Fishing Report

[Don]

My friend and I showed up at Norfork Sat approx 9:00AM and set up camp immediately because of rain forecast. We were at Quarry Dam Park. We made McClellan's at 10:00. It looked weird when we paid because the dock was gone. A man was launching a blue river pontoon from the bank where the dock once stood. My first cast yielded a 15" cutthroat. I thought, what a day it's gonna be. I caught two more in the next three hours and my friend caught one. All on scuds. Oh well, weather was nice.

Went back to camp and grilled brats. After lunch, I fished below the camp and caught nothing the first hour or two. Then I finally picked up six fish in riffles the last hour and a half before sundown off a rust colored midge 18" below indicator. Three rainbows, three cutthroats.

Tornado warning and sirens made us take shelter late Saturday. Only hard rain and marble hail for approx 30 min Sat night. Tired from the storm, we hit handicapped access approx 7:30 Sun. Like fishing in chocolate milk. No takers, no fisherman except for some going and some coming. We contemplated going to the White. We then decided to to camp. Even though it rained for short period the night before, it rained alot. The 100 acres atop the hill overlooking the dam was sheved off for development is not so impressive. We cruised thru on our way back from McClellan's. Nice views of the dam. As reported by Mr Berry, runoff ruined fishing for us as well. However, water was half clear when we got back to camp and I slowly picked up three fish below camp in about an hour.

I got back home, north of Clever MO,approx 4:00PM, glad I got away from that tornado business. 1/2 mil wide F-3 twister hit my home Sun night at approximately 10:30. Lot's of damage outside. vehicles, propane tank, garage roof structure, and much more, but I'm so lucky. Several families down my road and other areas of the community were displaced from their homes.

I plan to fish again next month after tornado cleanup. Probably homewaters of Taney. You'll get a report of course.

Good fishin' Don

[Phil Lilley]

My parents attend first Baptist here in Branson. Do you know anything about lunch and dinner being served in Nixa for residents whos homes were destroyed or damaged? They are in charge of a couple of lunches this week. I think at the rec center?

Mom said they (organizers of relief) are looking for more churches/organizations to help with meals. If anyone is interested, email me.

[Snow Fly]

Don: Sorry about your house damage from the twisters! Did you talk to anyone whether that housing project had done any work on stopping the sediment from running into the river during periods of rain. I just find it unbelieveable that the state of Arkansas would allow the contractor to continue their operation and not DEMAND that steps be taken right then to control their storm water run off or pay up starting the day they were caught and back to the day construction started without the proper permits.I hope the situation gets corrected soon.

[John Berry]

This is one time that I do not enjoy being right. I fear that whenever we get a half inch of rain the Norfork will be unfishable. This is a crime. The best trout water in Arkansas ruined.

John Berry

[Snow Fly]

SO SAD! I hope your wrong! What can we do to help?

[John Berry]

I hope that I am wrong also. I think that right now we have to let the State of Arkansas Government agencies like the ADEQ and AG&F know that we are concerned and we want them to take serious action. The development should be stopped until they have properly addressed the run-off and are in compliance with the Federal Clean Water Act. They should be fined the maximum ($10,000.00 per day)and be assessed punitive damages for screwing up the best trout stream in Arkansas and severely impacting our fishing.John Berry