Mac's Orphan

+100 Last time I was there we only caiught small browns but had a blast. Great report - good chow - fishing... Doesn't get any better than that!

Strange - I'm down by Garden of The Gods and haven't seen / heard one!!

Now THAT's funny!! The Lawrence Welk Show - a "modern spiritual" - LOL!! Got to meet Tom last year - real nice guy.

Hey Justin, I actually caught this one last summer between Blair Hollow and James Bridge... Thought this little guy was gonna eat my 3wt up. Was really surprised to catch it. I've done OK on Norfork Lake in the rocks close to the dam (where the tailwater starts) casting big streamers into minnow boils with a 9wt but did not expect to catch a striper on the NF. The one you got into is a really nice fish. On another note - I did catch a bat while fishing at night, but that's another tale...

Even the smaller ones feel like a trash can lid... 3 wt using a streamer...

So sorry to hear this - you certanily have my sympathy and condolences. I would take some comfort in knowing that he was doing waht he loved to do - with a person he loved being with. It's obvious from your story that he was one who was not about to let someone else do all the work and was going to make sure he did his part. A friend of mine lost his father to a heart attack some years ago and they didn't find him until the next day. He'd killed the biggest buck he'd ever taken; a massive 12 point and was dragging the deer by himself. It was a good mile to any road over some rough terrain. They think the excitement (adrenelin) over killing the deer and trying to get the deer out was what caused the heart attack. Again - my heart goes out to you and his family. Things can be replaced, but loved ones can't. Cherish the memories you were able to make with him and share those with any children in your family. They need to know what kind of man he was.

Must be nice - every time I try to get my wife to go, she declines. She says, "All you want me along for is to do the cooking and clean the camper"!!! Great video - love the line - "Justin, is the camera gonna hit here?" "No Amy"... LOL!!

For panfish I use a fly something like a cross between a Wooley Bugger and a Griffith's Gnat. An 8 - 12 dry fly hook of your choice with nothing but crummy hackle tied on it - no tail, weight or body and any color hackle because bluegill or crappie really don't care as long as it looks "buggy". Wrap a hackle tight and push it back, wrap another and do the same. Just keep wrapping hackle on the hook and push it tight towards the back until you need to tie off a head. It floats very well, but if it sinks, it still works just fine. Never tried it on smallmouth with a sink tip or sinking line and weighted fly, but I'd bet it would work. Might need a different hook like a 3906B.

This "Justin" guy is all over the place and promotes Sunburst Ranch. You'd think he owned the place!! LOL!

Thanks for the suggestion - I'll have to give him a shout.

Do you think they would be open to taking us up there at about 4 - 4:30AM We are what one might call - "morning people"...

Considering the attitude, lack of accountability and recklessness of some people, that's pretty remarkable!! Thanks guys!!

Thanks so much, sean c. Very much appreciated. I know this is a public access, but didn't know if we could leave a vehicle parked for an extended period.

I've never fished the North Fork so am seeking the knowledge of all your guys who frequent the river. Is it possible (legal) to leave a truck parked somewhere at Kelly Ford for the day while drifting the river to fish? Don't mean camping or overnight - just for the day while on the river. I know this may sound strange to most of you guys, but I've never been there so don't know what may or may not be allowed. Thanks in advance...

I used to fish the Norfork when McClellan's was open and BEFORE the resort / fly fishing academy was built down at the confluence with the White. It's right on the river and is one of the reasons I'll never go back. A campground off the river somewhere would be great, but the Norfork is just a mess from people trying to make a buck. The resort, trout docks, lodges.... I'd rather sleep in my truck than see any river become like the Norfork. Maybe I'm just getting old. JMHO...

Britts??? Now you're talk'n!! Very smart, easy to train, full of energy, great with kids, natural retrievers - gotta love 'em! It's all I hunt with. Did I mention they are great wing shots as well? LOL! Back on topic - looks stonefly-ish to me.

Older crowd?? How did you know?? LOL!!! Yeah - no "wild parties" here - those days are long gone - worn out from fishing all day and in bed by 8:30PM!

Thank you sir - I'll definitely keep you in mind if my son and I can get down in your neck-o-the-woods.. He's in the military so we get together when we can by his schedule. Thank you for the information and hospitality!!

Stuff like that drives me nuts! I remember Mac told a couple of guys NOT to come back to McClellans for keeping some big browns. Wish more people were like that. It would make all the difference in the rivers.

I've fished a lot of midge hatches on the Norfork tailwater but am new to the upper Current River fishing so am asking questions of all you guys who know this river well. I've used midges in the 18 to 24 range on the Norfork. Simple tye of dubbed beaver and a light brown hackle - no tail. They are just killer in the slow water when a hatch is on below or above a shoals. Fished some spinners of various colors on 18 to 20's and they worked as well. From reading several post, I know you all fish a variety of midges but does anyone fish spinners on the Current? Thanks - Gotta say that the Current River is just a gorgeous waterway. Glad it will never become commercialized like the Norfork tailwater. EDIT: I know some people lump spinners into the trico "tribe" but I've always viewed them as a separate "animal" from other dry flies.

Thanks gents - the water was bathtub clear when we were there a couple of weeks ago. We'll have to adjust our game plan for that. Seemed to me like the river was lower than I remember from the August trip. Thanks to all for the input - sure is appreciated!!

Can anyone recommend a good campground to park an RV (travel trailer) while fishing the Eleven Point. 24' trailer and would love to have electric and water connections. Thanks in advance.

Does anyone fish streamers on the Current. If so, what sizes do you prefer? Caught some browns in August at Baptist and rainbows past the park cable down to Tan Vat, but not much luck during the first week of November. We were using various (mostly minnow) patterns in the 8 to 12 range.

Good on ya', sir. Those young ones are the future of fishing!!

Not a problem - I had my doubts about "inflatable" boats, but they have proven to be a lot tougher than I gave any credit for!! Wish I'd known you guys were trading flies. I'd have given you some that didn't work for some that did!! LOL!!