Heading for the Norfork 10-24-06

[Ham]

Hey Guys, I'm finally making it happen. I'm heading up in search of a LARGE brown trout. I plan on fishing 10-25-06 and depending on how things go maybe changing to smallmouth on other rivers or even Table Rock after that.

Is there much of a chance I'll find a tent camping spot there at the park next to the dam on Lake Norfork or should I consider another spot.

I plan on fly fishing with a six weight.

Does McClellands have a fly shop ?

How much of a ZOO is the Norfork tailwater going to be during the week ?

[ollie]

The few times I have been there during this time I have always seen the campground with extra area to spare. Now the people on the water are a different story. Pretty crowded from what I remembered, but we also fished a lot at night too. When they weren't running power I was fishing from the yak so I could venture out more. Make sure and hit the C&R area below the deep hole (can't think of the name of that hole). Have fun and let us know how it goes.

[Danoinark]

Ham

I was there Wed. Saw several good size browns being caught at the dam, but there has been some Lo DO so the fish may be stressed. Report back too if you smell sulpher. The water quality coming from the dam is anything but good. Water was a bit murky also. Good luck on your trip.

PS It appeared the standard patterns were working such as scuds and sowbugs along with thread midges.

[Ham]

I'm trying to catch up with some guys that I know that are there now.

If it is like fishing at Roaring river, I'll only be there Wednesday. If I catch severeal BIG browns Wednesday, I'll probably roam as well.

[Wayne SW/MO]

If it is like fishing at Roaring river

It will probably be stalk, one cast, and hope for the perfect drift.

[snagged in outlet 3]

Hey Ham.

I just got back from camping at Quarry Wed. - today. Plenty of room at the campground. Water stinks like Sulphur and has a weird color. We saw a lot of browns with multiple eels attached. No fly shop at McC's. Lots of people on the Norfork in general because they ran alot of water on the White.

We didn't fish the Norfork dam area (never do) and spent everyday at McC's till yesterday when we drove to Bull shoals Dam only to have them crank it up 40 minutes later. Saw John Berry, hi John.

Fishing is fair at best compared to the many years I've gone in the fall. Unless you like didimo, low DO, stinking water, eels, suckers, sediment from construction runoff, distressed fish and big crowds then you'll love it.

There are just a lot more people fishing and the water quality is terrible. Lots of suckers and they move around a lot. Easy to spot the big browns since they have those eels hanging off of them.

In my oppinion you are about 5 to 6 years late on your quest. Even when you hook the bigger fish they just don't fight that well. When the lake flips they should perk up but the overall water quality is horrible.

Sorry to be so negative but those are the facts. We are actually thinking of going somewhere else next year after many years at Mountain Home in the fall. Good luck, fight em fast, release em quick and report the outcome.

Snagged.

[Danoinark]

Snagged and others. Check out this thread on the forum, backing up what you said. We could use your and others help. Dano

http://ozarkanglers.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=3551

[Ham]

Wow that's a bummer. I might ought to consider the White River, but I've gotten a good scare there once before when I got caught by generation. Long story.

Hey Snagged I sure do appreciate the intell. I might plan a stop at Blue Ribbon on the way up for some flies and advice.

I'm all packed and ready to go. I think I'll be able to skip town around 1000 -1100. My truck knows the way.

Hmmm this might be the year I fish Taneycomo instead. When you say eels, I guess you mean lamprey (probably chestnut lamprey). I've only caught one fish with a lamprey attached in my life.

Do folks C & R lamprey ?

[Terry Beeson]

Do folks C & R lamprey ?

Yep... release them against a big rock on the bank...

[snagged in outlet 3]

Hey Dano.

Was that you sitting with another guy at the picnic table canopy at Norfork dam Wednesday right before they turned the water off? I walked right in front of you. We weren't fishing just chevcking everything out.

Ham. The didimo problem is on the White.

If anyone wants to know what those rivers used to look like, walk up Otter Creek and see the clean gravel in all it's golden glory. Minnows everywhere and crawfish. Then slide your way back into the Norfork and look at the sludge collecting everywhere there isn't silt.

The State of Arkansas should be ashamed to let this go this far. I'm sorry but it's the truth. And like I always say to Ruby "GO HAWGS"

Snagged.