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THE NORTH FORK Northern Arkansas
tail waters are very nutrient rich and provide year-round growing seasons for
trout. The North Fork runs for 4.8 miles from Lake Norfork Dam to its confluence with the White River
and attracts large numbers of big fish. In 1988 the North Fork produced a 38 pound, 9
ounce freshwater world record for 8 pound test and a fish of 34 pounds and 8-ounces a
little later in the same year. Up until a some years ago there was no scientific evidence
for natural reproduction, even though many anglers had reported catching juvenile fish of
under 6 inches. I have caught some of the young browns and rainbows, of which some of the
latter clearly showed cutthroat slash marks. When these fish are in their parr stage, true
cutthroats and cutbows are hard for me to keep apart. But I also have caught fish in the
10 to 12 inch range, that looked in every way like a true rainbow except for the red slash
marks below their gills.
Two main wading areas become accessible during low water periods. The first is at River
Ridge Access, which also marks the beginning of the Catch and Release zone established by
the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
in 1995. Several nice pools offer opportunities as you work your way upstream. The mouth
of Otter Creek marks the end of the Catch and Release area and is the tail out of
McClellan's pool, which is long and deep and only fishable out of a boat. The upper end of
this pool is split by an island with the main channel on the right. The left channel is
usually full of deadfall and provides good habitat for some larger fish but is very hard
to work and becomes almost un-fishable during low water periods.
A nice riffle separates McClellan's Hole from the Long Hole. This shoal and
the tail-out of this pool is the last wadeable area before the river makes a sharp left /
right S-turn about a half mile upstream. A rock ledge with a steep groove forms the start
of the Long Hole at the left bend in the river and gave up a nice seven pound rainbow for
me a while back. As you round the corner, a small pool of about 200 yards, with a 40 yard
slough on the left bank opens up. This is one of my favorite spots when they are
running ½ to ¾ of a generator. The riffle ahead, leading into the right turn
of the S-bend, always holds a few nice fish. From the top of this shoal you can see Quarry
Park at the end of the dock stretch, which is the second access area.
Right across from the Quarry Park boat-ramp is a small rock ledge and a
gravel bar. Work the current on both sides of the bar into the eddy on the left side of
the Park pool. (you are working downstream now) Here you have the opportunity to cross
over and fish your way down to the S-bend and the top of the Long hole if you access at
the park.
Please observe all special regulations and watch for rising water.
