Moving to NW Arkansas

[Obi Wan]

I'm retiring from the USAF in June and moving to NW Arkansas.  Hoping to fish on Table Rock quite a bit.  Is the fishing good around Eureka Springs/Holiday Island?  Should I travel up to Shell Knob and put in?  LM Bass, SM Bass, and Crappie are what I will be fishing for.  Any good resources you can point me to?  Locations of good boat ramps, etc... Thanks.

[Phil Lilley]

Welcome to OAF.  You will find very helpful fishing information for your area because there are some guys and gals here on the forum who live in your area and fish... a lot!  And they share good information too.

But I would say be patient...  Read what's posted in the next few weeks and months.  You'll get a very good idea where to fish and how to fish.  Of course the patterns will change many times between now and June.

You might go back and look at the past years in June and July.  You'll get a good idea what to expect.  There is a wealth of info here...  hope you enjoy your retirement.  And thank you for your service.

[dblades]

Moved back to SW MO in '93 after retiring from the AF. Look me up when you get here we'll trade war stories.

[Royal Blue]

Thanks for your service!  None of us can really say it any better than Phil did, but you're more than welcome to look me up when you get to the area.  I might even share a couple of good spots with you!

[cheesemaster]

I cant add anything to what Phil has posted. But if you would like to see what the Cape Fair area is like - I would be happy to spend a trip with you. We could take my boat if you want.

Ps - Thank you for your service!!!!

[MoCarp]

I saw a bit about how more military retire to the greater Ozarks area than anywhere in the US....if anyone has seen the "map" they will understand 

,<--lives in a survival node town 

 

Oh yeah..welcome to the Ozarks! and wading/floating a creek on a hot summer day fishing for smallmouths and rock bass is something you might enjoy

 

[Quillback]

Welcome to NWA, lots of fishing in the area, you can stay pretty busy fishing if that is what you are looking to do.  Might want to get some Hot Spot maps of Table Rock and Beaver, they show the ramps, contour lines, structure, and give some advice on spots to fish.  The maps helped me a lot starting out here.  

[Sore Thumbs]

Welcome! Just a heads up. There are no good fishing spots around Holiday Island.😜 Hit me up some time. Be glad to show you around. As stated above. Year round fishing here. There is even a heated lake if you feel like practicing summertime techniques in the middle of winter. Good Luck!

[Obi Wan]

Thanks everybody for the replies.  I appreciate the hospitality.  I grew up in NE/NC Arkansas. I grew up fishing Norfork, but none of the other lakes.  I'm looking forward to hitting some local rivers/streams and fishing Table Rock for the first time.  I will definitely look you guys up and I'll get some Hot Spot maps.