First time down the Norfork Tailwater + 5 bonus miles down the White

[Ik314]

I have managed to fully convert my good friend over from fishing rookie  to seasoned fisherman dude status.  He finally made it officially official by purchasing his own kayak.  Found a good deal on a used Old Town sit on top kayak that was conveniently located in Norfork, which gave us the perfect excuse to check out some new water!!!!

Floated the 4.5 mile stretch of the Norfork tailwater between Norfork Lake and the confluence with the White River, and then an additional 5 miles down the White.  

The Norfork tailwater is super fishy, and has some impressive drop offs and riffles.  A little more sketchy than I expected in a few places.  Tons of nice fish.  

The White River almost felt like floating down the Mississippi River to me!!! lol BIG water, tons of debris, kinda murky, not easy fishing.  Have to pick your spots wisely, and be ready to lose some lures!  caught a few small rainbows trolling the main channel, which was fun to do from the kayak.  Also caught one really nice big wild rainbow in the picture perfect spot, just behind  a snagged tree that was hung up in the middle of the river in deep fast water - right where he was supposed to be. We were far down river on the White, so I assume this is a section that prob doesn’t have as many browns this time of year, and also has more water than other sections thanks to the additional water from the Buffalo & Norfork .  

Didn’t get a big brown, or a brook trout (although my buddy Josh did, props to him), lost a big cutthroat, maybe caught a few cutbows, caught some really quality rainbows.  Had an interesting mix of stockers and wild stream bred fish.  I was very impressed with the fight from these fish, they’re clearly very strong from fighting that heavy flow all the time! Very fun to see some new water.  

The White isn’t easy fishing , but you feel like you have the chance at a monster at any time!!!  Definitely going back, can’t wait to see higher up river on the White

ok, most importantly, the pics….

[BilletHead]

55 minutes ago, Ik314 said:

I have managed to fully convert my good friend over from fishing rookie  to seasoned fisherman dude status.  He finally made it officially official by purchasing his own kayak.  Found a good deal on a used Old Town sit on top kayak that was conveniently located in Norfork, which gave us the perfect excuse to check out some new water!!!!

Floated the 4.5 mile stretch of the Norfork tailwater between Norfork Lake and the confluence with the White River, and then an additional 5 miles down the White.  

The Norfork tailwater is super fishy, and has some impressive drop offs and riffles.  A little more sketchy than I expected in a few places.  Tons of nice fish.  

The White River almost felt like floating down the Mississippi River to me!!! lol BIG water, tons of debris, kinda murky, not easy fishing.  Have to pick your spots wisely, and be ready to lose some lures!  caught a few small rainbows trolling the main channel, which was fun to do from the kayak.  Also caught one really nice big wild rainbow in the picture perfect spot, just behind  a snagged tree that was hung up in the middle of the river in deep fast water - right where he was supposed to be. We were far down river on the White, so I assume this is a section that prob doesn’t have as many browns this time of year, and also has more water than other sections thanks to the additional water from the Buffalo & Norfork .  

Didn’t get a big brown, or a brook trout (although my buddy Josh did, props to him), lost a big cutthroat, maybe caught a few cutbows, caught some really quality rainbows.  Had an interesting mix of stockers and wild stream bred fish.  I was very impressed with the fight from these fish, they’re clearly very strong from fighting that heavy flow all the time! Very fun to see some new water.  

The White isn’t easy fishing , but you feel like you have the chance at a monster at any time!!!  Definitely going back, can’t wait to see higher up river on the White

ok, most importantly, the pics….

Great synopsis and great pictures thanks for sharing the trip.

[Quillback]

Great pics, some really nice looking fish!

[Phil Lilley]

Thanks for the report!!!

[Hawg]

Nice job. Can you give details of put in and take out? I want to do that run..

 

[Ik314]

7 hours ago, Hawg said:

Nice job. Can you give details of put in and take out? I want to do that run..

 

Thanks!! I sent you a message with info!!! 

[bryanrob]

Also thinking of doing this run, can you elaborate on the sketcky parts of the Norfork? Were they running 2 units? 

thanks,