Your one-stop website for fly fishing the White River, the Norfork Tailwater, and Lake Taneycomo
“The Norfork Tailwater below Norfork Dam in Arkansas is regarded by many as offering the best fly fishing in the country. Norfork is loaded with scuds and sow bugs, and one would be hard-pressed to find greater fish concentrations anywhere. An Ozark fly fishing “grand-slam” is possible on the Norfork Tailwater, and this is when a brown trout, a cutthroat trout, a brook trout, and a rainbow trout are all caught in the same day. Wading conditions for fly fishing are perfect here, and the high water drift fishing can be fantastic for trophy trout. The most popular areas for fly fishing the Norfork are: the Norfork Dam area (Quarry Park), Gene’s Hole, the McLellen’s Resort area, the catch and release area above the Handicap/Ackerman access, and around the Norfork Tailwater’s confluence with the White River.”
Looking upstream
The Norfork Tailwater: one of America's premier trout fisheries
Looking downstream
Norfork Tailwater, Arkansas
We will be breaking down this 5-mile stretch of water into three sections: The Dam Area, The Middle Norfork, and The Lower Norfork. Although this tailwater is short in length, it is saturated with ideal fly fishing water when none of the two generators are running. The Norfork is about half the width of the White, and this smaller size makes it less intimidating for fly anglers. It also doesn't hurt that there are trout literally everywhere. Like the White, the Norfork consists of very slow pools, shallow riffles, deep runs, and lots of structure It is a difficult stretch to navigate a boat in low water, and try never to get in a position that requires you to go back upstream...this may involve dragging.
The Norfork is often crowded and access is limited to the dam area or the Bill Ackerman/Handicapped Access. Personal pontoons/float type of boats are gaining in popularity, and this can definitely get you into some less pressured areas. Still, you must always be careful on these rivers because of sudden rises in water levels. The Norfork is particularly dramatic with respect how quickly things can change in a dangerous way.
In general, the same flies work on the Norfork as the White. Sometimes it's important to go smaller on the 'fork, and midges are a very important component of low water feeding cycles. Dry fly fishing can be amazing on this entire stretch, usually with the best action happening mid to late spring if the water is low. Caddis, Crane Flies (yellow/small), and Sulphur patterns will keep up with the major hatches on both the White and Norfork. Because the 'fork only has two generators, the water does not get as deep during release periods as the White, so drift fishing can be very productive over here. San Juan worms, egg patterns, and big bead heads will almost always work. Fishing high water on the Norfork offers great chances at some big browns and brook trout.
(All descriptions pertaining to the side of the river are when looking downstream)
Quarry Park
Section one: Norfork Dam to the bottom of The Long Hole
There is a wealth of public access by the dam, primarily at Quarry Park (a Corp of Engineers camping/access facility below the dam). Most anglers walk in at the ramp area just downstream of where Dry Run Creek enters the Norfork. Right below the dam is an expansive, slow hole with many deep spots. Access to this particular area is by walking upstream from Dry Run Creek and following the path along the river. Midges and scuds are the ticket up here, and small streamers work remarkably well if there is some wind chop on the water. Most fly anglers don't fish up here, but there are lots of nice brook trout and rainbows everywhere...but they are well camouflaged and often spooky.
As you move downstream, there is a riffle on the left side as the river channels around a gravel bar. The next 150 yards is a high traffic area with lots of bank fishermen and ramp traffic. Walking downstream can get you out of the mayhem, but always be aware of rising water...never count on hearing a horn from the dam and know how you will get out of the water if it comes up. The river splits around a huge island and there are lots of spots to sight fish in the trenches on both sides (the right side seems to hold the most fish). The channels reconnect near the bottom of Quarry Park, and flow into a deep hole called "Gene's Hole" or "The Dock Hole". Access to this stretch is primarily by boat, and the best areas to wade are along the left side. Midges, scuds, and sow bugs are very good producers in the slow pools, and the flies must be weighted to present properly. These types of spots can be very fun and relaxing to fish.
Gene's Hole
Long Hole Shoal
Tail out of the shoals.
At the bottom of Gene's hole, the river turns to the left and enters a little corner of the river with lots of riffles and drop offs. Floods in the spring of 2008 caused significant changes to this area, and the fish moved around a bit. But they are here. The lower part of the "corner" has a nice, slow trench on the right side worth exploring with small dries and weighted nymphs. The river breaks over a nice shoal/run at the top of the "Long Hole", and this whole area is fun to wade for nice cutts, browns, and 'bows. As the water slows below the riffle, the hole widens, and wading is limited for several hundred yards...but there are some places along either side that are shallow. At the bottom of the Long Hole the river gets shallow on the right side (about 150 yards above the next riffle) and a nice slow water stretch offers a good spot to relax before getting into Norfork's wilder side.
Leaving Long Hole
Section two: McClellen's Shoal to the Ackerman/Handicapped Access
After the Long Hole, the river drops drastically through rocky pockets and shallow runs until flattening out at "McClellen's Shoal". Once you get into this gorgeous riffle, you are about as far from a public access as you can get on the Norfork. It is a pain to get down this far on low water, but the solitude and quality of fish can make it well worth it...and don't expect to see no one else as there is some private access along the way. Still, there will be very few motorized boats in this section when the water is off.
McClellen's shoal marks the beginning of the "hatch water" on the 'fork, and in the spring it's common to see craneflies, caddis, and sulphurs all on the same day. If no one is fishing the shoal, I would stake your claim, working it thoroughly casting towards the left bank in the seams and cuts. As the current slows, the bottom gets flat, and this is not usually a productive stretch. But once you get to the top of the island across from old McClellen's, the number of fish increases on the left side. At the Bottom of the Island, the water gets deep and very slow. This hole has some huge fish in it. Thee best wading is around the grass bar on the left side, near the fenced pasture. This is a nice, long stretch of slow water.
Twin Island
Otter Creek Hole
After the deep hole, catch and release regulations are enforced for the next mile (single, barbless hooks...fish released immediately) starting at the signs along the bank. The top of the C&R is loaded with riffles, ledges, and cuts. There is a deep plunge pool below a little waterfall followed by a curving riffle. This is popular water but well worth fishing. At the bottom of the shoals, the river rounds an island with the main current on the right side. This "Racetrack" is a fun place to sight fish with dries, nymphs, and egg patterns, but there aren't a ton of fish in this stretch. Below the island there are numerous good spots in one small area. There are riffles, runs, drop offs, and "trap" pools. I would spend some time in this area. As the river slows and widens, slow water fishing prevails for several hundred yards, with the best wading done from the right side. This hole may be the best place to plug a trophy brown on the Norfork (especially in high water). The water eventually shallows and becomes very scenic as it twists around and through a long and skinny island (you don't want to wade upstream of the islands if you walk in from the Handicapped/Ackerman Access". The riffles set up very well for dry flies, and san juan’s, midges, and dead scuds are staples in this area. At the end of the island, a deep pool forms on the left side. This is a place to hunt a huge brown. There is a huge rock on the middle of the river, and after it, the next three hundred yards to the "Handicapped/Ackerman Access" is primarily shallow water with pockets and small chutes. It may be the most challenging stretch on the entire Norfork.
Ace in the Hole
Handicap Access
Goat's Bluff
Section Three: From the Ackerman/Handicapped Access to the Norfork's confluence with the White
While walking upstream from the Ackerman/ Handicapped Access is generally safe, walking downstream is quite dangerous in this area because the water can trap you on the wrong side of the river if generation begins. Always use caution in this area. Once you get a little ways from the access, it becomes a boat/private access deal. This stretch has some nice riffles, but generally lacks deep, slow water. Consequently, there just aren't a lot of areas where big fish can get comfortable. It is very scenic and can be quite isolated in low water due to the lack of access. As you get past the last island before the railroad bridge, you are officially in "the confluence" area. This stretch is often backed up when the White River is high and resembles a lake. The water is pretty deep near the bridges and does hold huge fish. The confluence area is often crowded with boats.
