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I have a few days early July and want to go to Arkansas for some kayak fishing and possibly mountain bike trail riding.
I would prefer either a 10 hp or less lake or river with good drop/pickup service. Location is open at this time and species is not important.
I don't want to be in the path of any jetskis or bass boats blasting to the next hot spot.
Please advise.
The Kings River and Buffalo River are two locations in northwest and north central Arkansas that you will definitely not run into bass boats. The rivers are very scenic and have good smallmouth fishing. In addition, there are several locations up and down the rivers that provide shuttle service. Both of these rivers along with Crooked Creek are very popular with kayaker's. I have only made three or four trips over their but my son fishes those areas quite a few times in the summer and is very familiar with shuttle services and fishing conditions. Feel free to send me a PM and I'll get you some more specific information.
What he Said! Plenty of trails to ride also.
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Ouchita river around Hot Springs. Spotted bass, large mouth bass, small mouth bass and waleye are fish I catch regularly. There are shuttle services available in some places. Plenty of trails to ride in the Hot Springs area. Lodging and amenities close by. The small mouth fishing is not as good as some of the other locations mentioned but I have caught my best walleye out of a lake in this rivers system, 14.36 on scales we used for culling in bass tournaments. Also my second best from the river itself and from a kayak. Last year we caught three walleye over 6 pounds. I particularly enjoy the section of river from Remmel Dam to Malvern and there is shuttle service there.
Chris
Excellent, Thank a bunch. Not sure how Arkansas got into my brain, but a couple years ago I traveled to Ft. Sill for my son Army training. But traveling with the wife I was not able to stop and look, plus I didn't have my kayak. i will research and if I have any questions I will come back to you.
Caddo River at Glenwood is a fun place with some fishing spots here and there. My family and I have done the 7 mile float there several times. GTT
Look up kings river outfitters.....i know he in facebook..think his name may be ernie but cant remember for sure....had good time in early march
looks like I have settled in for the Kings River and will be staying in Eureka Springs at some place called THE LODGE. Since the nonresident lic. is 3 days maybe a couple floats down the Kings River and then on to some place else. Or if the Kings is good to me maybe a 3rd time a charm. If there are any points of interest that you must see or must have food then let me know.
As far as tackle it will be spinning reels with 8-10lb test, some shaky head jigs, spinning baits and various hard lures will be the ammo. If I have left anything out let me know. But as long as I got the Lic., PFD sounds like the rest is bonus....good float good scenery.....
My wife and I stayed in Eureka Springs a couple of years ago and had a good time. LOTS of restaurants to try and the wine tasting/tour was fun too. Trolleys to take you downtown if you don't want to drive., which I recommend as there's not much parking downtown. Enjoy your trip to North Arkansas. GTT
Devito's has some amazing Italian food, last time I was there I had trout with capers. Eureka Springs is a different world than North East Alabama always check events calendar on City of Eureka Springs web site before booking a trip you may not want to walk in on some of those. :biggrin
lawnmowerman...........oh I'm sure its much different than NE Alabama.......Most places are.
Lawnmowerman...... I can't find that schedule of events, possible you send me a link?
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Events Archive - Eureka Springs, Arkansas: The Extraordinary Escape
Looks like you are good until the first week of August
Yep definitely staying away from that weekend. But it does look like eureka springs is a hopping activity filled city..... pretty excited. Always looking for a good off the beaten path town!
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The wife and I go there every year love it up there in the fall, We stayed at the 5 Ojo Bed and Breakfast one time I loved sitting on the back deck watching the deer go by as I'm having a cigar and a IPA. Tree houses are really cool places stay.
Wear good shoes there isn't a level spot in town,
We have used King's River Outfitter for two years and it was great both years. We floated for two days both times. 1st day we were shuttled north and floated back to the camp. 2nd day we started at the camp and floated south for the day. Both days were very good and will be doing them again.
I thought the kings river flowed NorthQuote:
Originally Posted by Sky Pilot
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Make sure you have some green/brown tube jigs for the small mouth bass.Quote:
Originally Posted by kellerqx
used to wear the smallmouths out on the caddo around amity. Lots of 3 pound brownies back then. Crawdad crankbaits were hard to beat then. Rebel little scooper was good but that one might have been the silver/ black. Tubes weren't invented then but should work. Last stretch into degray was a long paddle probably still is.
The Little Red river if you like trout fishing put in at the dam @ Heber Springs! Problem there is on drop off or pickup would need second vehicle at a takeout down stream. You will Need trout stamp out of state same price as local but only good for short time along with fig fishing lic. The above places are good also.
Well I made it to kings river today, half way thru, the black clouds rolled in and I had to go to extreme paddle mode. But that was after first 2 hours and only one fish, well.....maybe it was a a big minnow, no ways near the 18in ch min length. So no worries about heading out. Now what to do , maybe go back and try again or locate another location? There is no way it could be worse...., but tomorrow's weather better.... but I thought this was prime river, I mean not even a follower to the boat and swim away. Kinda depressed. But the water was awesome and the float was good. Only once I had to get out of kayak due to dragging.... as well guys at kings river outfitters provide good service....
There are a couple small lakes local.... maybe that is an option..... still thinking about last day and crooked river....
Any thoughts?
Don't get bummed out your in God's landQuote:
Originally Posted by kellerqx
Oh I never get bummed out, yes gods land I agree. Eureka Springs was worth the travel anyways, and now tomorrow's weather will improve. I would just like to catch a fish, but if not in the cards then I got a Mexican restaurant selected that has a fish taco! Winner winner fish dinner!!
Well made it over to Crooked Creek and the day was much better. Honestly I believe my Kings River strike out was me, my bait selection and not changing frequently enough to find out what they were wanting. Anyways no fish were harmed and all returned to the water - CPR ....... Thanks again for all the advice. Attachment 269393Attachment 269394Attachment 269395Attachment 269396Attachment 269397
Looks like you had a good time. Thanks for the update.
Chris
I see you caught the only smallmouth in Crooked. No need for anyone else to go there looking for any more.[emoji14]
Nice fish!
Hopefully there will be more in October
Float trips are great fun . Thinking about one on a local river soon. The trip and scenery is worth the trip , fish just a bonus .:twocents
Yes Nimrod.... fish are just the bonus.
DC10 ..... I agree no need for anyone to go to crooked creek, I caught the only fish! Actually had a guide tell me before my trip that going alternate river was a better choice. How funny right!
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