"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

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The weather might have been cold but the fishing was red hot! Guide Forrest Smith with Janet & Ken Dougherty  SHAD KILL BEGAN  2/11/12                                     

 

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 2/16/2012
During the past week, we have had a minor snow and a minor rain event, cooler temperatures and windy conditions. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam fell three tenths of a foot to rest at one tenth of a foot over power pool of 654.00 feet. This is forty and nine tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock Lake fell six tenths of a foot to rest at power pool or sixteen feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell three tenths of a foot to rest at power pool or nine and six tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we have had lighter generation with no wadable water. Norfork Lake fell five tenths of a foot to rest at two tenths of a foot above power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty seven and eight tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we have had lighter generation with wadable water every day. All of the lakes in the White River System are at or near power pool and we should see wadable water on both rivers in the coming week.

The Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam was closed to fishing from November 1, 2011 to January 31, 2012 to accommodate the brown trout spawn. It was opened to fishing on February 1, 2012. When you are fishing there you should avoid the use of drag chains to prevent damage to trout redds and the brown trout eggs in them. On low water, you should wade carefully to avoid them. They will appear as clean depressions in the gravel bottom.

The hot spot was the Catch and Release Section below Bull Shoals Dam. While we have had a mild winter and the weather has not been cold enough to produce a full blown shad kill, there have been quite a few shad coming through Bull Shoals Dam. This is the best shad kill we have had in a couple of years. Watch out for gull activity below the powerhouse to indicate when the shad are coming through. The best technique is to fish white marabou jigs below an indicator but sometimes a white floating shad pattern can trigger top water action. These are big bites and they can attract some large hungry trout.

There were several days where we had periods of generation in excess of 15,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) on the White. The best technique for this type of water is to fish brightly colored San Juan worms (cerise, hot fluorescent pink and red) and egg patterns (orange and peach). The trick is to get the flies down. To sink these flies you must use big split shot (AAA or larger) and long leader/tippet combinations (ten to twelve feet or longer). To help detect takes, use a brightly colored strike indicator near the top of the leader. One way to increase strikes is to use a small nymph as a dropper below the worm or egg. Effective flies for droppers have been sowbugs, Y2Ks, red zebra midges or copper Johns.

Another technique that has been particularly effective on the higher water has been to bang the bank with big streamers. Effective patterns have been Zoo Cougars, Sex Dungeons and Butt Monkeys. The key to success has been to use a heavy sink tip (250 grain or heavier). To deliver these heavy flies on heavy sink tip lines, you must use at least an eight weight rod. This is hard work but can produce some excellent trout.

Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are high and stained after our rain. The water temperature is too cool for the Smallmouth to be active. 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 and it has been a bit crowded. You should fish during the week, if possible, to avoid the crowds. The hot flies have been small red zebra midges and Dan’s turkey tail emergers. 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).

Dry Run Creek has been productive. 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. While you are there take a tour of the adjacent Norfork National Fish Hatchery. Remember that it is very important to the vibrancy of our trout fishery. It is currently in peril of losing its funding. Contact you congressman and senator and demand that it be funded.

There have been numerous reports of large rainbows being caught on the Spring River. The water level on the river is high and stained. This is a great place to wade fish. Canoe season is over 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 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 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.

White River Trout Unlimited has scheduled a Cabin Fever Fund-Raiser for Saturday, February 25th here in Mountain Home. This party will be a great way to celebrate impending spring weather and raise money for the chapter’s many projects! Visit their website for more details. www.whiterivertu.com.

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.

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February Streamer fishing 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 and Paul Hoelscher (Intern Guide) Jr. Anglers-Dry-Run Creek SPECIAL
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White/Norfork River, 6:00 a.m. Feb. 22 th. Bull Shoals .... 2..Units ..... Norfork 2 Units .. ..... 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- - - Up Dated FEB. 7th. .... 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
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