Chris Barclay Posted March 4, 2011 Posted March 4, 2011 I posted this over on the FFArkansas forum as well, so please forgive the duplication if you saw this over there - just trying to cover my bases. I have a few days off with a buddy to fish 11-13 March. We are undecided on where we want to go (we're hankering warm water but it may be too early for that) and are considering NFoW as another option. This needs to be a 'low budget' trip - as in no boat (wading only), tent camping and everything else cheap. Is the NFoW a good option for us? What can y'all tell me about fishing the river and available campsites in mid-March? Thanks for any input you can provide! Chris St. Louis, MOcbarclayflyrods.combreambum.blogspot.com
Outside Bend Posted March 4, 2011 Posted March 4, 2011 I'd check out Justin Spencer's outfit (Sunburst Ranch)- cheap camping and great folks, and excellent wade fishing right in the campground. As far as flies- big stonefly imitations (#4-8 Pat's rubberlegs, girdle bugs, etc), pheasant tail nymphs, eggs, san juan worms, copper johns, prince nymphs, wooly buggers, mohair leeches, and zonkers have all worked well for me. Have fun! <{{{><
eric1978 Posted March 4, 2011 Posted March 4, 2011 If you're looking for a wade-only trip, I'd be a little leary about putting all my eggs in the NFoW basket. That's a pretty tough-to-wade river during normal flows...I'd hate to attempt it when it's rolling good. Of course I'm no NFoW guru, that's just my experience. Spencer and Wise and the others would know better. But I'd at least take a canoe if it were me.
gotmuddy Posted March 4, 2011 Posted March 4, 2011 I posted this over on the FFArkansas forum as well, so please forgive the duplication if you saw this over there - just trying to cover my bases. I have a few days off with a buddy to fish 11-13 March. We are undecided on where we want to go (we're hankering warm water but it may be too early for that) and are considering NFoW as another option. This needs to be a 'low budget' trip - as in no boat (wading only), tent camping and everything else cheap. Is the NFoW a good option for us? What can y'all tell me about fishing the river and available campsites in mid-March? Thanks for any input you can provide! I personally would rent a canoe and do the eleven point. The upside to NFoW is there are quite a few accesses. everything in this post is purely opinion and is said to annoy you.
Justin Spencer Posted March 4, 2011 Posted March 4, 2011 Chris, with the forecasted rain watch the water flows, we have a link at sunburstranchcanoe.com It is very hard to wade above 800cfs, obviously the lower the easier to wade. You are welcome to stay here, we charge $5 a person per night to camp this time of year with the water being off (no bathrooms open). That's the same price we charge if you want to fish here for the day. Patrick Bridge campground is close to us and free, but be prepared for partiers coming in if the weather is good (they have primitive toilets). This is a good river to fish if you don't want to get a boat because there are some good public accesses. You can easily fish a half day (or more) on our water and Patrick has good fishing if you hike a little. Kelly Ford has some good fishing, but can be a little tough on higher flows if you can't get across the river. Blair has a good run below the public access. Riverside canoe has the second best campground water in my opinion and charges $5 a man to fish. Not sure if other campgrounds allow day fishermen or not, but ROLF is going to be expensive, and if you look at staying there make sure he doesn't charge a rod fee on top of camping if you are going to wade there. I have heard if you are not in a cabin he charges a substantial rod fee on top of camping (Maybe Brian knows for sure). We may be gone on Friday, if so just come down and set up wherever and we'll catch up with you during the weekend sometime. If you come here you bring wood for a fire or you can scavenge for wood, my pile is almost gone right now. "The problem with a politician’s quote on Facebook is you don’t know whether or not they really said it." –Abraham Lincoln Tales of an Ozark Campground Proprietor Dead Drift Fly Shop
Chris Barclay Posted March 4, 2011 Author Posted March 4, 2011 Thanks for the input guys. It sounds like we should hold off until we can float it to get the best of the river. Chris St. Louis, MOcbarclayflyrods.combreambum.blogspot.com
Justin Spencer Posted March 4, 2011 Posted March 4, 2011 If you're looking for a wade-only trip, I'd be a little leary about putting all my eggs in the NFoW basket. That's a pretty tough-to-wade river during normal flows... "The problem with a politician’s quote on Facebook is you don’t know whether or not they really said it." –Abraham Lincoln Tales of an Ozark Campground Proprietor Dead Drift Fly Shop
Justin Spencer Posted March 5, 2011 Posted March 5, 2011 Couldn't resist! "The problem with a politician’s quote on Facebook is you don’t know whether or not they really said it." –Abraham Lincoln Tales of an Ozark Campground Proprietor Dead Drift Fly Shop
Chris Gates Posted March 5, 2011 Posted March 5, 2011 My favorites are the NFOW and the Eleven Point and everytime I am down at Sunburst I am on a budget. Justin's place is great for that. However, I definately recommend a canoe for that deal. If I am going to wade fish only I think the Current would be a great option. Camp for free down at Parker access and you have all the wade fishing you would want for a weekend. If you already fish the current a lot and looking for something different then this may not appeal to you. Good luck!
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