Drift Boat On The Norfork?

[Chris Gates]

I've had my drift boat down the Norfork quite a bit and it works fine. Like the White if there is no generation you are pushing through some slow water but those spots that you tend to have to push through also often hold lots of fish. I agree with previous posts that a pontoon or drift boat is the only way to fish the Norfork anymore. Since McClellans was purchased the boat allows easy access to the "Holy Water" of Arkansas. Also it is a fun float for two down by McClellans because you can drop anchor on no generation and typically bank em' up on Midges. The boat works well to fish to those deep spots a wade fisherman can't reach. Warning, an aluminum drift boat would suck because it sticks to the rocks so badly however with fiberglass you won't have any major problems. Also, two units on the river and your in for a short float. I think the ideal is to have no generation until evening, then you can fish all day and ride the generation out as the water comes up, the shallowest parts that are the most difficult are toward the bottom, below the handicap access if I remember right. If you see that generation pattern for several days hit the river and if the generation stays the same, your probably in for a heck of a day!!

[snagged in outlet 3]

McClellans was sold!!??? When did that happen. I knew it was closed but I didn't know it was sold.

SIO3

[Chris Gates]

Some of the guys in Arkansas can probably speak better than I about the details but I believe it was sold 3 or so years ago. The reason it is closed is because it sold. I always heard it was someone who was going to develop the land into residential lots but that may be hearsay, I don't know the exact details. I just know you can't reach the water by driving up and paying the rod fee any longer. That is why a pontoon or boat is so beneficial.

[Snow Fly]

Sold about three years ago , land across from Gene's Trout Resort as of last Feb. had asphalt road down to river with lots marked out for sale. At that time no houses being built, I think the lots then were going for $164,000.

[snagged in outlet 3]

I know they (McClellans) sold property up by the upper shoal but they still had the main property. I talked to them last year and they still owned it. John and Ruby said they were tired of chasing people around to get the fee. They made enough off the upper end sale to retire.

SIO3

[gotmuddy]

I've had my drift boat down the Norfork quite a bit and it works fine. Like the White if there is no generation you are pushing through some slow water but those spots that you tend to have to push through also often hold lots of fish. I agree with previous posts that a pontoon or drift boat is the only way to fish the Norfork anymore. Since McClellans was purchased the boat allows easy access to the "Holy Water" of Arkansas. Also it is a fun float for two down by McClellans because you can drop anchor on no generation and typically bank em' up on Midges. The boat works well to fish to those deep spots a wade fisherman can't reach. Warning, an aluminum drift boat would suck because it sticks to the rocks so badly however with fiberglass you won't have any major problems. Also, two units on the river and your in for a short float. I think the ideal is to have no generation until evening, then you can fish all day and ride the generation out as the water comes up, the shallowest parts that are the most difficult are toward the bottom, below the handicap access if I remember right. If you see that generation pattern for several days hit the river and if the generation stays the same, your probably in for a heck of a day!!

You can anchor? I thought you couldn't anchor on the norfork. Maybe it AGFC meant just drift anchors. I have fished the norfork a little and the worst spot for me has been the second set of rocks in the catc and release area. With one generator going my boat can't make it up. Down below the handicap access is a little rough but not bad.

How much do the pontoons run? I would like to get one

[Chris Gates]

I've never heard of that law but who knows. The more I fish in Arkansas the more I realize they have practices and rules I disagree with. That's another story, but it wouldn't surprise me. Arkansas Game and Fish probably want to keep john boats from anchoring up in swift water and getting in trouble. That would be my guess.

[gotmuddy]

I've never heard of that law but who knows. The more I fish in Arkansas the more I realize they have practices and rules I disagree with. That's another story, but it wouldn't surprise me. Arkansas Game and Fish probably want to keep john boats from anchoring up in swift water and getting in trouble. That would be my guess.

It says in the handbook that its to keep from hurting aquatic vegetation. Seems like a silly thing to me, but there are lots of rocks in that river....I think I will go out there this week.

[Chris Gates]

It says in the handbook that its to keep from hurting aquatic vegetation. Seems like a silly thing to me, but there are lots of rocks in that river....I think I will go out there this week.

Yep, this proves my point. Goofy laws in Arkansas.

[Snow Fly]

As far as I know you can anchor but cannot drag a chain to control the speed of your drift like you can on the White River.