Anyone fish the Buffalo River in Arkansas? Pictures added 6/29.

kimsalls

kimsalls

Joined
Mar 24, 2005
Messages
540
I am heading to Camp Orr Boy Scout Camp on Saturday, and I am trying to decide if I should buy a 7-day license.

Tackle suggestions would be appreciated, too.

Kim Salls
 
Last edited:
It's a small mouth river. Fishing is up to you and how much time you might have. For me, if I don't plan to fish and I'm with other people, say floating a river, fishing just gets in the way.

Light action open faced spinning rig is what I would take.
 
I've fished the White River for trout. They get pretty mushy by fall. But this time of year, I don't know.

I do know the Buffalo River has fish, and that it's a popular fishing destination. I think you're decision comes down to how busy you'll be with Scouts and whether the amount of free time justifies the license and hauling gear. I'd probably go for it.
 
Thanks for the input guys. I think I will have enough free time to justify bringing a pole and a small tackle box. The license is $25. I would hate to want to fish and not be able to.

If I catch anything I will be sure to post pictures.
 
Just read this....

June 19, 2015 7:00 AM - The Buffalo National River at the Ponca low water bridge is currently 3 feet over the bridge. This level is rated as "Flood Stage" according to the National Park Service. The river will be closed to rental traffic today. Please contact our office to discuss rescheduling or refunds if you have a reservation for today.

I think they have a bunch of fields down by Camp Orr, probably flooding them.

The road down to Camp Orr can be real fun after a bunch of rain...I hope your trip went well!! Let us know!!
 
Warm and sunny predicted for the next five days or so. The water level will return to normal in a couple of days. I've fished the Buffalo for many years and it is good for smallmouth, rock bass and bream. There are a few gar holes but they aren't easy to catch and I don't like them to eat. You will see a lot of redhorse, a type of sucker fish. And some of the deeper holes can hold decent catfish. I prefer to use Woorden's Rostertails there in firetiger pattern. Trout generally do not venture far into the Buffalo from the cold water of the White.
 
The trip went well. It was hot and humid, but no mosquitos. The chiggers; however, were in full force. We had 7 kids and 3 adults, so it wasn't hard to keep them in line.

Codger_64 was correct. The water was back down by Monday. I didn't have access to a canoe, so I mostly wade fished. I used roostertails and small jigs. I caught a lot of small sunfish and bluegill. Only one was keeper size.



A couple of the boys got up with me at 5:30 to fish.


I loved having wild raspberries growing on the way to the mess hall.

We tried fishing on Lake Ouachita on the way home, but we didn't have any luck.


I fished after lunch a couple of days, so I would have an excuse to be in the water during the hot part of the day. The river was beautiful. From what I hear the extra water we had this year was good for fishing. Even so, there weren't any sections I could find that would be deep enough or protected enough to hold bigger fish.

I am really glad I bought a license. I had a lot of fun and some good quiet time.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top