Short trip to the White

[Terry Beeson]

Drove down to Mountain Home Friday afternoon for a bit of grandbaby spoiling, but Poppa did manage to get in a few hours on the water Saturday.

Started with a couple of hours below BSD. Started casting streamers (yes, the infamous olive pine squirrel sculpin) and brought a nice 15 incher to hand on the second cast. But the fishing was not that hot. I managed to take four from 14-16 inches before getting hot, tired, hungry, and thirsty enough to take a break and move downstream.

Stopped in at Mountain River Fly Shop before heading to Rim Shoals. I asked Gary if he had alread let our Ozzy friend Steve have a day off and he laughed and told me he was on a guide trip. When I got to Rim, I knew where he was guiding. I picked up a few as I made my way down to the shoals. A few fishermen were there, but they started coming out right after I started. I swear I took a shower that morning, but then I had sweated a lot at the dam... but no chili dogs!!

Anyway, I had the shoals pretty much to myself, and had spied what I took to be a nice 20 plus inch Brown by a log moving into the current to feed. I started casting to him and he short struck me several times.

About half hour later, Steve and his clients came walking out and he stopped to visit a bit. Right after they got up to the parking lot, the fish made a good take! But he turned out to be only 17 1/2 inches long... Nothin' to sneeze at, but not the big boy I thought he was.

At that, with some rumbling in the clouds and in my stomach, I decided to call it a day (only one left in the water at Rim...) and went back to my MIL's to grill some ribeyes for Granny, Nanna, Poppa, Auntie, Mommy, and Daddy...

The catch of the day was this fine beautiful 19 1/2 incher... She's a KEEPER for sure!!! (Note, I did not hold her at arm's length... ... Well, until she dirtied her diaper... )

[Robert R.]

Hey Terry - That is one good lookin keeper for sure!!! I would'nt be holdin her out at arms length - keep her tucked right up against your chest where she belongs.

Wish I would have known you were going to be in MH. I rolled in late Friday night and spent the night in my truck at the Rim Shoals. Did'nt sleep much with the anticipation of fishing, but it turned out to be just that - "anticipation". Generation made Rim unfishable Saturday morning. Good reports all week, I drive 300+ miles to fish and they run water - nothin unusual about that.

On a brighter note, went to the Mountain River Flyshop and got to meet Steve and his wife and see Jim. Was great to meet those guys and always nice to be able to put a face with a name.

Ended up going to the Norfork, but only fished a couple hours. Only caught 3 fish - place was packed.

Headed back to the Little Red and was fishing again by lunch time. I fished the Little Red Friday on my way up and had great fishing. In apprximately 5 hours of fishing (Friday and Saturday) on the Little Red I put 50+ fish to hand. Nothing big, but mission accomplished. Spent some time in God's country and with my favorite therapist (Mr. Trout) and got my mind right so I could come back to this flatland in anticipation of a nother trip North.

Sure wish I would have got to fish Rim though. My favorite place in the world to wet a fly. Maybe next time.

[Steve Dally]

Hey Robert, good to meet you, as you say great to put faces to names.

Saw your truck at Norfork, slow fishing then went to rim after lucnh nd got into some fish. They didn't run Bull until 3pm so got in a nice day of fishing.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news LOL

See you again and see if my water predictions are are better lol

Cheers

[Robert R.]

Hey Steve -

Saw you and gave you a wave on my way off the water at the Norfork. Wanted to come speak to you and see how you guys were doin, but I saw you were busy with clients and did't want to interfere.

Glad you guys had some good fishing at Rim. I have to live vicariously through you guys for about 350 days out of the year, so I am always glad to hear about good days on the River. Turned out to be a gorgeous day and I made due at the Little Red.

I would have stuck around there, but was not looking forward to another night in the truck - was a bit warmish (I must be gettin old).

Defenitely look for you on my next trip. Enjoyed meeting you guys - you have a first class shop. Appreciate all you do.

Good Fishin!

Rob

[Kansas Fly Fisher]

Good lookin keeper there Terry! I agree with arms length and "code browns" (dirty diapers)! That's what memaws and moms are for!

Also, I would be remise if I didn't mention something to you. This is coming from a medical professional - SUN SCREEN!

Take care of that baby poppa!

John