Mikey

I've said it at least 5 times so far, this forum is easily the best I've been to. And I'm talking about forums in general: everything from digital photography to flash website design. Hands down everyone here is fantastic. No place else has given me quite as much information and direction as this entire group. I feel that is the sign of a strong forum community: no one person has all the answers; everyone chips in for a more broad answer to a question. I know I am one of the new guys on here but I amm hoping to meet a few of you and see if there are any more tips and secrets MrDucky and myself havent already squeezed outta ya. If you all think this is bad, wait until my wife finally lets me get a fly tying kit. Then I'll really be pest.

Then forgive my ignorance, but when fishing a fly as small as a 20...what sign should I look for to know when I have a take on it? I know to use an indicator, but what will it do when a trout has the fly? It just seems to me that if it goes UNDER, the fly has been swallowed whole. Mikey

Here we go: I've read that y2k bugs are good...san juan worms right now when the water is up...trout crack...and zebra midges. Having read this I strolled to my 'the tacklebox' here in fort smith hoping to find some of these, they handle the umpqua line of flies. I found the san juan worms. They keep natural, a golden orange color, purple and red. I found various scud patterns but none like the trout crack pictures I've seen here. Certainly nothing explicitly called 'trout crack'. I asked about the y2k and got some really strange looks from the girl working there. No bother, but are there any zebra midges. Indeed, I believe I found zebra midges. I can't be 100% certain, for if these were ZMs I would have to had the hubble telescope to make them out. So here are my questions: Any suggestions on coloration for the san juan worm? Is there truly something magical about the stripe down the back of the trout crack, or would I get by with some scuds? Since I'll be staying at Bull Shyoals state park next month, are there any shops in the area that would handle the Y2K? Just how @#$%#!! small is a zebra midge supposed to be? Seriously, I have no idea how a hook that small will catch anything. I hope nobody thinks I'm just spamming up this board, but you guys are my body of knowledge when it comes to fly fishing. I know I'll look like a complete goof when I go up there next month but with your suggestions and help, I'll be getting a few things right. Mikey

Thanks for the info. I was under the impression it was just a blanket slot regulation, but now I see that it is specific to the waters fished. I will definitely pay attention when I'm up there next month. Mikey

Help!! I've looked into the regulations for the bull shoals tailwaters, but I can't find an exact description of the slot limit sizes and wether they apply to all trout (likely not to brookies) or just browns. I know that when fishing the lower ill under tenkiller I typically release everything I catc h unless I have the unfortunate luck of hooking a rainbow a little deeper than I'd like. Thankfully that rarely happens as I've only taken a total of 4 fish home with me over a dozen or so trips up there. So here is my question: What is legal to keep and what do I do if I happen to hook a trout too deep that is not legal to keep? Goodness knows I'm all for conservation but it just seems right that if the trout won't make it to cull it from the river? I'm confused and not wanting a fine or the embarrassment. And yes I am a noob to the white river trout runs so be gentle on me, you might run across me up there next month. Mikey

Now wait a minute...I've got this so called 'egg pattern' in my fly box. Have to admit, it's only caught one trout for me (a wee little brownie). Then again, I was fishing it with no weight, downstream in swift water. I'm learning, thanks to everyone at this forum. Mikey

WHen fishing a dry as the indicator (without a hook), where do you tie in the tippett? I can't imagine in my head a convincing way of rigging it so it's not as much an eyesore as the twist on. Mike

Okay, so I think what I'm going to do is get a balloon, tie it with some floating yarn to a turn on indicator at a distance equal to my left hand from my wife's nose, and for good measure fish a dry fly with a bb at my tippet knot. If I can't hook up with something on that rig then maybe I'll stick to beer and night crawlers. Mikey

I will have too look for those turn ons. You say you prefer the larger sizes for the heavier flies, you don't find the trout get spooked by them? Typically what is the rule of thumb when using that indicator how far from the fly to place it?

Just heard that we are going to be camping in the state park area when we get there. Good fishing to be had in the state park areas? Not too far from the campsite? Or will I have to look into driving most of the day? It looks like a large trout fishing region and I'm afraid I may miss some of it (i'm not driving see what I mean) And where is John Wilson's forum? I went to flyfishingarkansas.com but I didn't have hardly any hits when I searched trout crack. Oh yea, another question for you guys: Any chance the browns hit on live baits like crayfish and havs anyone had any luck with a fly that imitates the larger food sources like crayfish and sculpins? Saw a sculpin fly at my local shop...looked ugly. Uglier than the fish...

Once again, thank you. I have also read quite a bit about the trout crack flies, it seems like a simply fly to tie (once ya get that mono seated in)...does it work as well as I've read? One of my local fly shops has a fly that looks like it called 'trout cocaine'..I have to assume that it's the same, just a different narcotic rock based nomenclature. Perhaps I might run across you guys while I'm up there next month. Mikey

Thanks greatly for the replies. I'm getting more excited every day I get on here and read the stories and reports. I may end up going with half palsas if I can find them in white like dan mentioned. Again, you guys are really helpful. I hope my own knowledge here can grow enough to help someone else in my shoes. Mikey

I Had done some reasearch on this board on the Y2K, and it seems last year everyone was ashamed to admit to using it, but not it's become the go to bug. I'll definitely be picking a few up before I head out. What type of indicator do you use to fish under, John? Seems to be a matter of preference from what I've read. Mikey

Simply amazed at the speediness of the response. Unfortunately I am not a fly tyer (regardless of my avatar, just animated it and thought it looked clever). I want to tie them so I can read these recipes and go for it. The san juan worm I have seen around my area (I think even at Academy sports) and in the White River displays at The Tacklebox and The Woodsman. The Y2K I'm not sure about. Does anyone have a photo or illustration of it so I can see? Also, the Zebra midges...do you prefer winged or no? Bead headed or weightless? I've seen all variations and I want to grab a few of the easiest to use. Thanks again, Mikey

Hey guys. I searched a bit and didn't find anything on this: what strike indicators work the best? I've got some of the cheap walmart yellow foamies, but I don't like them too well. If the water is too choppy I lose them, and really don't like their presentation on the water. I've read up some on yarn style indicators and an old timer I work with has said he used to use yarn as an indicator. What's your take, everyone? Also, if posting anything in particular, lemme know where I can come up with them.

I've been reading some of the old fishing reports trying to figure it out. I've never been to the White and my friend has invited me along with his family for a week of trout fishing below bull shoals. Can anyone help me a little, letting me know what flies do best in mid/late feb so I can go ahead and make sure I have them on hand when I get up there? The guys I'm going with usually live baits or crank baits, I'd just like to show off and catch a few on my fly rod. We'll be up there the week after Valentines. Any tips or suggestions, I need them! Mikey

A 19 incher eh? Sounds like he's a keeper! I'm a father of 3 wonderful boys ages 6, 2, and 5 months. The smallest is going to be the one we'll hafta watch out for. Can't even crawl yet and he gets into stuff. They are a blessing, congrats!

Thanks for all your feedback on this topic, guys. It may be sometime in feb or march before I'm able to head up there again. I am planning a week long trip to the white, near the bull shoals area. I've been lurking those forums trying to find some tips. The guys I'm going with usually stick with spinning rigs, but I'm determined to hook up with some browns on my fly rod. I'm already stalking the local fly shops here in Ft. Smith, trying to find some decent midges. If you've got anything for me on my trip, do tell. I'm rather new to the whole fly fishing for trout. Done it for bream and bass, but I've come to find that flying for trout requires more finesse. Mikey

Confusing name, the trout bum diaries is not a book but rather a dvd of a group of guys that head off to the patagonia area in south america and hook up with some monster trout of all species, even big brookies. Check out the trailer at their website: Angling Exploration Group Link to trailer: Patagonia Trailer Mikey

Update: Loaded up at daybreak with my son to try my luck there at Wells. No action near spillway/dock area. Lots of action in middle of the lake and at the far end past the new footbridge. Talked to a few guys, seems like the rainbows were taking canned corn or pink powerbait. We caught nada, but had 2 hits and saw a heavily used gametrail. Six year olds just love finding tracks. Mikey

Just FYI to any of you in the river valley area. Arkansas Game and Fish have stocked Well's Lake at the Janet Huckabee Nature Center with rainbows for the winter months. I have seen some taken just below the surface on flies, and they are hitting most glitter power baits (chartreuse is hot they say). Not sure where the best place to fish is. The only water movement is along the roadside at the dock/spillway. -Mikey

To be honest I'm not too familiar with the slang for the river locations. I've more often fished the area at the first turn in below the dam. Heading left and upstream of the "island" area. I usually start about 50 yards upstream of the first rock breaker. Then I work my way downstream to the other rock breaker. Never been further down than that. I've also taken my fly rod up right under the dam past the "no boats beyond this point" sign. It looked like really good water, with nice riffles and slows but to be honest I didn't have a single hit. I'm just not too confident with my fly selection or presentation. Still a little new. Primarily I fish with worms and occasionally power baits, but something pure about catching a trout on the fly. Heck, catching anything on the fly. It may be a bit before I get back up there again, whatc with my license expiring. Out of staters gotta pay $52. Zach, when I do go again I'll be sure and message you so you can show me the ways. -Mikey p.s. just got my copy of 'trout bum diaries vol. 1' for Christmas. Fantastic!

Have a co-worker new to trout fishing that goes up around Spider Creek. He swears by spending an hour catching sculpins on small mealworms, then using the 20 or so he caught as bait. Says he runs his knife through their skull to cause them to stink, then floats them down the stream. Seems like a great job for someone with kids, have them catch the sculpins, and use their catches for the bait! BTW: They sure are u-g-l-y!

I;m a new user here, but have fished the lower ill for the past 7 months or so. I am thinking about making the trip up there (I'm in Ft. Smith) the 30th (weather permitting). I've used a fly rod there a few times with little luck. What seems to work best? The only 2 trout I've taken on the fly were both taken on dries. Typically I pack some night crawlers if the kids are going. Any response would be appreciated. -Mikey