Gary Flippin's Fishing Report
April, 2012
Welcome to March Madness. What should have been a snow storm came as an April shower dropping over 7 inches of rain in record heat for March. All reservoirs in the system moved into the flood pool and has the Corps running heavy generation around the clock to evacuate the flood water before Newport seasonal levels control the releases.
The high flows put a damper on the terrific Caddis Hatch that had started. Norfork has been fishing really good: San Juans, egg patterns fished with a good boat handler or a good guide. Trying to fish these heavy flows and run the motor too can be very tricky. If you are boat fishing without a guide, alternate out and take turn-about running the motor and fishing. Be sure and wear your life jackets.
Crooked Creek and Buffalo River are both fishing good. My favorite water is the lower creek. You can put in at the lower Crooked Creek access and float to the white (about 6 miles). Leave your shuttle vehicle at Ranchette access which is about another 1.5 miles downstream. This is perfect kayak and canoe water. The best flows are between 400 cfs down to 150 cfs. This float is probably the best on the creek. It is very primitive and reminds me of being on the Buffalo yet close to home for me.
Another option is the lakes. White Bass and crappie are on. There are several accesses that you can fish along the bank or wade carefully. Our river boats work very well up in the creek arms and you never have to encounter the main channel.
Take advantage of these options while the tailwaters are high. We are surrounded by fishing opportunities and you should take advantage of them. Don't forget you can always take a kid to Dry Run Creek too! Tight lines!
Flip
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