On The Fly 6

Fished the park today. I used the olive and purple wooly and caught a few fish on it. Caught a few more on a Y2k, and then some on an adams. Wasn't to cold, so it was a good day overall!

Im interested in joining a Fly Fishing organization/club in Northwest Arkansas...but dont really know of any. Im sure they're out there! Any suggestions?

Great pictures. Being from SE Oklahoma, this was the place to get your trout fix and it offers better scenery than the LIR. Id like to get over there and fish again sometime soon!

I always have egg patterns with me no matter where I fish, as trout will take them all year. Id probably have some small midges too. Size 16-20 in various colors. I usually do well with burnt orange w/ red wire, and a simple red zebra. Its been about a month since ive been below Beaver, but midges always produce at least some fish. Once the temperature stays a steady temperature the fishing should pick up. Good luck!

I agree. There are plenty of stained streams and rivers around that are easier to fish, but when I think of trout fishing I naturally think of clear water with great scenery! Right now, the LIR doesnt offer either one of those and until it does, Ill just keep fishing the Roaring River and the White below Beaver.

Nice report. Did you manage anything on your dries?

Oh yeah. The view was amazing! Made a 4-5 mile hike up into the mountains to some lakes that arent fished very often and fished the small streams leading in and out of the area. Caught lots of little Brookies and a few cutthroat. The weather was cool, but not cold. Just needed a light jacket.BIG change from the 90+ days we were having here in NWA. Im happy with the weather we're having now...but Id much rather be back in the mountains! Thanks for the info, Ill keep it in mind when I go back up there!

So, It seems Ill be flying into Sheridan Wyoming on Wednesday the 31st. Ill be getting my fishing fix as much as I can. I love fishing all over Arkansas and Oklahoma...but the wild trout up north are second to none! This will be my 3rd time fishing in that area and Im hoping to improve on my last trip. Ive fished a few smaller streams in Wyoming, near Sheridan...but the best fishing was had at the Big Horn river in Montana. Wild Browns and Rainbows, many averaging over 18 inches. The hopper action is suppose to be really good this time of year. If any of you gentleman have any experience fishing up in that area, please give me some pointers or new spots to try out! Ill be sure to take plenty of pictures!

I agree. The last time I fished the river, I didn't like the cloudy water and got bored with the view after 3 hours. I did manage to catch a few fish but It was one of the few times Id been fishing that I felt it wouldve been better to stay home.

The last time I was down there, I fished a Bob white and did ok in the murky water. So, maybe have something white with you as well. Just my thought.

Tried my luck on Sunday below Beaver and had one of the best days I've ever had fishing. I fished small midges, size 16, below an indicator and caught close to 30 fish in about 3-4 hours. They didn't seem to be so concerned about the color as they were the size. I tried fishing a size 14 and only managed 3-4 plus, I wasnt getting as many takes. Switched back to a size 16 ( red zebra, blue dun, and purple with red wire)midge and brought in fish after fish. I was fishing at Parker Bottoms. Hope you guys are able to get out and enjoy the river!

This is a photo taken of my wife during her trash the dress photo shoot. All the gear she has with her is hers OR she purchased it. This photo was actually her idea as well. Its fishing related, so I thought Id post it here. Thanks for checking it out!

This is my new trout painting. Great painting done by a local artist!

Ive only ever been to one Cabelas, and that was the head quarters in....Nebraska?? I forgot. I liked the store and I liked their fly fishing section better than BPS. I didn't talk to anyone, but there are a few guys at the BPS in Broken Arrow that actually fly fish and keep up with whats going on with the local tailwaters. I think it will be a boost to the local economy, but with Mclellans Fly Shop being 10 mins from my house...Ill probably just keep giving them my money....because they always have what I want/need!

So, I guess I'll be getting some new line. Seemed kinda off to me that the guy suggested a line way heavier than what my rid would need...but having no experience with a heavy rod, I took his word for it.

So, I recently got an Orvis Clearwater II 8wt from my wife and in-laws for my birthday! I put some sinking line on the reel I got for it, but its hard to cast. The guy at the fly shop suggested I go with a heavier weight line (10 wt) so that's what I've got. Would you suggest going to the appropriate weight line for the rod? As I said, I'm having trouble casting it and I don't know if its because I've never cast a rig this heavy...(or if I need instructions on HOW to cast a heavier rod) Or could I get a new line and that would make it a little easier? I'm wanting to use the rod for striper, bass..things like that. I'm open to any and all suggestions! Thanks!

I was on the river today, and there were a lot of dragon flies on or just above the water. There was a hatch going on, but I didn't see a whole lot of takes off the surface. I managed to catch around 10-15.( I wasn't really counting nor am I bragging!) I fished a size 16 burnt orange midge w/ red wire most of the morning and into the early afternoon. Fished at Parker Bottoms. A lot of people going by in boats and canoes said they were having trouble catching anything and many mentioned not evening getting any bites! I'm glad I wore my lucky hat!

I fished below the dam today and didnt do to bad. I was fishing size 16 and 18 midges 2-4 feet below an indicator and was able to catch and miss several fish. Many of the takes were really aggressive and I lost a fly or two. They seemed to like a basic red midge and a burnt orange w/ red wire midge. I managed to catch one on an Olive Wooly, but since my 4 wt has floating line...I didnt fish with it very long. I was at parker bottoms at the end of the trail that takes you through the wooded area( that's to the left of the parking lot) I wet waded and became a little numb dsaJUST as the horn blew. I forgot how much I enjoy the scenery down there! Lots of canoes and kayaks on the water...but they were all very courteous and went behind me.

I fished for a few hours (3 or so) at the gravel parking area above the kiddie pool. The kiddie pool was being heavily fished by lead chunkers, so I went above it and had the whole area to myself. The water was still really dingy, which was a downer. One of the things that makes trout fishing so great is the clear water...most of the time. I caught 5 trout, a small catfish, and a little striper. I caught them all on a Bob white. They didn't seem to be into anything else. I didn't fish any other locations...just couldn't do it with the water being so off colored. Fished from 7:30ish-10:30. I wish you luck!

Snakes can definitely put a damper on a good fishing trip!

Heading over to the River today to see if I can catch some fishes! Anything in particular I should try, outside the usual nymphs, midges, and buggars?

Im hoping you can see these, If not...ill re-edit the last post!

Here is what the flies looked like!

Heres what the flies looked like that we used for boutonnieres.My link This one is a picture of the flies, plus our rings. Mine is the black one My link