Norfork To Calico Rock

[mhowerton]

Floated from Norfork to Calico Rock in the duck boat on Saturday. It was a great way to beat the heat. Love that stretch of river and caught a bunch of good fish on CD-7s and 9s.

[Flyguide7]

I fished it this last weekend and it is one of my favorite stretches to fish. I caught and released about 45 rainbows and 10 fat little smallies 10- 12" long. A few of the rainbows were 14-16 inches. But no browns. I have fished that stretch for 15 years and say five years ago I would catch or hook at least 3-4 browns in the 25" range and many little guys. Locals I have talked to say they just arent there anymore. Perhaps they have all moved up to the upper sections closer to the dam and cooler water. Anybody what to weigh in on this?

[Ham]

I feel like the Browns move up and down river at times, but I have limited experience and a small sample size. Maybe some of the trout guides could chime in on this subject. They make a lot more trips every year.

[Greasy B]

I think the browns are about as thick as ever above Cotter. When I fished the Rim Shoals area three weeks ago the water was warm enough to be comfortable wet wading. I didn't have a thermometer with me but by late afternoon it was real comfortable, maybe 70. I figured the fish down river were either stressed or migrated.

[Ham]

I'm used to summertime wet wading at Rim. but it's a little different wet wading at the Narrows.