Zack Hoyt

Seeing kiddos fishing always makes me smile. Whether or not they jump into the fly fishing hobby, the memories are something they will cherish.

What type of surface? I did tint for a while in college and can not imagine doing it on boats and vehicles. TOO MANY CURVES.

Meeting is tomorrow for those of us in NW Ark. Are you going to make it Bobber? I think Ken and myself are going to be there.

Floating the blue ribbon section last week would have been more of a hike..... That is a great section of water with plenty of big ole fish. Water was down pretty low though. The closer you get to Table Rock, the deeper it will get....similiar to the lower Buffalo. Thanks for the report. The Kings is a very nice river and very scenic. Most of the time during lower water situations like that, the fish are holding tight to boulders and outcroppings. The current will eat our around these structures and make holes or "holding spots" for fish. This keeps them out of the sun and out of dangers path. Feeding fish are an easy trget for a blue herring or the like, during the low water periods. The fish tend to hang low and wait till dusk or night cover to fill their bellies.

The river is getting low for floating, but fishing is still good. Good quantities of smallmouth are being caught mainly on soft plastics in shades of green. Smaller sizes are still working. The weather heating up has made the morning and evening the best times to fish. On the lower part of the river spotted bass fishing is good around woody structure.

Water releases are still light with low water all morning until about 1:00 pm. Fly fishing has been good with very healthy fish being caught. Lately the fish have been hugging the bottom. You have to get your fly down. The hot flies have been Copper Johns, beadhead scuds in gray and peacock and various colors of zebra midges with black/silver and gray/gold being the favorites. Small woolly buggers in olive have been working also.

Hey Bruce. I know its a touchy subject and definitely didn't want to dance on people toes.....maybe step on them, but not dance. I fully understand and appreciate your thoughts and appreciate you posting them here. The fact is we have to make the best of what we have as far as fishing goes. Hence the reason I take the passive stance when I am in a boat.

It is a rule of thumb for me personally that non-motorized boats and people get right of way. I would much prefer to take my time and GO OUT OF MY WAY around a persons drift or an out of control canoe than to get close enough to cause problems. I row a drift boat most of the time and will stop up stream of a fisherman and ask if I think i am going to be in the way. It makes for a far better fishing experience from both sides of the coin if you take the time to be curteous. Never know when that same person will be on the water and you might need their help. Also, just because I cant holdit in much longer, I would prefer jet boat motors be banned from a majority of the streams they are on. I go fishing to relax and get away from civilization.......I dont want to hear you darn motor screaming up the bend from a mile away.

A good friend of mine had alot of success with large beetle patterns. The Japanese beetles were everywhere a few weeeknds ago, and any time the wind would blow, you could drop one and have a hit about the time it hit the water.

If you enjoy or ever plan on paddling the Buffalo River, this would be good to attend. There are alot of opinions being thrown at the Park Service regarding gravel bar camping, beer cans, etc. This is where they get the ideas from. Buffalo National River General Management Plan Information and Comments The General Management Plan will become the park’s guide for making management decisions for the next 15 to 20 years, by providing a course for present and future administrations of the park. Your input in vital for to insure a successful outcome. We are now in the initial phase of planning. Newsletters were mailed detailing the time and purpose of upcoming planning meetings. The planning meetings will provide a forum for stakeholders to submit there comments and concerns about the future management of the park. Our first round of meetings will begin the week of July 8, 2009. The schedule is as follows: Wednesday, July 8, 20093:30 PM – 7:00PM Jones Family Center 922 E Emma Springdale, AR Thursday, July 9, 20095:00 PM – 8:00 PM Marshall Elementary Cafeteria 201 W College Street Marshall, AR Friday, July 10, 20095:00 PM – 8:00 PM Carroll Electric Coop 511 E Court Street Jasper, AR Saturday, July 11, 200912:30 PM – 3:30 PM Pinkston Middle School Cafeteria 1310 College Street Mountain Home, AR(located behind ASU) Saturday, July 11, 20096:00 PM – 9:00 PM Yellville-Summit High School Cafeteria 1124 N Panther Drive Yellville, AR Monday, July 13, 20095:00 PM – 8:00 PM North Arkansas Community College Durand Center 302 Main St N Harrison, AR Tuesday, July 14, 20095:00 PM – 8:00 PM Arkansas Game and Fish Commission #2 Natural Resources Drive Little Rock, AR

Oh my!!!! :o

Jumping from a 5wt to an 8wt is a big move. Have you thought about a different line for your 5wt.....one that has a little heavier front section for turning over the flies? Or even jumping up to a 6wt line and slowing your casting stroke? As far as the Predator line goes, I am a huge fan. Very well designed and very good feel. I havent found the shorter rod to cause much trouble roll casting at all. The issue comes from trying to cast an 8'6" rod 60'+. Then the length comes in handy......for shorter casts, an 7'6"-8'6" with a line designed to turn over larger flys would probably get the job done. Just my thoughts though. Look forward to reading the opinions of others.

If you were fishing somewhat close to Fayettenam......there is a ton of great water with very little pressure. Alot of "have to know the landowner" accesses. Great pics. I love the longear when they are colored up like that.

I said the exact same thing when I first saw it and have been playing with some different looks with good success. It moves greatly under water and will slay in moving water.

Amen!!! Great looking fish and even better you were kind enough to release him.

I have a few to many rods.......ok thats a lie. Wife said I need to get rid of a few things before the move. I really dont reach for this rod alot, so I figured I would cull it. It is a great rod and would make a good backup or starter rod. Here is a link to the website: http://adgfish.com/index.php?option=com_vi...=2&Itemid=1 Mine is the 9' 5wt. The one in the picture has a red blank, but mine is black. It is two piece and has the fabric rod tube with itas well as the sleeve. It is a med-flex and is pretty forgiving. I have talked to David Ann(the rodmaker) many times and he knows his stuff. I would like to get $100 plus shipping for the rod. The reel shown in the pictures is not included. Feel free to contact me with any questions.

In what regards QB? There is definately current added. You can drive over the 62 Bridge and tell when the water is on. Are you meaning as far as wading or boating?

There have been some great small mouth bass produced by the Kings this Spring. Higher water during the spring has made for great spawning and plenty of food. This goes the same for goggle-eye and the pan fish. Tube jigs and finesse worms have been working well in the deeper sections. The riffles and tail outs at the end of the rapids are great places to catch feed fish. Shallow running Rapalas and crayfish hardbaits are a great option as well. For the fly fisherman, go terrestrials. This wont produce large bass, but you will get your fill of bluegill and sun perch. Ants, Beetles, Crickets, Grasshoppers, etc are out in abundance, so dry flies are worth a try. Wet flies such as clousers in olive/white, crayfish, muddlers, and woolie buggers will get your low lying bass. Try a sink tip or a very long leader and let these bounce off the bottom. A quick retrieval will excite feeding fish, but erratic action is a great way of prospecting. Most fish are off their spawning beds and will be moving around freely, so keep your eyes open. Sun and heat can take alot out of you during a full day of fishing. Be sure and keep plenty of water and food in your system.

With all the warm weather, fishing and boating on the Tailwaters has been very active. Hot weather and Cloudless skies usually dictate good morning and evening fishing., but with heavy activity at both those times, afternoon fishing can be very productive. Fish are very picky and can be spooky. For the fly fisherman, smaller sizes in flies are the choice. Olive sowbugs, pink scuds, hares ear nymphs, and copper johns in sizes 18-20. Setting these up about 6-8' under an indicator is the deeper sections of the river is your best bet. A soft hackle slowly stripped or dead drifted will induce a strike as well. With conventional tackle, roostertails and powerbait are always very productive. Fish tend to be schooling with the higher water, so work the channels and shady banks. Sun and heat can take alot out of you during a full day of fishing. Be sure and keep plenty of water and food in your system. Generation has been starting around 1pm, so be aware of the horn and rising waters.

I had forgot about Kings River Retreat being there. Never stopped in, but it looks pretty nice. Closer to that Rockhouse section. I fudged the names a bit above. Riveside Resort is about 50yds from the water. It is right next to the Hwy 62 bridge between Eureka and Berryville.

There are alot of options on the Kings. With the section close to Eureka, you are open to all the cabins and such they have to offer. A few are on the Kings and a few are on the White(Beaver Tailwaters). You can use Riverview Resort(http://www.riversideresortandcanoes.com) outside of Eureka near the Hwy62 bridge. They have a few cabins as well as canoe rental and all. They are about 5 minutes from Eureka. The nice thing about staying here, is you are still about 20 minutes from the Tailwaters and about 10 from Lake Leatherwood. Both of these offer good fishing and great scenery. Also look into these places. Sugar Ridge Resort has an impressive view of Beaver Lake. 1-800-top-view White River Cabins is overlooking the White River. 1-479-253-7117 I really like floating the lower section from Rockhouse to Trigger Gap. Kings River Outfitters(http://www.kingsriveroutfitters.com) are good about getting you setup with canoes and such. Not sure about cabin rentals on this section though. Hope this gives you a place to start.

Just as a second thought...... I dont believe this could be used in the fly fishing only areas. A bare hook does not, by any stretch of the imagination, constitue a fly. Also, this is not original.......just the first guy to market it as "his own". Google "pegging beads".

Smallmouth fishing is in full effect right now. Water is falling quick on the Buffalo, so stick to the middle or lower sections. Kings should be ideal for this coming weekend. Ken and Kevin have been pulling 15"+ smallies out regularly at the Kings. Reports from the Elk are that morning and evening fishing is hot. The mid-day fishing is slower with all the boat traffic, but can be easily fished during the week. Top water action is great. Chug bugs and poppers are doing very well. It is summer, so you fly fisherman start breaking out those terrestrial patterns. Beetles and small hopper patterns are good early in the summer. Don't be suprised if a bluegill or two attack anything on top of the water. Be sure and keep hydrated. With temps in the high 90's, it is very easy to get overheated. Take a few minutes and enjoy the cool relaxing effects of a mountain river.

I have to echo Don's thoughts. Clases are great and always wortht he money. Getting together with a few guys from this site is another option. Most may not be good enough to get casting certified, but they will probably be able to get you the basics you need. Not to mention the friendship and comradery made during a trip. The first year I was fly fishing was spent with guys from our local club at outtings. They didnt mind at all giving up the possibility of catching fish to show me how to tie knots and cast. Just my .02

It poured at Pea Ridge for about 30 minutes. Was great because it dropped the temp about 20 degrees. If you a believer in the lateral line stuff with fish, these types of storms really get them in feeding mode. Looking forward to getting up there this weeknd at some time.