The Search is Over

If any of our readers like to nymph fish for those large and sensitive brown trout, then you have looked far and wide for the right indicator. My friends, the search is over. I have tried all kinds of indicators, the stick on indicators were an industry wide tradition 10 years ago, but the sticky residue left on the leader after the indicator either falls off or you have change depths leaves your leader prone to wind knots.

Then I discovered the balloon. The balloon seemed to be the answer to your nyphing needs. You could blow up the balloon to the correct diameter for the correct floatation to fly ratio, and it allowed for natural casting. There were to draw backs to the balloon. First, it would pop when it came into contact with anything sharp, which on windy days is usually your fly. Additionally, you could not change your depths easily.

When in our local fly shop, I stumbled on the Thingamabobber. Reluctantly, I decided to purchase this cheesey little contraption, and the inaugural day of fishing with the Thingamabobber changed my nymphing life as I knew it. The Thingamabobber comes in three sizes to make your flotation to fly ratio versatile and allow for a natural cast. I was worried that the plastic design would cause larger loops in your back cast, but to my surprise it was just the opposite. The biggest advantage to this indicator is the ability to move it up and down on your leader. The simple overhand loop makes it easy to put on your leader and move throughout the day as you enter different water levels. They are CHEAP Too.. I have had one thingamabobber for over a year and it cost me just over a dollar.

Next time your in your local fly shop, ask about the Thingamabobber, as I am sure it will sooth your indicator woes.

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White Shad Pattern

So here we are on the Monday after a great weekend trip to the White River with the crew. I had a very slow morning on Saturday. I was trying to catch some bruisers that were swimming in some slow moving water above the shoals where everyone was fishing. When there is low water, I often go to an area where the water is moving slowly so that I can see the flashing of big brownies feeding below me. It is quite a fantastic scene that can go from exhilarating to frustrating in a matter of minutes. I tried everything to catch these guys. I tossed some big uglies ... nothing; threw on the delicate nymphing setup ... nothing; I then tried a double quarter pounder with extra mayo ... NOTHING! I was getting a little frustrated to say the least. I began my day at 8:00 a.m. standing on a fallen tree in the middle of the river. It was now 11:00 am, and the only fish that showed pity on my soul was a little 11’’ Bow. Thank you little fella for your sympathy. Oh well, on to the fly that made the day great ...

The WHITE SHAD is a fly that is very popular in striper circles. I had tied a few the week before our trip for times when the water is flowing and leads into some stagnant water. I have found that tossing the fly in the moving water, letting it drift down, then stripping up current makes for success. It was noon thirty when the guys and I had just gotten back on the water after our lunch. We found a nice current at the end of a shoal that led into some slower moving water. I tied my SHAD, which consists of a size 8" streamer hook, some red dumbbell eyes, some white marabou/rabbit fur, and some brown deer hair on top, and tossed using the technique described above. First cast, nice 15’’ rainbow… Second cast, beautiful 14’’ brown… I went on to land multiple fish with the fly and loved every second of it. Feeling the tug of the fish is simply amazing. I loved throwing this fly because it is very versatile and the fish, when it is the right time, seemed to go off on the fly. The fly was absolutely torn up by the end of the day.

In conclusion, if you want to make your experience of fly-fishing aggressive, throw on a White Shad pattern and get to streamer fishing. Nymph fishing can lead to some great numbers and some nice fish, but there is nothing like the tug of a brownie hitting your streamer.  Ole’ Mac Mcleod streamer fished all day and did very well. He caught several nice fish both in the morning as well as after noon. It can lead to some big fish, but will always lead to a worn out shoulder and a calorie-weakened body. So here's a word of advice for you: Get ripped next weekend with the P90 Streamer Workout! Take a White Shad, and show that lady of yours that going to the river every weekend will benefit both of you with some eye candy. The fish for you, and your new rock hard body for her.

Blessed Waters,
Chad

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October TOSFly White River Trip

October fly fishing in Northern Arkansas can provide some of the most ideal fishing conditions one could ask for. The Other Side Flyfishing Crew went to the White River in October to hone in on some pre spawn brown trout action. On this trip, we brought rookie fly fisherman, our featured angler, Hunter Hibbard. Hoping for low water opportunities, we came prepared for sight fishing and small nymph patterns. The Corps of Engineers did not cooperate with out longings for low water, and instead tainted the weekend with fluctuating generation and water levels. Over the course of our 3 day trip, the Corps of Engineers ran between zero and three units, with the number constantly changing.

A General Rule of Thumb: Fish Rising Water and Falling Water
As a general rule of thumb for those who are fishing tailwaters, some of the prime fishing opportunities is rising and falling water. As the water levels drop from high to low, fish begin to move from their shoreline structures to the mid-river feeding zones. During this "migration," fish are on the move allowing anglers to fish all sections of river for decent numbers of fish. The same applies for rising water. As the fish migrate from their mid-river feeding zones to find shelter behind shoreline structure from the strong, high-water, currents.

This rule of thumb does not apply to consistent water level fluctuation. Every hour the Corps of Engineers was turning generation either on or off, throwing the river and the fish's feeding habits out of balance. We managed to land quite a few fish over the course of two days, but we had to earn every fish we caught. We were constantly digging through the deepest parts of our fly boxes to find what patterns would unlock these fish's jaws. Oddly enough, during the higher water periods, we had great success on size 18 olive scuds, once again breaking the rule of thumb of "bigger water, bigger flies." We often had to break the rules of fly fishing to find patterns that would generate strikes as the water level plagued the two days.

We spent most of our weekend at the Rim Shoals area, as this is our favorite trout water in Arkansas. Olive scuds in size 18 produced fish, and the saving fly of the weekend was the RAY RAY (Ray Charles). In my experience, the Ray Charles is the secret weapon on Arkansas tailwater trout. This fly ALWAYS produces fish.

When you're fishing the Arkansas tailwaters, NEVER rely on the voice recordings to tell you what the water is doing. Safety is the first priority, and the best way to keep an eye on the water level is to get a FIXED point of structure in the water and make mental notes of the water level every hour or so. The water can rise QUICKLY and can leave you in very dangerous situations. When you are experiencing fluctuating water levels, and you know you're in a section of river that holds fish, do not be afraid to try flies that you generally do not use. Sometimes it takes some trial and error to find that PERFECT pattern. For us it was the olive scud and the Ray Charles.

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LUNCH LINKS

How about a little Thursday linkage .... TOSFly Fishing Style -

1. A record breaking 121 year-old trout up for sale in Edinburgh in November .
2. This Steelhead has Antlers? Check out what these guys caught!
3. Musical Fly fishing. Do you have a playlist?
4. The fish of 1,000 casts - A trophy Muskie jumps into a Minnesota couple's canoe!
5. John Berry's Fly Fishing for Trout: Keep Illegal Angling off Dry Run Creek.
6. Cold Water fish Prescription: A Small Dose of Marabou.
7. Forbes Magazine discusses the best fly fishing gear - just in time for Christmas shopping.

Now ... without further ado ... a little eyecandy for your viewing pleasure:

This is a brown trout from a different perspective. This picture was taken by Angus Drummond Fly Fishing Photography. Check out his work by clicking on the picture above.

Enjoy your lunch!

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It's Worth the Work

As fly fishermen, we spend the majority of our time fishing rivers. Whether it be the freestone Elk River outside of Steamboat or the Dream Stream that winds its way between Eleven Mile and Spinney Reservoir, when one thinks of flyfishing it is always of a beautiful river. This article, however, is not about fishing rivers at all, but about fishing some of Colorado's majestic high mountain lakes. Fishing high mountain lakes requires a ton of work and dedication, but the payoff is huge.

I'll start with my favorite high mountain lake, No Name (and yes that is its actual name). It is outside of Vail, but that is all I am going say. The journey begins by driving up a dirt road that was clearly not made for normal automobiles to drive on. After bouncing around for forty-five minutes, it is finally time to throw on the packs and begin the climb. The hike in is only a mile and a half, but don't let that fool you. There is also a few thousand feet of elevation that is about to change. After winding your way up mountain goat trails and three different passes, you finally see this amazing glacier lake tucked away in a bowl somewhere in the Gore Range, with many fish just waiting to be caught.

So, I know what you are thinking, with all of this work, where is the payoff? My answer to that is simple: other than being surrounded by 13,000 foot mountains, and other than being the only one there, the payoff is the fish of course! These fish spend eight months out of the year under a frozen sheet of ice, and when that ice melts, they are ready to feed. There are two ways I like to catch the mountain cutthroats. First, in the morning when the sun first hits the lake, I like to throw a caddis (sometimes a hopper or an orange stimulator is great too) out onto the crystal clear water and watch them swarm at what they think will be their breakfast. In the afternoon, I switch to a streamer pattern and some sink tip line. I throw my fly out just beyond where the shelf drops off, let it sink, then strip it in. I don't know what is more amazing, catching the fish or watching it hunt down my streamer in that clear green water. I think high-mountain lake fishing holds a special place in my heart because every time I return, it is like catching up with an old friend. I hope I have painted a picture of how amazing high-mountain lake fishing can be. It can be a great option when you just want a change of pace or want to combine a backpacking trip with some flyfishing. Be looking out for another article to come where I will discuss the locations of some of the prime high-mountain lakes in our beautiful state.

With Love From Colorado,

~Kush

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MAY I PRONOUNCE YOU ROD AND REEL

Holla,

A year ago I began a journey to find the perfect trout rod and reel set up.... I have spent countless days on the water casting many different rods in my journey to satisfy all my casting desires. My search ended with Scott’s G2 9’ 5weight rod. On a later post I will bring you up to speed on my G2, but today I want to talk about something that many anglers neglect and that is the PERFECT reel.  Fly fishing reels come in all different sizes, shapes, and drag types, and each angler must know what he or she intends for that reel to do. The most important aspect of selecting a fly reel is the balance it provides to the rod, and this is where many anglers miss the boat. You can have a beautifully crafted reel, smooth drag, and esthetically pleasing reel, but if it throws your rod out of balance you will wear your hand out quickly on long fishing days. Back to the story... I bought my Scott G2 and tried many different reels on it, but something just did not seem right. As I continued to research I found that the reels I have been putting on this extremely light rod were just too heavy. The weight of the reel on the G2 was putting too much weight on the back end of the rod which made for unnatural motions during my cast. This quite honestly took away from the action of the rod.  All of this hard ache lead to the discovery of a beautiful thing... 

MAY I PRONOUNCE YOU ROD AND REEL!!!

This is the Waterworks/Lamson Litespeed. I discovered that the previous reels mounted on my Scott were just too heavy, and thus I stumbled on the litespeed. This reel only weighs 3.8oz, which is over an ounce lighter than my previous reels. I know, I know, its just an ounce right?? Yes you are right that it is just an ounce, but one thing every fly fisherman must get used to is, “the small things matter.”  The litespeed was an ounce lighter than my other reels, and when mounted on my G2 it created the perfect balance.  When balancing rods and reels, you want all the weight to fall on your thumb position on your casting hand as this will allow for an effortless stroke. The litespeed will make all eyes turn too as it has a sleek design for both modern and conservative fisherman, and the drag is smooth as butter.
Hands down, this is the perfect reel for my taste. I highly recommend visiting your local fly shop and putting your hands on this beautiful reel.

Until next time ...
Cast to The Other Side!


- J-Ferg

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Featured Angler: Hunter Hibbard

Hello all who share my affinity for fishing and filming - or at least watching. I would like to introduce you to the newest portion of our adventure: The Angler of the Month. Once a month I will be showcasing one angler's talents and skills shown by his... (or her) performance. This will not always be a new angler, but will always go to the most deserved. Who knows, find the TOSFly crew on the river - and you might just find yourself with a pig, and as the next Angler of the Month.

Angler of the Month

Featured Angler: Hunter from Seth Jewell on Vimeo.

Three weeks ago, the crew from The Other Side Fly-Flyfishing had the privilege and reward to teach a newcomer to our fair sport - Hunter Hibbard. We've all known Hunter for years, but this is the first time he's been fly-fishing with the crew... and his first time to fly-fish at all. He's been patient, diligent in his practice, and skillful in performance. Did he deserve this month's spot? Go to the 'Vids" section, or simply push play above, and watch the video to decide for yourself. Thanks for watching.

- Z-Will

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LUNCH LINKS

After you (hopefully) successful weekend on the river, give yourself a little time to reminisce with some Monday Link Love! Check out the latest and greatest stories in the world of fly fishing:

• Touching story about fly fishing and the bond between a father and son.
• University of Montana grad has published a fly fishing guide to the state.
• Patagonia North - No further explanation needed.
• Smaller trout are a trend this season in New Zealand
• Tiny bugs are disappearing from East Vail's Gore Creek. Should Colorado residents be alarmed about the impact this can have on fishing?
• Agencies have agreed to tackle the problem of traction-sand deposits in Colorado's Fraser River.

Now ... a little treat to help you get over a case of the Mondays:

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Egg-Suckers!!!

TOSFly readers, there are only 5 days left before the crew returns to the White for our annual late fall fishing trip. Being that now is the perfect time for egg patterns, rest assured that I will be throwing a lot of egg suckers. The leech pattern and the bugger patterns are very versatile specifically because they the angler tying the fly to put an egg on the front. Colors such as pink, yellow, or orange (really any bright neon color) work perfectly for the "egg" portion of these flies. 

We are expecting low water right now, so I will dead drift the flies through a run and then strip the flies back up in order to garner some attention from the bruisers. I have found from experience that brownies love to be aggressive, and they will attack any streamer if they are forced into a quick decision. Therefore, once that fly hits the water, give it a couple really quick pulls and let the fly sit for a second. As the fly begins to settle, proceed striping quickly and aggressively. This stripping pattern has proven successful for me. 

I love to throw streamers because when the fly is going off, the quick hit and tug from the fish make for an awesome catch. They are very simple flies to tie if you are familiar with the wooly patterns. The only add on is a bright color on the front of the fly. Like I said before, with all of the spawning going on around our area, throwing any sort of egg sucking pattern should yield a high success rate on your next trip. Luke will be sure to let you know how successful we are with these flies in his “Fish Food" column. Check in the "What Worked" section next Monday following our trip. In the meantime, take a long lunch, get some Folgers coffee brewing, turn on the music of your choice, and tie some suckers. See you on the river.

Blessed Waters,

chad

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Tailwater Tickets and Finicky Fish

Yesterday's outing to the Beaver Tailwater was a very eventful occassion. On the way to the river we nearly smoked a 6 point (instead of us taking the buck's life, the car in front of us tagged him with only enough force to hurt him, not kill him). Don't worry, the big guy scampered away with only a scuffed hide. He'll be killed in a week anyway by a hunter (gun season opens today). Further, we fished hard for 3+ hours seeing fish all around us. Chad caught one. I missed one (I was a little rusty on my hookset - don't judge me). But these things aren't even close to being the most memorable (albeit for bad reasons) event of the day.

Thursday, November 11, 2010 is a day that will forever live in infamy. It was supposed to be a good day; one filled with bro time and big fish. However, this otherwise pleasant day on the river enjoying the blessings of our Creator took a drastic turn for the worst around 11:30 A.M. It was then that Chud and I heard the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission officer order us to come up and speak with him "for a minute." I know what you all are asking: "Did you run?" Well, I thought about it. My deliberations did not last long, however, since I was fully licensed, had purchased my trout tags, and was doing NOTHING WRONG (at least I thought). We therefore complied with the officer's request and began walking up the shoreline.

If you have never encountered a game and fish commission officer on one of your trips, you are lucky. I honestly think that these encounters are among the worst feelings in the world. Think about it. You are enjoying your favorite pastime, desperately trying to get on some  pigs, when the 5-0 makes you stop in your tracks. Seriously? I'm not hurting people. I'm not stealing anything. I'm fishing. What the freak could you possibly want with me? Now you understand my level of frustration by the time we reached the officer's truck.

So what was our offense? Fishing too close to the dam. Really? The officer then proceeds to tell us that the restriction is in place for the sole purpose of protecting anglers in the event of a water release. Well great. That means that I wasn't really doing anything "wrong" per se, there was simply a misunderstanding about where I was and was not allowed to fish. I thought, "surely in a situation such as this I will get off with a warning." WRONG. This guy proceeds to tell me that he was forced to issue me a citation since "he has a job to do." Give me a break. If your job is to enforce a restriction that exists solely to protect the anglers, at least entertain the idea of issuing a warning. IT SERVES THE SAME PURPOSE!!! You want anglers to know not to fish too close to the dam, then warn me and I won't do it again. Holy Moly!

On top of all the garbage referenced above, the fact that I didn't catch a single fish in our 3.5 hours on the river simply added insult to injury. The only bright spot of the day was Chad's catch, a 13 inch bow. Overall, not a good day of fishing, but no day on the river is a bad day, despite receiving a citation for an offense that is complete garbage. Chud and I got to spend time together; we got to spend time on the river; and we got to spend time with the Lord. I would say in the grand scheme of things our day turned out pretty good.

So, the moral of the story? Don't fish too close to the dam, and run when you see the warden (I am only kidding. Never run from a law enforcement officer). When you get out there this weekend, remember this, but more than that, remember to cast to THE OTHER SIDE! See you on the river.

- The Prez

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LUNCH LINKS

It's the end of the week,  and your mind is already at the river despite the fact that your body is stuck in that cubicle. Because your mind is elsewhere, your work productivity level will be next to nothing. So, why not wet your appetite with some Friday link action? Here goes nothing:

• Fly-Fishing Group Offers an Escape From the Hospital.
• It's almost time to start fly fishing for steelhead in rivers around Lake Erie.
• Tennessee anglers gain fishing access at Smith County Welcome Center.
• Wisconsin angler captures one world record and ties another with his 41.8 pound brown trout (It's not a fly fishing record).
• Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has received 6 applications for vacant director's post.
• Arkansas is going to host a national fishing promo tour.
• Fishing report can be found on the Fish Food page with Luke Emert.

And now ... without further ado ... your Friday eyecandy. Enjoy:

Click the image above to be redirected to catch magazine.

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Reel Recovery: Be Well! Fish On!

Guys, I came across an organization that I want to promo for everyone here on The Other Side Fly-Fishing, both authors and readers. I've never interacted with these guys in any way, but I have been inspired by the work they do on and off the river. This organization is called Reel Recovery.

Reel Recovery is a non-profit organization founded in 2003 by a group of avid anglers who were motivated by their friend’s ongoing struggle with brain cancer. They were able to witness first hand how being on the river impacted their friend in a positive way, and they decided to provide a similar opportunity for other men battling this horrible disease.

Reel Recovery combines expert fly-fishing instruction with directed “courageous conversations” in an effort to provide men with all forms of cancer a unique opportunity to share their stories, learn a new skill, form lasting friendships, and gain renewed hope as they confront the challenges of cancer. Their mission statement is as follows: “The mission of Reel Recovery is to help men in the cancer recovery process by introducing them to the healing powers of the sport of fly-fishing, while providing a safe, supportive environment to explore their personal experiences of cancer with others who share their stories.” HOW SICK AWESOME DOES THAT SOUND?!!?!?!??!

Photo from a Reel Recovery retreat

These guys host regular events called Reel Recover retreats. Though only a few days long, these events can be life-changing experiences physically, emotionally, and spiritually for men battling cancer. These retreats are offered at no cost to the participants, and a maximum of twelve men are invited to participate. Reel Recovery actually just hosted an event outside of Flippin, AR that covered waters in Arkansas, Missouri, and Tennessee. I have no idea how this event went, but I am confident that it was FLIPPIN SWEET (pun intended).

So, how can you and I help? Well, in several ways. Reel Recovery relies on generous supporters to offer these retreats at no cost. We can all help these guys build the organization and serve more men suffering from cancer by making a financial donation, by contributing fly-fishing equipment, or by volunteering to help coordinate or staff one of their retreats. To find out more information, or to make a donation, visit their website.

Photos taken from Reel Recovery Website

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Fishing Report 11/11/10

It's that time of year when the air starts to cool off and the fishing starts to heat up. If I had half a brain I would of called in sick today...if you know what I mean. And now for our main event...The SPAWN! Brown trout are hitting the spawning grounds hard and if you're looking for a wall mounter now is the time to be fishing.

The white river is producing 100 fish days and the casual angelers are sitting on their couch drinking a beer watching Dancing with the Stars. So strap up and hit the river.

The browns are stacking in, and the bows are storing up for winter.

Guide Davy Wotton says the zebra midge is the go to fly and nymphs are producing big numbers. Sow bugs, olive scuds and streamers are also healthy choices. If fishing deeper water, throw on a smaller streamer and tease those browns until they can't take it anymore. If overcast, throw on the olive scud or sow bug. If you are forced to drift, the San Juan (of course) is producing miraculous numbers. Now...don't judge me, but if fishing darker water, don't be above throwing on a high vis egg pattern... as a last resort of course. Now let's get it on. Hit the river this weekend. Cast to The Other Side, and you'll have less bad days and more "Chad get off my leg we've only caught 50" days.

-Lukifer

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LUNCH LINKS

How about a little Wednesday link action to wet your appetites for this weekend?

• John Berry's Fly-Fishing for Trout: Kayaking the North Fork.
• A popular GA fly-fishing guide recently earned national recognition as a top angler from several national fishing publications.
• Field and Stream blog discusses music on the river.
• Vote in the About.com poll: Who would you rather go fly-fishing with? Oprah or Obama?
• Ed Godfrey writes a nice short story about the Brown Trout of the Chittenango River, New York.
• According to the Denver Post, Trout are all over Elevenmile!
• You have five more days to fish many California waters.

And there you have it folks. How about now you treat yourself to a little bit of eyecandy?

Gotta love a little Greenback Cuttie from the guys at Colorado Trout Hunters!

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Ole Faithful

My late Grandfather had a saying, "if it ain't broke don't fix it". Terrible grammar I know, but when applied to fishing, the man was on to something. My Papa was a bass fisherman at heart and spent countless hours trying to figure out the perfect bait to entice the prey. I saw him pull out the biggest, ugliest lures you could find and somehow he would always catch the monsters. However, when the fish just weren't biting he would always go to the "ole faithful." For him it was the purple trick worm rigged Texas style. Now, if your like me there are good days and slow days on the river, but never a bad day on the river, and I like to chalk that stat up to my "ole faithful".

For Arkansas trout fishermen it's sometimes difficult to peg exactly what the fish are feeding on. Some days you might tie on 25 different flies before getting a nibble. When I'm losing confidence in my selection there is one fly that always comes through for me. The "San Juan Worm" (above). I've experimented with different colors and I've found the best color is blood red or wine color. There are a hundred different ways to rig this money fly, so I'll leave that part up to your creative mind. Confidence is key on the days that are slow, and a confident fisherman always catches more than a frustrated fisherman. So, next time you're on the river and the action is just not where you'd like it to be, throw on your "ole faithful" and see where your luck takes you. And of course cast to The Other Side, and you'll have less bad days and more I can't wait to show my friends these pictures days!

-Lukifer

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Norfork 2009

Kush-Kush - bittersweet. Bitter cold, sweet fish

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Beaver Tailwaters 2008

"Lukifer" gettin' ready to slay... or is that a knot?

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Norfork 2008

Beautiful Ferg, beautiful fish, beautiful...picture

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Norfork 2009

"Chud" Lee - One of my best, I must say...

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Roaring River, MO 2009

A cold day for Seth... worth it.

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Norfork, 2008

Beautiful 18" rainbow

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LUNCH LINKS

A little bit of link love on a Tuesday for some good mid-morning or early-afternoon reads:

• The CADDIS Fly Fishing Club, the Russellville Recreation and Parks Department and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) are partnering to bring seasonal trout fishing to Russellville.
• First-ever all-female team shares win at Cabela’s speckled trout USA event.
• Sky High News makes plea to preserve the health of the upper Colorado River.
• Bloody Run Creek in Wisconsin, a Class 1 trout stream, dries up and so does its supporters.

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WARNING: THIS PRODUCT IS NOT A SAFE ALTERNITIVE TO CIGARETTES

This week: TWO for the ROAD

Ok Peeps, I found this over the weekend and it solidified how ridiculously awesome Cliff outdoors is. Cliff Outdoors has some really great fly fishing accessories available for almost any budget. They started by designing efficient, long lasting, aesthetically pleasing, CHEAP fly boxes. I myself own a whole bunch of Cliff Bugger Barn fly boxes.. Check out the bugger barn below. I can cram this box plumb full of wooly buggers for a years worth of fly fishing. I have had my bugger barns for over two years and they are still fully intact and holding the love!

The bugger barn retails for around $23.00.. Don’t leave home without this! Do you see how packed that bad boy is?!?! I promise this is the best streamer box for the money... It is TOSFly endorsed.

Ok.... So on to Cliff’s most dominate product.. The Other Side Fly-Fishing may or may not condone smokeless tobacco, but regardless, the “Little Dipper” is just STUPID AWESOME. IF you have any “CHEW” cans laying around, order the Little Dipper fly box kit and make your personalized fly box. If your wife catches you with a can of chew, you now have an excuse! CHECK THIS OUT!!

I have to apologize, I do not have a price on this PRICELESS craft, but I am sure that it is well worth the expense out of the fishing budget. You know you want one! Listen, if you have not heard of Cliff Outdoors, DO YOURSELF A FAVOR,  and go to their website and view there amazing line up of fly boxes and other accessories. Also, if you are in the Fayetteville Arkansas area, McClellans fly shop has a bunch of Cliff outdoor products in stock, and you can order anything you want from Cliff. Remember, whenever you can, make sure you give your local fly shop some love!

Until next time... Cast to THE OTHER SIDE!

FERG

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LUNCH LINKS

Some Monday linkage for you viewing pleasure:

• It's almost time to start fly fishing for Steelhead in rivers around Lake Erie.
• The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection has completed its fall trout stocking.
• Southern Pennsylvania lakes have been stocked with trout for cold-water fishing.
• Lake Superior, like some Arkansas Rivers, has a problem with didymo, but there it lies dormant. Find out why.
• Bruce Ajari for the Sierra Sun discusses fly fishing with midges.

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The Report -- Bull Shoals and Norfork Tailwaters

Background

The tailwaters of Norfork and Bull Shoals Dams were created as a result of the construction of these dams in 1944 and 1952 respectively. Initial operations of these dams created a coldwater habitat that was unsuitable for native fish species. To mitigate the loss of the warmwater fishing, fingerling trout were stocked in 1948 and 1952. These stockings demonstrated great growth potential, and thus regular stockings began in 1955. The rest is history.

Four species of trout are stocked into Bull Shoals and Norfork Tailwaters: rainbow trout, brown trout, cutthroat trout, and brook trout. Brown trout, brook trout, and cutthroat are all stocked at an average length of 6 inches. The stocking rates for each of these waterways is as follows:

1. Rainbow Trout - Approximately 1.2 million catchable rainbow trout are stocked in the Bull Shoals Tailwater every year. Similarly, the Norfork Tailwater receives around 90,000 rainbows. These fish are stocked seasonally with the AGFC adjusting stocking rates based on angling pressure.
2. Brown Trout - The Bull Shoals Tailwater receives around 100,000 brown trout annually, and the Norfork gets about 10,000.
3. Cutthroat Trout - Bull Shoals also receives around 195,000 cutties, while the Norfork only receives around 25,000. 
4. Brook Trout - The stocking numbers of brook trout are the same - 15,000 each. 

Goals

So what are the fishing goals for these two fisheries? In 2008, the AGFC Trout Management Program set up a management plan for these two rivers. The overarching goal set out in the plan was the same for both. I'm not going to quote it for you, but essentially they want to do the best they can, and the best the river can, to provide you with the best fishing possible. They planned to do this in the following ways:

Bull Shoals - 

• Maintain an average catch rate of rainbow trout of around 1 fish/hour. Essentially, they want you to catch fish! How?
• Stock 1.1 million rainbows annually with an average length of 11 inches.
• Monitor the harvesting rates and angling pressure on these fish through an ongoing creel survey (so if they ask to look in your basket, know it's just for management purposes).
• Increase the proportion of rainbows > 16 inches
• Conduct some electrofishing to assess and monitor rainbow population.
• Conduct a mark-recapture study to monitor growth and mortality rates of rainbows.
• Develop a fish ruler and/or decal that details recommended handling techniques for fish that are to be released. I want one of these!
• Achieve a trophy brown trout fishery.
• Implement a minimum length of 24 inches and a 1 fish/day creel limit. 
• Conduct electrofishing sample to monitor population and size.
• Ongoing creel surveys.
• Conduct a mark-recapture study to monitor growth and mortality rates.
• Maintain an angler success rate for browns of > 0.1 fish/hour (I wish this was more like 1 fish/hour).
• Maintain an angler success rate for brook trout of > 0.005 fish/hour from Bull Shoals Dam to Cotter.
• Maintain an angler success rate for cutthroat trout of > 0.05 fish/hour.

Norfork (The strategies with which to accomplish these goals are very similar to that of Bull Shoals. As a result, I will not go into as much detail) -

• Maintain an average catch rate for rainbows of approximately 0.8 fish/hour. This will be accomplished by stocking about 92,000 rainbows annually and following similar strategies as those mentioned above. 
• Increase the proportion of rainbow trout > 16 inches.
• Achieve a trophy brown trout fishery in the Norfork.
• Maintain an angler success rate for browns of > 0.2 fish/hour.
• Maintain a success rate for brook trout of > 0.04 fish/hour.
• Maintain a success rate for cutthroat trout of > 0.1 fish/hour.

Results

The latest results available are those from the 2009 annual report from the Trout Management Program. According to these results, rainbows in the Norfork ranged in length from 8-17 inches with an average length of 12 inches. Brown trout ranged in length from 6-28 inches with an average length of 11.9 inches. This was a slight decrease in size from 2008. It is important to remember that this could be partly due to the large number of young brownies that were stocked in early 2009. 

Additionally, the annual report indicates that between September 2008 and August 2009, angling pressure equalled 850,000 hours on Bull Shoals Tailwater and nearly 134,000 hours on Norfork Tailwater. 

Currently, Trout Management officials are conducting a mark-recapture study. In December of 2009, 21,400 brook trout and 13,000 brown trout were stocked in the Norfork. These fish were marked with a fin clip. By comparing the size and abundance of fish at the time of stocking with the size and abundance in later electrofishing samples, these officials can calculate the growth and mortality rates of the stockings. 

The Other Side Fly Analysis

Overall, here at TOSFly we believe the AGFC is doing a great job at accomplishing their goal to provide a great fishery in these waters. Honestly, the White River below Bull Shoals dam is one of the most prolific trout steams in the country. The area immediately below the dam is easily accessible and is home to some of the largest brownies on the river. Another 14 miles downstream is Rim Shoals, a popular hole for the crew here at TOSFly. It is full of large rainbows and browns, although the cutthroat and brook trout tend to thin out the further downriver you get.

At the mouth of the Norfork, where these two rivers intersect, there is an infusion of cold water that allows trout to thrive for another 50 or so miles. Good fishing access below the Norfork's mouth include Red's landing, Calico Rock, Mount Olive, Sylamore, and Roundbottum. All of these access points provide bank and boat fishermen with opportunities to catch rainbow and brown trout.

These fisheries are not difficult to fish for the most part and can provide some excellent recreational and teaching opportunities for inexperienced or youth fly fishermen. Remember this, a thirty fish day is considered average on the White in these areas. So get out there, throw in a line, and have fun. But most of all, remember to cast to The Other Side! See you on the river.

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Stripping for Stripers

Ready for a day with a "Pole Dancer"

Stripers. Picture a spring morning on the beautiful Beaver Lake. It's 5:45 a.m., and there is just enough light to see the breaking of water as you ride to your destination in the hopes that the busts will continue. There’s anticipation and a caffeine high that makes the 15-minute boat ride seem never-ending. Stripers can do this to a fly-fisherman. Stripers do this to us. They are a powerful fish that almost demand to be caught with Ugly Sticks and huge baitcasters, the kind that would make ole’ Johnny Morris proud. We, on the other hand, take a different approach. We want to feel every muscle of the fish on the end of our dainty 8-weights. Back to the build up…the sun has just ascended to light up the water around our cove. We are rigged up and the “morning rituals” have been completed, giving me the confidence that it is going to be a lucky day. The only sounds heard for the next hour and a half are striper busts, the harmonious casts of two eight-weight rods, and the cheerful laughs of two fishermen on the water living up the moments before they head into work where the only thing accomplished will be the planning of tomorrow morning's trip. So what fly is going to lead the way to our striper fantasy?? None other than the appropriately named “Pole Dancer.”

The Pole dancer is best explained by its creater Charlie Bisharats.  Watch Ole Charlie discuss his fly and how it works here.

The pole dancer is easy to cast if you have the right gear: a strong 8-weight, a reel that can withstand the ripping of your 8-weight floating line, and a sound double haul. Once the fly has hit the water (water that has just been kissed by a striper), you want to strip the line using short, quick pulls. The fly will do the rest; it will move similar to that of the zara spook lure. The head of the “dancer” will pop on the water, and it will move gracefully back and forth, almost putting you into a trance. It seems to also put the stripers into a trance, which is obviously the goal of the fly. 

      

Next time you are on the water looking to join the few and elite fly-fisherman who are engulfed in the striper dream, make sure that you have a few “Pole-Dancers” in your fly box. These flies can be purchased online through Leland Outfitters, or if you are a native of NW Arkansas, the guys @ McLellan’s Fly Shop in Fayetteville will hook you up with all the flies you need. Not to mention they carry all the sick gear that Ferg will be talking about on his "Gear Reviews" page. We have spent many of dollars at the joint, well-spent dollars I might add.

Catching stripers with a Pole Dancer. No need to say more.

Blessed Waters,

Chad

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Simms Headwaters Stockingfoot Wader

LET US BEGIN....

One of the most important pieces of fishing gear an angler must purchase is a pair of waders. CAUTION: Do your research on waders, as there is nothing worse than a November morning on the water with a nice cold stream running down your leg.  No, I'm not talking about urine; I'm talking about a leak!  Been there, done that (both).  As an angler on a budget myself, I only have one pair of waders.  Living in Arkansas we have access to trout fishing year around, and I tried to find a pair of waders that were considerably cool in the summer, but gave me plenty of insulation in the winter. I also wanted thick durable material since we often are trekking through thick brush, climbing trees, and crawling on our knees to offer that delicate cast to a feeding brown (It's called dedication, Son!).  Let me introduce you to Simms.... If you read my gear reviews, you will see that name consistently as I feel that Simms offers the absolute highest quality of fly fishing gear. My wader of Choice: Simms Headwaters Stockingfoot.

The Guide Stockingfoot wader is the absolute best pair of waders I have ever owned.  They feature a thick 3 layer GORE-TEX performance fabric with a reinforced front leg panel to hold up to the toughest of rocks.  Articulated knees for a more perfect fit and less bulk, built in gravel guards, and they easily convert to hip waders. Another thing that you will find about Simms is that they stand behind their products with a great warranty program. I send my waders in every two to three years and they completely reseal and re-patch any leaky areas. These waders come with a steep price tag around $299.95, but if you have ever had a leaky pair of waders on a brutally cold day you would not mind spending the extra coin.  And no, peeing on yourself is not a solution.  These waders are a beautiful thing, and I would not leave home without them.

Get you some here! And remember, Cast to The Other Side!

- J-Ferg

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Welcome to Gear Review!

Readers,

Welcome to The Other Side Fly-Fishing. Every week I am going to be diving through the fly fishing industries hottest new gear.  The entire goal of TOSFly.com is to offer quality information to professional and amateur fly anglers. Each week I will feature only the hottest new gear from the most well know fly fishing brands.  But more than that,  I'll also provide you with the most cost effective alternative for the weekend warrior.  As in any angling industry you have your staple name brand manufacturers who take pride in high quality gear, but a high price tag usually accompanies the brand name.  It is no different in the fly fishing universe.  Although most name brand companies in fly fishing truly do produce high quality products, there are cheaper options for anglers with a budget (like the boys here at TOSFly)!  Our goal here at TOSFly is to offer information on high quality and cost effective products!  So read on, enjoy, and remember, Cast to The Other Side!

- J-Ferg

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Trout?

According to an article published by National Geographic in March, a team led by Terry Bradley from the University of Rhode Island's Department of Fisheries has created hundreds of genetically modified mutant rainbow trout possessing bulging six pack abs and shoulders. The team injected 20,000 trout with DNA from other species intended to suppress myostatin, a protein known to keep muscle growth in check in mammals. Apparently, based on the results from these experiments, it does the same for aquatic species. 

Despite the fact that fish possess no abdominal muscles, these mutant trout sport the appearance of a six pack along their midsection as well as a prominent hump on their back. Other genetically modified trout programs are also in the works intended to engineer trout for faster growth, disease resistance, and frigid-water survival (anti-freeze genes).

Though some genetically altered fish have been approved for release into the wild, never has such approval been given for trout with added DNA from other species. However, if met with regulatory approval, Bradley states the fish-gene modifications could mean cheaper trout for consumers, as farmers would be able to grow larger fish without having to feed them more. These fish provide 15-20 percent more flesh than the standard trout. See the photo to the right for a side by side comparison of a mutant trout and a normal trout.

But what happens if these fish escape into the wild? Can they reproduce with native trout? Will we all be left catching these monstrosities? Let's hope not. Let me know what you think.

Photography on this page from National Geographic

Courtesy Terry Bradley

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LUNCH LINKS

You daily lunch links are below. And if you can't get to it all over lunch, maybe some afternoon tangents to distract you from work:

• Check out this Field and Stream article discussing how Oprah Winfrey gave flyfishing a try.
• Check out the latest on John Berry's Fly Fishing for Trout: Conservation Easement donated on North Fork.
• The University of Victoria in Canada will host some of the world's best in flyfishing at an upcoming symposium.
• There is controversy in Colorado about changing the Arkansas River's look.
• Arkansas (as well as Tennessee and South Carolina) approve a constitutional amendment giving residents the right to hunt and fish.

There you have it folks, you daily reading material for lunch time. Enjoy!

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LUNCH LINKS

We are back again with your best afternoon reading material. Enjoy these over your lunch break. We are not in the business of decreasing productivity at your work place. Or are we ...?

1. N.Y.'s abundance of salmon will have you hooked.
2. Good grasshopper fishing in Arkansas should continue until colder weather arrives.
3. Nice blog post on fly-fishing for Kentucky trout.
4. Louisiana Sportsman details how to nymph for specks.
5. Winter is a great time to tie flies. Find out why here.
6. Rio announces the addition of its smallmouth fly line.

Enjoy your lunch while perusing through these interesting reads!

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The Report -- AGFC Management of Beaver Tailwater

TOSFly readers, welcome to the first installment of "The Report," a series of posts that provide vital statistical information regarding the rivers we all fish in the Natural State. We are starting with the Beaver Tailwater. For those of you who do not know, the Beaver tailwater is a result of the construction of Beaver Dam in 1965, the last project constructed on the White River. The tailwater flows through northwest Arkansas and enters Table Rock Lake. The tailwater is stocked regularly with rainbows and browns, and the AGFC has set a management/strategy plan for improving the quality of fish in the water. Below, you will find this plan as well as the most recent data collected from the river.

AGFC Fish Goals, Objectives, and Strategies

The goal for AGFC is to "provide a diverse recreational trout fishing experience that addresses the full range of angler desires and expectations within the biological and physical capacities of the tailwater." This goal was set in 2006, with a desired completion year of 2011. In order to reach this goal, trout management officials have set several objectives and strategies:

1. By 2011, achieve a rainbow trout population in Beaver Tailwater that meets the following criteria:
• Electrofishing catch rate of > 25 fish/hr for fish 13-16 in.
• Electrofishing catch rate of > 5 fish/hr for fish > 16 in.
2. Maintain an average angler catch rate of nearly 1 fish/hr.
3. Maintain a brown trout population in Beaver Tailwater that meets the following criteria:
• Electrofishing catch rate of ≈ 55 fish/hr.
• Electrofishing catch rate of ≈ 20 fish/hr for fish 13-16 in.
• Electrofishing catch rate of ≈ 10 fish/hr for fish > 16 in.

So how do they plan to meet these lofty goals? Well, lets start with the first. To achieve the desired population of rainbows, trout management officials will monitor growth and mortality rates through a mark-recapture program. This will give them an idea of how close they are to reaching this goal. Additionally, AGFC personnel stocks the tailwater with 96,000 catchable rainbows annually. These fish are on average 11 inches in length. Finally, the AGFC has instituted a new "no bait fishing" zone to reduce angler conflict and allow for assessing hooking mortality.

To achieve the desired brown trout population, the AGFC plans to stock brown trout at a rate of 5,000 fingerlings with an average length of 6 inches on a biennial basis. They also will use the results from a mark-recapture study to assess the successes of the programs. 

Finally, throughout the tailwater, the AGFC has instituted the following angling regulation package:

1. 13-16 inch protected slot limit for all trout. Any trout caught within this slot limit must be released immediately.
2. Daily bag limit of 5 trout, only one of which can be over 16 inches.
3. Single barbless hook restriction on bait fishing to reduce hooking mortality of released trout.

So how are the trout management officials doing?

2009 AGFC Annual Report

Trout Program personnel conducted their annual population survey of Beaver Tailwater trout in September 2009. Overall, the population rates remained roughly the same from the previous year. However there is good news; it appears the tailwater is starting to produce bigger fish. As I mentioned above, in 2006 the AGFC instituted a 13-16 protected slot limit. At that time, roughly seven percent of rainbows were within the slot limit while none measured greater than 16 inches.  For the past 3 years this figure remained about the same, as no substantial change was reported. This was due in part to an inability to measure the water in 2008 following substantial flooding and high water. However, as of the 2009 sample, the proportions of fish within (23%) and above (1%) the slot limit are much higher than in 2006. Additionally, the mean size of rainbows in the tailwater has increased slightly less than one percent. While one percent is not a substantial number, it is important to remember that this is the average size of rainbows. The important figure here is that more fish are within and above the slot limit. This means bigger fish.

Further, the average size of brown trout has increased by nearly 2 inches since 2006. However, it is important to remember that data collected for brown trout is inconsistent from year to year, and likely fluctuates in response to when fish were stocked in the tailwater. Nonetheless, it appears the program is on track to meet its population goals.

The AGFC Trout Program also began an ongoing study to measure the growth and mortality rates of rainbows and browns in the Beaver Tailwater. The program has tagged numerous rainbow with wire tags for easier identification and recapturing. The length data collected demonstrated a growth of less than 1 inch in the first three months of the program (July through December). At that rate, it would take a rainbow trout stocked at 11 inches 1.5 years to grow into the slot limit and over 3 years to grow out of it. Brown trout growth, on the other hand, is much faster. Preliminary estimates from the studies being conducted indicated that brown trout are increasing in size at a rate of roughly 6 inches per year.

In regards to mortality rate, shortly after the July stocking, Trout Program personnel began monthly samples. The results indicate that at approximately 5 months after being stocked, mortality of the rainbow trout will approach 100%. This number was not as high for the November stocking, most likely because of factors such as angling pressure and harvest differential. This data will continue to be monitored to obtain seasonal growth and mortality rates.

The Other Side Fly Analysis

After analyzing the above information, we at TOSFly believe the AGFC is doing an excellent job of improving the fish quality in the Beaver Tailwater. The data is already indicating bigger fish and a steady population. In the reports we have already seen this year, the tailwater is definitely producing some large fish including several 20+ inch browns below the dam. If this management pattern continues, don't be surprised if this stream becomes more of a hot spot and destination for Arkansas anglers. 

So, if you are ever in or around Carroll county and feel up to it, go out and press your luck against the bruisers swimming around in Beaver Tailwater. And as always, remember to cast to The Other Side! Have fun guys.

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