Ozarks are close, accessible and open to winter fly-fishing
January 2, 2010 by
Throughout the winter months when most trout streams across the upper Midwest are closed to fishing, winter steelheading provides just about the only chance to get out on the water with a fly rod. I've had opportunities over the years to fish some warmer climes -- a nice getaway from the heavy snow, extreme cold and gray days that generally mark mid-winter in these parts.
Yes, the tropical climate and saltwater fishing of Florida, the Gulf Coast, the Caribbean and Mexico are great choices. But there are some lesser-known, more accessible and more affordable alternatives.
Fly fishing the Ozarks of Southern Missouri and Northern Arkansas fits the bill in all three respects.
A group of fly fishing friends from St. Louis introduced me to the Ozarks. Their hometown fly shop and hang out is Hargrove's Fly Shop in St. Louis. Tom Hargrove runs a great, well-stocked shop and is an extremely knowledgeable, well-traveled angler. He is also one of the finest rod builders I have had the pleasure of meeting and an extremely amiable, first-class gentleman to boot.
Whether driving the whole distance or flying and renting a car, the first stop on each of my half-dozen or so trips from Michigan to fish the Ozarks has been in St. Louis, a good jumping-off point. The 5 ½ hour drive from St. Louis to Mountain Home, Arkansas, is scenic and relaxing. Alternatively, flying in to Little Rock reduces the drive time to about 3 ½ hours.
The folks in the Ozarks are generally very friendly, laid back and easy to strike up a conversation with. Fishing and lodging choices abound within 30 minutes' drive of Mountain Home. There are a number of well-stocked fly shops with knowledgeable, helpful staff that post up-to-date river reports, which are not only helpful but very important given the varying flow rates of local rivers.
Winter daytime temperatures in the region generally vary from the mid-30's to the mid-50's. We upper Midwestern fly fishers generally have the gear to be prepared for any weather situation and, in the event of a winter trip to fish the Ozarks, it will come in handy.
The White River and the North Fork are both dam-controlled and offer great opportunities for rainbows, cutthroat and BIG brown trout. There is ample public access for wading. Nymphs and streamers are generally the order of the day, though occasional hatches will bring trout to the surface to readily strike a dry fly.
Water levels can vary tremendously dependent on dam operations. Being aware of dam operations and the potential for rapidly rising water levels is an absolute must. These dams are not run-of-the-river: What has been a relatively shallow easy-to-wade gravel run can, in a matter of minutes, become much deeper, faster and dangerous to wade.
This is one setting where taking your cell phone along is a good idea. The Army Corps of Engineers has a hotline that can be called to check on the latest dam operation information and the number of generators running at the dams. Though these recordings cannot be absolutely relied upon to project water levels, especially for safe wading purposes, it is handy to be able to check the dam flows because one river may be wadeable in sections when the other river is not.
During high-water conditions, hiring a local guide who can take you on the river in one of the distinctive long jon-boats used in the area is an excellent choice. The local techniques vary according to stream conditions; taking advantage of the knowledge of a local guide for a day or two will both ramp your learning curve and increase your success rate significantly.
There are good resources available on the Web and several helpful books on fishing the Ozarks that provide a good overview, fly pattern recommendations and local hints in preparation for the trip. Prepping your gear and tuning in your fly selection in advance will make for a more productive & enjoyable trip, though a visit to the local shops is a good bet to top off the flies and get the latest info.
If you are looking for an escape from the clutches of Midwestern winter, challenging yet rewarding fishing and a friendly laid-back atmosphere all in a scenic setting, then a trip to the Ozarks may be a good choice for you.