Ozark Mountain Fly

New regulations effective July 1st are a huge win for Smallmouth Bass in Arkansas. Several new streams have been elevated to the Smallmouth Bass Blue Ribbon Stream status. Where we once had 2, we will now have 10. Where we once had small sections of streams designated as one fish areas, we will now be implementing a daily limit of one fish with a minimum length of 15”, for the entire length of the following streams:

Buffalo River
Caddo River
Crooked Creek
Current River
Eleven Point River
Illinois River
Kings River
Spring River
War Eagle Creek
White River

I know many of us were hoping that the one fish 18” minimum on our current trophy sections would remain in effect, but it is the belief of the agency that implementing a one fish rule stream-wide will ultimately result in an increase of fish numbers and size across the board.

The statewide daily limit for all other flowing waters will be two fish with a minimum length of 12” inches. Prior to the regulation update, anglers could keep up to four 10” smallmouth from Ouachita streams and four 12” smallmouth from Ozark Streams. This reduction from 4 to 2 is a great step in the right direction.

While I will always advocate for catch and release, and hope to see it someday in Arkansas, I am very excited to see this progress and hopeful that it will make a difference. Thanks again to everyone who participated in the process!
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First flyrod fish of 2026 and the only one I caught on the trip. I guess if you’re only going to catch one…
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Thanks to my buddy for tossing me a fly that was working when others weren’t.
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Merry Christmas from Arkansas! Here’s a little edit of my son’s biggest Smallmouth from this past summer. Hoping all of your days are merry and bright!

Today I decided to take a drive down south to check on one of my favorite little creeks. Each year, as summer ends, I always feel the urge to go back one last time before fall—just to see how it has survived the season’s floods and whether there are any boot tracks or signs of others fishing this special piece of water.
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It was the lowest I’ve ever seen, and, like always, the creek had completely changed since my last visit. The plunge pools and old dead trees had shifted or washed further downstream, providing new challenges.
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Unfortunately, on this trip I found a couple of limb lines and four-wheeler tracks. This is my third season here, yet my first time seeing any sign of others. The fishing was tough today, but still equally enjoyable. I can only hope this little creek withstands the test of time.
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The creek teaches what the world forgets. Harmony. Water, stone, and life moving as one, reminding us all of what’s possible.
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Duane Hada’s Creek Crawler
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We are so fortunate to have access to public lands with millions of acres of forest and miles of streams to explore. While taking a trip down memory lane I came across these photos from 10 years ago when I first started fly-fishing. I’ve fished creeks for Smallmouth for somewhere around 24 years but only started fly-fishing a decade ago. This little jewel of a creek runs through the wilderness with no roads nearby and was full of fun-sized brownies. It was a 6 mile solo wading trip. I’m looking forward to many more years of exploration.

My favorite thing about tying flies is that it takes me to the river mentally when I can’t be there physically. I really enjoy visualizing what’s swimming in the places I fish and then trying to recreate them with feathers and fur. These are a few of my favorites.
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Came across this photo from several years ago of what I believe to be a pure Neosho. This buttery yellow bass came from a tributary of a bigger creek that runs into the Arkansas River.
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naas

Yesterday I had the pleasure of fishing with Brian, Thatcher and from Wichita, Kansas. Thatcher had never caught a Smallmouth before. By the end of the day he was throwing beautiful loops and outfishing his Dad and Pops!

Guiding is about so much more than getting paid to take someone fishing. It’s about education. It’s about teaching people to love and care for these special waters that we have the privilege of having in our own back yard. It’s about sharing the sport of fishing with future generations who will go on to promote and protect it. It’s about teaching others to advocate and putting another set of eyes on the water to watch for those who don’t respect it.

We removed lots of trash and metal from the river yesterday and we left it better than we found it. Every fish we caught was handled respectfully and released to fight another day. I am thankful that God has given me a gift that also allows me to provide for my family while doing something I love!

Something about the color orange that grabs their attention in the cool clear spring-fed creeks of the Ozarks and Ouachitas. 🏕️🎣🍃
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Loving the look of the Pheasant feathers
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