Dry Run Creek

Whether you are a dry fly fisherman eagerly awaiting those weeks of the year when your favorite insects dance on the surface of a trout river, a saltwater marsh angler anticipating the arrival of big reds coming home to plant their flag in the marsh, or a wild adventurer in the jungle somewhere waiting for breeding snakeheads to protect their fry, it seems that all fishermen have their own special place or time that signals it's go time for fly tying, fishing, and full-on obsession. I have collected a few of these special places throughout my fly fishing endeavors, but one stands out above all others: Dry Run Creek in Mountain Home, AR.  https://www.norforkhatcheryfriends.org/hatchery_waters/view/1 

Dry Run Creek means more to me than anything else related to fly fishing. There are plenty of fish, they are always biting, and while I have never fished it myself, I have thoroughly enjoyed watching and helping others experience this great sport we know and love on this little creek. Dry Run Creek is a small section of trout stream that only allows mobility impaired individuals or children under the age of 16 to fish. The creek is restricted to artificial lures only, and has a strict catch-and-release policy. The trout that inhabit Dry Run Creek come up from the Norfork and White Rivers, many of which never leave. This little creek runs alongside one of the largest trout hatcheries in the United States and flows into the Norfolk River, which, in turn, meets the White River about seven miles downstream. I suspect the trout-per-mile average in this creek is well into the thousands, and it’s not surprising to encounter a true trophy fish every time you take a stroll down the boardwalk.

So, why do I love this place so much, especially since I don’t get a chance to fish it myself? The answer lies with my nephew, Mr. Paul “Brooks” Johnson, aka Brook Trout. Since he was six years old (he is now 13), we have made a point to plan a time that we can go visit Dry Run each year. I tie flies, check flows, and even ask my local buddies, “What’s the word on Dry Run?” in preparation for our annual outing. At this point, we are on the hunt for trophies and don’t concern ourselves with catching 50 fish a day, though we easily could if we wanted to. To be perfectly honest, our trophy hunting on Dry Run has been a great success. However, the bonding, teamwork, fish fighting, and the learning opportunities that this place provides are priceless for an uncle and a nephew. 

It just so happens that I am not the only fly fishing enthusiast who takes this opportunity seriously. Recently, I spent time at the creek talking to Bill Gammel, trading secrets, exchanging flies, sharing the current report, and discussing how Dry Run Creek has impacted him and his family. I asked Bill if he would be kind enough to share a few words about Dry Run Creek, and this is what he had to say:

“Well, my time at Dry Run Creek is quickly coming to an end. I have one more year and then my youngest son will be too old. However, it has been a very special place for the last 12 years. We started visiting when my oldest was 10 at the encouragement of my friend Chuck Easterling who had raised his kids fishing there. We have fished there at least once and as many as three times per year since. I can’t stress to you the impact that little creek has had on my kids fishing ability. When you teach them a technique, they have multiple opportunities to set the hook using that technique. Confidence in your ability is a big advantage, and your kids can gain confidence on dry run creek.”

Bill had also shared the genius idea that he had gotten from his friend on how to take three boys fishing on the creek. “Only take one rod. Let one of them fish for 15 minutes or until they catch a fish, then switch them out.” As you can imagine, plenty of happy fish, excellent water, an abundance of food, several other people, a boardwalk on part of the creek, plenty of trees, fly rods and lines flying around, and three youngsters with rods can be hectic. Teaching them one at a time, and allowing yourself the opportunity to really focus and ensure they are learning how to do things well is a great idea. Talking with Bill about Dry Run Creek, while standing stream side watching his son catch one after another, was a special moment for me, and I’m grateful to have had my nephew along for 

A little story that I find funny. So, I was taking my nephew down to the river to meet Mr. Gammel and his son. I knew that Bill had said he would be the guy that was as far away from the people as he could get. So, my nephew and I took off down the river heading as far away from the people as we could. My nephew kept asking me, “How are you going to be able to tell which ones are Bill and his son from this far away?” I said, “I’ll know based on how they are fishing.” As you can imagine, on weekends at a place like this there is a certain level of chaos when it comes to how people are trying to catch fish. There are a lot of kids and a lot of Moms and Dads that aren’t exactly experienced anglers. Distancing yourself from the crowd is certainly the right move. I also knew for sure that Bill and his son would be fishing “the right way.” Sure enough, I see a kid that is standing down river, fishing upstream, “the right way,” from the right spot, into the right run, away from all of the people, and I told my nephew, “that’s them.” …It was. 

I cherish the time my nephew and I have had so far fishing together. I know that one day in the near future he will be 16, and Dry Run will become a place that we can go and watch, but not fish. I’m sure that the memories we have, and will create will be long lasting, and soon we will have to find a new place to have our annual fishing outing.