Let's Talk Ar!

[drew03cmc]

Nice Thread Tx...

We have only lived here for 4 years and I am just now starting to really get into smallie fishing in NWA. Have not touched a lot of the water you mentioned yet.

I have fished Kings twice...once in the summer from Rockhouse to Trigger Gap...we only caught 1 fish all day but it was prime floating season and there were just too many floaters out. I think that stretch would be pretty good if you floated it in April/May before it gets over-run. Lots of nice runs in there...

Last June I floated and fished from the Hwy 62 bridge to Grandview (private access that you can call ahead and park on for a small fee) and we did very well...I think we floated it in late June and it would have been a bit better in late may/early June. We floated on a Friday and did not see another person on the water (we were the first ones there right at sun-up).

I think the deal with the Kings is the lower section is better...but you have to watch and float on weekdays or early season before all the people get out there.

What I am looking for is someplace within 30 min of Bentonville...I have fished a bit on Big Sugar up in BV and caught a couple of Blacks but no smallies...I want to explore that some more this summer. Also heard the War Eagle can be very good and have that on my list to explore this summer...I have fished below the Mill some for whites and caught a few very nice large mouth but nothing bronze yet....

Not to hijack the thread but...What fly patterns do you like to use? I am primarily a flyfisherman as well and I am loading up my box right now....tying some fish skulls, some clousers, and working on some new sculpin patterns with the new sculpin helmets.

If I read that right, you said Big Sugar in Bella Vista? Big Sugar never flows through Bella Vista. Little Sugar does. Big Sugar flows up around Cyclone, Powell and Pineville.

I am watching this thread as I wouldn't mind spending some time in Arkansas this year.

[Wayne SW/MO]

Tx you don't say how travel. If you're wading it does cut into the available water.

[txspecks04]

Glad to get all of the input here guys.

bferg, no worries on hi-jacking the thread. Typical flies that I like to use would include clouser minnows, crayfish patterns, poppers, etc. Pretty run of the mill bass flies, but they are run of the mill because they work. I have found with bass it is often not so much what you are throwing to the fish as it is how you are presenting your offer. Also, you said you are fishing Big (or Little?) sugar up in Bentonville? Where do you access that creek? I would like to check it out sometime.

Spring River, I do plan to hit the Spring sometime this summer (likely early to mid May), but it is quite a drive for me (I am located in Siloam Springs, AR) and I am really looking for some places a bit closer by that I can hit more regularly for half day trips and such. Thanks for the heads up on location there, we will definitely need to try and avoid the floaters out there if we can.

LittleRed, similar to the Spring River, the Eleven Point is definitely on my list of places to hit someday, but it could be sometime off in the future still yet. I appreciate the input and advice though as I did not know that this was a good smallmouth stream...I had it on my list for trout.

Thanks for pointing that out Wayne. Primarily, I wade fish; I do have a fishing kayak that I use on occasion, but most of the guys that I fish with do not have one so it doesn't really get out all that much these days. Fishing is usually more fun when you have a good friend along to share the experience with; however, if any area can only be accessed with a watercraft, looks like I will be riding solo for the day

[bferg]

Yeah my bad I meant Little Sugar although I have floated Big Sugar from Deep Ford to the Elk...water was WAY low because it was late in the summer...and although I had little success in bringing fish to hand I saw a few very nice fish along that stretch. I think now I have a better idea of how to actually catch them there...

So for little sugar I basically just walked along the trail by the lake at Bella Vista and just jumped in and started fishing. It seems that the few access points below the lake get hit REALLY hard but I might be wrong about that? Seems like a lot of the bucket/baid crowd mainly? Above the lake the stream is smaller but I don't see as many people up there. Again, very limited experience there but something I plan on hitting more this spring.

FandF: I have a canoe and a decent size Jon boat. Where is beavertown bridge? Can I put my boat in to get to it or is it kayak/canoe size water only?

Also- can you walk along the dam at beaver? I have a pretty sweet technique for fishing rip rap dams that I learned in Colorado...

[Feathers and Fins]

I run my big boat up there all the time ( I dont suggest running wide open unless you really know the area, sand bars and fall downs will bite you ) Beavertown is on the white river below Beaver Dam between 62 bridge and Holiday Island. About the furthest i can run upriver is the 62 bridge area in my boat a canoe or yak no problem floating from the dam all the way into tablerock lake. Trout will be found from the dam to about 62 bridge. Walleye from Parker Bottoms to Table Rock and smallmouth from Houseman access to Tablerock.

[bferg]

Ok I thought that was what you were talking about but wasn't sure. I have neglected the beaver tailwater too much- both the upper and lower section! this spring summer I plan on changing that. What about Beaver dam? Can you actually walk on it?

[Feathers and Fins]

You can but i dont know why you would its about 300 feet above the tailwater. There is access below it on the AGFC property and a fence that you cant go past ( i think the fence is about 100 yrds from the base of the dam. Thats pure trout area.

Now if you want to fish Beaver Lake from the dam that is doable and pretty good for smallies and early morning summer bite for stripers.

[kkparks_3]

Crooked Creek is usually good every year we go up there. I have to make the drive from Russellville at least one time a year. I've only fished from Kelly's Slab to Yellville and would like to fish other stretches just never have. That little stretch brings me and a buddy of mine back every year though. Have had a couple of slow days from year to year, but overall good fishing.

No matter where you go, please practive C&R.

[bferg]

Gonna revive this thread- not looking to steal anyone's secret spot or anything but I have some time before work tomorrow...anyone have a spot close (like within a 20 min drive from Bentonville) that one could hit up before work in the AM?

[Feathers and Fins]

Prairie Creek, Monte Ne, Beaver Shores, Lake Atlanta, Lake bentonville, Crystal Lake. Little pond next to I40 behind Buffalo wild wings( beware momma goose here she is a pistol). And last but certainly not least Little Sugar creek.