Lets Get Fishin'

Hello to all my fishing comrade’s that are wishing they were here on the hunt for that next record personal best for their record books.  As time always goes marching right along without stopping for anyone… it is now the first week in December, 2011.  Are you ready to usher in the year of our Lord of 2012, what some believe may be the end of time according the Mayan calendar.

Well until then my recommendations would be to grab your favorite people in the world and spend it where time doesn’t count against you-on the river-fishing.  This week in the Ozarks we are hovering in the 55 degree with only a window of time left before true winter temps creep in.  So come on and send out the old and bring in the new in a memorable “Get-A-Way” trip.

It’s not uncommon to enjoy a family friendly touch football game at Christmas time in tee’s in this neck of the woods.  If we don’t have to old a crowd, and can entice in a few youngsters to show there is still some spunk left in the old geezer’s.  So head on up to send out the old and bring in the New Year doing what you do best.  Get the best life has to offer spending time with family and friends hanging out together.  Let’s go fish!
 
        Fearless Gal-Guide,
        Rebecca (Becci) Ralls

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Tags: arkansas, Christmas, family, friends, Mayan calendar, New Year, Ozarks, trip, White River

Sunset On The White River

It took planes, trains, and automobiles to make it to the White River in time for an annual trout fishing event this November 2011. 

 Unlike countless trips over the years before, this pilgrimage included only 2 Amigo’s (best friends) for time-out on the river.  This time one comrade was excluded that had the awesome experience of being present when his first granddaughter was being born in California.
 
The lucky one that experienced all the modes of transportation lives in Dallas but had taken a week off for a quiet get-a-way to Milan, Italy the week before heading back for this Ozarks trip.  Continue Reading »

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Tags: arkansas, automobiles, California, Dallas, fishing, guide service, Madrid, Mexico City, NY, Ozarks, photos, planes, snow storm, Spain, trains, White River

Hello!  And, if we have never met before my name is Rebecca Ralls.

It’s Hard to believe that twenty years has passed since relocating to this corner of the Universe when returning to Arkansas from Key Largo, Florida where my husband and I lived to fulfill one of his life-long dreams.  In “this corner of the Universe”, there are over 130 miles of trout waters literally in my back yard that over time I’ve gathered a lot of knowledge on when to go, where to go there and why go to a particular portion of the river for specific fly-fishing conditions.

(Evening on the White River)

By popular demand Cane Island Fly Shop/Outfitter was built and established in the early 90’s when the big fever swept across the country to pick up a fly rod and learn the art of fly-fishing.  I contribute the attention to this method of fishing to the movie “A River Runs Through It” with Brad Pitt hit television.   Everybody came to know that this was not something just for the elite when A.J. McClain showed us with his two sons how it was in the very fabric of their lives.  From tying that perfect fly to finding the perfect place to put that fly in their favorite part of the streams in Montana many learned in a short time the art of fly-fishing.

Something I heard over and over following the opening of Cane Island Outfitter was that you could not fly fish the White River especially during high water generation.  Oh, yeah?  Let’s see about that. 

At first my instructions were standing inside the shop or out in the middle of River Road demonstrating the simple casting and presentation techniques.  Then they wanted to know more than the basics and were ready for all of my secrets for catching this mysterious Brown Trout.  Their request for a hands-on demonstration was a constant, so by popular demand to show what I was saying became the norm.  With a lot of prodding my next stage of the game was to guide and teach how to, with the novice and experienced alike.  This extended into much more than just how to fly-fish these unique waters, but also how to read water with the fluxion of generation and what flies to use.

When you start fly-fishing it all sounds like a lot of information to take in at once and it is, but soon becomes natural as it comes together in application.  I have always told my clients, if it is hard you are doing it wrong.  Learning to fly-fish reminds me of learning to ride a bicycle, once you learn it you never forget.  From that point of getting the basics down forward you are adding to what you already know over the rest or your life.  If you learned from a good instructor in the beginning, i.e., guide you will become better than their teacher. 

My interest in teaching had a lot to do with the fact that women have taken to the sport of fly-fishing.  The fact that it is fun and a non aggressive sport has drawn women in it with their friends.  This can give them a change to get away from it all: the kids, dishes, errands, and sometimes a break from the husbands can do a person good.   It is so easy to lose track of the pressures of life when surrounded in nature.  This can open up a whole new world of adventure plus a lifetime sport that you are always adding new places, flies and people to your experience.   Like I said once the basic casting techniques, appropriate flies for water conditions and a few knots are known the enjoyment is so rewarding.  The true meaning of fishing becomes clear and catching is truly secondary.

One of the early discoveries realized about fly-fishing is that it is usually in beautiful places.  I have lived in Arkansas most my life and enjoyed fly-fishing in Colorado, New Mexico, New York, Louisiana, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Florida Key’s.  All are very different and exciting places using many different size rods, flies and challenges to water conditions.  Since my time as a little girl coming to the tail waters of Arkansas with my father until now the passion to be outdoors and fishing has been in my blood.  It does get into your blood and then there is no hope of it ever going away.  Growing up in Arkansas and visiting the Bull Shoals/White River tail waters and Heber Springs/Little Red River gave me the chance to have some of the best kept secret trout waters all to myself.

Tight lines is a common method of fly-fishing many waters, but these tail water conditions have initiated a whole new way of presenting your fly to the trout.  Come and let me show you what has taken a lifetime to constantly adjust to for the success of catching the allusive Mr. T. (rout)

Kind Regards,

Rebecca Ralls

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Tags: arkansas, boat, cane island, fishing, fly, high water, lines, outfitters, reels, White River

         In the old days, back in the early 70′s before taking up residence in the Ozark Mountains everybody we could get to come would get in their modes of transportation and head to the White River. It would be cars, trucks, busses and Air Streams all headed in a caravan to some agreed upon spot on this 150 mile trout stream. Our meeting place might be the trout dock at Bull Shoals, under the Cotter bridge, across the cattle guards to an exclusively private Ranchette camp area, the mile long trail down Matney Mountain or Calico Rock. It depended on who and where everybody was coming from that made that all important final decision. The leaders of the pack came out of the “Rock” a.k.a. Little Rock with the notorious group from Outdoor Outfitters. Just to name/remember a few: Jon East, Sammy Abraham, Tommy McDade, Johnny Wilson, Kim Kimball, Gary Green, Charlie East, Larry Watts, Gus Gross, Travis Rowland, Ricky Verser, Crazy Ed is a short list of who would make the trek. The list of girls was much shorter, because there were not many of us that wanted to suffer the consequences. Just as soon as we shut down Outfitters on Saturday afternoon it was off to the wilderness somewhere. It typically depended on how much time we had to kill, either a day or sometimes a week at a time. We would justify this madness by “having to field test” all the goodies from the store i.e., tents, sleeping bags, hiking boots, knives, freeze dried foods, and fishing equipment. That was our mission statement or so we told ourselves.

          On one of my first experiences fly-fishing in the snow on the White River was with 4/5 generators running. The most amazing event took place that I have ever witnessed. For some unknown reason all of a sudden the trout started jumping out of the water and frolicking about in the air. As though to be playing with the snow flakes. They were honing in on the snow as if there was a hatch of some kind going on in mid-air. I would like to see you match that hatch! This river system is not known for its dry fly fishing because our aquatic food chain is so prolific underwater.

          The nymphing is second to none with crawdaddies, sculpin, scuds, sows, minnow bait and worms by the ga-zillion to choose from. So to witness this event of the trout actually turning their attention to the space above them was unexpected to say the least. We actually could not even fish for the show that was being displayed before us. That particular trip we did get what we ask for and were stuck on the river bank for ten days. Thank G-d all the equipment i.e., sleeping bags, gas stoves, tents and pot of chili got us through one of the hardest camp trips I’ve ever experienced. The chili did take on a new personality everyday as stuff was added to have enough to go around. That included, to find out when we reached the bottom, sticks and things from the fire that it hung over from the start. It is a wonder it didn’t kill us, but somehow we survived.

          I am thankful that it isn’t necessary to get stranded here to enjoy fishing in the snow now days. All I have to do and you too for that matter. Is come up and stay in one of the many places offered for lodging and simply go out to fish for the day. Back in those days there were not many places to stay where we landed and of course lodging indoors would not allow us to put our equipment to the “test” either. Plus in the frame of minds that we were in from being couped up in Outfitters all week, we would have probably been thrown out anyway. I am sure there are some of you out there that still fit that category; I see you from my deck when watching boats pass by my home on the river. I just couldn’t get it out of my blood from all those daze gone by, so I moved here. Come see us when you need to get your minds right and unwind. We have it all on this little island in the middle of America called Arkansas.

See you on the river!
Rebecca

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Tags: air streams, america, arkansas, bull shoals, cotter, fishing, fly-fishing, hatch, minnow, nymph, Ozark Mountains, sculpin, snow, sow, trout

We are pleased to announce that Cane Island Outfitters has opened an online “Fly Shop”.  In our Fly Shop, you can find many items for your fishing pleasure such as; fly tying tools, specialty eye-wear for fishermen, feather products, and many different accessories.  The best news is that we will soon be increasing the number and kinds of items available in our Fly Shop.

On thing that most folks wouldn’t expect to find in a Fly Shop is a professionally guided, full day fishing trip at a “special” winter price.  Take advantage of this opportunity by purchasing this Guided Fly Fishing Trip and then booking your trip for some time in the near future.  Go HERE to see what is included with a one day fully guided Fly Fishing trip with Cane-Island Outfitters, but remember, Go Here for the special price!

Visit our Photo Gallery Here

Visit our “Fly Shop” Here

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Tags: accessories, cane island outfitters, eye wear, feather products, fishermen, fly shop, fly-fishing, guided, special

Well we have been waiting for winter to arrive in Arkansas and it looks like it finally made its debut.  As is typical when it is hot weather outdoors we want it cold and when the cold gets here we want it warm.  Human nature; never happy with what the Lord gives us.  But, personally I’m always ready for the change of seasons when they get around to us in these Ozark (hills) Mountains. 

Yes, I am a full blooded Arky and use to having at least four seasons in a year.  We are just never sure when they are going to come.  Two weeks ago we were wearing shorts and T-shirts, today full-blown polortec – in layers.  When I started out “to town” this early morning (for stuff) it was a brisk 20 degrees with only an expected 35 for a high today.  To me this is great fishing weather, but most the boyz are deep in the woods hunting for what ever moves them. 

When somebody says it’s too cold to fish in this cold weather, I say hog-wash.  What do you think those trout fishes are doing right now?  They are loving it!  Don’t ask me how they know the air temp, since the water temperatures stay close to the same year-round.  This climate seems to be a time to celebrate life for those slippery little creatures.  The German Brownies are looking for love and in all the right places.  And our infamous football Rainbows are spending most of this time of year getting fat and sassy for their spring-time spawn.  At any rate, doesn’t anybody know that it doesn’t feel cold when you are chasing the allusive Mr. T.  It is like time not counting when you fish, these cold temperatures seem to slip the consciousness of man (or in my case – woman) when you are fishing. 

From my view, at this very moment, from Cane-Island there is for as far as the eye can see upstream and downstream a private river.  The Bull Shoals Control Center just reported (via cell fone) that there is zero generation at Bull and zero gens at The Fork. This is as of 9:00 a.m. today when 2 gens were turned off on Bull  This gives a visiting angler or local-yokel as many choices as any one man could stand; to wade fish this 130+ mile trout fishery - without another soul in sight. 

Today I was the only glutton for punishment.  As I see it with this great stretch of water at Cane-Island all to myself (that are known to produce some of the biggest trout in America) someone has to take on the hunt for the next record PhD. Trout.  On the fall of water early today a chartreuse sparkle olive woolly took 3 juvenile Browns and 1 bigger brother with a couple dozen ‘Bows that had certainly been eating their Wheaties.  I did change to fancy wet flies when the water fell out, without an indicator, and they couldn’t resist it on the swing at the end of the drift.  Had several occasions where two out of three flies caught fish on a single drift.  They couldn’t resist that dangling brown daddy on the bottom.  A hot new combination for Fly Fishing on the White River when there isn’t a lot of wind.  With days getting shorter this time of year my success was short lived when the sun settled quickly over the hill from our lodge and it was time to find the fireplace to reminisce the day.  Hope you-all had a great day where-ever you were and wish you were here.

Fish-On,

Rebecca

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Tags: , america, arkansas, brownies, bull shoals, cane, fly, fly-fishing, fork, german, island, mountains, outfitters, ozark, rainbows, trout, White River

Howdy folks from the lovely tropical Cane-Island on the White River in the beautiful Ozark Mountains.  We are celebrating many things right now with the kick-off to another year in paradise.  The first thing we are being served is around 60 degree temperatures while most would be seeking wild game in the woods…  they are in the wrong place at the wrong time.  There is the most suitable fishing conditions with low water just about every where on the Fork and White River’s today and a 4.0/6.4 SSE wind to go with.  The day did start with heavy overcast but left without a trace of rain here on the “Island”.  It appears that the heavy cloud cover is just about out of Arkansas and entering Mississippi and on a fast eastward trek out of here. 

Just checked with the Bull Shoals Control Center for water generation and they haven’t run on Bull since 01.04.08 when they ran 2 gens from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.; and on the Fork 2 gens from 6:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.  We have to call that just a push to stir the food and keep plenty of oxygen going after running plenty during the week on Bull.  I suspect the lower sections of the White are still in the fall from the 6 to 8 gens that ran through out the week.  Remember to calculate the fall at twice the time to fall out as to rise, making it perfect for drift fishing from our Jon boats. 

Cane Island is still fishing fantastic during heavy generation with more than our share of big fish hanging in the upper sections during this unexpected generation periods. Tons of food and great water from the Bull Shoals State Park to the lower reaches of Partee Shoals.  That is typical for this time of year with so much food  and structure readily available with or without generation.   My next favorite place right now is Monkey Island with so few that want to travel those shinny shoals below Red’s Landing.  Still great holes with plenty of places to drift or wade on the shoals-take your pick. 

Not changing their habits of taking just about anything that moves.  We have gone with the usual wet fly collection to our ole stand by nymphs for the lax-a-dazy fishing.  The always perfect drift is more important than what your offering… these trout (browns or bows) have never been known to be picky.  In the lowest conditions it still holds true to keep with the ever so tiny #18 to #20 size droppers for the cannot resist on our larger fish.  Smaller the fly… bigger the fish.  The larger flies on top seem to always attract the smaller fish, go figure?

 When you have caught all the fish you can stand in a day go check out the Eagle Awareness events at the new Information Center at Bull Shoals, State Park Trout Dock and Bull Shoals Theater this evening.  There are loads of activities that include cruises, river trail walks, programs on Mountaintop Birding, late night Owl Prowl and the Little Rock Zoo Raptor meet  for demonstrations that typically would only be observed in the wild.  Come join in on the fun for the big boys and little guys alike.  Each year we experience this majestic Bald Eagle event that runs in around 100 Bald Eagles sighted during the cruises and river walks.  It is a true celebration to enjoy our national symbol and many other birds that winter in our Ozarks at this time. 

See you on the river,
Rebecca

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Tags: , birding, bows, browns, cane island, drift, eagle, flies, fork, little rock, monkey island, owl, paradise, partte shoals, prowl, red's landing, wet fly, white river ozark mountains

Good-evening folks from the rolling hills of the Ozark Mountains in North Central Arkansas. 

We are experiencing London fog in the Ozarks that is not typical for this time of year.  We should be enjoying crisp, cool, clear nights with the skies orchestrating infinity before our very eyes.  The stars could be a little defused from a full moon this evening, but because of the fog we are not even getting to view that either.

Since launching this newest site in November to address the changes that have come about over the last couple years, my words have wondered.  It has taken me until now to gather my thoughts and reach out to all our friends from this little island in the middle of America, Cane-Island on the White River in Lakeview, Arkansas.  

Continue Reading »

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Tags: america, AR, arkansas, cane island, emerson, fly-fishing, gifts, Lakeview, london, Ozark Mountains, Ozarks, White River

 Greetings!

Well, we’re just getting started with this Web Log here at Cane Island, but we will make every attempt to bring you all the information that we can about our services, just who caught the big ones and where they were caught.  We will also keep you updated on other things that may be of interest to you.

Online Fly Shop:  We are planning to open our Online Fly Shop soon with many items such as Fly Rods, Reels, fly tying equipment and more.  Please check back soon.

Photo Gallery:  Our photo gallery is now open.  We will be adding many photos to our Gallery very soon.  Please stop by and take a look at some of the huge and beautiful fish that thrive here in the Ozark Mountains in Northern Arkansas.

Guest Book:  Please take the time to sign our guest book.  Tell us what you think of our web site, what you think of the Gallery, or what you think we could to to make our site better.

 Google Maps:  We have included a map (courtesy of Google) of the Lakeview, Arkansas area.  This map is unique because it is not only a standard map, but it also incorporates a Satellite view of the area.  Beyond that this map may also be used in “hybrid” format that gives you a Satellite view of the area overlaid with roads, state boundaries, and city and town names.  Thanks Google!

Contacting Us:  If you wish to contact us for reservations, or anything else, you may do so by visiting our “Contact Us” page link at the very top of this page, or you may click here.

Reservations:  If you would like to make reservations, please visit our Reservations Page.

See you on the river!
Rebecca

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Tags: arkansas, cane island, contact, fishing, fly shop, google, guest book, mountains, northern, online, ozark, photo gallery, reservations, us