Archive for the ‘Trout Fishing’ Category
Hot Lures on the White River
Hey, everyone!
I just had to share… Rapala has come out with some great new lures — the X-Rap X-treme Action Slashbait line. These lures first came to my attention when one of our guests who, during the course of his one-week stay, caught over 40 nice Brown trout, about half of which would have been legal to harvest (although he did not).
Interestingly enough, these lures do not sink like a Countdown, but are what is referred to as a “long cast suspending” lure.
The two colors that seemed to work best here are “Glass Ghost” and “Olive-Green”. They have incredible, varying action depending on how you fish them. The two sizes I have been carrying here are the XR-8 and XR-10. Use them in bigger water right up tight to the bank.
Rapala XR10-GlassGhost for Brown Trout Fishing on the White River
Rapala XR8-OliveGreen for Brown Trout Fishing on the White River
Back to the action on these things… Hence the name, they seem to “slash” through the water. You fish them somewhat like a Husky jerk, but not really. At a very slow retrieve, they have a nice back-and-forth, wiggling action. They suspend 3-5 ft for the size 8, and 4-6 ft for the size 10 when you stop reeling.
When you jerk them or move them fast through the water, it seems like they literally jump instantaneously from one place to another. It’s really cool… I’ve played with them in shallow water so I could really see their action.
I realize I’m not doing a very good job of describing this, but Rapala has some great videos on their website. The video for the X-Rap 6 shows great underwater footage of just how these bad boyz work!
When you visit the link, Click on VIDEO PLAYLIST and select XRAP-6 from the menu… http://www.rapala.com/how2tv/
Here is the link to see the various X-Rap information — http://www.rapala.com/products/lures/x-rap/
We’ll see you on the River…
Your White River Trout Diva
His Place Resort
866-435-6535 (toll free)
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Knots, Knots, Knots…
Knots… Knots… Knots… which one is best for line to leader? Which is best for line to lure? Well, there is nothing like a little scientific testing… they’ve got some good information on the NAFC FISHINformer site, including “how-to” videos, and data on how the knots performed against one another. Check it out at http://fishingclub.com/video/articletype/categoryview/categoryid/1016/knot-wars-2010.
Threats to Hunting & Fishing
There was a really good article today from Outdoor Life about the biggest threats to Hunting & Fishing in our country – thought you might be interested…
White River Trout Fishing… yup, it’s good!
Steve B. shows off his beautiful hookjaw (male) Brown Trout fishing near Cotter. This Trout was released unharmed, of course… Great job, Steve! I told you I’d make you famous! As you can see from the photo, this trout is ready to go back in the river, folks!
The Brown’s have really been working on all 4 of my favorite colors of Rapala Countdowns – Gold/Black, Silver/Black, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout patterns in sizes 7 & 9.
Also working well is the 3″ Smelt, which is an artificial, scented product. It looks like a dead minnow, with a dark charcoal back and a light, almost white, underside. Just hook those through the head and run them on a standard river rig. Brown Trout think they are so yummy!
White River Trout Fishing at it’s finest at His Place Resort in Cotter, AR – Trout Capital USA!
See you on the River, folks!
Your White River Trout Diva His Place Resort 866-435-6535 (toll free) mailto:julie@hisplaceresort.net http://www.HisPlaceResort.net Become a Fan on Facebook http://www.Facebook.com/HisPlaceResort Get our Tweets on Twitter http://www.Twitter.com/HisPlaceResort Read the Trout Diva Blogs at http://WhiteRiverTroutDiva.netTrout & Tennis Shoes
Well, this gnarly little Brown Trout almost got the better of the Trout Diva tonight! I was down by the boat ramp again, just before sunset… I was using an orange & black Rapala deep runner, size 9, and slam! I knew I had a good fish on… 
So, I let it run for a little bit, as I tried to fight it back toward the bank w
here I was standing. Then, all of a sudden, it was just like I hit a rock. You know what I’m talking about. That trout had gotten behind a rock, and there was absolutely nothing I could do.
I kept pressure on the line for about 10 minutes. Nothing…
Sometimes, as you probably already know, trout will go down and rub their mouth against something in an attempt to get the hook out; often this tactic is successful and they get away. But, not only did I NOT want to throw in the towel, but I did not want to lose that $10 lure, either!
So, I kicked the switch on my reel so I could Spool backwards & let out line. I climbed back up the bank, & into the yard by cabin 12 and just started pulling as hard as I could.
All of a sudden, I felt slack. I started to say bad words, because I thought I had broken it off! But, then, I felt that shake and it started running again!
I had that trout loose and I had not broke it off!!! about another five minutes, and I had her to the bank. I was actually a little bit afraid, because I had really played this fish hard, and after I got the lure out of her mouth, she was trying to float on her side – this is not a good sign!
So, in my brand-new pair of $120 tennis shoes, into the River I go to properly revive the fish. I got a couple of pictures with my Blackberry phone while doing so.
She was only about 22 inches, definitely a respectable fish, but certainly not a monster… but let me tell you what!
This trout had some serious fight in it! It took about 10-15 minutes of me trying to revive her, and then she tried to bite me.
Typically, when they feel good enough to thrash around and try to bite you – you can rest assured that they will be fine! LOL!
Anyway, have a good evening y’all! Trout Diva is now going to try and revive her tennis shoes…
Your White River Trout Diva His Place Resort 866-435-6535 (toll free) julie@hisplaceresort.net http://www.HisPlaceResort.net Become a Fan on Facebook http://www.Facebook.com/HisPlaceResort Get our Tweets on Twitter http://www.Twitter.com/HisPlaceResort Read the Trout Diva Blogs at http://WhiteRiverTroutDiva.netThe Big ‘Un… A Trout Fishing Story by Bob Watts
Hello, everyone!
I hope you enjoyed your Christmas and New Year… Steve and I did. Yup, we had some quiet, alone time… It was great!
Anyway, today I have another story that my Daddy, Bob Watts, wrote about fishin’ the White River that I wanted to share with you… I hope you enjoy it!
The Big ‘Un – A Trout Fishing Story by Bob Watts
Rainbow Arch Bridge, photo courtesy of AR Highway Dept
Most fishermen go through three stages before they take their final fishing trip…
The first stage is that they want to catch as many fish as they can. About half the fishermen I have ever met are still in stage one. Sure, if a big one comes along, they’ll take it. But they are usually more thrilled by the number of fish they caught than one stray big one. “Yeah, had a great trip. Caught at least a couple dozen, and one really good one.” And that “one really good one”? Well, you’ll notice it took second place.
The second phase is they want to catch as big a fish as possible. After all, a photo of a really big fish usually draws more attention than a photo of a whole bunch of ho-hum sized fish. And besides, if you have already figured out how to catch a lot of fish, you probably need a new challenge. Catching a big one could be just what you are looking for.
As far as phase three goes, the few fishermen that get there are trying to catch as smart a fish as they possibly can. Now the thought of holding up a 10” trout and trying to explain why this particular trout was so darn smart is something that really doesn’t appeal to most people…
“Hey, did it fight real hard?”
“Do you plan to mount him?”
“If you have him for a fish dinner, what are the rest of your guests going to eat?”
“If that trout is so smart, how come you caught him?”
“What time are you due back at the institution?”
So, the wise fishermen generally stay away from trying to catch “smart” fish. About the only thing phase three has going for it is that there is really no sure way to figure how intelligent a fish is.
So when you tell ‘em why you think your 10-incher was extra smart, they can’t prove you’re wrong! And besides, it’s also about this time that the crowd you’re talking to starts to lose interest real quick-like…
How can you tell? Easy. Your first clue is when they turn around and start to walk away. Yeah, both of ‘em.
(Suggestion: If you ever find yourself on the way to catch the last remaining intelligent trout in Lake Empty, or anywhere else for that matter, turn around and head for the golf course.)
Now, where was I? Oh, yes. It was 1955, and I was fishin’ the White River near Cotter, Arkansas. At that time, it was already a trout fisherman’s dream come true. The word about the fabulous trout fishing there had not yet permeated the trout fishing community, either.
How good was it? Well, I am thoroughly convinced, based on my vast personal experience, that there were plenty of trout in the river at that time that had never seen a trout fly. Matter of fact, you could fish the river for a week or so and never see another fly fisherman. That should tell you all you need to know.
Now, there was this stretch of water just above the railroad bridge at Cotter that was about perfect for fly fishermen. Took a little walking through some tall weeds to get to it, but well worth the effort. In the two months I was there in 1955, caught at least fifty trout up to about 5 lbs at this particular location. But since I was still in phase two, was bound and determined to get one at least 6.
So one day, there I was again, just above the railroad bridge. Was using a woolly worm I tied myself. 10-2x hook wrapped with lead wire, a peacock herl body, and grizzly hackle.
Well, the strike I had been waiting for all those years finally came. I knew right away it was a big fish. Man, was I having fun. Sorta lost track of time. Then along comes a boat floating downstream with a guide and two customers.
“Looks like you’ve got a pretty good one on. Seen him yet?”
“Nope, but sure does feel like a good one!”
At this point, need to change the subject for just a little bit. Bull Shoals Dam is 18 miles upstream. Back then, they would almost always turn the generators on at about 8:00 a.m. during the week. It took a little more than 4 hours for the water to start rising around Cotter.
Once the water started rising, waders had about 15-20 minutes to get out of the river – or maybe drown. No, am not kidding. Several people a year drown in this river, some because they didn’t pay attention to the rising water!
Now back to my big trout. Suddenly the guide had some good news and some bad news for me.
“Just saw your trout. It’s a dandy. Looks like he might be 2 feet long!”
Good grief! A trout that long in this river would probably weigh at least 8 lbs. But then came the bad news…
“Guess you know the water’s coming up?”
Well, no, I didn’t. Did a chill run up and down my spine? You bet! I had not been paying attention to anything since I hooked this trout and had no idea how long the water had been rising.
I knew right away that I did not have time to land this fish and then get back to shore safely. Told the guide I was going to break the line and head for shore. Then patted myself on the back for making a wise and intelligent decision.
He reply was something I would have never thought of.
“Hey, wait a minute. If you can hold that trout that trout right about where he is now, believe I could net him real quick and you would still have enough time to get back to shore. If we get this guy, I’ll drop him off at Millers (the local trout dock which was about a half mile downstream) as we go by.”
Sounded good to me. Figured I could spare a minute or two. Still can’t quite believe it but he netted that trout on his very first try. He cut the line and I set some kind of record getting back to shore. Even at that, did get a little water in my waders which I guess was to remind me that I came very close to getting into some serious trouble.
OK, now I was back at my car. Always carried some spare dry clothes so changed pants and off I went to Millers. This trout dock was located in a small lagoon just off to the side of the main channel of the river.
As I drove up, I could see several people standing around and some pointing down at one of the screen wire fish cages. Were they pointing at my trophy trout? You know, the one I had been after about half my life???
The answer was, “No”. They were pointing down at a wire cage with a big hole in the side. My trout was nowhere in sight.
Good Grief! Turned out the screen wire was apparently old & rusty. The trout that I had been after for about half my life had poked a hole in it and simply swam away.
But wait a minute… I had planned to get a picture of me holding that monster trout and spending just a little time looking at the faces of the admiring group of people that would be surrounding me!
Not to be. Almost enough to make a grown man cry. Almost did.
Turned out that the guide who brought my trout in to the dock did measure & weigh him at least. The length was indeed right at 24 inches. That was the good news. The bad news was that the trout was very thin and only weighed 5 ¾ lbs, not the 8 or so lbs. he should have weighed. Why so thin? No one seemed to have a good answer.
Actually, things didn’t turn out all that bad. I sure didn’t want to eat the darn thing. Been my experience that big rainbows don’t taste nearly as good as small ones, anyway. Besides, would have been a little suspicious about eating a trout that was that thin. Have it mounted? Nah, too thin. But on the bright side, I can now look forward to catching a real trophy trout that just might be extra fat!
Sometimes things have an unexpected way of working out for the best. Wonder who’s responsible for that?
. Your White River Trout Diva His Place Resort 866-435-6535 (toll free) mailto:julie@hisplaceresort.net http://www.HisPlaceResort.net Become a Fan on Facebook http://www.Facebook.com/HisPlaceResort Get our Tweets on Twitter http://www.Twitter.com/HisPlaceResort Read the Trout Diva Blogs at http://WhiteRiverTroutDiva.netI’ve Got a Golden Ticket
‘Cause I’ve got a golden ticket… I’ve got a golden chance to make my way… And with a golden ticket, it’s a golden day!
OK, OK… I haven’t really lost it; not completely, anyway. Although, over the last couple of weeks, I really thought some of y’all had! I’m sorry, really I am… There have been a couple of people tell me that they’ve caught this bright “golden” trout. Honestly, I thought they were just having trouble identifying a cutthroat, or perhaps they’d happened upon one of the long-forgotten moonshine stills rumored to still be in operation in the nearby hills…
But, you were right! I was wrong… There, I said it, OK??? Trout Diva was wrong! Put it down in your diaries boys & girls, because you won’t hear those words coming from the Trout Diva too often!
So, what IS going on with these weird, beautiful new trout in the White River??? Is it a freak of nature? Have the mad scientists been tweaking the genome of trout for some wonderful, new fishing experience for you?
Well, yes to both questions, really…
AGFC, in order to make up for the shortfalls of hatchery production last year, have purchased and introduced Golden Rainbow Trout into the White River. Jeff Williams, our Trout Biologist at AGFC, told me this at our last Outfitter’s meeting. Here’s a photo of one caught a little bit upriver from me; photo courtesy of Phyllis at Wildcat Shoals. Check it out!
OK, so just exactly what are these trout and where did they come from? Let me start by telling you what they are not…
They are not Golden Trout (Oncorhynchus aguabonita). A Golden Rainbow Trout’s scientific designation is identical to that of the Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) you’re all familiar with. This is because they were created (or engineered, depending on your point of view) from a naturally occurring color variation of your “run-of-the-mill” Rainbow Trout.
Yes, from what I could find out, all “West Virginia Golden Rainbow Trout” originated from “Eve”, a single female trout; a true genetic “Super Freak” of nature that occurred in 1954 in West Virginia, hence the name. Pretty cool, huh?
(Yes, Trout Diva is listening to old 70’s & 80’s funk this morning… can you tell? It’s good for you every once in awhile… That Rick James song will now be playing in your head all day, too, as it will be in mine… I had to turn it on to chase the Willy Wonka “Golden Ticket” song out of my head…)
This is where the mad scientists jumped in… They took one look at this captured female and thought, “Wow… this is cool… Let’s make some more!” It took several generations of selective breeding to create the true, breeding Golden Rainbow Trout.
So, you think you’ve seen these before? You called them a Palomino Trout? Nope… They’re not Palomino Trout, either… not exactly…
The result of a “true” Golden Rainbow Trout crossed with a normal Rainbow Trout is today called a Palomino Trout, (still an Oncorhynchus mykiss) which is typically much lighter in color than a Golden Rainbow Trout.
However, when you remember that all Golden Rainbow Trout came from our single, super-freaky female that was crossed with normal Rainbow Trout, (how we get Palominos today) the distinction does become fuzzier and less relevant the further back you trace their origin. Gotta love those mad scientists! You GO, you genome-tweakin’ maniacs, you! Cool stuff!
So, now to address a more practical matter; one might wonder how the game wardens view these trout when looking at harvest regulations, posession limits, etc. They’re to be treated just like Rainbow Trout. All the same regulations apply.
However, they’re SO cool looking that the Trout Diva hopes you will not harvest them so others can get a chance to see one! Just take a picture, give it a quick kiss, and put it back!
They have enough going against them, anyway. Think about it for a minute… They are bright! You can see them half-way across the river. And so can the Great Blue Herons… and the Bald Eagles… and other Brown Trout. Although there is no scientific evidence I can find to reference at this time; common sense would clearly indicate that the survivability of these trout would be substantially lower; they just do not “blend in” to their surroundings at all.
But CAN they be successful? Well, apparently they can; at least they have been in some other locations… check out this “mature” Golden Rainbow Trout at 13 lb, 4 oz.
Mature Golden Rainbow Trout
Now, THAT’S what I’m talkin’ about! At this point, of course, no one really knows if they have the potential to get this large in the White River… But, hey… We grow huge trout here, so maybe someday we’ll see something of this size. Why not?
Anyway, just wanted to share this information with you… Just add this potential experience to the long list of reasons to come and visit us on the White River, in the Arkansas Ozarks.
The Trout Diva awaits your arrival…
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