Week Of May 14Th

[Dave289us]

Hi Everyone,

My friend and our 2 sons are coming down as a high school graduation gift to the boys. My son and I have fished down there for about 10 years , since he was 8. We got flooded out in 2008 but moved around and caught fish but we ended up driving about 300 miles to find clean water (War Mill for white bass, Tanyecomo for trout in the tress:-). With the gas prices that would be crazy. The other guy and his son are looking to us to put them on fish. What are you guys opinion on what you think will happen with the lake (Stripers and bass) and the river (trout). I know what the resort owners and the chamber are saying and I understand that they need to survive but I am looking to some of you guys to give me the straight story. Is it going to be worth it or should I look for plan B. I love that area and plan on retiring down there, I am orginally from Strawberry , Ar and I know they got hammered. I know this flooding is pain but the dam system does work and saves alot of homes. Any help would be great, we have not booked rooms anywhere because we still remember 2008 when we were told things were fine and the lake looked like a war zone with debris everywhere. I have a 20 foot Tracker Targa with 225 Merc so moving around the lake will not be a problem if things settle down by next Saturday.

Thanks for all you help in advance.

Dave Grass

[Samkam1]

Hi Everyone,

My friend and our 2 sons are coming down as a high school graduation gift to the boys. My son and I have fished down there for about 10 years , since he was 8. We got flooded out in 2008 but moved around and caught fish but we ended up driving about 300 miles to find clean water (War Mill for white bass, Tanyecomo for trout in the tress:-). With the gas prices that would be crazy. The other guy and his son are looking to us to put them on fish. What are you guys opinion on what you think will happen with the lake (Stripers and bass) and the river (trout). I know what the resort owners and the chamber are saying and I understand that they need to survive but I am looking to some of you guys to give me the straight story. Is it going to be worth it or should I look for plan B. I love that area and plan on retiring down there, I am orginally from Strawberry , Ar and I know they got hammered. I know this flooding is pain but the dam system does work and saves alot of homes. Any help would be great, we have not booked rooms anywhere because we still remember 2008 when we were told things were fine and the lake looked like a war zone with debris everywhere. I have a 20 foot Tracker Targa with 225 Merc so moving around the lake will not be a problem if things settle down by next Saturday.

Thanks for all you help in advance.

Dave Grass

we killed the stripers in the 08 flood fishing right up next to the trees with live bait. Woods point and Hand coves. You should time it just right! we will be down at beaver lake at the same time using the same method.

good luck to you guys!!

SK

[Larry Richards]

If I was you I would go to Bull Shoals instead.With all the boats (400+) for the BassCat Tournament on the water that week,I dont see how everyone will be able to find a place to park with all the ramps and parking lots under water.Its my opinion that the Corp should have canceled the permit for the BassCat TX this year.

[Dave289us]

Really, are you kidding? 400 boats on a flooded impoundment? Does that seems nuts or is it just me? Are there still floating debris or has everything settled down enough to run all out? Sounds like this might be the final straw as to us coming down and trying for stripers. That kind of boat traffic I got to believe will put the fish down. I have fished Bull Shoals before and have caught plenty of bass but we have all the bass we want at home here, was hoping for striper and trout trip. Do they prefish , how big of money, will this tourney draw the big boys with their 300 horse plus boats? Following high water up here we usually have a moderate wake rule which saves the shorline until the lake goes down. Let me know what you guys think.

Thanks again I just want the boys to have a good week, I was pretty happy when they asked for a fishing trip for graduation.

[SgtChuck64]

The Basscat Owner invitational has been cancelled but the Cystic Fibrosis tourney has not.

[Dave289us]

The Basscat Owner invitational has been cancelled but the Cystic Fibrosis tourney has not.

[Dave289us]

Thanks for the info Sarge. This forum is pretty cool for up to date info. I appreciate the replies and I am hoping it stops raining for you guys, a flooded house is a whole lot different than a bad fishing trip. I am thinking of getting a guide with all the lake changes, any suggestions? Is the lake clearing?

Thanks

[SgtChuck64]

If you want to fish stripers, go with Tom Reynolds of STR Outfitters. He is really on the fish with this high water. Tell him Chuck sent you. Good Luck. I'll be over on Bull Shoals the week of the 14th, but may come over to Norfork for a day or two.

[Hand Cove Greg]

The Cystic is Saturday, May 14th. It is a one day only tourney. The Bass Cat tourney is cancelled for sure. The guys are correct about the striper bite, it's great. Find a boil early in the morning or the early evening and you'll be impressed with the top water action. Lake access is good. The Norfork Lake business folks know how to get your boat on and off the water. Smallies are really picking up, big ones. 5lb plus largemouth are become more common. The lake is clearing fast. Nost creek/coves are crystal. Still a little stained in the main channel.

Debris is thinning. If you think about it, there might be a few acreas spread ove 20,000 acreas. Wide open operation? You can hit a log on any lake at any time. Just keep a watchful eye open.

By the way, Norfork Lake does not flood, it just holds water, more some days that others. It was designed to do exactly this.

Good fishing reports are at http://www.norforklakechamber.com/fishing_report.htm

Lake conditions are here http://www.norforklakechamber.com/lake_level_conditions.htm

[Hand Cove Greg]

And Chuck, walleye are stacked at night at Woods Point, School Bus, and just east of White Bluff. You're traveling too far west.