TRIP SUMMARY

I love the Arkansas at ice off. Besides the summer caddis and stonefly hatches this can be the best time of year to fish it. Fish start to move into faster water as the midges start to hatch throughout the day. You can usually find them feeding on seems and close up against the bank in deeper water. A two fly nymph rig is my go to right now. On top a smaller, weighted mayfly or stone fly imitation imitation (Size 14-20) followed by a midge or Baetis, unweighted (Size 18-24) does the trick. Flies I love right now are: Black Beauty size 22, Flashback Barr's Emerger size 22, Olive Zebra Midge size 20, with a UV Sally in size 16 as a lead fly. Guide Tip: Arkansas River fish absolutely love small bugs.