I was back-paddling and reeling as quickly as I could.
We’d been drifting along on the White River with our fishing lines out. I was using a small blue and white spoon with a single treble hook. Just as I had hooked my first fish, the trophy area sign had come into view.
The rules change in a trophy-only area, and only a single hook can be used. I normally don’t use a treble hook but had one on and wasn’t sure if it was within the regulations. I made sure that I got the rainbow trout into the boat and unhooked way before reaching the sign.
Steve Langford and his son Rusty, my brother-in-law Max and my nephew Eli, Ron Vocelka and his son Cooper and I had just finished a day on the Buffalo River and had moved to the White River for today. We’d packed up the tents and hammocks and transferred to Steve’s cabin at the dam near Eureka Springs, Ark.
On our way to launch the boat we had to make a stop at the Beaver Dam Store. In addition to a few supplies, we needed to check their fishing tips message board and stock up on any of those “hot lures” that we’d failed to bring.
Lisa, a fishing guide for the store, suggested several flies and warned us that the water was very high and that we should fish as far back in the trees as possible. She also suggested the blue and white spoon. I bought two but failed to notice those treble hooks.
As we arrived at the water and walked down the ramp, we could see that the water was almost to the handicapped parking lot and that none of the gravel banks remained. After the gear was loaded into the boats, Cooper and Ron’s into their Mad River, Steve and Rusty’s in one of Steve’s big Blue Hole canoes and Max and Eli’s in the other and mine packed into my Mohawk solo boat, we started down the river.
We’d planned to travel only a short distance that day to allow plenty of time for fishing.
However, just as we paddled away from the parking lot, the first horn sounded, announcing the opening of a gate at the dam. The water began to rise even higher almost immediately. We’d known that the fishing was going to be tricky in the high and fast water, but it was getting worse.
Following my first cast, the second horn sounded as even more water was released from the dam. At least there wouldn’t be much of a need for paddling today.
We spread out across the stream and began our drifts with our fishing lines out, slowing and correcting the boats as we could. We were hooking fish but they weren’t staying on long enough to make it back to the boat. The submerged trees occasionally snagged a lure, causing us to lose a few.
We’d planned a lunch break at the river access at Parker Bend. With the water this high it was one of the few opportunities we’d have for an easy stop. The long concrete walkway that can normally be seen sweeping way out into the water was almost completely submerged. Only a few feet of its rock wall were visible. We swung the boats into what was left of the protected area created by what was left of the walled walkway.
We’d had no luck with Lisa’s suggestion of fishing deep in the trees, and although we had hooked a few fish while trolling, it wasn’t a banner day for the White River.
Once back at Steve’s cabin we lounged around, some inside watching television, others parked around the grill watching the burgers cook and talking about the day.
Landing a few more fish would have been nice, however; with perfect weather and easy paddling, we couldn’t complain for long. Soon we began to plan for a return trip later in the year, once the water drops and the gravel bars and riffles return.
Address correspondence to Silas Gray at ifish@silasgray.com.
Sports
A high-water pursuit of trout on the White River
- Sports
-
-
Kickapoo girls race past Joplin
Annie Armstrong poured in 21 points to lead the Kickapoo girls to a 65-28 victory over Joplin on Thursday night in an Ozark Conference basketball game at Missouri Southern’s Young Gymnasium.
-
Cheever is ultimate blue-collar snowboarder
As a World Cup snowboardcross racer, Jonathan Cheever has taken his share of spills over the years.
-
District wrestling tournaments begin tonight
Neosho’s wrestling lineup will have a different look when the Class 3 district wrestling tournament begins at 6 p.m. today at Carthage.
-
Late board work carries Lions past Pittsburg State
Pittsburg State displayed its offensive rebounding muscle during Wednesday night’s game at Missouri Southern.
-
Pitching holds key for softball Lions
Pitching is the main question Missouri Southern must answer as the Lions open their softball season today in Abilene, Texas.
-
Quapaw completes 12-0 run through Lucky '7' Conference
Quapaw High School girls basketball coach Rod Graves expected the 2011-12 Wildcats to compile another successful season.
They haven’t been a disappointment. -
Hillsdale women stop OCC
Visiting Hillsdale Free Will Baptist handed Ozark Christian a 68-47 loss in women’s college basketball on Thursday night.
-
Tomlin, Steelers welcome Haley as new coordinator
Throughout the 16 minutes that followed him glowingly introducing former Kansas City Chiefs coach Todd Haley as his new offensive coordinator, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin stood proudly in the corner of the second-floor media room at the team’s facility.
-
Rangers, Cruz strike $16M, 2-year deal
Two-time defending AL champion Texas has avoided arbitration with another of its core players, agreeing Thursday to a $16 million, two-year contract with AL championship series MVP Nelson Cruz.
-
Auburn’s Ward adapts game after injury at Texas
Auburn’s Varez Ward can’t take to the air quite like he used to. The onetime Texas starter is still trying to regain strength and explosiveness more than two years after rupturing his right quadriceps tendon while dunking during pre-game warmups.
- More Sports Headlines
-
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
