Lower Swim Beach Bridge Parking Overflow.....

[dlinzy]

When someone mentions on a Social Site there's some nice fish stocked below Swim Beach..... Parking Lot gets Full!

insert code hereDSC_0355 by denny lindsay, on Flickr

[dlinzy]

And so does the River..... I had to count 200 fish leave on stringers today.... 

DSC_0351 by denny lindsay, on Flickr


 

[turfdawg]

Nice pic of my Jeep. I left mine there.

[troutbum54]

It was very busy and very cold today! Evening hold was virtually empty with the fish being super skittish (I only managed one from the evening hole), swim beach was packed but I managed to get downstream and catch one, and the bluffs were empty when I went there and managed to catch a couple. Overall cold and fishing was below average from what I could tell

[hankinsfly]

Holy..! Come on smallie season

[troutbum54]

Tell me about it! Now that I live in welling I’m set! And I’m headed to Hawaii in May so hopefully one of those 10+lb bonefish will like the patterns I tie up

[turfdawg]

Well I feel like a movie star. I’m the short fat guy in the Texas A&M hoodie.

I had way better luck there swinging one of my Dena Fly streamers.

[flyfishermann1955]

Dena Fly streamers: I'm not familiar with that pattern; are you willing to post a picture/list of materials in the Fly Tying Section?

Thanks- Ken

[turfdawg]

Dec 31, 2017 8:21:12 GMT -6 flyfishermann1955 said:

Dena Fly streamers: I'm not familiar with that pattern; are you willing to post a picture/list of materials in the Fly Tying Section?

Thanks- Ken

 Sure thing but here it is from the guide who started it. PATTERN
Sorry it is spelled Deena Fly and I will post a few pics and materials list. I stink at tying but this is one i can.

[turfdawg]

I have to be honest, Denny's picture doesn't tell the whole story. I think there were 6 or 7 people on the other side using spinning gear.

Just noticed I might need to buy a new hoodie. I'm wearing the same one in my screen pic and yesterdays pic. Oh well, if it isn't broke..............

[hankinsfly]

That's one thing about this river--- there is just not much water to fish. I don't understand why there is so much restricted water. The "stop logs" cover up so much water too. They need to get rid of all the little dam structures and this place would just be a killer river. People could still swim and kayak in those designated area, too! The other thing is, in AR rivers, there is no restricted water other than directly below dams--- it's wade and paddle at your own risk, as it should be here. I mean Zone II is just gorgeous, and there is solitude. Open these area up, restrict just below the hydroelectric dam, and make them fishable! Like I said, there would still be canoeing and kayaking. But it's such a waste of good river with all these dam structures. Return the river to a river, riffle-run-pool, not a series of lakes with about a mile and a half of trout fishing. That's my gripe. Not management or mismanagement, but make this river a real river.

[jonbo]

I'd love to see the Old Park Dam removed and access allowed allthrough the south end of the Park. That would really be killer.

[turfdawg]

Dec 31, 2017 12:40:49 GMT -6 hankinsfly said:

That's one thing about this river--- there is just not much water to fish. I don't understand why there is so much restricted water. The "stop logs" cover up so much water too. They need to get rid of all the little dam structures and this place would just be a killer river. People could still swim and kayak in those designated area, too! The other thing is, in AR rivers, there is no restricted water other than directly below dams--- it's wade and paddle at your own risk, as it should be here. I mean Zone II is just gorgeous, and there is solitude. Open these area up, restrict just below the hydroelectric dam, and make them fishable! Like I said, there would still be canoeing and kayaking. But it's such a waste of good river with all these dam structures. Return the river to a river, riffle-run-pool, not a series of lakes with about a mile and a half of trout fishing. That's my gripe. Not management or mismanagement, but make this river a real river.

In all honesty the floods messed up a bunch of the "fly fishing" on this short river. I remember when there was not any trout stocked. It was from its beginning a place to just come hike, relax, play, ect............
When they started stocking trout it was to get more people to the park and it worked. I remember when you had to buy a license and then the trout stamp if you wanted to fish in the park down to the Hwy bridge if I remember right. As the trout fishing started getting better some improvements to the stream started being made along with the train, stables, adding onto the visitors center and things like this. As more and more people started hearing about this place it seemed to start booming. When they put in Lost Creek and some of the logs in Spillway Creek it really helped. Just think the "fly guys" had from Lost Creek all the way to Evening Hole Bridge which i would say was probably twice the quality water we have now. Lost Creek was great at times, Lost Creek to where it ran into the Bluff area was a great area with some of the structure, Confluence Area was a nice spot to fish and then the "true" Evening Hole.  Now we are condensed basically from the bridge to the rock pile. I guess I need to learn spillway creek again but it just breaks my heart every time i walk down Cardiac hill.  

I cannot blame people for wanting to come. Just think of the population within 3 hrs. I know it is hard but we are the minority. People wanting to come to the lake and just relax is the major thing. Two guys I graduated with both have four cabins and don't fish. When they come it is just to chill. 

[todd13]

I truly think the answer isn't more restrictions, but like it stated above - make more of the river accessible. For example, put in some floating docks/piers for lure launchers above the OPD and upstream where so many camp with RVs/cabins, keep the stop logs out, or pull them when school let's in. Blast a hole in the OPD and that section would change things also.

It does seem odd there is so much river that we can't really fish without a kayak/canoe. Trying to be "all things" to all people I presume.

[todd13]

Dec 31, 2017 11:24:47 GMT -6 turfdawg said:

Dec 31, 2017 8:21:12 GMT -6 flyfishermann1955 said:

Dena Fly streamers: I'm not familiar with that pattern; are you willing to post a picture/list of materials in the Fly Tying Section?

Thanks- Ken

 Sure thing but here it is from the guide who started it. PATTERN
Sorry it is spelled Deena Fly and I will post a few pics and materials list. I stink at tying but this is one i can.

I would not recommend that pattern at all.   No way, no how.  Won't catch fish.  (Look at what is hanging out the mouth!)