · « **Reply #18 on:** March 22, 2009, 02:05:13 PM »

The first time I fished the White we were down stream about ten miles from the dam. After several hours I noticed that regardless of which direction I went, the water was getting deeper. Soon a couple of guys in a boat came by and asked how i was planning to get out. I told them that I was going to go out the same way I got in......................... they talked me into climbing into the boat, and explained that the power company was releasing water at the dam to generate power. From then on we always picked out a rock to watch while we fished, thus able to monitor water level.

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Author Topic: Fly Fishing in Arkansas (Read 1850 times)