re: The Fly Fishing Thread: Questions, pics, discussion all here

Can anyone provide some good locations in Arkansas for mid-September weekend camping/fly fishing trip? My brother and I are looking to go the weekend of the 19th. We don't want to do a guided trip because it is too expensive, just some packpacking and some tailwater fishing.

Mid September.... Arkansas... lots of different directions you could go. Are you wanting to fish for trout mainly? Some other smallmouth possibilities as well in that time of year. Actually some striper potential as well if you wMcanted to hammer a lake. But yeah. Here's what I would do, and I'm not being facetious.

Call either Steven Dally at Dally's Ozark Fly Fisher or Michael McClellan at Mclellan's fly shop. Tell them your dilemma. Tell them what you're interested in doing. Tell them where you're from. I guarantee you, 100%, that those guys will give you absolutely solid advice free of charge. They love fishing, and they love people who are stoked on fishing. Just tell them you're not from the area, that you have some time to spend in Arkansas, and that you're looking for a cool trip. They will hook you up (with absolutely zero self interest or trying to finagle you into a guide trip).

Dally's: 870-435-6166
Mclellan's: 479.251.7037

First blush, I'd say some potential hopper fishing, though. If you want to go after some hogs, then streamers will be your game. Talk to Dally's as they're completely into the articulated "meat" streamer game.

So yeah. For trout, you're basically looking at the Little Red River (which is in one area), and the Norfork/White (which is in a different area and is actually two different tailwaters albeit located close together).

As your buddy recommended, just call Steve (or anyone who answers) at Dally's. They'll let you know what's happening in the area once you come. You're really talking about a pretty small area that's fished in a pretty defined way, mainly dictated by generation schedules.

You can always, always catch fish on nymphing rigs in our system. You can also always catch fish on big meat streamers if you know how to target them (best out of a boat, hammering banks, hitting it at certain times of day). The real magic will comein what other wrinkle has been thrown into it at the specific time you're coming. Is there a weird caddis hatch? Crazy hopper action? Shad kill? Basically, you'll need to find out the week that you're coming to know. Plan on tying lots of scuds, sowbugs, and midge patterns as sort of the basis. They're the goto on our tailwaters.

Per recommendation from a close friend, I think we are going to end up going to Little Missouri and stay at Swaha. It's so much closer to home and I actually stayed there when I was a kid.

I've worn fantails for years and they're my favorite by far. They cover my whole field of view. I broke them on a trip so I had to send em back to Costa. I borrowed my dad's pair yesterday and was aggravated all day because they didn't really cover my eyes.

Bull Shoals-White River

Got flown in by a client for his company fly fishing tournament to help out. First time I had fished Ark on the White Rv. Been back for the past 10 years. Was a great experience. You can rent boats with little outboards. Just have to pay attention to the dam flow. Good fishing, partying was fun as well.

I don't think it's possible to hijack this thread as long as its fly fishing related.


On that note, I need reel recommendations for a 3wt. I was using a reddington drift but managed to break it. Looking at how it broke I think i'm just going to do it again so i want to go with something else. must keep it under $150 with under $100 preferred.

I would look at one of the cheaper Orvis reels. Also, I bought my kids a really cheap reel from Cabelas (their brand) and have been really impressed with it.


Leaving in the morning for the White River but not sure how much fishing we will be able to get in on this trip. They are absolutely blowing it out (generation) right now.
Running 8 units (only have 8) for a few days now.

Sucks. Might have to run down to the Norfork.

Thanks. I've got a cabelas close to work so I'll go check those out.

Hope things work out for you on the White. We're heading to the Cossatot for smallies in a few weeks. Can't wait.

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On that note, I need reel recommendations for a 3wt

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Orvis battenkill if you want to stay under $100. I really like the Galvan Brookie, but I'm a big galvan fan. You can get them for $210 on stillwater with free fly line of your choice and free backing.