re: N. Arkansas Trout Trip?

Can't help on much on locations but as far as tactics go I have a few suggestions that seem to have worked for my family over the last 60+ years on the river.

1st look at satellite imagery, find the deep holes and spend most of your time fishing there. Kill the motor at the head of the hole and drift down, sometimes the hole is a few hundred yards other times its a few miles. There are times they will move shallow but it is a lot less common.

2nd Drift fishing bait will put the most fish in the boat. Learn how to tie a river rig, basically a drop/carolina rig. Normally 24-36 inch leader with a 6-8 inch drop. I've recently gone to a three way swivel with 6# 36 inch leader and a drop about 2 inches using 2# test with a big split shot on the end. If you get hung normally its the weight that gets caught, if you don't over squeeze it will often slip off. For hooks look at #8 size.

3. Bait- I've had luck with everything from worm to corn to powerbait but I do better with small cooked shrimp than anything else. I will do some flavoring while cooking that seems to help.

4. You will find big fish directly downstream from cover, trout more so than any other fish I've found.

5. If you decide to use crankbaits look at trout, perch and crawfish patterns. Popular baits seem to be shadrap s5-s7, countdowns in size 5-7, rebel crawfish and stickbaits if targeting large browns.

6. Inline spinners and spoons have a big following and there are days they are hot and days they are worthless, you normally know within a few minutes which it will be.

7. Vary your retrieve speed until you find what works. Slight changes in speed can often produce huge results. Normally a steady retrieve is best but have had some days a bit of a pause triggered big bites.

I'll try to add more later but I have to run now.