Norfork River, AR

TIME: 8:30 AM TO 11:30 AM
WEATHER: PC, Mid 30s warming to low 50s
WATER CONDITIONS: 0 units
LOCATIONS FISHED: Norfork River, upstream of Ackerman Walk-in Access
ROD USED: Winston LT 8'6" 5 wt
FLIES USED: #14 Norfork River Scud, #20 Dun Cockleburr, #20 Ginger Cockleburr, #20 Kay's Gray
HATCHES: Midges, Blue Winged Olives,
OTHER: Fished with Dick. As we walked in, two guys were fishing the riffle upstream of where we typically fish, and were standing where they should have been fishing. I overheard one say they were outside the catch and release area, and quickly pointed out the catch and release area extended upstream another 3/4 mile. They quickly packed up and began leaving, each dragging a large fish they had killed in the catch and release area. Guess there are a few in every crowd. Dick started the morning with a sowbug, but had no success at all. He switched to a #20 Dun Cockleburr, and added weight and an indicator; again, no luck. He switched to a #14 Norfork River Scud, and began catching fish, ending the morning with about a dozen. I fished mostly with the Cockleburr patterns and caught several fish stripping the fly during the swing. I wanted to break the code on the rising fish, so finally put on a #20 Kay's Gray, and it seemed to do the trick. Today's total was maybe a dozen.

PS: Recall the fishers just upstream of us? We noticed several dead fish downstream of them! This wasn't due to low DO! The river was pretty crowded today, but the fish seemed bigger than the last several days. I also picked up a rainbow with a lamprey attached, indicating the fish came from the White River.