Mayfly hatch on 10/22/09 near the falls 5 PM

This hatch began about 5 PM and by dark was so thick that you could not keep them out of your mouth and nose.

Brian, Myron, and Photographer

Catching wild rainbows in high water in mid-April, notice the redbud.

Smallmouth fly-fishing water on the upper North Fork

I caught and released completely unharmed, 7 nice smallies (up to 14") from this run near Indian Creek in summer 2008 with crawdad colored bead-headed jigs.

Hard to concentrate in March

I'm trying to work but my eyes keep wandering to my fly boxes; and getting ready for a trip to River of Life farm on the North Fork River.

28" Brown Trout caught a the Falls

This brown was caught and released on a rubber-legs on March 1, 2009 at River of Life Fram on the North Fork of the White River in Missouri..

A different view of the Falls at ROLF

This picture was taken in late August on the east side of the river at 6:00 AM.

Brian Wise's Big Brown caught about October 1, 2008

Caught on the North Fork, I believe around the left side of the island below Blair Bridge. Brian is a professional Guide who works out of ROLF. Click to enlarge. Courtesy Brian Wise.

Two gorgeous September trout

Both these trout caught wading (by a ROLF customer) in the North Fork. The Wild Rainbow and the Brown were both 14-16".  Beautiful fish. Click to enlarge.

Fishing Report 8/5 - 8/7

Fishing was tough because of the hot temps and low clear water (380 CFS). I caught no rainbows; I may have lost one fairly good one but never got a real good look at him. I caught 4 Brown's, all on soft-hackle flies, during early morning or later evening into darkness. I took some underwater pictures of two of them prior too release. Two were 15".

A late June dusk (complete with mayfly hatch)

A beautiful evening on thee North Fork below jack's Riffle with a significant mayfly hatch in progress.

Find the trout in the North Fork of the White

There is a good sized rainbow in this picture and you see him/her ?? Click to enlarge.

Fishing Report - 6/22 - 6/27

6/24 - Caught a 15" Brown just at total dark, size 10 Kauffman Stone Fly with a Prince drop; he took the Stone Fly; also surprised caught a big goggle eye on the next cast; I mean big (about 9-10") and just as black as they come.

6/25 - Caught 2 smaller rainbows at Kelly Ford at 6:00 AM on dries. Size 16-18 Blue Winged Olives in the fastest part of the chute. One was par marked. Didn't measure but I'd say 8" and maybe 9-10".

6/26 - Caught a 15-16" rainbow at Jacks Riffle at 5:50 AM. Lost one too.

One of the guests that left the day I arrived caught 8 Rainbows on dry flies; mostly on a version of Elk Hair Caddis (real light hair; almost white) size 16 around the mid stream rocks and sand washes, very early in the morning.

I am was humbled by this stream; although I only fished about 4 times in the week for two hours each.

(sorry for the bad pics but the light was poor and I was worried about reviving the rainbow)

Few more underwater pictures - North Fork

Using my new and inexpensive Pentax Optix waterproof camera; I took the following on June 25th, 2008. All photos taken near the falls about. Click to enlarge.

Trout's-Eye View of the shaded Bank at ROLF

Taken from the bottom; about 18" under the surface looking up and toward the bank; between the boat ramp and Jack's Riffle. June 26th, 2008.

Under the Falls; near the top

A picture taken mid-May under the top of the falls where it makes a break over the rocks and boulders and plunges into the pool below. Click to enlarge.

An evening walk to catch a wild trout

I took and walk to the river after 7:00 PM to try to catch another wild rainbow trout. Landed and released unharmed a beautiful 17" wild rainbow. No doubt, one of the top trout streams in the USA.  What a thrill on an 1950 built Jim Payne 97 with a Leonard Model 44 reel, silk line and 12' leader and a size 14 Prince Nymph (bead-headed).

Be sure to fish for Goggle Eye in May to early June

On the float from Hammond Camp to ROLF, or above Hammond Camp, Goggle Eye (Rock Bass) are plentiful, and the North Fork has it's own species (different from any other). Here is one caught in 2006 and a picture of the type of location where they can be caught. If you are not a fly-fisherman, they can easily be taken on spinners like Mepps squirrel tails or crawfish imitations. Please, do not keep any goggle-eye which you do not plan to eat. Return them to the water unharmed.

Wild rainbow fishing is very good this late May 2008

What a great trip. Lots of large fish. All caught wading in tough fast water.

5/18 water too high 2200 CFS and very turquoise in color.

5/19 river looking nicer but needs another day; went up to Topaz and floated to Hale with a friend. Smallmouth spawning beds are everywhere; did not fish.

5/20 1500 CFS and clearing nicely. Caught 4 fish, all rainbows, 17" (WOW; maybe the strongest fish I ever hooked; took all the backing), 14", 12", and 12".

5/21 1380 CFS. Caught 5 fish, Brown 14", Rainbows, 15", 14", 10", 10".

5/22 1220 CFS. Caught 3 fish, Rainbow (19" - largest wild rainbow I ever caught; I think this fish pushed about 3-4 pounds), 14", 10". 19" fish on golden stone #10.

5/23 1200 CFS, Fished an hour caught 1 fish; rainbow 13" on golden stone.

Fished with a long rod, 5 DT silk line, 9' 5X, plus long tippet. Most fish were caught drifting a #14 Prince bead headed Nymph with plenty of split shot; no indicator (I forgot them).

Unforgettable trip. A few pictures; some from under the falls.