Arkamo Traveler

Fly smallie--I totally agree with you, but MDC has to try and keep everyone happy, I was just trying to explain my take on that to vonreed.

Vonreed, I didn't write the blue ribbon regulations about keeping one fish, but here is how I look at it--It is to make an allowance to keep that trophy fish of a lifetime in an areas that used to be catch and release. The red and white ribbon sections are the place to collect your smoked trout.

Very thorough and informative report. I really appreciated the chance to read it, thanks Marty! Do you have any suggestions for a bank fisherman (or canoe) to intercept some Walleye? It seems like the magic time is near--when the will run into the Stocton Tributaries...Also, do you think it is time to hit it yet (Feb 27)?

Tim, I was wondering if the section below the park is worth fishing right now?

I felt like I should add a rebutle the topic of sharing info. I'm think it's great; thats why I am a member of this forum. I am all for sharing flies, methods, and even places to a point. But, when somebody blabs my honey hole to the status quo, I get defensive. I greatly value places off the beaten path where I can go to get the solitude I seek as part of my fishing experience. Fish Bork share away, its a free forum, and a free country with free speech. But remember sometimes less is more. Also, nice pics, but dude the gill hold is not a recommended catch and release practice I'm pretty sure. Russ, you may want to disregard this because I guess am a "lurker" and don't have too many posts therefore am not in the "click" of those with a valuable opinion.

Fish Bork-- So I checked out this hot topic on the forum and noticed nearly 300 hits. You should pass out Crisco and corn meal with your secret spots. Are you a fisherman or a reporter. You should call Steve Brigman, maybe he can do an expose.

The article mentioned silt fences and haybales as means of erosion/sediment control, and also that mulch had been spread. Although these are fairly accepted means, they are ABSOLUTELY A JOKE. They look nice when its dry, but who hasn't seen silt fences blown over where it counts, and haybales nocked out or overtopped. Especially in the Ozarks where good anchors are tough to drive, and the runoff comes hard and fast. Mulch? If it was on a slope I bet there was some of it in the river an hour after it rained. These developers need an honest, well engineered runoff plan. Does anyone have ideas on how forum readers can take action to right the problem?

Thanks for the follow-up. I'm never too excited to hear about another dam.

The Arkansas is a challenging place to fish--borderline work sometimes. The wind is a constant, the fish are not. You alluded to the future of the fishery--I heard from a local that there are plans to build another spillway dam below Zinc. Can anyone validate this? It would change the playing field for sure.

Sorry if you clicked on this topic hoping for a surefire hot tip. I, like you surf the forum and usually end up at the hot spot a day late, or even 45 minutes late on ocassion. Especially on the Swan, Beaver, and Pothole excursions. The allure of hitting that magic run--the every cast situation, keeps me gambling hours driving, gas, flies, and thousands of fruitless casts on those whites and walleye. So, if you too should have been there yesterday, remember: You can't catch anything without wetting your line, enjoy the priceless ozarks spring day, and this quote by John Buchan, "The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive, but attainable: A perpetual series of ocassions for hope." Somebody let me know if tomorrow will be better than yesterday!

Thanks for the input, its good to know that I'm not the only one who thinks about this. So for solutions... More rangers and more restricted areas! Probably not($). Education? Permits--Limited numbers? Prove damage? Work with the NPS? Where could we start.

The Buffalo Outdoor Center in Ponca posts daily river level updates, along with a good description of what the river levels mean for your paddleing experience. Google the BOC and click on thier trail and river report link. I was fortunate enough to enjoy the ephemeral upper Buffalo over the weekend, from Ponca to Pruitt. Remarkably, there were very few other people on the river. The water was 20-24 inches below the Ponca bridge, and running beautiful "Buffalo River Blue." It is, as we all agree, a treasure. Two weeks before, my wife and I went, and had a somewhat disturbing experience in an otherwise safe and fun trip. We were chased by a horse.... A group of +- 20 horsepeople crossed in front of us on the old river trail (ort) at Jim Bluff. One horse (named Captian coincidentially) decided to charge our canoe, and his drunk rider and the crowd cheered the spectical on. I back-paddled furiously into the deepest water as the horse persued us. When horse was about 5 yards away, it stepped off a ledge and its large rider caused the horsed head to go nearly underwater. The rider had enough sense to hold his flask above his head while his horse made a beeline for dry land. When he got back to the bank he exclaimed to the crowd that he may be cold (wet up to his chest now) if he wasn't so drunk. I know that all the users need to get along and share, but it seems that the horse/riding use have such a tremendous impact on erosion, nutrient addition, streambed disturbance, and exotic plant seeds, and general obnoxiousnous. If you are still reading, what do you think?

Jenny-- I appreciate your report, well done as always! I have been very curious about the walleye up there; it might be the best bet in the state right now with the water situation.

Fetal emerger--that's funny. That must to in the same box as the carrion clouser. Back to Caddis: Mizzou, I've seen a lot of caddis larvae in MO, and most fall into two groups. Little and white/cream, or larger and gray/brown. Green is a very popular caddis color--I've seen "hydropsychidae green" marketed out west especially, but I just haven't seen many green caddis in the ozarks. Sam, thanks again for sharing your Current insight.

Forsythian--I will try to offer a little help on the bug ID mystery. First, were these bugs adults (flying) or nymphs (larvae). If they are larvae and look kind of wormy ( no legs) they are probably some sort of midge/chironomid. Try to match the approx. thread color and hook size. Chironomid paterns, like the zebra midge, are barely more than thread on a hook. Adding some clear antron, zylon, or wood duck to either end may give it the apperance of a wing case opening (a little crystal flash may work too). It sounded like the trout may be hitting emergers, so swinging the fly might be a good presentation. Let me know if you come up with a winner.