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engermike
ParticipantI 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.
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ParticipantHere’s a similar pattern. This is a killer right below the Table Rock dam. It’s fun to watch the fish follow it along the bottom as you strip it back. Use very short stirps. Keep it as close to the bottom on the rocks as best you can. Best colors per Lisa Belleu (Flies and Guides) is varigated gold (sunny day) varigated grey (overcast day).http://www.mtfa-springfield.org/resources/fly-tying-recipes-patterns/taneycomo-sculpin/
ParticipantThanks for the response, Jim and Dave. I am now rocking the Rock Treads on the Orvis Pro rubber boa boots. Gave them a good test today on White R. limestone and am very pleased. These boots have a removable insole which made it simple to make a near perfect template to locate drill holes on the bottom of the sole and avoid the interference problem Jim speaks of.
Anyone wanting to put aluminum cleats on their boots (I have found they are superior to carbide studs) should go to the Rock Treads web page and find the Tim Flagler installation videos.
ParticipantBrevard is a pretty easy 1 1/2 hr drive. Davidson River Outfitters are in the immediate area.. They have private water on the Davidson. My friends have fished it numerous times – obviously they like it. I have fished the Davidson numerous times immediately above Brevard along Hwy 276 and along Fish Hatchery Rd (about 5 mi from Brevard). There are several pullouts along the river and access and parking at the fish hatchery. There was (10 yrs ago) a fellow near Waynesville, Ron Gaddy, who I fished with who had a tremendous knowledge of the rivers in that area for fly fishing. He ran the Jonathan Creek School of Fly Fishing.
ParticipantThe caddis hatch on the White has commenced. The fish are not yet excited but they are starting to wake up. In truth, the fishing this winter and early spring has not been great. This has been another wet year which leads to less wading water and higher flows leads to colder water and later bug activity. You guys who fish Tanneycomo know all about this. Fishing has been impacted by heavier pressure probably covid related. Another factor has been the loss of hundreds of thousands of fish at the Norfork hatchery due to high lake water temps that feeds the hatchery leading to all kinds of trouble for the hatchery. Lately,most days, there has been several hours of minimal flows and wadable water on the Norfork tailwater and lower generation and flows from the Bull Shoals dam permitting limited wading on the White at the dam. If you’re thinking about coming down and have any questions, please call. Mike Enger 910-452-2162.
ParticipantHere’s more info on the Sowbug show.
Fly fishermen rejoice! NAFF’s annual Sowbug Roundup makes triumphant return
Weather looks good for next weekend and in the past the Corp has given us wadeable water on the Bull Shoals and Norfork tailwater during the show. Hopefully, they will continue the practice and include Taneycomo tailwater for the guys fishing there. Remember the show starts on Thursday so those going to Taneycomo can leave a day early and come thru Mountain Home (it’s about 85 mi from Mountain Home to Pointe Royale). I’ve already heard from a couple FATC guys planning to attend Sowbug. Give me a call if you have any questions – Mike Enger, 910-452-2162.
ParticipantGreat info. Thanks.
I’ve fallen a number of times and your comment about not trying to stand up in heavy current is the thing that always surprises me. Its almost instinctive to try but nearly impossible to do.
I fish the White R. in Arkansas most days and try to wade whenever possible. Its a good size river. I’ve got a belt pfd. and use it when wading. It is very comfortable and not obtrusive at all. Never had to use it but a buddy of mine got thrown from a boat; he had one on and used it. He’s not without it.
ParticipantThe most productive streamer for me has been a variation of the wooly bugger in olive, sizes 6 to 10, I tie it on a jig hook with a black nickel bead and use Hareline Krystal Hackle instead of chenille and chicken hackle. I think is suggests a sculpin so I try to strip it across the bottom. I have had luck drifting it. I once had a guide wading at Table Rock dam and he had us stripping (slowly) a very simple dumbell eye, grey zonker that worked all day. I fish it with a 5 or 6 wt rod. Lately I’ve had success with a marabou jig sizes 8-12 in black over charteuse and a charteuse bead fished the way I fish the bugger. Clousers, sculpins, leeches (Mayer’s mini jig leech) and muddlers are all good streamer patterns. I seem to get a lot of takes on the dangle so I am not too quick to pick up my drift to recast.
The big stuff (articulated streamers that Alex Lafkas and Kelly Galloup are known for) is another thing.
ParticipantOpportunities to Euro nymph have been scarce this year in this area because the lakes are high and the the flows have not allowed for wading . I find that I’m buying more 2.5 – 3.0 beads. I use them mostly for #16 curved short shank root-beer and ruby midges that I have confidence in here on the White R. You can get away with a 2.0 bead on a #20 but a 1.5 bead will look better. #18 hooks look best to me with a 2.0 bead. I know a lot of fishermen who are favoring 60 degree jig hooks now and jig hooks require the slotted bead (don’t need to pay extra for the slotted on straight or curved shank hooks). Last year I was black nickel but this year the copper and/or gold may be better. A good source for beads is Jimmy Traylor at Wishes and Fishes Fly Shop in Bull Shoals, AR. You won’t beat his prices and he has a good selection. http://shop.flyfisharkansas.com/. Drop by his shop if you’re in the area. As an aside, an Euro nymph that is producing well especially for browns here is Lance Egan’s Red Dart #12. Another good fly this year is the Sunday Special #16; it’s very similar to Walt’s Worm. Let me know if you’re coming to the area to fish. I’m on the river most days and maybe can help you out.
ParticipantSadly, the North Arkansas Fly Fishers felt it wise to cancel the 2020 Sowbug Roundup.
Feel free to call me for any info.
Mike
910 452-2162
ParticipantGive Howard Hawkins a call at (417) 234-6806 or message at [email protected].
Howard makes dubbing brush tables. He is an avid fly fisherman, fly tier, and a leader of the Mo. Trout Fishing Assoc. who put on the Branson Fly Fishing Expo. If you attended the show, he had a booth across from FATC displaying his brush maker and other fly tying wood worked tools.
I have one of these brush makers and happened to make four brushes today. My friend and I have made dozens of brushes. I couldn’t be more pleased with it. It has many characteristics that make his maker stand out. It has a very wide table so that making large brushes is easy; it is wood, eliminating static; quality is excellent as you would expect of a cabinet maker.
Give me a call at 910 452-2162 if you have any questions or catch me tomorrow eve. at Dally’s Steamer Lovefest here in Cotter or at Sowbug 3-26/27/28 in Mountain Home.
ParticipantYou guys are very welcome to crash at my place near Cotter. Come down anytime. Give me a call at 910 452-2162 if you would like to come down.
ParticipantLandon Mayer Fans:
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgxwDrbscCtCQDXRhHNRtRfDnZpTp
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