I got an e-mail from Jeff Williams, who is our Chief Trout Biologist for AGFC.  From time to time, AGFC requests help from the public for certain projects related to trout management.

If you’re going to be in the area from October 11-13, this marking project is a great way to get involved and learn more about the awesome trout that get put into this River…

If you want to participate, contact Jeff directly at j_williams@agfc.state.ar.us.

Here is Jeff’s e-mail below to tell you a little more…

Hello, everyone:

We will be marking the 2011 cohort of brown trout at the Norfork National Fish Hatchery October 11-13.  These fish will be distributed among the Spring River and the Beaver and Norfork Tailwaters.  If you are willing and able to assist, we could sure use the help.  We will get started on Tuesday, October 11th.  All you will need to bring is rain gear and a lunch.  We will have plenty of water and Gatorade on hand.

Please let me know if you plan on helping so I can schedule.  Also, if you know of anyone else that might be interested feel free pass this e-mail along to them.  Thanks.

Jeff Williams, AGFC

The event will take place at:

Norfork National Fish Hatchery
1414 Highway 177 South
Mountain Home, AR 72653-9799
Phone: 870-499-5255
Fax: 870-499-7755

Dry Run Creek Brown Trout

A yearlong project to enhance public access to Dry Run Creek, stabilize the creek’s banks and improve fish habitat is the winner of the American Fisheries Society’s prestigious Sport Fish Restoration Project of the Year Award for 2010.

Tim Burnley, stream habitat coordinator for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, said he nominated the project. American Fisheries Society representatives from Washington, D.C., are scheduled to present the award at the January meeting of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

“The project had a lot of factors in its favor,” Burnley said. “It involved substantial public participation with the Friends of the Norfork National Fish Hatchery, state support from the Game and Fish Stream Team, an educational element with the Trout Unlimited Stream Explorer Scouts, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at the hatchery and the Army Corps of Engineers. It was a project designed and built for people with mobility impairments.”

He said advance publicity supporting the effort also was surely an aid in raising the project’s profile in the eyes of judges.

The $230,000 project was floated in August 2009 when then-Hatchery Director Ken Boyles raised concerns that Dry Run Creek, one of the nation’s most fertile trout streams, was in danger of being “loved to death” — evident in vegetation along the creek bank trodden down and dying from heavy angler pressure.

Davy Wotton, then president of the Friends of the Norfork National Fish Hatchery, announced that a grassroots organization had already adopted the project and had been at work for two years to raise more than $75,000 to match grant funding from the USFWS and an array of other funding sources, including gifts from private individuals and a $50,000 disbursement from the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality as part of the Overlook Estates settlement.

Fish and Wildlife and the AGFC Sportfish Restoration Fund each added matching grants totaling $60,000 — $30,000 each.

The enhancement project was the main beneficiary of a $100,000 disbursement from Fish and Wildlife to the hatchery for flood recovery related to the record floods of 2008. About 90 percent of the disbursement will go to the enhancement project, bringing the estimated total of funds to about $230,000.

Burnley said the effort enabled him and Stream Team members Tony Crouch and Eli Powers to go to work on the creek.

“We are very, very proud of it,” Burnley said.

As the American Fisheries Society’s prestigious Sport Fish Restoration Project of the Year award winner, the project’s profile will likely become a model for similar efforts around the world.

The project involved all 1,442 feet of Dry Run Creek that is fed by the Norfork National Fish Hatchery’s discharge waters. Some 126 feet of wheelchair-accessible boardwalk and four fishing platforms were added to allow for more fishing locations and improved landing and releasing of trophy trout. The project also includes a lower observation area and an elevated observation deck with built-in seating and picnic table.

Burnley said AGFC habitat enhancements have been nominated for the award almost every time the society calls for nominations. A habitat project at Parker’s Bend on the White River below Beaver Dam won an honorable mention in 2007.

fwallis@baxterbulletin.com

read the actual story online  – http://www.baxterbulletin.com/article/20101209/NEWS01/12090323/Dry-Run-Creek-project-takes-prestigious-national-award

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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! 

I thought this was a great photo to give you a little fishing report.  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!