Generation Schedule? We don't need no stinking schedule!

Hello all:

When I say it’s been a while, it’s been a long while for fly fishing.  I bet it’s been 3-4 months.  I have started a new career, and I’ve been busy.  It also seems that the generation schedule hasn’t been the most productive for wading until about a week ago I noticed they shifted a little to the afternoon.  I HATE this issue.  It runs off the tourism in a state that NEEDS it.  SWPA must go to a MIN FLOW, and change schedules to facilitate more tourism to this great state - I’m rather disappointed.

 

There is more to this story.  I had the opportunity to take last Friday off, so I decided to get reacquainted with the ole fly rod.  I did a little research, and the flow wasn’t supposed to start until 10:00am (FIGURE 1).  SUPER!  I can fish Cow Shoals 1-1.5 hours downstream and extend it to 11:00-11:30am.  It should give me a good 4-5 hours of fishing.  PERFECT.  I set the alarm clock and decided to press. 

I woke at 5:45am and loaded the truck.  I actually remembered all of the items…Rod, guide pack/net, waders, and wading shoes.  Superb…It’s slightly overcast and cool.  I figure a little fog, wind will eventually blow it off, and some darker flies.  Backing out the drive…Forgot my favorite hat…My ACU pattern Arkansas Razorback hat. Yet to be skunked with that hat on, haven’t washed it since I bought it, and it smells….RIPE!  Anyway, I couldn’t stand to wear it for my hour long drive.  It sat in the back floorboard – Hehehehe!

I got slightly past Guy, and the bottom falls out.  I failed to check the weather.  It’s been sunny and no rain for almost 3 weeks.  At Quitman, a lightning storm is flaming off, and I see flashes as far as I can see.  I am now debating going back to work!  As I get to Heber Springs, it’s lightening up, and I see the edge of the storm that should be overhead in less than an hour.  As I pull up to Cow Shoals, I see three other vehicles – PERFECT.  All of the participants are hanging out awaiting the storm to pass.  As I get out, two guys are finishing rigging their rods with their VW Tiguan.  I see four rods - Interesting. I chat a bit with them as I am rigging and dressing out.  Then two cute girls hop out of the back seat of the VW.  It’s awesome for these guys to have girls like this – Fly Fisherwomen! 

Anyway, I’m on the river by 7:00am, it’s foggy, and cools.  It’s OK, because my Maui Jims are cutting through a lot of the fog.  I notice the two couples have camped out about mid-stream at the bottom of the stairs - Typical for first timers and great spot during the spawn.  I fish these areas sometimes, but they aren’t super lucrative this time of year.  I head to my…uh…fishing area, and no one is there.  I do notice that the water is still about a foot high, so I can’t fish with my wading pants…First failure!  It’s still waist deep there, and I don’t like getting water down my pants.  So, I’m not in my normal spot.

After an hour of fishing the fog starts lifting, and I have had only 15 or so light bites with a couple of fish in.  I changed flies to my normal configuration of Copper John and dropper of a San Juan worm (non-squirmy) and start catching fish.  It’s good, but man, they are laying on some light bites.  I’m 2.5 hours into fishing, and I hear what sounds like the riffles picking up speed.  What?  It’s only 9:30am. 

 

This means they would have had to turn on the damn at about 8:00am - Can’t be.  I forgot my water height marker (plastic bottom I put ¼ full of water), so I pick out two rocks just upstream.  I catch another fish, and I notice that the water is moving much faster than it used to.  I figure I ate some bad mushrooms last night.  The generation schedule is for 10:00am.  A couple more casts, and the river is distinctly moving faster in areas that were not having current.  I look upstream, and the rocks are GONE!  Uh oh!  I debate to hop out at some docks right where I am.  I will have to go above waste since there are a couple of holes that are that deep to get to them.  I decided to chance going up stream to the walk out.  BAD MOVE!  I am RUNNING on the rocks that remain.  I crossed just South of the shoals, and the second crossing is getting some serious CFM.  I get half way across, and the current sweeps my feet out from underneath me.  I get to swim a few seconds…Now, hopping out at the docks looks like a great idea.  I regain my composure and footing, and I finally get across by taking steps down stream to make it across.  This is DANGEROUS.  I finally get to where there is a rock bank, and it’s just fast moving shin height.  I press to the bank and there is a small trail made by people caught like I was.  I make it to an area where I have to jump into waste deep stagnant water that leads to the let out or get to the fast moving water.  I choose the stagnant, and I slowly wade to the get out point.  A couple of other fishermen are coming out with me.  We all check our clocks on our phones.  Yep, they screwed the pooch and started generating early.

 

Luckily, it was only one generator, and I could have pressed up stream with a little aid of the bank.  Even luckier was my 11 year old decided to pass on fishing this day.  This would have taken him down stream and been a HUGE issue.  Since I get cell phone coverage at the landing, I’ll start calling the number and getting an update.  I unfortunately don’t get cell reception on the river where I fish.  So, this doesn’t help me.  My biggest concern is this – Why are they changing the schedule for generation that comes out around 3:00pm the day prior?  Did something change over the past 14-16 hours that made them change it.  Could they not have foreseen this on Thursday pm and actually posted this with the schedule?  How about update the schedule that I checked before I went on the river to make sure.  It’s a multi-media world…Let’s treat it like it. 

I’ve been on the river many times when SWPA busts their schedule, and the people I met earlier come off the river white faced and scared.  Luckily, I’ve never been caught but once, and I got off quickly.  Many go to the island about 1.5 miles upstream, and I met a guy that actually had to float and swim back down with water filled waders.  This is dangerous, and I think I’m going to take this up with SWPA first, The Corps of Engineers second, and Senator Tommy Cotton if I don’t like their responses to my questions.  I just don’t like the fact SWPA creates a schedule and don’t live by it!  Someone is going to get killed, and I think this is hugely irresponsible for a major corporation.  We also lost fans in the means of two couples from Tennessee.  They said they would never go to Cow Shoals, again.  This is a HUGE issue, Arkansas.  Oh, be careful out there fly fishermen, and don't believe anything posted by SWPA!

 

RobF

Arkansas Fly Fishing

Father and Son Time!

Hello All!

It’s been a while.  I’ve had to transition from the USAF to the civilian sector, landed a job, and I’m not sure I’m done job hunting just yet.  Seems working over 50 hours a week is more than just the military.  Working for a defense contractor is like working for the military.  Hope things will level out soon.  Anyway, the rain has come, and come, and COME this year.  They have run, and run, and RUN the generators every day for almost three months.  I’m bored and heading for the long drive up to the Norfolk River soon to get reacquainted with my rod.  Man, it’s been too long. 

However, I happen to have a magic moment with a very influential person in my life back before the rain.  That person was my Dad.  He has NEVER fly fished before, and he was definitely a…uh…fish out of water.  However, he got to it.  The first night he was here, I sat him down and got him to make some simple flies – San Juan Worm and Red Zebra Midges.  He flat had a ball tying those things, and he said that he understood why I did it - Therapeutic.  He actually stayed up after I went to bed and made about 10-15 more.  AWESOME stuff folks.  The next day, I took him into the front yard to do the casting drills I learned with, my kids learned with, and now my Dad learned with.  Within about an hour, he could cast 35-40’ with little to no effort.  Then, I started grabbing the yarn at the end of the cast and demoing how to set the hook.  After about another 30 minutes, he had that down.  We were set to fish on the morning of day 3.

The morning started just like any other day with me going fishing or hunting with Dad…Dad is SLOW.  Had to prod the old man about every 5 minutes to get going.  We can’t start fishing LATE.  Anyway, we were on the water about 0700 hours (7 AM for normal folks).  We hit the Little Red River at Cow Shoals, Arkansas.  One of my favorite places to fish.  I picked the super shallow riffles at the entrance from the stairs to get him concentrating on the cast.  Yep, it was so exciting for him that he was chucking the thing like we NEVER practiced the day prior.  Anyway, I finally got him to settle down and he started casting about 10-15’ without issue.  I told him to keep on working that distance for now.  He had about 9-10 takes, but was SLOW in setting the hook and when he did, he set it like he was trying to set a 32” Cobia in Pensacola with me deep sea fishing – Yep miss that too.  After the 4th time, I had to seriously council him on the fact he was probably tearing the jaws off the poor fish. 

 

I finally started fishing and caught 8-10 fish.  My Dad continued to struggle with setting the hook.  I decided to take him to the HOLE where there are more fish and generally they STRIKE to get fist shot at the food.  It took about 10-15 minutes for my Dad to settle in, and the fish to start striking.  The first two or three took him by surprise that he was clumsy and lost them.  The third…Well here it is!  This was my Dad’s first Rainbow trout on the fly, and he was whooping so much….I think everyone on the river knew he caught one.  He caught a couple more, and he is now SOLD on fly fishing.  All he talked about on the way home was the PEACE, the calm, and the absolute weirdness of the rod twitching so much and the pull of such a small fish like a trout. 

It was a beautiful day with a beautiful person.  It is days like these that I hope to remember the rest of our lives.  Awesome father and son time.  We are now planning to meet in Gatlinburg, TN and hitting some rivers from there to Chattanooga.  Should be a heck of a time and fun meeting new fly shop owners and people in the river.  There is nothing quite as fun as fly fishing.

Tight lines!

RobF

Arkansas Fly Fishing

Buying Into Fly Fishing

 

What is Fly Fishing?  It definitely isn't a mysterious sport even though some people act like it is.  It's not a rich man sport even though some people act like it is.  It's origin is documented back to 200 AD in Macedonia, but it's supposed to predate this date by 200 years in Europe.  Things didn't really progress until the late 1800s and then really changed in the 1900s, but that is a complete other story.  I would love to go back in time and meet some of the original fly fishing pioneers and watch them learn and trouble shoot the beginning.  I bet it was entertaining, and I look at these guys as trailblazers and geniuses in their time.  Anyway, I find fly fishing more enjoyable than any other fishing (Bass fishing $40K Skeeter, Deep Sea fishing $60K Hydra Sport, and even Blue Gill, Crappie, and Perch Pond Fishing homemade row boat), and all it takes is catching one trout on that twitchy fly rod - HOOKED - Just ask my Dad!  The other great benefits are it's quick, simple and easy when you get down to it.  Now, you definitely need to have a river with some preferable target fish – For me…It’s TROUT!

If you just got finished watching “A River Runs Through It”, then you are ready!  Right?!?!?  That was the best movie EVER for fly fishing.  If not, watch something on YouTube like this Rolf Nylinder.  It's a Vimeo movie, so it won't pull in like a YouTube video.  There are many more videos by these Swedish Fly Fishers, and I have even watched their movie "Only The River Knows" about Lars Lenth.  It makes you want to go take a 30 or 60 day visit to New Zealand.  It's a $10 download, and it's actually pretty decent considering it's a low budget foreign film.  Not quite the shots from "A River Runs Through It," but it's a relative movie for any fisherman.

I have been asked many, many times on how to get into fly fishing without breaking the bank.  So, I decided to post a little ditty that will help new people get into the sport without spending a fortune.   #1, it’s almost impossible to get into any sport without spending money – Let’s face it, it’s impossible.   So the best thing to do is go to the local fly shop, ask them to deck you out with the top of the line items, and then go enjoy yourself, right?  Heck no...That is probably the WORST idea.  Don’t get me wrong, I did support my local fly shop until I found out the owner was not a good individual – But, that is another story.  Back to the buying thing…

First, you have to get used to buying things on E-Bay and forums.  E-Bay can introduction you to some crappy people selling junk, but there also are many legitimate companies selling, going out of business, selling demo models, or getting rid of trade-ins.  There are tons of solid God fearing people that are selling for the season.  I used to think this was just people in strong financial dire straits trading one season for the next.  You know those types…They buy a gun during deer season, sell/trade it and get a fishing rod, sell/trade that for a surfboard, sell/trade that for a pistol for IDPA, sell/trade that for a deer rifle.  Crazy is as crazy does…or is it?

I can understand why some of these guys do this.  If you keep selling the still relevant last year’s model for good money and replacing with brand new, it’s a win-win.  You always keep the best piece of equipment, and you are in it for a better song than keeping a rod for 10 years, having it fall apart on the river, and then buying a $700 current rod.  OUCH!  Faulting thinking for me…First, I’m not made of money.  Second and third, I have a wife and twin boys, so doing the prescribed buying and selling won't happen this century.  Luckily, there are good ways to get into this sport at a reasonable price.  What do you truly need:  A Fly Rod and Reel (with backing, fly line, and leaders& tippet), Flies, and some sort of Waders and Boots unless you love fishing in shorts and getting soaked.  Don’t laugh…I have a friend that does this!  That’s is truly all you need!  However, you will learn that some things make your life easier.  You will find a good rod, really good fly line will go a long way in helping you cast a fly rod.  Also, I spare no expense on the leader and tippet aspect.  This is the business end of the entire thing.  So, I spare the $700 rod and put more money into the fly line ($80-$100), leaders (Rio or better) and Fluorocarbon tippet ($12-$15).  Final point - learn to tie some really good knots.  I learned from a guide in Colorado to take some material and practice while watching TV at night...Simple, easy, and if you can tie knots with something distracting, then you can handle standing in swift moving water and tying with a pack slung around your waste and trying to support a rod.  Fun, Aye!

Let’s go cheapest to most expensive.  Ok, how about a fishing net?  The net…It puts the fish in the basket.  If you are fishing on small streams with tiny fish (12” or less), I would never carry one; just pick them up with your hand.  If you are on rivers where there are monster 25"+ fish, I would never carry one – they won’t fit into those skinny bamboo nets.  But, you need a fish net.  Try getting a net at Gander Mountain/Academy/Dick’s Sports for $15-$25 – Just watch the weight of the net.  You can get the carbon fiber net from the fly shop for around $180.  What does it do?  It puts the fish in the basket.

Next is to get something to catch the fish with.  Combos are a good starting point for most beginners ($200-$300), but "you shouldn't put off putting one together by yourself for better quality" - My father-in-law speaking here.  If you decide to put a rig together by yourself, start with the ROD.  Everything else hinges on what you buy.

Fly rods have some weird designations that you just have to say I accept, I believe, and then all is good with the world.  The manufacturers designate weight (WT) with a fly rod.  Also, the rods come in a multitude of lengths; 6’ to 12’ I think now.  Can you fish a 6’ on a lake?  Sure, but you will get greater distances in casting with the length appropriate rod.  The rods can come in different flex and quickness.  They make fast, moderate and slow rods.  The rods come in different break down pieces – You can get a 2 piece, 4 piece, 5 piece, and 7 pieces if not many others.  You need to think about how you get to and from your fishing hole.  If you use a backpack, then a 7 piece is up your ally.  If you have a pickup or SUV, some people go for the 2 piece to 4 piece.  If you have a Honda car, then the 3-4 piece is for you.  Also, they have tip flex, mid flex, and full flex (although many of these are going away).  Currently, the tip flex is becoming VERY popular due to the ability to cast LONGER distance.  Again, purchase as needed for what you fish:  6-8’ creeks and streams, 8’-9.5’ for rivers, and longer for lake/ocean.  This is how you buy the weight appropriate rod based upon target fish:  1-3wt = small creeks and streams, 4-7 are for Trout and smallmouth bass, 8-10 are for largemouth bass and small ocean fish, and 11-12 or 14 (whatever is the max now) are for BIG ocean fish.  SO, uhhh…

What does all that above mean to you the reader?  This…You generally want to start with a 5 WT, moderate action, mid-flex, 9’ rod 4 pieces.  Go into any fly shop and tell them this, and they will just say, OK what brand.  This designation will look like this:  905 mid 4 piece.  The 90 for 9’0”, 5 for 5 WT, action, and pieces.  The 905 mid is a great all around rod unless you are fishing with experienced people that will take you to only certain places.  Then, let them help you.  I personally love the 2 piece rods, but some people can’t stand them.  I figure the less moving parts, the better you are.  However, I have all my rods all over the place.  I have five 4 piece rods, and three 2 pieces.  Yes, almost all are 4-5 wt and 8.5-9’ moderate action and I have one 9 WT 9’ for bass.  I like the Orvis rods, and I was buying 1-2 generations older than present year.  However, some of the present year is starting to fall due to use.  Don’t be afraid of the dirty handle rod it's just the oil from the owners hands.  It can be cleaned off with a Magic Eraser and then sanded back smooth...Simple fix.Now to rig the rod…

Finally, you need to buy a reel appropriate to the rod size.  The reels are in general sizes…Normally, 1-3 WT, 4-6 WT, 7-9 WT, 10-12 and larger or something close to this.  At a minimum, just match it up to the rod size.  This is generally a good thing unless you have a 6 WT and putting a 4-6 WT reel on it.  I would probably go one size larger or the 7-9wt reel.  You can put on more backing for the fly line.  Just an option.  Now, this is where the Fly Line must be fitted to the rod.  If you buy a 5 WT rod, put on 5 WT fly line.  Easy?  Yes!  I DO NOT recommend putting beyond one size large or smaller on the rod – This is why the fly rod company specified the weight rod.  The snake eyelets are based upon the weight size rod. 

If you have already drooled over these items that you want in the $$$ fly shop, then you are over half way there.  I log into E-Bay and start a search:   Echo Carbon Fly Rod, Galvan Fly Reel, and Orvis Sling Pack – These are just examples.  My best friend always starts out with Google and “World’s Best Fly Rod”, and he read the selling sights, forums and more.  "Save" your E-Bay searches sorted by price.  You can check them periodically, or you can setup e-mails when someone posts a new one.  Don’t forget the “Buy It Now” feature of the search.  Sometimes, this can save you money.  Why?  Because the first rule of bidding is to know what the item is worth.  I personally will pay only about 50% of what the item is worth.  If it’s a brand new model, it’s 75%.  Why?  Because it’s USED!  Know your pricing and know the TOP dollar you will pay and don’t exceed that.   Also, join a few forums.  Most have classified, Selling, or sale sites on them.  Review them from time to time.  Sometimes, I can get products for cheaper than the 75% rule.

I have heard all my friends complain about buying things on E-Bay and getting outbid.  I do too; All the time.  However, I am a sniper at the last second.  What does that mean?  I Google the product and know the price.  If it’s a new product, I calculate 75% or maybe a little more.  If it’s used, I calculate 50%.  Shipping is shipping, but I do take this into consideration when bidding.  When I get the 15 minute warning on my phone or computer, I load the price if it hasn’t already exceeded.  When the clock says 10 seconds, I submit my bid.  If no one bids higher at the same time, they don’t have time to submit another higher bid.  Understand?  If the price is at my limit, I may still submit a bid on the 10 second mark at 80% just to make sure that they didn’t $1 bid it to beat the last guy.  Again, I win a LOT with this procedure.  Just remember to not get caught up in the bidding syndrome or warfare.  You will pay more for something you could go to the fly shop and buy off the shelf at retail - Know your limits and stick to them.

Now, I need to make a video on rigging the fly rod with backing fly line, and leader.  Most of the YouTube videos do goofy things and make the whole thing much more complicated than needed.  Anyway, I hope this has given you an introduction into how to get into the Fly Fishing Sport - Get Into It!

Good Luck, and Tight Lines!

RobF

Arkansas Fly Fishing






Red River Emergency Kit

I happened to see a Red River Emergency Kit that is a package deal of 4 different flies with 3 of each for $25.  This is a pretty good deal at about $2 a fly.  This is on Jamie Rouse's webpage of Rouse Fly Fishing guide services.  I looked at them for a while and decided to try to make each one.  There are four flies:   San Juan Worm, JDub Sowbug, Rick's Bugger, and a Holy Coyote. 

The San Juan Worm...I got that one down...Pat!  You can get a bit of the WASPI Chenille, hooks, and thread and spin flies until your heart is content.  I recommend you DO NOT cut the chenille to length, but leave it attached to the spool and trim the back end off when done.  This will allow you to maximize your material and reduce the trim and toss parts.  However, this fly is a rocking fly for fishing.  You can spin this in olive or pink - Both pretty effective.  I also like the squirmy worm more, but the chenille still works and sometimes works when the squirmy doesn't.  These BOTH are great flies for Arkansas.  I have left both fly videos below.

Rick's Bugger was a bit more difficult to tell from the photo, but it's a streamer that looks a lot like a wooly bugger.  However, this thing has just a bullet taper body.  I gave it my best shot with a fuzzy picture and zero directions.  I probably put way too much lead on it, but I wanted it to help the shape - I also like to use these in the 6' waters, and it takes a while for these to sink down if they aren't weighted.  I like the look of this fly, and I bet that this will produce a lot on the Red, White, and Norfolk.  I can't wait to fish this fly.  This can be spun in the same colors as a wooly bugger:  olive, black, brown, yellow, and I have seen white.  I have the video left. 

 

The JDub Sowbug looks just like most nymphs made for the Arkansas Rivers.  It is a little longer on the hook than most that use a curved nymph hook.  I still love the Purple Haze Sowbug that a friend of mine created - Paul Hoelscher.  If you have even met Paul - GREAT dude, and great guide!  I think he has about permanently taken up residence in Idaho guiding the great rivers out there.  I need to take a little trip out there and see him.  Anyway, the JDub is made by Jamie Rouse, and I bet it's VERY effective too.  It's sort of dark and sort of light.  It will probably fish any condition - overcast or clear days.  I have the video right.  It looks much better in person than on the video - It looks sort of washed out and blah in the video.

The final fly is the Holy Coyote - New to me, but I run into Little Red fishers all the time with new flies that are trout pullers.  To be honest, this looks like a Holy Grail - the body must be dubbed in coyote.  The Holy Grail is traditionally spun in 3 colors: Hare's Ear, Olive and Black.  Jamie's looks almost white.  I have had great luck with the Holy Grail on the Arkansas Rivers, and I be the Holy Coyote would do the same.  It does take a few of these to get the spacing of the bead and having room at the eyelet to put on the hackle, pheasant tail wing case, and also put a head made of thread.  It can get cramped QUICK.  This fly can be very effective.  Anyway, I love this fly, and I KNOW it will catch fish too.  A video left.

I will say this...Jamie has picked a very nice set of flies for a Red River Emergency Kit (RREK).  I don't give out my recommendations about other companies, guides, fly shops, vendors, products unless I know what they are about - Snake bit once here at the local fly shop.  However, if you are looking for a great guide service, I can assure you that Jamie Rouse is probably one of the best around.  From my buddy who is now working for him, he basically said that Jamie has a PHD in trout fishing.  I found a podcast of him with Orvis Fly Fishing Podcast host Tom Rosenbauer.  He sounds like he has a PHD in trout fishing on this.  Even though Tom Rosenbauer is a fly fishing GIANT, he also has a ton of respect for Jamie Rouse - A huge statement.  I will have to run into Jamie one of these days and officially meet!

Good luck and Tight Lines!

RobF
Arkansas Fly Fishing

Winter Fishing

WINTER FISHING

 

 

Well, it wasn't quite as icy as the picture on the left, but it was cold enough to freeze the fly line in the eyelets - Challenging to cast.  I found it easier to dip the rod tip into the water to melt the ice, pull it out and shake it hard, and then I could cast.  It took a while to figure this process out and master the timing to actually cast.  Setting the hook was never really figured out.  It just froze in the eyelet, so I didn't even need a trigger finger - Kind of nice!

 

I went with our Executive Pastor from church, and I was a little intimidated since he has fished many, many years in many, many states. Anyway, I had a fantastic time until I dropped one of my fishing gloves in the water. Man, my hand was frozen for a while.  It never dried out on the river, and it was COLD!  He started with the Squirmy Worm which he actually has in his fly box, and I chose the Frenchie from mine.  We both had a few light bites, but never caught anything.  We were fishing in the holes right in front of the pier at JFK park.  Why?  Because the SWPA peeps didn't shut the two generators off until around noon.  I know they have the flexibility to change the schedule, but it always wrecks trips when they don't shut them down per the schedule.  Cow Shoals was going down, but still too fast to fish for me.  We rolexed to JFK park.  I really don't like nymph fishing here in the holes because it's like watching paint dry, snow melt, chickens lay eggs, and any other analogy you can come up with.  Plus, this is normally the place where everyone comes to fish...A little annoying with people getting into your casting space.  I have actually hooked a guys shirt there.  I asked him if he learned anything...Nothing.  However, none of this today.  JFK was  a GHOST TOWN @ 30 degree Fahrenheit.  After about an hour, Chris wanted to move to the pipe where I think the "min flow" (20 CFS) comes from.  Anyway, I let him fish for about 10 minutes before I came over.  He had a SOLID strike as soon as I stepped up.  It's ON!
 

I will say this much, the fish are MUCH more camouflaged at JFK than any other place on the river.  I can normally spot a fish and see them take the flies.  Not at JFK; It's blind fishing to some degree in that crystal clear water.  I continued fishing with a dry fly since they were rising...First I've seen this Winter.  After fishing with a Mayfly Spinner Dry Fly, the fish just weren't taking it.  I decided to switch to the Red Copper John.  We finally found something they would bite on. The first fish I caught had some battle damage on his mid-section. It looks like he was in the chompers of a big trout and ...escaped. Lucky man! He is much smaller than the release length - Must be a natural. I caught another beautiful color rainbow, but it didn't take or save the shot. I caught this other guy right at the buzzer. Lucky, and he has some mild colors for a rainbow.  Chris caught one just before we left too, and he dropped his glove in the river too.  That made our day!

Anyway, 2 hours on the Red River with 30 degrees and forecast 5 degrees with wind chill. Water was much warmer than being on top with wet hands!!!

 

RobF

FROZEN Arkansas Fly Fishing

 

 

 

 

My Favorite Dry Fly

Man, it seems like forever since I have seen the fish rising.  I know they rise in the Winter, but it seems that since it's gotten so cold that I never see them rising.  However, the fishing has been fantastic...You just have to go deeper than a dry fly.  For you DRY OR DIE kind of people, I know you didn't want to hear the last sentence.  I LOVE DRY FLY FISHING!  Period!  However, if it means catching 1-2-or nothing, I'll take the emerger and nymph route to catch more fish.

 

To help facilitate the smile when they are rising in Arkansas, there is nothing more important than my favorite Dry Fly...The Blue Wing Olive.  Don't let it fool you...Oh, there is nothing BLUE about this fly - It's generally spun olive...Neither are you blue from not catching fish when trout are rising and the hatch is on.  If you see many of these in the picture above, you need to put on one of these dry flies, emergers, or nymph.  I have attached the Orvis Eastern and Mid-Western pictures - Notice the SMALL sizes (18-20).  Remember they are hatching, so they are small young bugs.  The Spinner can be a little bigger depending on the temperature and the hunger of the trout.  I like my BWOs to have small wings and the hackle in front of and behind the wings versus the parachute.  Think of it as an in between the Dun and Spinner phase - See video below.

Anyway, I'm not a guy that likes the Tri-Color (Trico), or rainbow color, flies.  I prefer a more buggy looking fly, and these don't look like them.  So, I would rely on the Antron Yard (cream or white; shiny with possibly glittery reflections) or the Poly Yarn (white; no reflective properties) to make the parachute like the one in the picture.  I also find that the chartreuse to olive colors seem to have more action with the trout than the other colors.  The darker colors work a bit better when it's overcast or murky water.  Don't ask me why...I 'm not a trout. 

When to use each (Dry, emerger, and nymph)?  Well, if the fish are making a popping noise when surfacing or flat out clearing the water (sometimes this is escaping a larger fish), then you should tie on a dry fly without a strike indicator - Just look for the fish mouth pop on the fly.  If they are surfacing like a shark and only showing a little fin (OK guys...Lets not let our minds wander), then tie on an emerger.  If you can see the fish looking and leaving, put a little motion on the fly.  How much?  If you pull it  and the fish leaves...That was too much.  It's subtle.  SO, see where the hatch is in the day before you just tie on a dry.  Sometimes an emerger or nymph can be more effective.

When they are hatching, the smaller the better on the Dry Fly.  When they are dying, the spinners are a bit larger.  The Mayfly video I have, the fly looks really white - It's before I knew what they liked in this state.  Here are some videos to help you tie a few.



 

If you really want a lifelike fly, the Spinner replacement of a spent adult with a Wally Wing is a very beautiful thing, and it is really simple to tie.  Just use patience when splitting them in two like the video below.

 

Also, don't forget the Nymph (Pheasant Tail, The Pearl, Greg's Emerger, Small Mayfly, and Frenchie),  and SPINNER (Angel Wing Spinner).  All can be found on my YouTube Channel:

 

Arkansas Fly Fishing

 

RobF

Arkansas Fly Fishing

The Challenge of Wader and Boot Selection

This is not a competitive shootout, and I'm sorry if it's misleading.  I just want to state the obvious about Waders and Boots.  Waders keep the water off your body.  Boots fit over neoprene booties and keep you from slipping and falling into the river...I know, I've done it 3 times...Soaking WET!

My experience through waders has been equal a learning curve as my vest, front pack and sling pack purchasing.  I was under the gun in Colorado when I went on my first fly fishing  trip with my father-in-law.  We had a SUPERB guide on Day 1 of fishing from "Flies and Lies" guide service out of South Platte Outfitters in Decker, Colorado.  My father-in-law (Mr. Bill) got the guide I think more for me, but he spent a bit more time with Mr. Bill - I don't know what that means.  Anyway, they provided the waders and boots at a minimal cost if not free with a guide.  Again, great stuff.

The little crossroad "town" of Deckers is a beautiful place, and there is some AWESOME fishing on the South Platte River in their Gold Medal Waters.  One word of advice...Colorado has water rights, so you just can't go plodding along a river...You will be trespassing if you aren't careful.  Almost all owners have cables across the river with signs or sign on the banks.  It doesn't discourage though...There is plenty of national park areas so you can get you fill of fishing very easy.  Was I posting about waders?

Oh yeah!  After the trip, we decided to hit some areas of the Platte around their house in Western Denver.  Since I didn't have waders, I hit Bass Pro Shop, and had no idea what I was doing.  The elderly man working in the White River Fly Shop had great direction.  He showed me all the differences of wader:  Neoprene, Traditional, and Pants.  I had no idea that you can go from $100 to $800 in one swift motion.  All I can say is this, Simms can send me some waders to compare to the three pairs I own, and I will test the poop out of them.  Simms?  You listening?

Anyway, I'm a guy that isn't afraid of paying for something if I feel I can get a great product.  The salesman just gave me this advise - You can buy a pair of low cost waders that may last a year or two, or you can buy a pair of high dollar that may last 4-5 years.  If you spend $200 to get to 4 years or $600-800 to get to 4 years.  What is you ROI?  Look man, I'm a simple country boy from South Carolina, but I can do that kind of math ALL DAY LONG!  That day, I settled for a "cheap" pair of the White River Fly Shop (Bass Pro) Classic Chest High waders, and I am still using them today - almost 3 years later.  Still dry, still functional, and still as good as the day I bought them.  I will give them a B+, with minor deductions for limited articulation in the knee areas.   They happen to be on sale for about $70 right now - I feel jipped!  However, read what waders do above, It keeps the water off the body.  Now, To the boots...

The boots were a bit more challenging.  They were out of Cheap size 13 boots (I wear an 11 shoe).  The 12s were way to small on dry boots, so I couldn't imagine trying to put them on when damp or wet.  So, I had to go with a more high end boot.  There were these good looking shoes called Korkers.  About a 5 minutes speech from the salesman, and I was headed to the counter to pay.  Korkers are the best thing in the world.  You get two bottoms that snap on and off - Super!  I got little rubber bottom soles and felt bottoms.  Yes, I have done my research in reading.  I understand not only the slipping factor of each (from actual field work too), but I understand the ECO challenges with each too.  I'm a Fisherman, and I am a conservationist.  I want my kids to fish these same rivers I fish too.  By the way, I still have these boots today.  I give these boots 4-stars and an A++.

Since then, I bought a "guest" pair of waders and boots.  I bought a pair of Patagonia leather shoes with rubber soles.  Great product too!  Patagonia has warranties that are like no other, so I had no issues buying these when they went on sale - Probably obsolete now too.  Additionally, I have bought two pairs of waders.  I got a $150 pair of Redington Palix River waders for "guest."  I have actually used these a couple of times.  Great articulation in the knee and crotch area, double laminated in the high wear spots, and thick neoprene booties.  Overall, I give them an A.

I enjoyed wearing the Redingtons the few times I have used them, and I decided to buy a pair of Redington Sonic Pants (discontinued).  You know what these look like - Joe Cool!  In the Summer in Arkansas, I had to have something a little less...Body covering!  So, the pants were just flat the ticket I needed.  I LOVE these pants, and right now, I'd put them up against a pair of SIMMS, and I have never worn a pair of SIMMS.  Anyway, these pants ROCK!  Same articulation, same double lamination in the area that need it, fit like a glove, and quite frankly...I think I look like that long-haired Favio in these things.  OK, maybe not, but they are fantastic.  I give these wader pants two thumbs up, 4-stars, and an A+.

Now, if someone would send me some SIMMS, I will gladly give my input, but I will not pay those prices for SIMMS products.  I am not a guide, and I have no one to impress.  I know SIMMS are SUPER quality, and I am in no means slamming their product, so please don't send me hate mail.

That's about it for now!  Tight lines!

RobF

Arkansas Fly Fishing

My Favorite Emerger/Nymph Fly...

I haven't had too many favorite flies.  I have never really found a GO TO to fly that always produces.  It seems that the pea sized brain in these trout make them a little smarter than we think.  However, I have found some pretty good flies, and I will post them from time to time.

This fly, the Squirmy Worm, has to be my favorite emerger/nymph.  I say emerger and nymph, because it depends on how you tie (make) it and/or how you put it on your line.  Most of the store bought come with a short piece of Squirmy San Juan rubbery material on the hook...Sometimes tied twice, sometimes tied three times, and some people wrap them with wire from head to toe.  Don't criticize until you have tied one - They are the slipperiest little dudes EVER.  I may make it look easy (NOT), but I get probably the most frustrated tying this fly.

Back to the tying this fly, you can tie this directly to the hook, or you can also put on some lead weight on the hook before tying on the squirmy material when tying.  This will allow you to have a nymph without putting as much weight on your line.  I learned to put on some small wire from a local fly shop - It does help keep the material under a little more control, but it also squishes the worm a bit too much for my taste.  Just put on your patience cap when dealing with this fly. 

Back to rigging this fly, I have fished this in pools without any weight at all, and the fish will bolt up from the bottom and just take it with a hard strike.  In swifter moving water, I will put a weight or two 12-18" above the fly to get it in the strike zone.  Add them slowly and see if the strikes pick up.  When you add weight start with small weights, you will also get some false strikes from the fly grabbing the bottom.  This lets you know you are on the bottom - generally a good thing, and do not add more weight at that time.  The swift water requires you get the fly down.  The BIG fish, unless really hungry, just don't move for food much.  I have bonked this fly off a 25" Rainbow for about 99 casts.  On the 100th, he took it - That is sight fishing though, and I can post about 20 stories on tactics of catching fish even with my limited knowledge. 

Also, I fish the ledges to the pools where the water goes from knee deep to over my waist, and I will put the strike indicator from water level deep to 1.5X.  I will cast almost 1/2 in the knee deep, and let it drift down and into the pool.  This fly will produce like no other I have in the bag when the fish are feeding to the before and after times when hardly anyone is getting a bite.  I love this fly.

I will then move my strike indicator (if I use one) to 3'.  I will fish the fast moving sections going to my fishing hole and to the truck when done.  Most days I will catch at least two fish just tossing the line in and walking the edge of the rock river edge.  Now, all flies have their disclaimer...I have been skunked on the river with this fly, but it's a FUN fly.  The fish will eventually get wise, and you have to flex to something else.  That's when the day seems to slow down.

If you get a chance, stop by the local fly shops to Arkansas (or your area)  and buy at least two.  If they have this fly, then they are worth a salt.  If they are out of stock...That is normal.  If they have no idea what you are talking about...Don't walk out...RUN!

Hope this helps!

RobF

Arkansas Fly Fishing

The Evolution of the Pack

I started fly fishing as humbly as almost everyone.  I got my orders to head to Little Rock, Arkansas - Home of Fly Fishing.  However, I had no guidance when I first started buying equipment.  I'll post the whole E-Bay ritual I went through when I lived in Pensacola, FL, in another post of how to get into this "sport" cheaply.  So, when I started, I needed a vest - I started the E-Bay search, and I came along a very inexpensive Berkley Fly Fishing Vest...See below.

 

Berkley Fly Fishing Vest

 



I got this thing, and I started practicing in my yard with a St. Croix Triumph 5 weight rod I got on...E-Bay...Again another story.  Anyway, it didn't take long to figure my father-in-law or my dad would come out to see me, so I wanted some gear for them so they wouldn't have to bring or buy it.  My father-in-law is a fly fisherman, but my dad is a fish from a boat kind of guy.  I was determined to get him fishing...Again, another story. 

Back to the story...after playing with this vest, I deemed it necessary to find one of a little better quality.  Mind you, I think I paid $13 as a winning bid for this one, and for the money...It's a pretty good item.  It wasn't long in searching, and I found my treasure - A Woodfield Fly Fishing Vest.  The winning bid on a slightly used vest was me, and I paid a handsome $15 for this vest.  When I go it, it smelt like...Earl.  After a few washings, it was like new.  It had a great weight to it, so I knew it would last a while.  You sense these things pretty quick with hunting and fishing gear.  Here is the Wood Field Vest below.

Woodfield Fly Fishing Vest

After arriving in Little Rock, I started fishing with some cheapo flies (a pack of 12 flies for Eastern US) I bought in Pensacola.  I couldn't catch a thing here, so when my wife's friend from college sent me an invite to go to a local fly shop opening, I was standing there on opening day.  I met the owner, and he seemed like a super stand up dude.  He was a good dude for about a year, then he took a turn for the worst.  I'd gladly love to talk about this, but I don't want to get sued for slander.  Find me on the river, and I'll talk all about it - Fully.  Well, this fly shop owner did his job.  He showed me all of his high dollar equipment - $600 Sage Rod, $500 Sage Reel, $80 fly line, $120 Sage chest pack, $500 Simms waders.  WOW, beautiful stuff, but I'm not made of moeny!  That was 4X more than my first car - 1968 Volkswagon Bug.  So, I tried to be like "Mike" without the cost of "Mike"!

When I bought a lot of the equipment like Mike, I realized the vest wasn't going to handle all of this stuff.  I certainly wasn't going to the truck ever 2-3 hours to get more items needed.  Therefore, I started searching all companies, and I picked something I liked.  I found an Orvis Micro Safe Passage - I found one on a Forum that had a Classified section.  I chatted with the guy a while and told him why I wanted it.  I offered the guy $50, and he sent it to me shipping included from Connecticut.  Surprise, it came with a ton of stuff - pliers, clippers, tippet, 10 leaders or so, and 2 Orvis flat packs of small, tiny flies.  I almost feel I would have sent him some extra money.  God bless these kind older gentlemen. 

Orvis Micro Safe Passage

 



After using this for a while, I started tying my own flies...Yes, not a cheap sport.  Anyway, I had so much poop that this front pack was causing issues with my crushed back - Read: USAF C-130 Navigator with 20 years of bouncing off runways, the cockpit, and being flung down stairs with threat reactions.  So, I started looking for something to sling on my back.  I found two.  The Patagonia Atom Sling Pack and the Orvis Guide Pack came out just as the Patagonia arrived. 

I flat love these packs.  I constantly got the vest and the front pack in the water...Drowned a few phones and a camera.  The packs were perfect.  The Patagonia was a little smaller, and I use that for guests.  The Orvis pack is phenomenal.  I can pack a all my flies - about 4 large cases and 8 small cases, leaders, lead, tools, water bottle, camera, rain jacket, stocking cap, fishing gloves...Heck, I can probably put in the kitchen sink.  It flips to the backside of my back and improves my posture - Perfect.  I love these sling packs.  Both have been extremely durable, but I don't think I have to tell you about Patagonia's warranty - Lifetime is usually a good thing.  I have fished two solid years on the Orvis Guide Pack, and it doesn't show wear at all - Superb pack.  The Orvis Pack was paid for by the wife for my birthday.  So, that was the only thing paid for at retail.  I'm a CHEAP guy...You have to be with the hobbies I have.  Save your money - Go straight to the Sling Pack!  I will say that I have found 3-4 people that flat can't stand them.  I don't get it, but everyone is entitled to their opinion.  Anyway, that is the Evolution of the Fishing Packs.  Hope that helps some people select something in the future

RobF

Arkansas Fly Fishing