Stewart Taylor
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I have to drop. Sorry.
Should be there.
And I should add, I am completely appreciative of Jimbo and the board and their efforts to enhance the fishery. I’ve been involved in other fisheries and know how hard it is to find balance and how much work and thought is entailed.
It’s really a mixed bag. On one hand I’ve caught 7-8 22-25 inch holdover fish this fall. They are crazy big and chunky and gorgeous and I didn’t hate it. The difference in the holdovers I’ve caught over the last five years that I have been fishing the river is pretty amazing. On the other hand, after the second fish it has began to feel artificial. I don’t have the same sense of accomplishment that I experience when I land a 20 inch+ fish from a wild fishery or even when I landed 20 inch fish in prior years on the Guad.
It’s been rolling through my head that the larger fish are great, I enjoy catching them, they make for great photos, and they will attract more anglers to the area, supporting our guides and fishing businesses and hopefully bringing more conservation Dollars to the fishery. On the other hand,I agree with Alex, it’s feeling very artificial at this point.
Is the goal to enhance survivability over the summer months or to produce giant fish? If it’s to enhance survival I’m guessing we are overfeeding. If it’s to create giant fat fish we should have at it. But there are trade offs including more sticks on every site.
Difficult questions.
I’ve worn the boa system for the last decade. First five years I always carried a bit of duct tape with me in anticipation of the boa failing. Now I don’t bother. My current pair has lasted six or seven years of fairly heavy fishing but are on their last legs. I’ll be replacing with another Korkers upper end boot. Like Alex, I wear the rubber soles with spikes. Excellent traction.
Highly recommend.
I should be there.
Last minute change of plan. I will be there.
I have to cancel. I have a medical issue. Sorry…
Stewart.
I plan on attending.
Stewart Taylor
Go fish the Little Red. Hit Swinging Bridge, always fish hanging just upstream of the bridge. Decent place to drag a streamer through. Fish the holes around the bridge footings and the small pockets just below the bridge. Move to river right as you head down. Where you see fishable seams along the bank, you will often pickup fish. But, fish this water fairly quickly. As you move down, probably a little over a 1/4 mile or so, you will see a stump river right. This is prime water. There is a drop off about 6-10 feet above the stump where the shoal moves from six inches to a couple of feet deep. There are fish all across the drop off. Swing some flies through this water. Lots of medium fish here and every now and then, a really good fish. I usually spend a lot of time nymphing this water, particularly around the improved structure and the deeper troughs thru the zone.
You are about 15 minutes from the dam. If the water comes up at swinging bridge check the dam. Often the water is being cut off just about the time the water comes up at swinging bridge. I like fishing up toward the damn. In particular there is a outlet pipe from the hatchery that flows fairly hard into the main body of the river. There are always fish there along the bank and in the little channel. Often you will spot big fish in this zone. Good fishing up from there.
Little Mo compared to this water is a non starter.
Little Mo not in the same league with Little Red. Can’t see it. Smallie fishing is good in Arkansas. Not positive about March though.
Everything Trey said. Corp of engineer’s and Southwest power authority sites can give you insight into generation. On the way to Nashville the Little Red in Heber Springs is probably the closest shot. Not as much water as White or Northfork but plenty for a few days fishing. Ozark Angler in Heber is a great resource and run by good folks.
Lots of big fish and plenty of lots of average fish. Love all three rivers. Like Trey said, you sense the water coming up, games over and get to safety. You don’t need to panic, you will have time, but don’t waste it. One thing that gets people in trouble is that rising water turns on the bite. Suddenly you start catching fish, and you don’t notice the rising water.
Have fun!
Sorry, last minute thing and I have to cancel.
I will be there.
I’ve had something come up. I won’t be able to attend. Sorry.
