Tuesday

Good morning, greetings, and salutations.

It finally feels like Spring.

Blue sky, warm breeze, and ... plenty to do.

The trip South has been put off ... probably until Fall.

Even though taxes were done weeks ago, the timing wasn't ideal.

Instead of packing inshore tackle, the focus shifts back to fresh water.

Could be a weird trip, if we can pull it off later on this month ... new water.

Have never been there, but it's been on the list for quite a while.

Down near the Arkansas border ... Smallmouth and Trout ... we're prepared.

But the situation has changed quite a bit, or so I found out.

Instead of just Smallmouth and wild Rainbows, there are 30 lb Stripers in there!

Back in 2017, there was a 1000 year flood that changed the North Fork considerably.

Most of the foliage along the banks that kept the water cool was scrubbed away.

So were the insects, minnows, and crustaceans that sustained the Trout & other fish.

The flood also washed away a dam that separated the North Fork river from Norfork Lake.

Then the Stripers, Wipers, Walleye, and others moved upstream and fed on Trout.

Locals report seeing pods of them at the bottom of pools, unmoved by lures or live bait.

Evidently, they feed at night ... the only time any have been caught.

Might try inshore tactics ... Fishbites etc. etc.