The dance hall we usually frequent had, this past Sat. night, a band
that sucked. Friends invited us to a dance at Mammoth Springs AR.

So, left early, into the fog and temp in mid 40's. Got there, suited
up, and went below the dam while SO sat in Big Blue and read.

Light was very low, fog was thick, and mist from falls was persistent
even way down river. I had to choose between polaroids (really dark)
or not (couldn't see through the glare). Line was hard to see. But I
caught a couple on a bead head, rusty nymph. Missed some strikes.
Tried a flashier steelhead-type streamer and got a couple short takes,
but my reflexes seemed too slow to snag them. Then I put on a HUGE
ugly black wooly worm -- about size 2XL, and got strikes all over the
place. When they kept shaking the fly, I checked its sharpness and it
didn't seem to need much. But,. after a few passes with the stone,
hookups increased.

The fish were not the usual wimpy looking stockers, but firm, full
bodied rainbows with that green translucent edge to the fins the (at
least to me) seems to accompany healthy fish.

As I turned them all back, I don't know what they were feeding on, but
I did see a small fly on the rocks that looked like a #18 zebra nymph
with transluscent, veined wings about 3/8 in long. I didn't try to
match it, as my closest was too small for me to manage with wet
glasses, cold fingers, etc.

All in all, about two hours, four fish to hand, half dozen about half
way in before getting off, and a bunch of "quick twitch" nibbles.

And..........I was alone on the river, right in town.

We then had wayyyyyy too much catfish at Fred's and a nice evening
dancing to a great local country rock band that was lost in the 70's.

cheers

oz, who recommends Fred's Fish House if you are ever anywhere near
Mammoth Springs AR....pickled green tomatoes, brown beans, slaw,
Kosher dill, red onion, crispy fried okra, fries, hushpuppies, sweet
tea............ahhhhhh........and the fish.