Well, kind folks, the reservations are made, the date selected and the vacation scheduled.
My girl and I are heading for the Ozarks in October! No particular reason for posting this other than IT’S ALL I CAN FREAKIN’ THINK ABOUT!!!
We’ve got a cabin on the Norfork, not far below the dam…I plan on hitting that, the White, Crooked Creek and the Buffalo. At minimum.
Some of you will remember that this Lousyana boy fished Montana back in 2005. Since then, I’ve only been after trout once, that in Smoky Mountain National Park last fall, with very, very little success. About 4-inches “little” if I recall the little guy correctly :).
Suzie recently took delivery of a 9’ 6-wt from Cabelas and is learning to use it, with my humble and somewhat skewed help. I’ve learned a lot about fly casting since Montana, where the wind really kicked my butt senseless. I’m by no means “great” at it, but way better than I was then.
Just sayin’,
Best regards from the Rez,
R
Roger,
You’ll have a ball, but for even more fun take a kid under the age of 16 (even if ya’ gatta’ take a niece or nephew or even the kid of a good friend) and spend a good deal of your time on Dry Run Creek.
You didn’t say when in October, but the first weekend of the month is the FFF Southern Council Conclave, a very large gathering of fly fishers with some great programs. Check it out if you’re going to be there then - and be aware that if it is that weekend, you’ll be competing with about 250 fishermen for space on the rivers!
TxEngr
Roger,
October is a good time to fish there. The big browns should be making there spawning run by then. Be sure and take some Zebra Midges with you!
Steve
Yeah, I’d rather not say on a public forum exactly when I’ll be away from home, you understand. 
We’ll be there from Saturday to Saturday, though, so hopefully weekday fishing will be less crowded. I’ve collected great info from friends in Arkansas about the area, understanding generation schedules, good spots, etc. I appreciate the input here, too!
Don’t have a kid or a kidnappable one that age, either. Mine are 17 and 21 now.
Though the trout fishing is high on my list, I’m particularly most pumped about the possibility of smallmouth, something I’ve never caught. Needless to say, it’ll be a busy week!
Just as when we were in the Smokies, staying in Pigeon Forge, and we never laid eyes on Dollywood…people keep asking if we’ll hit Branson. As IF!
Best regards from the Rez,
R
IF you happen to trip a little bit north … like to Kansas City! … there’s a whole lotta people here that would be tickled to pieces!! Bet we could even get a bunch together for some good ole KC BBQ!!!
Roger,
Several Red Stick Fly Fishers, as well as members for other Louisiana clubs, will be up in our annual trips Mt. Home area for the week prior to Conclave and at Conclave, and yes - while Rim Shoals on the White and some of the Norfork access areas can get crowded during Conclave, there are plenty of places to fish with little if any competion. PM me for more info.
Kyle
PS
If ya’ hook up with that crowd from Kansas - good folks, you’ll have a ball! Lots of good folks will be around at SOC Conclave…
Like Betty said, If you happen to detour a few hours north…
I noticed you had the buffalo on your list. Great smallmouth stream!
I can Identify with that. When we go to Branson we only get into town to eat. We stay on the river the rest of the time.
Steve
I doubt we’ll get that far north, folks…maybe next time around!
Steve, I’m lucky in that my girl doesn’t go for the glitz, either. When we went to GSMNP, we got up in the morning, had breakfast, went straight to the park, came back at dark. In fact, when we go again, we’re probably going to stay in Townsend, rather than Pigeon Forge…a lot less glitz.
Best regards from the Rez,
R
it’s gonna be a good time…always is. i had to miss last year for a “family thang.” that sucked.
my biggest problem this year is trying to decide whether to go early or stay after to fish. i’m teaching workshops and tying all 3 days of conclave. so can’t sneak off then.
this year there will be some fantastic seminars and workshops!
Mt Home and Cotter have nice fly shops, Flippin is home of Dorber rods, flyfishingarkansas.com has local guides and information. Have fun, hope to see you at SCFF.
Norfork eh.
Might see ya there!
Dang, looks like we’ll be in EXCELLENT company!