Mac's Orphan

Hmmm - maybe the dollar was to leave my truck at their lot.. They used to have a box to put your dollar in if no one was around the place. Yeah - agreed - I've been ok wading at shipps ferry with one or two on - any more than that and it's not worth the risk! My son and I have floated the river, but really would rather wade fish. Thanks Ham - glad you had a good day! The White definitely commands respect!

Up at the top right of the main forum page (in the black bar) you'll see your forum name. Click on the drop down arrow and on the right you'll see a link that says "settings". That will take you to a new page and at the top you'll see a box for "photo". Follow the instructions and you should be good.

Sounds like a good day! Always had good luck just standing in the shoals - and trying not to fall down!! LOL! The last time I fished Rim Shoals, which was several years ago (around 1997), they only charged $1.00 for wading access (no boat) - do you know what the cost is now?

You'll need to create an account with the Corps to make a reservation. As netboy stated - it's crowded this time of year but hardly anyone on the river at night. There are several trout docks with lodging, but since Mac's closed - this is it for a campground. Here's the website for the campground: http://www.recreation.gov/camping/dam--quarry/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=71122 They do a good job keeping the place cleaned up and it's a pretty nice facility.

rFisherk, That's a great picture - looks like you and your buddy had a blast!

Unbelievable!!! Were there other spots like this as well??

Great post and great pix... Good on ya' for being a dad and not just a father!! These are the times your son will remember...

Dan the fisherman, I'm sure we just lucked out avoiding much river traffic in August. If it were me... (and it's not!!) I'd try to go mid-Oct thru the first part or Nov. You'd be sure to avoid any rowdy crowds (party floaters and jet skis), the temps would be much more comfortable along with some great fall colors. (I hate swatting skeeters and sweat'n by a campfire!!!)

My son and I were there two years ago in August. Saw maybe 3 canoes on the river for the whole week, except for some DNR guys doing a shocking survey. The only other people we saw were some families picnicking and swimming at our take out points. It was great!!

That's hilarious!! Thanks Buzz - too funny!! Mike

I used one with a home made side mount on a 14' Alumacraft canoe. It was a small Minn Kota - 8lbs thrust. Fine for lakes / ponds but forget it in a river with any kind of current. Balance was never an issue, but hated lugging that battery up and down hills! My Creek Company pontoon boat has a built in transom on the rack but the oars work fine for me.

I agree... One summer my son and I were fishing McClellans at the rock bar and just tearing the rainbows up on streamers.. A guide with 2 clients stopped about 200 yds US from us and had his party fishing just above the rock bar. They weren't catching a thing so we walked up to where they were at and told him to take the man and his wife down to our spot because there were tons of fish there. We gave him some of our patterns and the couple got into several trout. It was great fun seeing the man and his wife catching those fish!! Before they left, he walked up to me and handed me a business card and said anytime we wanted a free day with him, just call. We don't use guides, but I thought the gesture was a pretty nice thing to do. I've seen him several times since and he's never forgotten what we did for him that day. I don't consider myself a trout expert - we were just fishing with what they wanted at the time. I can't imagine a guide acting like the ones described in the original post but, the way some folks are today, I'd say they're probably out there.

Wow - I've never had a guide on any river do anything close to this. All I've met are looking for more business. Most have even offered some good tips about spots to fish - being hospitable and looking for more business.

..and none in Illinois - but if you see one wearing a colored collar, call the DNR with location, time, date and note the collar color!!

Ok - I'm just repeating what the biologists in the MO DNR - DoC say...

...and I'm glad MO does not allow felt sole waders / boots or it would be in all the streams and rivers there. I call it rock snot - and I hate the stuff. It will all but end a fishery and I doubt the White or Norfork tailwater would have many fish at all if not for the stockers. I used to find millions of sowbugs in the rocks but those numbers have dropped to almost nill.

Hey Pete, Yeah - I believe you are right. I was also thinking of Bull Shoals Dam, which IIRC has 8 units total. Thanks for the correction. Mike

I miss this river... Sounds like you and your dad had a great time - good on ya'! We always took our rain gear 'cause most folks will leave the river if it starts to rain - and it seems that it really tuns the fish on. Here's a shot of my son downstream from Ackerman's when we used to fish the Norfork.

Does he still have a smile on his face??? LOL!!

Troutnut69 has the lowdown... Since Mac;s closed, those are the only two public access points on this short stretch of the river. The fishing can be awesome, but expect crowds. If you enjoy night fishing, when the sun goes down, you can basically have the river to yourself. A lot of BIG browns can be caught at night - they come out of the deep holes and cruise around - don't be afraid to use a 4X or 3X. I'm not a nymph fisherman and have always fished streamers. I've been into some great fish at night, but never landed one. Used to fish a pattern called an "Arky" during the daylight hours in the riffles and switch to another streamer (Olive Darter or Silvertail Darter) for the slower water. If they turn on the generators - get out immediately. Watch for drift (leaves, limbs, etc) coming down the river in an unusual amount. That's a good indication that somethings up. I used to watch the rocks as well to see if they are disappearing. Since Mac's closed and they built the resort, I haven't been back. It just got to commercialized for my taste, so started going to other places. If you're interested in a guide, I'd recommend a friend of mine, John Gulley. He's as good as they come and is an Orvis endorsed guide. He can get you into trout even with the generators on. Good luck and hope you have a great time. Mike H EDIT - Let me add this. My son and I use pontoon boats (like the one in my avatar) - park a truck DS and float the rivers. Not a "lengthy" float on the Norfork, but you can find a few spots to wade fish, even when the generators are running - as long as it's not more than 2 units. That said, prepare to literally fly down the river if you're in the current.

Is there a schedule for stocking or is it done just when the hatchery has enough sizable trout on hand to put in the river?

EXACTLY!!! Again - good advice!

Took my son there years ago. He insisted on using a dry fly (black gnat) and danged if he didn't connect with a 18" bow! He's never forgotten that adventure - and neither have I. Great place to put some young folks onto a sizeable fish.

Really nice fish!! Like the rainbow but the cutthroat is just awesome!

I've had some good success if they run 1/2 a generator, but with one on, you'd be better off staying on the bank. Back when McClellan's was open, I knew of two people who drowned on this river, Follow the advice above. These guys know what they're talking about. This is a great tailwater to fish, but when they turn on the generators it can trap you downstream, which makes for a tough hike through the woods. (Don't ask me how I know that!) Edit: The Corps does have a 800 number you can call for a generation forecast but take it with a grain of salt - it can change.