Spring break has started around the area, with folks coming from various state zip codes.  The wind has been howling up, down, and all around the rivers giving the first indicators of Spring, but the cold morning air still has a brisk Winter feel.

Midweek gave up so warm afternoon temps and brought in some much-anticipated low water on the Norfork.  Unfortunately, we did have some heavy rains in the area on Friday and a brief cool down that brought back some higher flows on the Fork. 

The North Arkansas Fly Fishers annual Sow Bug Roundup is back on for 2022 this coming week so hopefully if the rains hold off, we will see more low water in our future. 

Andrew was able to get the big fish again on Monday when we were back out on the White for a half day.

It was a slow bite in the morning.  All the normal go to flies were still producing but at a significantly lower pace. 

Cloud cover and wind brought nothing but smaller rainbows to the boat as a whole. 

San Juan worms and Eggs with copper john droppers seemed to do the trick. 

Tuesday was another half day after the rain moved out with Mega worms in chartreuse and black being the staple patterns working in the soft water.

Thursday brought the much-anticipated low water on the Norfork. 

Wade fisherman from around the area were out casting midges and stripping crackle backs, small woollies, and various other patterns with huge success. 

I had Tom and Dwight out for a float down the river in the drift boat and landed just under 80 fish with several nice rainbows to add to the excitement.

Flies that produced best from the boat were white and chartreuse mega worms, yellow eggs, apricot supreme baby eggs.  

Saturday Jeremy and I were back out on the White due to the increased generation back on the Norfork in the early morning hours.  

Fishing was spotty again to say the least.  Larger fish tended to stay with the trend of white shad patterns deep and mega worms in the soft water much like the start of the week on the upper stretch of river.

Down river San Juan worms, Mega worms, and ruby midge droppers are still picking up a few fish. 

Next week we have rain in the forecast for the beginning of the week so low flows on the Fork will more than likely be subject to the amount of rainfall we acquire.

Spring break has started around the area, with folks coming from various state zip codes.  The wind has been howling up, down, and all around the rivers giving the first indicators of Spring, but the cold morning air still has a brisk Winter feel.

Midweek gave up some warm afternoon temps and brought in some much-anticipated low water on the Norfork.  Unfortunately, we did have some heavy rains in the area on Friday and a brief cool down that brought back some higher flows on the Fork.

The North Arkansas Fly Fishers annual Sow Bug Roundup is back on for 2022 this coming week so hopefully if the rains hold off, we will see more low water in our future.

Sunday, I had Andrew out on his last spring break before he heads off to college. 

Dragging white shad patterns on the bottom has been the most productive for larger fish whether it is rainbows or browns.

Dwight was able to let me get in on the fun with not the biggest brown but when his reel fell off mid-fight made for a landing that we will not soon forget.

Andrew was able to get the big fish again on Monday when we were back out on the White for a half day.

It was a slow bite in the morning.  All the normal go to flies were still producing but at a significantly lower pace. 

Cloud cover and wind brought nothing but smaller rainbows to the boat as a whole. 

San Juan worms and Eggs with copper john droppers seemed to do the trick. 

Tuesday was another half day after the rain moved out with Mega worms in chartreuse and black being the staple patterns working in the soft water.

Wednesday Jeremy and I headed to Dry Run Creek with a great family from Kansas that came to the area to do something a little different for this years spring break. 

They didn’t exactly have fly fishing for trout on their agenda but after a brief stop in the fly shop they decided it needed to be.  

Three boys ranging in age from 11 to 15 learned not only how to effectively cast a fly rod but also be able to land several in a few short hours.  

Flies that worked throughout the creek included midges, yellow eggs, and white mega worms.

Thursday brought the much-anticipated low water on the Norfork. 

Wade fisherman from around the area were out casting midges and stripping crackle backs, small woollies, and various other patterns with huge success. 

I had Tom and Dwight out for a float down the river in the drift boat and landed just under 80 fish with several nice rainbows to add to the excitement.

Flies that produced best from the boat were white and chartreuse mega worms, yellow eggs, apricot supreme baby eggs.  

Saturday Jeremy and I were back out on the White due to the increased generation back on the Norfork in the early morning hours.  

Fishing was spotty again to say the least.  Larger fish tended to stay with the trend of white shad patterns deep and mega worms in the soft water much like the start of the week on the upper stretch of river.

Down river San Juan worms, Mega worms, and ruby midge droppers are still picking up a few fish. 

Next week we have rain in the forecast for the beginning of the week so low flows on the Fork will more than likely be subject to the amount of rainfall we acquire.