Father and Sons

A rare lull in generation provided an opportunity for a morning’s fishing on the North Fork River below Norfork Dam.  Having picked the boys up at camp near Branson a day earlier, we bivouacked in Mountain Home, and headed to Quarry Park on Saturday morning.  The boys were still recovering from their camp experiences, so an early day was not possible, even though I knew our best chances would be before 9 a.m.  Sometimes you make do.  Our first visit was to Dry Run Creek, for Hank, the youngest, to try his luck on this outstanding fishery.  Designed for children under 16 to learn to read water and entice trout to take a fly, the creek is a magical place.  We found the flow rate rather high, but determined to do our best, began to work a favorite pool that has produced consistently for years.  A variety of trout could be seen holding throughout the pool and the emptying run.  

 

 

 

We prepared Hank with a smallish Sow Bug and a strike indicator, and soon he was casting across the current and working the drift.  These are tight quarters, and on more than one occasion a leaf or limb was the victim of an errant cast.  Overall, he was able to make several good casts and execute a proper drift.  Cast, mend, drift, repeat.  These trout, holding in the current, barely sniffed at his fly, and several actually moved to avoid it as it drifted downstream!  We noticed a couple of larger fish working against the far bank, but neither seemed interested in our offerings.  Perhaps they’d been up early feeding, and we had not.

 It was already a hot day, though down by the creek it was not quite so bad.  We wanted to try the river, just across the parking lot from Dry Run, so Hank secured his gear and we headed back to the truck.  

On the North Fork River we found, as promised, that generation was non-existant, with only the minimum flow water coursing from the dam.  By now we were all in waders. Entering near the Quarry boat ramp, we began to trek downstream to find space to fish.  There were a number of folks on the river, but few were fly fishing.   Luke, fresh out of high school and headed to study engineering as a Razorback this fall, tied on an olive Wooly Bugger, and began to drift and strip it back, through the deeper run against the far bank that held the most current.  I chose to drift a Sow Bug in a bit shallower water, so as to gauge the location and appetite of the fish.   We both had some interest from a few fish, but the action was slow and the fish seemed sluggish, probably from the heat.  Hank stood nearby, and I had hopes of handing off the rod once a fish was on.  As is typical of middle schoolers, he soon lost interest in my casting, and, taking my wading staff, began to explore the shallows around the near bank.  Of course, once he was some distance away, a nice rainbow decided my Sow Bug was the chosen one, and I had a fish on!  After several nice runs, he came to the net, and Luke used the GoPro Hero to record the moment. 

 

 

By noon, the flow in the river had slowed, likely due to increasing generation on the White River just a few miles downstream, and we had miles to go - and a waiting mother hen who was ready to see her chicks after their week at camp.

It’s hard to have a bad day on the White River system, and today was no exception. A lack of fish was far overcome by father and son time, and the beauty and serenity of the North Fork.

New Tackle Store in the Memphis Area

Having heard about a new tackle store in Bartlett, here in the greater Memphis area, from our friend Larry Rea and others, my son and I decided we should go have a look.  David Best’s new store “Primary Tackle” is a treasure of warm water fishing gear and advice.  He features a wide selection of plastic worms, spinner baits, hooks and related terminal tackle, along with rods and reels.  Videos are playing with “how-to” advice on rigging your gear, and fishing tactics that work.   David took us into the back room where he has an aquarium set up to demonstrate the proper use, and resulting action, of various baits.  

Here’s Luke spending some of his hard-earned graduation money on a McCain Swamp Series, “The Beast” rod. 

Primary Tackle is offering fishing classes on Tuesday evenings, using their ample classroom space. These classes will help the beginner better prepare for their next trip, while more advanced anglers will learn new techniques to step up their game.

In an era of big box retailers, it is great to see a local store catering to local interests.  Please go by and meet David and his staff, and pick up something.  I promise it will not be your only visit to Primary Tackle!

Learn more at www.primarytackle.com

Tight Lines!

/TF

A Fly Rod of Your Own - Great Stories for Fly-fishers

I think I discovered Gierach about the time I discovered fly fishing.  I can’t claim to have read all his books, but certainly most of them.  I mean, who could resist the title “Trout Bum?”  When I saw that Gierach had a new book out, “A Fly Rod of Your Own” I immediately ordered a copy (and yes, in a fit of self indulgence I ordered an autographed copy.) 

I always feel like I’m just along for the ride when Gierach tells his stories.  His style makes you comfortable, and you just settle in as the story unfolds.

Many of the stories in this most recent book involve the north country and the primary mode of transportation there: bush planes.  For me, these locales increase the lure of the stories, as steelhead, char, and the like are foreign to my experience. I’ve never fished out of the continental US!  Not all of the stories are about exotic locales, however.  He writes about fishing a crawfish pattern in a local lake with the familiarity of a hockey player leveraging the sweet spot on the boards on his home ice.

Other stories range from fishing trips across the lower 48 to thoughts on guiding, choosing a fishing partner (or do they choose you?) and other musings on this pursuit that so many of us hold dear.  I’m afraid to go into too much detail for fear of spoiling a story, but here are a few examples.

In an almost autobiographical comment, Geirach says

“This river is like a favorite author who could write a book about knitting and we’d still read it . . . “ and of course, in spite of advice from experts to the contrary, they fish the river that day.

In discussing camp food, he wisely advocates for simplicity: “Like fly-fishing itself, the simplicity of it can easily be smothered under too much equipment and technique.”  Think about that for a minute or two.

One quote in particular stays with me “. . . the best advice you can give either a fisherman or a writer is: Don’t do what everyone else does.  Avoid cliches’."

 

Gierach gets it.  The “it" of why we travel and fish and talk about fly-fishing.  His writing is always engaging, and you will have to pace yourself in order not to miss the subtlety of his observations.  Don’t read this one all at once!  Get a copy for yourself, and a friend, your dad, even a random stranger.  

Tight Lines!

/TF

Spring Flooding in the Ozark Region

Here's my special report regarding the recent flooding on the White River system in southern Missouri and north Arkansas

http://www.southerntrout.com/blog/2017/5/5/breaking-news-prayers-for-the-ozarks

Fly Fishing the Little Missouri

Here's my article from the May 2017 Southern Trout "Ozark Edition" about a trip to the Little Missouri in SW Arkansas.  My article begins on Page 92

https://issuu.com/southerntrout/docs/southern_trout_ozark_edition_may_20

A Report from the Final Day of Sowbug Roundup 2017

 

I awoke on Saturday looking forward to a return trip to the Sowbug Roundup.  Yesterday’s activities had but whetted my appetite.  I wanted to meet Dave Whitlock, and also to see as many fly tyers as I could.  

Privileged to Meet Dave Whitlock!

Mr. Whitlock was great.  He signed a book for me “Trout and Their Food” and spent several minutes talking about common interests, ranging from the natural fellowship of fly fishers to warm water fishing to our shared love for writing.  What a gentlemen, and such a legend in our sport!

My first fly tyer of the day was Jamie Franklin, from North Louisiana Flyfishers.  tjfranklin301@yahoo.com We discussed his home state and the waters that his group has to travel to in order to fish, including one of my favorites, the Little Missouri.  Keeping with the Louisiana flavor, I then talked to Harry at the Boyd Rod Company, just some awesome bamboo rods made in Louisiana . . . I had to know the angle there.  Turns out, Harry was introduced to fly fishing at Roaring River State Park in Missouri as a 10 year old.  Like many of us, it turned out his addiction was serious and would only worsen with time, to the point that he now has devoted his career to rod building (with a little fishing thrown in).  Should you want a gorgeous, hand crafted bamboo rod, check out www.canerods.com You will feel like Isaak Walton! 

Grant Adkins from Wichita Falls, Texas had great stories of a long career in fishing and tying, as well as his career with RCA that took him around the country, including a stint in my home area of Memphis, Tennessee.  Grant tied a pink attractor pattern for me, and I’m eager to see how it performs on the water.  He reports that he’s now retired - but operates a cattle ranch which “keeps him busy.”  I bet!  He travels to Southeastern Oklahoma to fish as that’s the closest cold water fishery for him.

Allan Fish from Indiana tied an Elk Hair pattern for me, while we discussed some of our favorite waters and techniques.  He travels to SowBug regularly to keep up with old friends and make new ones - a testament to the camaraderie we enjoy in our sport.  Reach Allan at afiish@sbcglobal.net to learn about his fly tying, rod making, and rod repair services.

Yes, I bought a few things.  Product reviews coming soon!  I also contributed to the event via the purchase of raffle tickets, but I was not burdened with any prizes to carry home.

A few items I "needed" - of course every outdoor writer needs another journal!

Sowbug is a great time.  One of my favorite things is the “free” table - where North Arkansas FlyFishers members bring items they no longer need - to give away!  I was able to pick up a pair of waders that will fit my 11 year old, and saw others making similar finds.  Start your planning today to make the 21st annual Sowbug Roundup in 2018.  www.SowbugRoundup.org

2017 Sowbug Roundup "Roundup" Day Two

Today was the second day of the 2017 SowBug Roundup here in Mountain Home, Arkansas.  www.sowbugroundup.org.  I arrived about 1pm, with my cousin and novice fly fisherman Jim Fleming in tow.  The event, set up in a large building on the Baxter County fairgrounds, held true to its roots by featuring literally dozens of outstanding fly tyers showing their skills.  A highlight for me was Mark Crawford’s presentation on fishing the Spring River.  A local boy and self described hillbilly, Mark is a 14 year veteran of fly fishing the Spring.  He offered great insights into the types of fish in the river, flies and techniques for catching them, and discussed the potential for active management to transform the Spring into a world class trout fishery. springriverfliesandguides.com  

 

I was also privileged to visit with a White River legend, John Berry, of Berry Brother’s Guide Service.  www.berrybrothersguides.com John also manages Dale Fulton’s Blue Ribbon Fly Shop.  Mr. Crause, also with Berry Brothers,  tied me a gorgeous sow bug, and Minnesotan (how did he even find Mountain Home?) Scott Nordby flychucker.blogspot.com tied an intriguing red “Sunny Chumb” for me.  I visited with Tom Hoskins of  HoskinsNets.com who offers beautiful hand made nets in a variety of woods, shapes, and sizes.  

The event is so well organized, there are drawings and silent auctions, seminars, and of course, continual fly tying demonstrations.  Sowbug Roundup runs one more day, from 9-5, and tomorrow I’m looking forward to meeting Dave Whitlock, seeing more flies tied, and attending at least a couple of seminars.  There’s still time to get here!