"Everything starts with our customer service and the atmosphere Blue Ribbon founder Dale Fulton created in the shop. We will go out of our way to make the customer service experience something to be remembered."

- Bob & Debi Cooke, Owners

YOUR NAME

YOUR E-MAIL



WELCOME
Be sure and check Henry's Fishing report updated 5/15/12.  Norfork and Bull Shoals are currently below flood pool and the spring season is in full swing. Stop by the shop today for the very best service in the South.

Blue Ribbon Fly Shop In the world of fly fishing and fly shops, there are very few truly unique and friendly establishments. Blue Ribbon Fly Shop, located just minutes from the world famous White River and the often overlooked Norfork Tailwater is just such a place. From the second you walk through the doors of either the shop itself or the delectable Anglers Coffee Café, you will know that you have found something special with friendly folks that will always strive to ensure that all visitors have the most productive and enjoyable experience as possible. 


The fly shop itself is fully loaded with everything that one could possibly need for a fun and successful day on the water, and it is also stocked a wide range of inventory of specialty items for raw beginners to seasoned anglers and everyone in between. There are many fly shops around the country that have the reputation for being tight-lipped or for brushing off those who are relatively new to the sport. Our philosophy is to treat every customer with the utmost of respect, regardless of their desire for local knowledge or their skill level; this is why Blue Ribbon is gaining the reputation as one of the best fly shops around. Beginners will always be treated with patience as they seek out critical advice regarding what they need and where they should fish in order to realize that initial level of success that will encourage them to fall in love with the sport, and advanced fly fishermen who make it a habit to check in before hitting the water will not be disappointed by a staff that is eager to share ‘insider information’, hot spots and the areas where the most big fish are being caught by both the guides and other fishermen.  

One of the best ways to get a feel for the uniqueness of the White and Norfork is to spend a day with a seasoned and insured guide – this guarantees that anglers will be able to fish all day long without worrying about fluctuating water levels, and it is also the most efficient way to learn what to look for in terms of what types of water and which areas are typically the most productive. Ozark fly fishing culture is unique in the respect that most of the area guides operate as independent entities with no affiliation to an outfitter. This is a result of lax oversight of guiding operations in the state of Arkansas, and the current system can be both positive and negative; especially when it comes to insurance and your safety. Blue Ribbon works with the best guides that you will find anywhere, and they are all extremely patient and passionate about the rivers, conservation and fly fishing in general. When the water is low, most will use boats to find secluded wading water by getting away from the often crowded walk-in sections. Also, having a vessel handy allows them to be prepared to keep on fishing if the river levels do rise at some point during the day. Our guides use both traditional motorized riverboats that are indigenous to the Ozarks and Western style drift boats. The Blue Ribbon staff will work with you in order to best cater the trip to your specific desires, so please do not hesitate to let us know what type of experience you are seeking during the booking process so that we can match you up with the perfect guide. 

Attached to the hip of the fly shop is the Anglers Coffee Café. This fly fishing hang out prides itself on serving the finest of everything, and the atmosphere is most inviting. There you'll find a custom fly tying table where you can whip up a few patterns before hitting the water, and the rustic style layout is perfect for relaxing while watching a fly fishing DVD on the flat screen television or for just putting your feet up while resting on a comfortable couch after a great day on the water. For those that want everything taken care of during their fly fishing trip, which is especially important for group outings, the Anglers Coffee Café even offers all-inclusive catering services that provide three meals a day so that you can focus on what’s really important: how the fish are biting. Blue Ribbon Fly Shop is extremely proud to be able to offer such high quality and interesting cuisine, and whether you just want a great cup of java and some authentic, freshly made, New Orleans style beignets to start your morning or a tasty lunch that will satisfy those with the most discriminating taste, be sure to give Anglers Coffee Café a try the next time you are in the White River and Norfork area. There is really no place like it. 

Besides offering everything you could possibly need for an unforgettable outing on the premiere year-round trout fisheries in the country either at the fly shop or the café, Blue Ribbon will be offering on-site lodging that offers the best in value, convenience and style in the region. We have enlisted the help of Jack London to design and build four exquisite log cabins for our guests, the Blue Ribbon ANGLER SERIES, and each unit is specifically designed with an angler’s needs in mind. Now, it is possible to have every aspect of your fly fishing adventure taken care of by Blue Ribbon. Rest assured that these cabins offer up the most comfortable layouts to be found anywhere, and located adjacent to the fly shop and Anglers Coffee Café, in a section of the property we refer to as Anglers Village. All three entities are smack dab in the heart of the Ozark's best fly fishing areas. Norfork Dam is just ten minutes away, Rim Shoals is fifteen minutes from the cabins and Bull Shoals Dam, where the most well-known stretch of the White River begins, is a mere twenty-five minutes from the Blue Ribbon complex. Plus, there are many other wonderful areas within a short drive. Having a central location is critical on fluctuating tailwaters such as the White and Norfork because we never know what the water conditions are going to be like on any given day; this saves time and minimizes frustration. When you start your day at Blue Ribbon, the best stretches of river are never more than 25 minutes away, and if you are fishing on your own, we will be more than happy to help you come up with a game plan that will maximize your fishing time based on the water conditions at hand.

FISHING SUMMARY

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 5/17/2012
During the past week, we have had no rain events, warmer temperatures and windy conditions. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam rose five tenths of a foot to rest at one tenth of a foot below power pool of 654.00 feet. This is forty one and one tenth feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock Lake fell six tenths of a foot to rest at one foot below power pool or seventeen feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell two tenths of a foot to rest at one and three tenths of a foot below power pool or ten and nine tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we have had little generation with significant wadable water. Norfork Lake rose three tenths of a foot to rest at power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty eight feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we have had reliable wadable water every day. All of the lakes in the White River system are at or below flood pool. We should receive more wadable water this week.


On the White, we have had significant periods of wadable water all week. The wade fishing was spectacular. The hot flies were zebra midges (black with silver wire and silver bead), pheasant tails, copper Johns and green butts. Other productive flies were partridge and orange soft hackles and Dan’s turkey tail emerger. We have had some lower flows that have been nearly perfect for drift fishing. Nymphs suspended below a strike indicator have been quite effective. The most productive flies have been caddis pupa (green or tan), copper Johns, prince nymphs, San Juan worms (hot fluorescent pink or cerise) and zebra midges (black with silver wire and silver bead in size 16). My favorite combination has been a cerise San Juan worm with a zebra midge dropper.


The hot spot has been Wildcat Shoals. Though the caddis are generally on the wane, many anglers have reported success banging the bank with size fourteen elk hair caddis. The trick has been to get very close to the bank and achieve a perfect drag free drift. Another hot spot has been Buffalo Shoals.

Be on the lookout for the Sulphurs, our upcoming major mayfly hatch of the year. These are yellow orange mayflies in size fourteen. Before the hatch use mayfly nymphs like gold ribbed hares ears, pheasant tails and copper Johns. During the emergence, switch over to partridge and orange or partridge and yellow soft hackles. Once the trout begin keying in on the adults, switch to the sulphur parachutes. Be sure and achieve a perfect drag free drift.

Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are low and gin clear. Both are navigable but you may have to drag your boat in some spots. Several anglers (including me) have reported success with Clouser minnows and crawfish patterns. The Buffalo has been fishing particularly well. Carefully check the water level before entering Crooked Creek or the Buffalo River. There are no dams on these streams. They both have large drainages and are prone to flooding during and following any rain event. The water can rise very quickly.

There has been reliable wadable water on the Norfork every day. The most productive flies have been small midge patterns like zebra midges (black or red) and Dan’s turkey tail emerger or soft hackles like my green butt or the partridge and orange. On higher flows, the best technique has been to drift brightly colored San Juan worms (red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise) and egg patterns (pink and orange). Here again banging the bank with large articulated streamers can produce some large trout. When the flood gates were open, warm water fish escaped from the lake into the river. This is a great opportunity to catch stripers, walleye, gar and other species on the river. You are encouraged to remove them, as they are all predators with a taste for trout. The ramp at Quarry Park has been repaired and is open for business.

Dry Run Creek has fished well. The weather has been mild and it has drawn lots of young anglers taking advantage it. Spring break is over and it is much less crowded during the week. The hot flies have been sowbugs and various colored San Juan worms (worm brown, red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise). Small orange or peach eggs have been very effective. There is precious little room to cast and the most productive technique has been to high stick nymphs. Carry the largest net you can get your hands on as some of these fish are huge.

The water level on the Spring River is lower and clear. This is a great place to wade fish when they are running water on the White and Norfork Rivers. Canoe season has not started yet and we have much less traffic on stream. Be sure to wear cleated boots and carry a wading staff. There is a lot of bedrock that can get very slick. The hot spot has been the Dam Three Access. The hot flies have been brown woolly buggers with a bit of flash, cerise and hot pink San Juan worms and Y2Ks.

Remember that the White and Norfork Rivers and Dry Run Creek are infected with didymo, an invasive alga. Be sure and thoroughly clean and dry your waders (especially the felt soles on wading boots) before using them in any other water. Many manufacturers are now making rubber soled wading boots that are easier to clean and are not as likely to harbor didymo.

Practice water safety and always check conditions before you leave home.

John Berry is a fly fishing guide in Cotter, Arkansas and has fished our local streams for over thirty years.

Visit complete fishing report...
FEATURED PHOTO


The White River system below Bull Shoals Dam is loaded with quality browns.
See our Photo Gallery
GUIDED TRIPS
MAY ... LOW WADEABLE WATER IS HERE! ! Blue Ribbon Guide Service 870-425-0447 or blueribbonflyfish@hotmail.com! Forrest Smith, Kristopher Bouldin, John Berry ,John Gulley, Dennis Schule, Pat (STREAMER - MAN) Moore, Chris Short and Paul Hoelscher (Intern Guide) Jr. Anglers-Dry-Run Creek special

EVENTS
White/Norfork River, 6:00 a.m. May 17th.. Bull Shoals - 0 Units - Norfork 0 Units ... FISH & GAME HOTLINE .. 800-482-9262 ... Help - Stop VIOLATIONS + POACHING ..... Enjoy Fly-FISHING in the MT. Home Area & Visit the #1 Fly-Shop in Arkansas .... . ....Great fishing and tight lines! Check HENRY'S FISHING REPORT- - - .... And Our weekly fishing report UP-DATED Each THURSDAY,... BY ..... John Berry, one of our 7 RESIDENT Guides " It's all about building relationships giving our valued CLIENTS what they want and make them feel at home" Bob & Debi Cooke, Owners
We are located at: 1343 Hwy 5 South Mountain Home, AR 72653 | (870) 425-0447 phone | (870) 425-6954 fax | e-mail us here.
© 2003-2006, all rights reserved. see our privacy policy
Fishing reports system provided by Fisheyesoup.com