Norfork in March
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Heading down to the Norfork in 3 weeks for my spring break. Not sure if that’s a great idea after listening to the latest pod cast.
I won’t be the first to tell you this, but the Norfork is a stones throw from the White River and a few hours from some other very good fishing such as the Little Red.
Well the White is definitely in the picture. I’m going down with a couple of guys and our lodge is right on the Norfork, so its mostly out of convience. Just have to wait and see what happens.
Michael:
We had a big rain event this weekend and all the White River reservoir levels are rising significantly. It always takes a while afterwards to see what that will mean for the generation pattern. It depends on inflow, river stage downriver, and the other lake levels. We also have rain chances again the last half of this week. Norfork should keep rising into the flood pool a bit, which may mean we will have some flood releases just in time for a shad kill about the time you will be here. Shad should be starting to die in the lake as we speak, and all we need is some consistent heavy generation to pull them through.
On the downside, the number of rainbows in the catch and release area is way down since AGFC has not been stocking in the middle of the river after McClellans closed. They are working on trying to get access for the stocking truck. But as of last October when the electrofishing sampling was done, the number of rainbows was down significantly in the middle of the tailwater.
Anyway, be sure to have some shad patterns ready when you come. If the shad are alive when coming through, swing some zonkers or other white patterns on a sink tip. If they are dead, you will have to fish more of a white jig deep under an indicator.
Hope this helps,
ScottThanks for all the advice guys I really appreciate it. I got plenty of shad patterns so I’m covered there. Thanks again.
I happened to be on Norfork Sunday with a bunch of guys from Nebraska, all my clients were raw beginners. I wanted to fish the White, particularly when i saw the cloudy color after a major rain, but it turned out nicely.
Better than my previous trip with 2 guides from colorado when it was all small fish.Helped being away from the pack a little (well as much as you can on Norfork, and some different fly choices.
Best was 18 but they did lose a couple of hefty fish though inexperience, one Mac couldn’t get off the bottom and he was pulling like he was connected with bass braid, despite my calm advice LOL
It wasn’t red hot fish a cast day but very repectable nonetheless.I know Davy’s view was yarning with him on it a couple of weeks back and tend to agree its not the monster fish factory it used to be even 4y ago when i started visiting. But still very respectable by national standards, and a lot comes down to management. The White is still exceptional.
And Zach I always found Norfork tempermental, one of its charms, but it can be very good still on the right day. Brian Wise had a blast on dries on Monday, heard Bob Jacklin did too, with some nice BWO/midge hatches.
If I can offer some advice don’t lock yourself into 1 place or style of fishing, be adaptable, take the generation as it comes. Generation can be very good, just get a good boat driver, there is a bunch over here and you’ll have a blast.
cheers steve
Incredible Timing!! I’m going to be in the same area for spring break too! It will be our first trip to Arkansas. The kids, all five, are looking forward to Dry Run Creek. As far as the Little Red, can you recommend some good areas to visit and flies to ues?
Never spent much time on Little Red, wish I could help more
midges and sowbugs is whati heard of most buggers as well
but i spent a little time with kids on dry run
most notable, Levi here, not myson despite what the media said LOL
like this one ofmy stepdaughter
24″
if you get a chance Michael drop by the shop im in most fridays and saturdays _ on 62 in cotter, Mountain River, and introduce yourself, always like meeting friends off the boards. I have a couple of big fish flies for dry run too 🙂
Im easy to spot, im the only one with an aussie accetn
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