Superbowl Sunday On The Norfork

[John Berry]

Neither my wife, Lori, or myself is a big foot ball fan. We figured that a lot of anglers would be heading for the nearest television set to watch the big game and we would have a bit of solitude. We loaded up my yellow lab, Ellie, and headed for the Ackerman access on the Norfork. It was overcast and threatening to rain, when it got there. The river was absolutely on the bottom and the temperature was in the mid fifties. As we walked up stream to the Catch and Release section, we passed four anglers walking out. We had the place to ourselves.

I waded far up to a favorite spot and was only able to catch one fifteen inch rainbow on a zebra midge. I walked back to where Lori was fishing and she told me that she had been whacking them on Dan's turkey tail emerger. I went over to a nearby run and observed several nice trout working a midge hatch. I quickly stripped off my strike indicator, lead and nymph and tied on a fresh five foot 6X tippet and a dan's turkey tail emerger. I worked my way through the run and picked up several trout in the process. my biggest problem was to keep Ellie away from my trout as I landed them. The action slowed on Dan's emerger and I switched to a Chuck's emerger. I was immediately back into the action.

I caught plenty of fish but I was ready for a bit more of a challenge. Besides the hatch was on the wane. I figured they might still be looking up. I tied on a size sixteen quick sight parachute adams and applied floatant. I cast it out where I had seen the most action during the hatch. it was so overcast I had trouble seeing the fly. I moved closer and shortened my line untill I could see the fly. On the third cast, I hooked a fat sixteen inch rainbow that gave me a good fight. I stood there and landed several fish on the Adams. Finally I had caught enough fish. I sat on the bank, lit my pipe and spent the rest of the afternoon watching Lori catch fish and playing with Ellie. It was the best superbowl ever!

[patfish]

John, everytime I read one of your reports all I can think is.......

"that lucky dog...."

both you and your pup.

Thanks for letting us live vicariously through you.

[Greg]

John - can I ask where the Ackerman access is? I've been to the norfork several times and the only 2 accesses I know of are up by the dam and the "handicap" access down below.

Sounds like a great day. I'm not a big football fan either but did go to a party - I'd rather have been fishing as well.

Thanks,

Greg

[John Berry]

Greg,

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has renamed the Handicap Access to honor Bill Ackerman, a former commissioner that has a place on the Norfork.

[Greg]

Thanks for the clarification. One other thing I'd like to ask: Do you ever wade up to the old McClennens area from the Ackerman/handicap access. I've received varying opinions about whether of not that is safe.

Thank in advance,

Greg

[John Berry]

I do not recommend it. If the water were to come up, it would be pretty tricky coming out. It is much safer to take a boat, canoe, or kick boat down from the Dam. If the water comes up you can just float out. Roses trout dock in Norfork will do a shuttle for you.

[Greg]

Sure wish the McClellen's access was still open. Thanks for the info John.

Greg