Norfork @ Quarry Park 3-8-15

[Ham]

The Zig Jig is a very under rated cool water Smallie jig. They are considering offering the Zig Jig with a heavier hook. This will make it and even better smallmouth offering.

[Smallieguy87]

The Zig Jig is a very under rated cool water Smallie jig. They are considering offering the Zig Jig with a heavier hook. This will make it and even better smallmouth offering.

they look good especially the olive/brown, ginger, and chartreuse white. I seen they had some rods on their shop as well.

[Ham]

The Crossfire really throws the jigs well. It is a light Rod not a UL. I've caught some real nice fish on it. A Second generation Crossfire Rod is in the works. They are working to shave a little weight off of it with a crisper blank as well.

The Brown/ Orange , Triple Olive, Olive/orange, and Olive/ginger have been my best smallie colors. I've never tried the Chart/White.

You may already have a perfect Rod for the Zig Jig. I can say with the utmost confidence that you won't go wrong buying some Zig jigs.

[Fishingmill]

If you have a smart phone AND you haven't done so already, search for an the Corp of Engineers app (look under Little Rock District). You'll need to play with it a little after you get it installed BUT, it will give you "real time" = 2 hour delay generation information and a projection generation for the next day if you'll look in the late afternoon.

The projected information is subject to change but it is your best guess at what is happening the next day. The generation patterns are spotty at best. It varies widely based on rainfall / lake level and energy needs.

Short answer is most likely YES. They are showing brief periods of heavy generation. Bear in mind it only takes about 90 minutes for water to reach the confluence from the QP dam once generation starts, but the water drops out quiickly as well. there are wading oppurtunites at QP and at Akerman access. I think the water coming down the Buffalo and CC have the lower White off colored which would not be my first choice.

Keep in mind, that Two Rivers fly shops rent canoes and will shuttle you if you have your own boat. This is a great way to work your way down the river at minimum flow using the baoat asa water taxi. ALWAYS KEEP AN EYE ON WATER LEVEL CHANGES. Don't get too far from the boat.

Thanks Ham. I have been watching the generation patterns. I'm used to fishing Taneycomo, so I understand fishing tailwaters. Seems like they've been running water heavy for an hour or two in the morning. I'm really just not used to how the releases relate to wadeable water on the Norfork.

[Ham]

No problem man. You can wade at minimum flow, but if they generate, you can nibble at the edges in some places, but I wouldn't think it is worth your time from the few spots available from land. IF you are wading near the dam and they blow the horn, GET OUT. Do not pass go, do not collect $200. Get out of thwe water.

The lower Buffalo is off the table. You should also consider fishing at Rim Shoals or Wildcat or the Narrows if they are running minimum flow on the White.

[Fishingmill]

Got it. Thanks for the info. Safety first. I'll try to remember to post an update when I get back.

[Phil Landry]

I guided on the norfork yesterday and fished it today with a buddy. Yesterday was lights out silly, today was tougher with high pressure and crystal clear water. midges, midges and more midges. I hooked one of the brood stock rainbows they released several weeks ago, saw backing, and after 5 minutes, got busted off. His back was as wide as a cataract oar blade. He did tarpon like tail walks at 80 feet out running away from me... Rattled me for the rest of the day.

[snagged in outlet 3]

If you have a smart phone AND you haven't done so already, search for an the Corp of Engineers app (look under Little Rock District). You'll need to play with it a little after you get it installed BUT, it will give you "real time" = 2 hour delay generation information and a projection generation for the next day if you'll look in the late afternoon.

The projected information is subject to change but it is your best guess at what is happening the next day. The generation patterns are spotty at best. It varies widely based on rainfall / lake level and energy needs.

Short answer is most likely YES. They are showing brief periods of heavy generation. Bear in mind it only takes about 90 minutes for water to reach the confluence from the QP dam once generation starts, but the water drops out quiickly as well. there are wading oppurtunites at QP and at Akerman access. I think the water coming down the Buffalo and CC have the lower White off colored which would not be my first choice.

Keep in mind, that Two Rivers fly shops rent canoes and will shuttle you if you have your own boat. This is a great way to work your way down the river at minimum flow using the baoat asa water taxi. ALWAYS KEEP AN EYE ON WATER LEVEL CHANGES. Don't get too far from the boat.

Two rivers does not have any canoes that are safe to rent.

That was Thanksgiving weekend so maybe they bought some new ones.

They had 3 yaks though.

Pete