Now that the emergency trout regulations have been in effect for a few weeks, Fly Fisherman did an in depth look at the state of the trout fisheries in the White and Norfork Rivers.


https://www.flyfisherman.com/editorial/arkansas-emergency-trout-rules/539310

Is it mostly the locals that do catch and kill there or is that popular with the tourists as well? I only C&R freshwater trout - just don't care for the taste.

Also - is that the hatchery with the kids only stretch right next to it or am I thinking of somewhere else?

I think there are more tourists who keep trout than locals.Part of that is they think there are spending a lot of money so they are going to take home every trout they legally can (and in many cases throw them away a year later when they are freezer burned)


Yes, Dry Run Creek runs alongside the Norfork hatchery. I've checked on it several times and the trout seem to be doing OK.

This on the tourist.

87Flyfisher said:

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I think there are more tourists who keep trout than locals.Part of that is they think there are spending a lot of money so they are going to take home every trout they legally can (and in many cases throw them away a year later when they are freezer burned)


Yes, Dry Run Creek runs alongside the Norfork hatchery. I've checked on it several times and the trout seem to be doing OK.

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Same for us in CO on our White River, out of towners put so much pressure on the river and deplete it. I personally wish the entire river was catch and release. Hunting season brings in a ton of money to our area and lot of the hunters spend a day or two fishing the White River. While that is great for them to experience it, I see far too many catching more than they are allowed with no remorse. Our game wardens write a ton of tickets for illegal tactics (bared hooks, etc) and I am glad they do. This past summer they put a call on the river to stop all fishing voluntarily due to the local fires and dangerously low river levels. Guess what, hunting season rolls around and the freaking tourists are totally ignoring the signage. Way to be great stewards of the outdoors.....

That's usually the case for sure.

Correct me if I'm wrong but the 11-12 inch stockers, aka silver bullets in the referenced article, exist to support a put-and-take fishery, whether it be out-of-owners spending a lot of money or locals who aren't.

eh hem....not ALL tourists do that!!

this family caught a many trout in the white this year in large part thanks to 87flyfisher!!

we only kept a handful over a week when they didn't look likely to survive returning to the river

Present company accepted of course! Besides, you guys weren't tourist….. you were visiting Texans!

Gunny456 said:

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This on the tourist.

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Trout Unlimited doesn't exactly agree. Catch and release kills a lot of trout. And yet that groups answer is typically limit take home catch, not frequency of fishing or closing fishing all together.

https://www.tu.org/magazine/fishing/trout-talk/is-catch-and-release-angling-all-its-cracked-up-to-be/

That's an opinion that's highly debatable. I'll refer to and concur with guys like 87Flyfisher that have made their living and life's work studying and living within the fisheries for many years.