We’re going to be in Arkansas the middle of May and wanted to do some fishing, but things I read about the uncertainty of being able to wade the tailwaters makes me wonder about an alternative. We are going to start at the Beaver lake area, anybody got any ideas of where to go from there?
You are correct, the tail waters can be less than predictable wading so alternatives would be useful.
Beaver Lake area - Beaver Dam tailwater - Trout fishing but not wadable when the dam is generating. When you hear the horn, dont hang around, get to the correct shore. The water comes up fast there.
Beaver Lake alternatives - Float the Kings River. Smallmouth fishing is good there. There are a couple public walk-in area but they are but hard. The best thing to do it rent a canoe and float. I need to do that this year, as I have not floated the Kings in a couple years. You could also Float the Elk River in southern MO. I live in NW Arkansas and it’s only about 15 minutes away. Again some smallmouth, panfish, some largemouth, carp etc.
White River/Mountain Home area. - You can fish the White and Norfork rivers. As they are both tail waters, they are subject to generation. Sometimes they you can fish one or the other. There are some areas that you can fish on the White with smaller amounts of generation, say 1-2 units. If they are running 8 units . . . . .
Alternatives to the White/Norfork area . . . Trout fishing on the Spring River. Smallmouth fishing on the Buffalo River or Crooked Creek. There are public access to all all three.
Let me know of you have any additional questions.
wayne
wayne is right. fly fishing that part of ark without a boat or guide with a boat is unreliable at best. but canoe/kayak rentals are inexpensive and the floats are easy and beautiful, providing access to some good fishing…mostly warm water.