A River Runs Through Arkansas

It’s known as the “Natural State”; Arkansas just might be the state of all states as a destination for great fly-fishing. The White River begins and ends in Arkansas; in between it makes a jog north into Missouri at Table Rock and Lake Taneycomo. It wasn’t always this way…there was a day when the White was just a big, lazy river that decided to flood on a yearly basis and occasionally would flood to a point where devastation was the outcome for the areas inhabitants. Then…a few good minds got together and decided that by damming up this wild river they could control the flooding, produce electricity and finally…create five tail-water dams that were perfect for trout and many other cold water fish species.

If you read last week’s column then you know that over our fall break we (me, my dad and Frank Terkhorn) headed south to Branson to spend a week fishing the many awesome waters that the area has to offer. Our first day out consisted of an awesome float down the North Fork of the White River. Little did we know that later that Sunday night we would be in for a deluge of epic proportions which would result in a change of plans that found us spending most of the day on Monday driving and looking at the unbelievable power that five inches of rain can wreak upon small to mid-sized streams. Our journey took us north to Springfield to visit Bass Pro and Lamberts for an afternoon (late lunch) meal. Lambert’s is a phenomenon that has to be experienced; but to save space just make sure that if you are in Missouri (Sikeston or Ozark) you go as far out of the way as needed to eat at the ‘home of the thrown-rolls’!

Tuesday found me rustling dad and Frank out of a comfy camp bed early as we made our way south and east to Mountain Home, Arkansas…which is just a few miles from Norfork River. Norfork is a tailwater stream exactly like Taneycomo; it holds four types of trout: rainbow, brown, brook and cutthroat. The truth is I had already caught 3 of the 4 species and just needed a cutty to officially have caught the “Trout-Slam” this summer. We arrived, put on our waders, grabbed a fly rod and made our way to the water as the flow was just receding from the morning generation. I tied on a trout-candy in crème color, stripped off about 50 foot of 6-weight line and began casting out and across the crystal clear flowing water. My third cast would be special as I saw a dark object appear just behind my fly. I gave a powerful strip which moved the fly about a foot and from behind this predator engulfed the offering and the next minute or so produced one awesome battle which I eventually won by landing a 17 inch cutthroat trout.

Not only did this awesome fish complete my ‘trout-slam’…when one counts in the lake trout I caught this summer in SD-this makes a five specie slam which I am pretty proud of. I found myself in the cool water alone and as I looked back toward the parking area I could see dad strolling my way. I motioned for him to ‘come hither’ and in a few seconds both he and Frank were water side as we all soaked-in the beauty of this fish. It was one of those moments where we took a few photos and marveled at the dark red cut or line that runs just under the jaw of this specie. I took some additional time to make sure the fish was revived then slowly released it back into the cold 45 degree water. As it swam away I had a real sense of accomplishment…of having held a truly special fish and one that I wouldn’t ever forget.

I would be re-miss if I didn’t tell you a bit about a special fly shop that Frank and I stopped at while in Cotter, Arkansas. Dally’s was as they say…just what the doctor ordered. We were on our way to Norfork and looking for some good info along with some fly tying materials when we happened to notice a fly shop right on highway 62/412. I whipped the truck around and we went back; knew it was a good sign when there was a drift boat in the parking lot! The folks there hooked us up with a 3-day license then went the extra mile to help us with many other factors that they didn’t have to do. Dally’s not only had one of the best assortment of fly fishing toys…but one of the chaps in the shop had a very distinctive accent; he was indeed from ‘down-under’-Tasmania! I couldn’t help but to talk to him and found that not only did he have a way cool accent but he was very knowledgeable about the various parts and pieces of the White River (which Norfork flows into). If you ever find yourself in the Mountain Home area or fishing any of the 5 tailwater dams of the White River…then stop by Dally’s as it is a must and frankly exactly what a fly shop should be.

I might also add that next week I will focus on one more stunning Arkansas water-ways as I describe floating down Crooked Creek on a day that was almost as perfect as a day can get…so, check back again next week for more as Frank and I Enjoy the Great Outdoors.