Kayaking The Norfork
Over spring break my father and I traveled south to Arkansas to fish the Norfork River. The fishing proved difficult but that is the nature of tailwaters. Constantly fluctuating waters can make fish finicky, other times it seems they will eat anything presented in front of them. This trip proved to be more on the finicky side. That said the important and most rewarding aspect of the trip was being able to spend some quality time with my dad in some beautiful water.
We spent three days in the area. The first we fished the White where my dad honed his casting skills. Water was somewhat high but we both managed a trout despite the conditions.
My father landing the second fly rod trout of his life.
Days two and three we exclusively fished the Norfork. A 4 mile tailwater which feeds into the White. Every morning they were running full capacity and then would shut it off entirely. Falling water is never easy and this trend proved true this trip as well. Despite this fish were caught, with G-Bug's and Zebra midges proving most effective. We kayaked the entire length of the river each day. Stopping at those locations which looked were both wadable and looked promising at holding fish. The river was more crowded than the previous time I fished the Norfork but we were able to still find some good water with plenty of casting room. Having the kayak as transportation definitely helped get to those locations and away from the crowds.
I also threw some bigger streamers, specifically Jeremy Hunt's Peanut Envy. Didn't land any monster browns but pulled a decent Rainbow and surprisingly this meat hungry Brookie.
The fish numbers and size were less than desirable but again the important thing was being able to spend time with my dad and being able to watch him develop as a fly angler. It is those memories which will last a lifetime.
16 Comments:
an excellent post filled with beautiful pictures, wouldnt have known the fishing was slow if you didnt mention it. love the deep green pool in the 3rd picture
Thank you for the compliments sir. And yes we still had a great time even though the fishing was slow. Had to work hard for the fish we did catch.
Impressed with the pictures also. Thanks for sharing the stream with us readers. Treasure that time with your dad!
Hey buddy looks like your outing was a success.
Well done gents.
That's a successful day in my book anytime. Browns , rainbows and even a brookie all while spending some quality time with your dad. That would be pretty hard to beat!!
Mel, thanks for the comment. And yes I treasure the time with my Dad. He is a wonderful man.
Alan, thanks for the comments.
Jeff, sorry you couldn't make it. Missed you bud. It was great to catch a brown, brook and rainbow all in one trip. Now if only we could have added a cutthroat! That would have been something for sure.
Looks like a completely awesome time with your Dad - Very Very cool! Glad you enjoyed it.
Will
Thanks Will. Any time spent on the water with my Dad is a great time indeed.
Glad you had a good time. That Brookie was nice. Hope to make the next trip man!
Thanks Kevin, wish you could have made it but it looks like you had a great time on the Current. And yes, I was more than a little surprised to pull in a Brookie off a 7 inch articulated streamer.
Great looking fish, man. Glad you were able to get out with your father as well. that's always a good time!
Al
Glad you guys were able to meet up and spend some quality time together. Nothing like fishing with you Dad, I have been there. I am looking forward to spending some time with my son who will coming home for a couple of week in April. He works in Sacramento and has already told me the places he wants to fly fish while he is visiting us. I fish the White and Norfork one week after I retired; both are beautiful rivers and full of trout. Thanks for bringing back some memories
Juan, thanks for the comment man. Indeed it is always great to spend some time with the pops!
Bill, can't wait to see the report of you and your son. Sounds like it will be a great time and I look forward to reading it. Glad I could bring back some memories.
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