Zack Hoyt

Lake level is 660.58 ft. Generation is around the clock with 4 - 6 units. Drift fishing from a boat is the best option. Use high water nymphing tactics or stripping streamers with a sink-tip or full sinking line. Caddis are still present but the high water is hampering traditional presentations. Fly selection: Prince nymph, Zug Bug, Z-Wing Caddis, BH Caddis (olive, tan), Pheasant Tail, Copper John, San Juan Worm (red, pink, worm brown); sizes 12 - 16. Wooly Bugger, Butt Monkey and Zoo Cougar; sizes 2 - 6.

Took the drift boat out Sunday to work some cobwebs out. Good thing.....I needed to adjust a few things. Fishing wasn't bad, but was kinda tough. Falling water can make the fish a tad fickle. We had the best luck on grey and black zebra midges. I tried fishing a few nymphs and they were not interested. Tied on a small klinkhammer in black and had a few hard looks, but no takers. Wind was really cranking then it would be absolutely still. Stopped at Bathouse for a while to BS with friends. Snapped this picture of the boat.

Sorry, I must have missed this reply. I snuck out Saturday and water was off at 11. I am working on a report......let me know how you did.

I read this. Very sorry to hear. I spent a few years around that church when I was younger.

Anything in Arkansas is not an option?

Looks to be pretty close to ebing usable. http://harrisondailytimes.com/articles/2010/04/08/news/doc4bbd35e282026039443685.txt

Have they begun the stream improvements between Parker and Bertrand?

There has been more wadable water on Beaver Tailwaters than the rest of the White River system over the last week. Lots of midges coming off in the late morning and later afternoon. Grey, black, and olive zebra midges fished below an indicator or tightlined are producing very healthy fish. Depth below the indicator is governed by the area you are fishing and structure. Lots of sculpins around the water this spring, so a simple wooley bugger stripped or dead drifted is ideal for larger fish. Seems the brown trout population has seen a resurgence, so dont be afraid to toss the larger streamers. When the midges arent so prevelant, pheasent tail nymphs, hairs ears, and copper johns are a good choice.

Had a very nice fish caught on a woolie this afternoon by a little guy I was helping. Great BWO coming off around 3pm. Water was up a tad but very good. Lots of fish around.

Curious as well. I will be up but wasnt planning on fishing a ton. If you see a big blue drift boat behind an Outback......I am somewhere close.

Wow.......How about respect for the other/next anglers.......on all accounts.

I may have to sneak up there Sunday or Monday for a quick float. Got Ole Blue put back together and need tow ork out some kinks. Still owe you a trip in it Russ.

Agency says some restoration needed at popular destination By Adam Wallworth Saturday, March 27, 2010 A seven-mile stretch of the Kings River and adjacent lands, purchased from the family of a Texas oil man for $10.2 million, is the 41st Arkansas preserve of The Nature Conservancy. “We’re really proud to have joined the local landowners there,” said Jay Harrod, spokesman for The Nature Conservancy in Arkansas. The purchase was announced Friday, though official closing on the 4,557 acres occurred March 18. The conservancy is known for acquiring large tracts of land and preserving them in their natural state. In the case of the new property, Harrod said thegoal is to preserve the pristine quality of the river. The preserve includes land on both sides of the river, which meanders north to Missouri before entering Table Rock Lake, Harrod said. He said the property includes Mason Bend, located about three miles north of the Rockhouse community. Although Harrod declined to name the seller, court records show the property was purchased from Texasbased Liedtke Interests, Ltd., which is managed by Blake Liedtke, son of the late J. Hugh Liedtke. The elder Liedtke was the longtime head of the Pennzoil Co. and a business partner of former president George H.W. Bush. Harrod said a May 8 dedication is being planned and will be open to the public. The group will continue to encourage the public to enjoy the river and its banks, he said, but there are no trails on the property. The Kings River remains one of the state’s cleanest streams, but some restoration of property within the preserve is needed, said Tim Snell, associate state director of The Nature Conservancy. Snell said immediate plans call for restoring trees in flood-prone areas and improving the riparian corridor. “We are going to be planting hundreds of thousands of trees out there,” he said. The preserve is home to a “suite of Ozark endemic species,” including a stone fly that’s unique to the river. The river is also popular among anglers. “One of the best smallmouth bass fisheries is right there,” Snell said. The area also is home to the endangered gray bat and is a popular paddling destination, attracting tourists from far and wide. “It’s like a time warp that’s been locked away for 50 or 60 years,” said Ernie Kilman, owner of Kings River Outfitters and a nearby resident. Kilman’s business is located on Arkansas 221, which bisects the preserve. He saidthe purchase is exciting because future generations will be able to enjoy one of the state’s finest streams. “I feel like I just got a 4,557-acre backyard,” he said. The preserve also came as good news to environmental groups such as the Upper White River Basin Foundation, which promotes water quality in Arkansas and Missouri. Excess sediment and nutrients are the biggest threats to water quality in the Ozarks,said John Moore, president and executive director of the foundation. “It’s just tremendously important to maintain goodpractices on the land so that the water will stay clean and wholesome,” he said. To contact this reporter: awallworth@arkansasonline.com

I havent had just a ton of luck around the Ponca area. During low rain spells it gets really low, so the larger fish dont seem to congragate there. We did have a very high water year, so this may be off base. I like to use something in the green w/watermelon speck. Not too large.....3" or less(unless you are using a worm). Work it around the tailouts of rapis or turbid water. Texas rigged. I am a big fan of a Yum Vibra King or simple tube in about a 3" size. You can get the football head jigs to fit down inside these and poke the eye out through the tube. Kinda keeps it all inclusive. Don't discount worms or otehr live bait.....especially if fishing with the little one. Take a walk up to the old homestead on the opposite side of the bridge. Weather this week looks great for warming the water, but the fish may still be a bit lethargic, so finesse and slow would be my thought. Of course variety will help you figure out exactly what they are wanting. Be sure and bring a camera and take plenty of pics. The Boxley valley in spring is amazing.

I dont think there is alot in the way of regs for the panfish. They tend to be a bit more hearty and grow a bit quicker than the smallies. Bobber should be along pretty quick. He is the king of the Buffalo. I am hoping to get the dift boat on the Buffalo some this year. It is too pretty of a river to not float on it.

You will need a Non-Resident license.....they offer different time lenghts. http://www.agfc.com/fishing/anglers-corner/license-info-fishing/prices-decriptions-fishing.aspx Per AGFC website.... Buffalo River (Ozark Zone Blue Ribbon Stream) Smallmouth bass daily limit is two and each must be at least 14 inches long to keep. From confluence with Clabber Creek downstream to the confluence with the White River, smallmouth bass daily limit is 1 and must be at least 18 inches or longer to keep. Outboard motors may not be used on the Buffalo River upstream from Erbie Ford, nor larger than 10 horsepower from Erbie to the White River. http://www.agfc.com/data-facts-maps/maps/wildlife-mgt-areas/buffalo-national-river.aspx

Cancer survivor to row 300 miles Arkansas River voyage a fundraiser for therapeutic retreats By Bill Bowden Sunday, March 28, 2010 Print item FORT SMITH — A 55-year-old cancer survivor set off Saturday on a 300-mile float trip across Arkansas. Ken Richards of Bentonville left downtown Fort Smith in a drift boat at 12:30 p.m. on the Arkansas River. He plans to reach the Mississippi River near Dumas around April 8. He’ll camp at state parks and on riverbanks along the way. Richards is floating across Arkansas to help raise money for Reel Recovery, a national nonprofit organization that conducts free fly-fishing retreats for men with lifethreatening forms of cancer. “On a high river like this, logs can be a problem,” he said before launching his boat Saturday. The river was moving at about 100,000 cubic feet per second. Normal flow is 40,000-50,000 cubic feet per second, Richards said. “This is a big, moving lake,” he said of the Arkansas River. Richards, who was diagnosed with cancer of the tongue and throat in 2005, has been the Mid-South coordinator for Reel Recovery for the past two years. His territory includes Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and parts of Tennessee and Kansas. He is raising money, in particular, for two fly-fishing retreats in Arkansas. One will be April 19-21 at Spring Valley Anglers on Spavinaw Creek near Gravette, and the other Oct. 19-21 at Cedarwood Lodge on the White River near Flippin. Richards said the retreats cost about $700 per person to conduct, and they like to have 10-15 participants at each one. So he’s trying to raise money to help pay for them. About $8,000 has been raised so far through a variety of events. The float trip across Arkansas had generated about $2,400 in pledges as of noon Saturday. Richards has also received 13 backpacker meals from the Pack Rat Outdoor Center in Fayetteville and a pledge of one fly per mile from some local fly tiers. “Flies are expensive,” he said. They can be used by the men who are fly fishing at the retreats. Anyone wishing to donate to Reel Recovery, nationally or for the Arkansas retreats in particular, can do so through the organization’s Web site at reelrecovery.org. Donors should specify that the gift is for the Arkansas retreats if that’s where they want the money to go. Two friends and Richards’ business partner floated with him Saturday, but the other three planned to stop at the end of the day at Fort Smith Park and let Richards continue the trip downriver. Kevin Calhoun of Fayetteville is Richards’ business partner in Just Fishin’ Guides of Bentonville. They provide a fishing-guide service on the White River, the Little Red River and lakes Taneycomo, Bull Shoals and Norfork. Dave Caravella of Branson West, Mo., and Al Crider of Siloam Springs were the friends who floated with Richards on Saturday. Caravella, 46, has testicular cancer that is now in remission. He attended a retreat last year and decided to volunteer this year as a photographer for the Arkansasretreats. “I found it to be very valuable,” Caravella said. “No three-day event can take away all the baggage ... but it opens up the door. I felt so moved by it, I wanted to be involved in it.” Caravella said a counselor is provided for each retreat, who helps the men deal with their cancer diagnosis. Men tend not to discuss such things, Caravella said. Fort Smith Mayor Ray Baker declared March 27 as Ken Richards Day in Fort Smith and gave the honoree a “Key to the Frontier.” Baker also tossed rose petals on the group before they rowed out to the middle of the river and started their journey. At Arkansas Post near the end of his trip, Richards said, he’ll take the White River to the Mississippi, reaching the big river near Dumas. Then Richards will travel by vehicle to Tulsa. He’ll float from there 130 milesdown the Arkansas River to Fort Smith on the last leg of what will be a 430-mile total journey. Richards is doing the Tulsa-to-Fort Smith part last because he didn’t know if enough water would be released into the river from Keystone Lake west of Tulsa. The chance for more water will be greater in a couple of weeks, he said. “Otherwise, it’s about a quarter-mile over mud flats to get to the water,” Richards said. Richards said he hopes to do the final leg in about four days. Richards said he may do some fishing along the way across Arkansas, but he doesn’t eat the fish he catches. “I hate cleaning them,” he said. Richards is taking a laptop computer and camera so he can post updates along the way. His Drifter’s Blog postscan be read at justfishinguides.wordpress.com. Last year, Richards and Calhoun floated 197 miles along the Buffalo and Kings rivers in north Arkansas, raising about $10,000 for Reel Recovery. Originally from Washington state, Richards worked in a Wal-Mart photo-developing center in Bentonville from 1987 to 1999, before becoming a full-time fishing guide. He was diagnosed in 2008 with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue and throat. Richards said he didn’t smoke or drink. He has lost his sense of smell, but otherwise he seems healthy. “I’m as recovered as I’m going to be,” he said just before rowing off on the 300-mile trip. There is a fly-fishing organization for women who have had breast cancer. It’s called Casting for Recovery. It is not affiliated with Reel Recovery. Northwest Arkansas, Pages 17 on 03/28/2010

www.Tightlinesff.org This club was started in 1996 by Sallyann Brown when she saw a need to draw local fly fishers together. We currently have around fifty active members from the Northwest Arkansas area. We are a Federation of Fly Fishers associate club and are members of the Southern Council. We meet on the third Monday of each month at Jim’s Razorback Pizza in Springdale on Highway 412 (1528 West Sunset). Our meetings are a social hour starting at 6:00pm and meeting starting at 7:00pm. From the President...... All, The April Tightlines Fly Fishing Club meeting is on Monday April 19th at 7pm. As usual, some of us arrive at around 6pm for some dinner, a cold drink, and possibly some fish stories before the meeting. Ken and Kevin will be gone for the April meeting. As most of you know, they are coordinators of the Reel Recovery Outing that will be taking place that week in NW Arkansas at Spring Valley Anglers and that event starts that Monday. Ken and Kevin will be passing the baton as officers to someone new in April or May. Ballots went out, and I hope you filled them out and sent them back in. We very much appreciate all the work and time they both have put into the club the last couple of years as officers. I would also like to request that all members consider what type of goals you would like to see Tightlines work towards this year. Please bring your ideas to the April meeting. If you do not normally come to the meetings, then please feel free to reply to this email with any ideas you may have. I will compile a list and present it at the May meeting. Would you like different activities? Is the third Monday of the month a bad time to meet? Would you like different outings? Would you like some sort of fishing buddy email list? Please let me know if you have any ideas to help the club grow and be successful. Another idea that has floated around is a monthly tying session separate from the meeting. I know Ken did some things along those lines last year. He helped me with my Hare's Ear nymph tying. Mine looked pretty bad until that session. Would something like that be of interest? Please let me know your ideas and if you have any questions. Thanks Wayne

Ken Richards launched his drift boat at Ft smith today starting the first leg of his 400 mile trip. Here is the first news story for the from the event. I will be updating with more news stories and blog updates as his trip proceeds. http://www.kfsm.com/news/kfsm-news-rv-reel-recovery,0,6796411.story

You have got to be joking.......thats what this is all about??? My first post was a jab at Tim.....it had nothing to do with you. I give Tim hell about his crooked hat all the time. Are you so insecure that you have to ASSume people are making a statement in reference to you?? Also you never did recognize I answered your questions in regards to Tim and also told you where his shop was located.

Actually being a private matter, it is not a good idea to air it on a public board. I was trying to be nice and ask where my posts tagged me as "arrogant". So to copy the pm..... Which of my previous posts were in bad form??? Looks like to me it was a handful of fishing reports, talking to a fellow boat builder about Epoxy, and some information on the Reel Recovery Fundraiser I am coordinating. I am missing where I came off as snobby or rude. Zack

PM Sent

Sarcasm is intellect on the offensive. And as I adjust my hat..... Tim owns Tim's Fly Shop in Cassville outside of Roaring River. He knows the fish down tehre very well(I think he has them named) and also knows alot of the spring creeks in the area very well. Crane, Capps, etc. Also....before you play a statement off as arrogance, you should know the person well enough to put that tag on them. Making a rash ASSumption by a random post on a fly fishing message board seems a bit closed minded.......that's just my opinion.

While we are at it......I think Tim's hat is crooked......can we not get a better pic??

Epoxy is a bear to work with. My boat has an epoxy/fiberglass bottom and sides. The interior is not painted. I actually just put the final coat of varnish on it today. It was time to apply another coat. In the boat building world......price does equal quality. I am planning on getting a few of those BPS canoe seats for my boat as well. I have a rope weaved seat, but no backrests. Makes it hard on the lower back setting in it all day.