Back to Beaver (10-20)

New sign that replaced Catch and Release Only sign at Beaver Tailwaters

I said I'd get out and fish every weekend in October. It didn't happen. I did get out a lot but did more hiking than fishing. Finally did fish this last Friday and it was my first time to the Beaver tailwaters in about a year. The weather was a perfect 65 degrees with lots of sunshine. Had to go with extra light tippet (7X) because of the sun and had more break offs. This was my first trip there since they changed the Catch and Release Only trophy section to a 13-16 in slot limit artificials only section. I did have many more quality fish but that may have been because I was fishing some big-fish, deeper hole water. I usually see big fish down through this section but they were more enticeable today than most other days, maybe due to the time of year, the fall color, and the prime time for egg patterns. I fished the Thorne's Fire Egg and the Y2K all day and caught 40+ fish, and several that were 15 to 16in (very good for Beaver). Had to drag one very fat rainbow to the bank as I had no net. On my way out I stopped to talk to another fisherman who fished upstream of me much of the day. He introduced himself as Bob Knowles whom I've known through reading to be the designer of the Y2K bug. Must have been satisfying for him to watch me catch fish all day long with his very innovative fly. Fat Beaver Rainbow, Thorne's Fire Egg

Fall color along the White River

Not much fishin goin on

Haven't been out much lately except on the OGC pond with students I work with at the center. Did fish the Harbor Meadows ponds over the summer quite a bit and did fish Sugar Creek one day with a guy I work with. Caught some smallmouth and some other bass that I couldn't identify....maybe Rock Bass. Hope to get out soon. With the many inches of rain we got these last few weeks it might make for heavy water releases so might be awhile. Time to hit the vice, get out in a few weeks maybe.

Norfork and Rim Shoals (June 1,2)

Last time on the water was June 1 and 2nd. Fished the Norfork early on 1st all morning. Had several fish on various midges though nothing worked consistently--a fish or two on one midge and then nothing, switch and catch a few more then nothing, switch.....and so on. At Rim Shoals the Y2K bug was by far the best fly. Never had any really big trout but lots in the fourteen to fifteen inch range. Lots of wildlife over the few days I spent out. I saw a single turkey on two different occassions and both times the turkey was in flight. Turkeys fly pretty dang well but it was an odd sight I have to admit. Camped at McClellan's Trout Dock and enjoyed every minute. Not many others on the water so made for a nice outing. I had a few scarey times while out this last time. I took a really sharp turn going way too fast in my truck and somehow my tires kept me on the road. I also had a huge rock explode in my campfire, sending firey sticks down on top of my head. Finally, I had some trouble crossing back across the river at Rim Shoals as the generation had increased and I almost had a really good swim or worse. The current was really strong and my legs were shaking from the workout when I finally did get back across safely. A good reminder to always be very very safe when wading and to remember there is always some risk and one should always be very careful. Thanks be to God!!

March Madness (trip 3/23-3/25/06)

I finally had several days to fish this spring. And what better time than the March Caddis hatch. I'd not been in on the Caddis hatch in full swing the last few years. I won't miss it again. I had the pleasure of fishing with Les Watson, a fellar with lots of experience on the White. Thurs(23rd) we fished at Rim Shoals. I caught several rainbows on dry Elk Hair Caddis patterns. Les fished a bronze serendipity and did even better than I (numbers wise) though didn't have any fish go full airborne for his flies as I did on two occassions. We camped in a little one-room cabin at the Buffalo City access (Buffalo River confluence) and fished about a half mile up stream (navigatable by boat) the next two days. We picked up a few fish on many different Caddis and egg patterns but Old Reliable, yes the Whooly Bugger, was the best fly. We fished the faster water without indicators, keeping our lines tight, and picking up most of our fish on the swing. We caught 80+ fish each over the three days. I tied for hours before I left for the trip and I like to photograph my flies. So, here are a few pics. Lower White River

Our lil cabin ($50 a night)

R & R Caddis (Pupa)

Serendipity (Caddis pupa/emerger)

Graphic Caddis, guitar pick background (Pupa/emerger)

Z wing Caddis (emerger)

Elk Hair Caddis (adult)

Whooly Bugger

Check Out My New Custom Framed Fish Picture

Carrie bought me this print a year or so ago. I finally got it framed and it sits above my fly tying table in our home office. The original remains in White River Angler and is a commissioned work that the Ark Trout Unlimited had done a few years ago. They made a hundred prints and Carrie bought me one as an anniversary gift.

Norfork Trip (1-21)

Well, I traveled to the Norfork on Saturday. Stopped at Blue Ribbon Flies in Mountain Home (as I'd forgotten my pliers and hadn't mashed my barbs down yet) where I got a warm welcome by two beautiful and well-behaved golden retrievers. Got to the River Ridge access at 1205 and the water was high and could not be waded. I called the powerhouse and they had ceased generation at 1159. So I had another cup of coffee and some frito pie and within forty-five minutes I had low water. Not a particularly good day in terms of numbers caught. I only landed one fish, a 17" rainbow. Had several other fish on for a few seconds and another almost to net. Had to go down to size 21s and 22s before the fish would acknowledge my fly and so this may have accounted for a few missed fish. Saw an older gentleman fishing just upriver from me with his hired help and he landed about eight in the three hours they fished--not a huge number but I guess the guides still know a few things that I don't. The fish were sipping flies very subtly which made detecting strikes a little tricky. I'm sure I saw a few very tiny mayflies coming off the water around 2:00, blue winged olives I suppose. Tried tiny BWO nymphs as well as WD-40s and finally caught my one fish on a size 21 WD-40. Pretty scenery and lots of wildlife made for a great day despite the low numbers of fish caught.

The Complete Angler

Should there be any angler happen upon this blogspot and also be looking for a good read I recommend Izaak Walton's The Complete Angler. It is one of the very first books on the instruction of fishing--how to catch and cook fish. Walton finished the book around 1650 and it is said to be the second most reprinted book after the Bible and the Book of Common Prayer. The subtitle, The Contemplative Man's Recreation refers to Walton's favor of contemplation and he quotes Paul in Thessalonians saying "study to be quiet." Many believe Walton was also talking to the society of his day on a number of social issues through use of metaphor which is what brought me back to the book as Kent Hodskins talked recently of our need to be actively working to influence and benefit the world around us. Charles Cotton wrote the the second part to this book in 1676 when asked by Walton and speaks more specifically to fly fishing. Probably not a read for everyone but if you want to learn a little about the English countryside of Walton's day and the history of our great sport then give it a go.

Support Your Local Fly Shop

I spent some time in several local flyshops over the holidays. I had a great time checking out new gear, talking fishing, and building relationships with the local shop owners and guides. I was sad to hear that White River Angler's #1 competitor is the Orvis catalog which is too bad because WRA (an Orvis retailer) can order any Orvis product they do not have in the store for at least the same price as Orvis will sell it directly to the fisherman. The store benefits from ordering for the fisherman and the fisherman benefits because he still has a flyshop to go to (which comes in handy before fishing outings as well as when your wife is hosting a third or fourth baby shower of the year in your home). Many flyshops have to work dang hard moving merchandise, tying flies, teaching fly tying lessons, and guiding out on the river just to keep their doors open. So go support your local flyshop (there are three in NWA and I visit all three) and refrain from ordering online--just one more way the internet is raping our society.