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    • October 16, 2025 at 10:32 pm #32502
      engermike
      Participant

      Today AGFC has issued an emergency order limiting fishing to catch and release on The White R. from the Bull Shoals dam downstream for45 miles to the confluence with the North Fork until Feb 15, 2026.  This is due to hatchery losses at AGFC Hinkle hatchery on the Spring River  and the Federal hatchery at the Norfork dam.

      Reminder:  Devin Olsen presentation at Bull Shoals dam visitor center 11/8, 9.  Call me 910 452-2162 if you want info about this or the area.

      Steve Dally is resurrecting the Streamer Lovefest Jan 24, 2026 at Diamond State Fly Co. in Cotter.  This was a big deal that attracted fishermen/tyers like Russ Maddin, Kelly Galloup, Mike Schmidt, Andreas Andersson, etc.

      The North American Streamer Conclave, a streamer fishing tournament, Feb. 20, 2026, is being hosted at the White River Trout Club which is located just downstream from the White Hole access. Contact [email protected] for info.

       

       

    • October 19, 2025 at 8:56 am #32503
      Jim Craig
      Keymaster

      Thanks Mike.  What a shame. I read the hatchery losses were due to poor water quality. Do you know what caused the poor quality?

    • October 19, 2025 at 7:59 pm #32504
      engermike
      Participant

      I have to go back to the order issued by AGFC to see what they say about the cause(s). Having said that, I do know that AGFC owns/operates the cold water Hinckle hatchery at Mammoth Spring and they experienced a catastrophic flood in the spring.  AGFC cold water biologist, Christi Graham, said this set the stocking back 3/4 million fish. Hinckle is back up but it will be a while until normal stocking will resume.  The big Norfork cold water hatchery is a National Fish and Wildlife Service facility.  Many people find management reticent if not defensive.  So I have come to my best guess that low oxygen (DO) has resulted in huge losses.  Some peolple I talk to say that there are no fish at Norfork  now.  They were losing fish at such a high rate they simply stocked everything they had.  Big issue at Norfork is that it’s water souce is Norflork Lake.  It is better if the source is a spring or freestone stream. Lakes are prone to high temps and consequent low DO.  I have asked about how Shepard of the Hills deals with lake water source (I can see the bulk oxygen there) but, nobody knows.  I suppose I need to get off my butt and find out.

    • October 20, 2025 at 4:41 am #32505
      Jim Craig
      Keymaster

      Thanks for the update!

       

    • October 20, 2025 at 4:41 am #32506
      Jim Craig
      Keymaster

      Thanks for the update!

       

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