Two Arkansas Questions for the board

[John Stanley]

When is the best time to chase Arkansas smallmouth with top water flies?
Which river is the best to float in Arkansas to fly fish for smallmouth bass?

[Dan]

We have almost no smallmouth bass here.

[charles cole]

John,
I start foaming at the mouth thinking about Arkansas small mouth fishing. As Dan stated, the Buffalo can turn into a cluster bomb in the summer. Dave Whitlock told me that the best part about fishing on the Buffalo is that if you position yourself correctly you can walk off the water with a half case of beer.

[gavin poppen]

The heat of the summer is the time to fish topwater. The Buffalo, Crooked, and the Kings should be on top of your list, but the Crooked and the Kings get really boney in the heat of the summer.

I’d probably fish the lower Buffalo in mid-July or August. Fish late Sunday-Thursday to avoid most of the canoe traffic.

[Zach Matthews]

Yes indeed, although most of my experience on the Kings actually involves gigging gar, which is a long story.

The Kings is a great day float; you can put in at Marshall Ford and I believe there are several well-established take outs.

[Zach Matthews]

John,
Dave Whitlock told me that the best part about fishing on the Buffalo is that if you position yourself correctly you can walk off the water with a half case of beer.  

This isn’t even close to a joke.

Zach

[Dan]

I should mention that the King’s River is the absolute worst fishing in the state, and that you nor anyone you ever talk to, should ever waste any time on it.

[John Stanley]

How many weeks after Labor Day will the conditions be good for top water?

[M. Wood]

Check with Duane Hada.

[tim johnson]

Give Ken Richards a call, he specializes in smallmouth in AR.  His web site http://www.justfishinguides.com

or call him at 479-531-5741. I know he spends lots of time on both Bufaflo and Kings.

[John Stanley]

Will a 6 weight be enough, or do I need a 8 weight for the streamers and large nymphs?

[Dan]

I use five and six wts, but I typically fish lighter gear than everyone else, so you would probably want to bring an eight.

[gavin poppen]

A six will be fine for Sneaky Pete’s but you will want a bigger rod for larger flies and sinking lines.

[charles cole]

I use a 6wt floating line for lighter flies and shallow water and a 7wt sink tip for heavy flies and deep water.

[M. Wood]

One caution is that floating on some of the rivers is not conducive to having a 9ft. rod sticking out of your canoe.

[Matt Tucker]

I would second the recommendation of Ken Richards as a good smallmouth guide in Arkansas.

[John Stanley]

Will I need waders for the smallmouth waters, after the first of May?

[Matt Tucker]

Depends.

[M. Wood]

You will not need waders for chasing smallies.

[Mike Fielder]

Smallmouth fishing is by far my favorite style of fishing.

[Author]

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