Newbie questions

[jjholeman]

Ive only fly fished a handful of times over the past couple years. Mostly fishing the little missouri river since its the closest to where i live. A couple of questions that i have are 1) when is the best time of year to start fly fishing 2) what types of flies are most productive during that part of the year 3) what are some of the best streams to catch trout in arkansas? Thanks

[Kevin]

All good questions jj. By far my favorite river to fish in Arkansas is the Little Red in Heber Springs. Several good accesses to wade fish. I also really like the Norfork River, which is from the Norfork dam to the confluence of the White River (4.5 miles).

You can pretty much start fishing whenever you want. The fish will bite year-round. Spring usually has high waters so if you're wade fishing, that isn't the greatest time unless you like wading up to your eyeballs, ha. I love being on the water in the heat of the summer and during the fall.

I'll let Fly Tier take the question of his favorite flies to use, at what times, and on what river.

[Fly Tier]

Hello jj, Kevin is right about the water conditions the water is pretty much generating alot during the spring below much of the dams here.The water levels usually start dropping in late May and early June thats when I usually hit the Norfork River.The Little Missouri I have heard the best flies to use would be woolly buggers in size 8-10 if the bottom of the river has alot of algea use olive in color,or if there is alot of browns or dark colors then I would use Black or Brown woolly buggers.You can try these other patterns and sizes.
WET PATTERNS:
squirrel tail nymph,14-16
Hare's ear nymph ,12-16
Caddis pupa (tan,green) 14-16
Soft hackles (yellow,orange) 12-14
DRY PATTERNS:
Elk Hair Caddis,14-18
Sulphur Dun,16
If you have any other questions or need help just let me know.Good luck on your next fishing trip.

[Kevin]

Also JJ, Fly Tier and I tie flies (although he is about 10x better than I am ) so let us know if you need any tied. I enjoy doing it.

[Fly Tier]

Thank you Kevin,any time you need any flies jj let us know.I enjoy tying and helping anyone new to the sport.

[ArkansasSloughboy]

JJ, what part of the Little Missouri are you fishing? Many fly fishermen have told me that the Little Missouri is the best trout water for fly fishing in the state. I can attest to many fly fishermen wearing the trout out in my face. Anyway, I grew up fishing the Little Missouri. My best friend growing up's dad owned a mile stretch. We used to fish at Hinds Bluff before there was a Hinds Bluff access. It is definitely one of the if not the most overlooked trout water in the state.

[Fly Tier]

JJ, what part of the Little Missouri are you fishing? Many fly fishermen have told me that the Little Missouri is the best trout water for fly fishing in the state. I can attest to many fly fishermen wearing the trout out in my face. Anyway, I grew up fishing the Little Missouri. My best friend growing up's dad owned a mile stretch. We used to fish at Hinds Bluff before there was a Hinds Bluff access. It is definitely one of the if not the most overlooked trout water in the state.

I agree the Little Missouri is overlooked,I have never had the chance to fish it yet,I have had friends of mine that told me it is a great place to fish for trout and also for smallmouth.Duane Hada told me that you can fish some of the inlet creeks there and catch some nice trout.Because the trout will move out of the main water to spawn in these creeks.Try some clauser minnows in size 8-10 to fish for smallmouth.

[jjholeman]

Thank all of you for your input. I've heard that the little red is a really good place to fish as well. I just havent found the time to make my way over there. As for the Little Missouri i have fished a couple of spots. Old factory and albert pike being the most. But im always trying to find other holes to fish when im there. Great suggestions on the flies. I will definately give those a try. Fly tying is an art that ive been wanting to learn myself as well. I think I would get a better sense of accomplishment if i catch a fish on a bait that i constructed myself.

[ArkansasSloughboy]

Albert Pike is almost all put and take fish. There are no survivors through the summer so the fish are generally smaller. Old Factory site is good. Hinds Bluff access is good. Cross the river and fish the first quarter of a mile down stream and it is better.  Also the low water bridge at Murfreesboro is good. Go down stream from the bridge and fish the first 2 or 3 holes. You can also float the river when they are generating, but it's hard to fish. It's hard to float when it isn't generating.

[jjholeman]

Yea i've fished at Murfreesboro once or twice. Caught a lot of fish too. I almost got caught on the other side of the river at the factory site cause i didnt know when they were generating until the water started rising pretty fast. Spooky situation. Yea all the fish at albert pike are pretty small. I need to go find some larger ones

[ArkansasSloughboy]

I meant cross the river at Hinds Bluff. Same situation, but you can usually hear the siren from there when they are about to start generating.