Some sun prep

[hankinsfly]

 Sun gloves, frog toggs chilly pads, sunglasses, and chapstick will be required next weekend. Couple of ice chests and waters, long sleeve fishing shirts and pants, and a cold river ought to get me by just fine. I'm hardy and can handle cold and heat, but I need to eat the proper foods in hot weather and stay hydrated. Haven't used the chilly towels yet but I hear great things about them. I hate sunscreen, but my wife will make me take some. What are some ways you all combat the hot sun and still get out and enjoy fly fishing?

[danimal]

Looks like you have it covered pretty well there Hankinsfly. I always pre-freeze some plastic bottles of water, powerade, and/or coconut water and keep them in the cooler. That way if I hike/wade a good distance from the canoe/car/cooler I can stuff one in a beer koozie and pack it with me for a cool drink.

[okieman71]

hankinsfly, are you going to wade fish the Norfolk & White?? I ask because I talked to a guy up there yesterday that indicated that there would be a lot of generation for the next several weeks.

[jonbo]

Broad-brimmed hat, water, wet-wade, don't fish in the middle of a hot July day? Something like that.

[hankinsfly]

Thought about the pre-freeze, but I do need to add something with electrolytes. Also, I need a koozie. Good idea. Okieman- it is supposed to be some heavy releases, and I am not going to wade much or canoe in heavy heavy water. There are some spots that you can swing a streamer in heavier flows, and plenty of wade options in one or two units. So we do have some things working in our favor for next weekend. First is the generation trend we have had lately, which has been up to two units until about 11am- that would open up plenty of places to wade fishing in the morning. You can fish around the edges up near the dam in up to a couple of units of flow, and I've caught some nice trout doing this. The flow pushes the trout to banks. My plan is to canoe to each shoal and island and get out and wade fish in addition to checking out the dam areas and rim, wildcat, cotter. The canoe will open up way more spots than can typically be access by car. The other thing working for us is the cool front expected next weekend- highs around 91 and lows around 68. That should bump down the water releases at least somewhat as less electricity will be used for cooling homes. Also, if nothing else, that will make camping more bearable. If the flows are high and jacked up all weekend, which that's possible too, then I would like to check out Crooked Creek in the canoe and the North Fork. I'm not as willing to try the Norfork on any amount of release because it's much narrower and would be a quick ride. I would canoe just for canoeing sake on any flow, but if I have a few expensive rods and gear and such in the boat, I'm not going to risk flipping and losing it.

[okieman71]

Gotcha. Please do not think I was disputing you in anyway. I was just curious how you were going to attack it. I am planning to make a few trips up there this fall to fish and look at the river boats. This heat is for the birds and in my opinion anyone who is conservation minded should be dialing back their efforts on the LMF as this weather is bound to be driving temps to 70 or a bit above. Just too much stress on the fish in my very humble opinion. Too bad they won't go deeper in our reservoir so we could have the same type of summer temps the white and LR have. That would be huge. Have a great trip to Arkansas.

[hankinsfly]

I didn't think you were disputing! We just be conversatin. Come over next weekend man. I have a couple buddies coming from Tulsa as well.

[okieman71]

Where do you guys stay when you go over there??

[greenman]

Okie, come on over to the Arkie side. LMAO. I'll be up there the same time as Hankinsfly. Family and I will be staying on the Norfork just below the dam. There is only one "Resort" there on the water now in Salesville, Ar. Just do a search for Gene's Trout Resort. If your a wanting to stay on the White river, then look into the areas around Cotter, Norfork and Bull Shoals. Hoping, for all us up that way next week, that they slow down on the generation schedules a little.


Hank,  sunscreen is needed.  Frozen bottles of water will still be nice and cool after a several hours.  Also Igloo makes a small insulated softsided backpack.  It can double as a cooler/lunchbox/gearbox. Currently it is my "emergency" fishing bugout bag.  I can grab it throw a drink in it and 'BUG' out. 

[hankinsfly]

I have stayed at Gene's and like their cabins- and the prices. Low priced especially in the winter months. Okie- I am camping next to the water at Blue Herron right off of 412. I think the closest town is Gassville. Or Flippin. I am hopeful that the slight drop in air temps will influence some better water flows. Anyone welcome far as I'm concerned.

[okieman71]

Can't make it next weekend but would like to go in the fall/winter some. In fact I am planning to hit the Little Red as well as the White during cool weather. Thanks for the invite though. It is appreciated.

[hankinsfly]

Oh I'll see you there in the winter then. Excellent time to go. Would like to possible a go when Jonbo goes in November.

[danimal]

Jul 22, 2017 17:51:58 GMT -6 hankinsfly said:

I have stayed at Gene's and like their cabins- and the prices. Low priced especially in the winter months. Okie- I am camping next to the water at Blue Herron right off of 412. I think the closest town is Gassville. Or Flippin. I am hopeful that the slight drop in air temps will influence some better water flows. Anyone welcome far as I'm concerned.

Would love to crash that party but I had to put new skids on my truck yesterday. I'll be eatin' ramen noodles all week and hopin' I can afford gas to drive over to the lower Illinois and fish for stockers (might get a wild hair and try for a striper too). Hope u guys wear em' out.   Dan-o

[hankinsfly]

Dude, bring your ramen and your skids north to mountain home. I already have a campsite and coffee. What else would a fella need?

[danimal]

It'll have to be a game-time decision, but don't be shocked if I show up. Keep an eye out for an old gray headed guy drivin' a weathered white Titan with an even more weathered light blue Old Town Tripper on the rack. But in all honesty, I'll probably wind up staying here in Fort Smith. An old buddy of mine puts on an annual music festival that's happening next weekend. The acts include Government Mule, Jaime Johnson, North Mississippi All stars, and several others. Kinda hate to miss it, but then again there's a lot to be said for campfires and trout streams too!

[hankinsfly]

I like live music, but the trouts are calling. Hey, there live music on the square in Yellville every Saturday night!

[tsfarling]

I wear a Buff to cover my neck and face with a ball cap on. I wear long sleeve quick dry shirts from Magellan mainly and then a pair of OR fingerless gloves to protect the backs of my hands. Im basically a mummy in the summer.