Outdoor Adventures Begin and End in Harrison, Arkansas
By: Wes Watkins
One of the most integral aspects of Harrison as an outdoor destination is its combination of accessibility and convenience. Not only is it near the nationally renowned Buffalo National River, the Ozark National Forest, Bull Shoals Lake, Lake Taneycomo, Lake Norfork and the White River, but it also hosts the greatest variety of restaurants and lodging in the region.
In less than an hour drive, you can access, for example, the day hikes of the Buffalo River trail, skirting the river in short sections for 37 miles or so, spending time in the intimate outdoors: noticing the Trout Lillies emerge in early spring or sitting quietly to watch a family of minks patrol the river banks. When you reach the end of the trail, hungry and weary, it's a short return to Harrison for a gourmet Italian dinner at Bottini's on the square.
You could also spend a day canoeing the nation's first National River, fishing for smallmouth bass or taking a dip in the pristine spring-fed waters of the Buffalo. You might even see one our resident Elk herds that patrol the area. Dirty and fishy, return for a hot shower and soft bed at one of Harrison's great lodging establishments like Holiday Inn Express or Queen Ann House Bed and Breakfast.
If trout fishing interests you, it's only a half hour to the White River, one of the best trout rivers in the U.S. If lake fishing is more your style, crappie, largemouth, catfish, white bass and other game species abound in Bull Shoals or Lake Norfork. When the leaves start to turn, the whitetail deer hunting in the Ozarks is second to none and experiencing spring turkey hunting, amongst waterfalls and wildflowers, is unforgettable.
The Ozark Highlands trail, built mostly with the shovels and hoes of dedicated volunteers, runs over 165 miles through some of the most beautiful areas in the central United States. Sam's Throne is a regionally renowned rock-climbing area and Highway 7 South –which runs through Harrison- has been named one of the nation's top ten scenic byways.
The Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas are famous for outdoor recreation, and it is possible to access nearly all of it from Harrison. Whether you enjoy hiking, canoeing, fishing, hunting, wildlife watching or some pleasant mixture of them all, you can rest assured the city of Harrison can provide you with the comfort and convenience you want at the end of the day. Visit www.HarrisonArkansas.org for more information.
Crooked Creek, a Smallmouth Angler's Dream Stream
by Glenn W. Wheeler
One of the many jewels in the Harrison, Arkansas area is the famed Crooked Creek. Beginning its journey south of Harrison near the Boone and Newton County lines, Crooked Creek lives up to its name making endless twists and turns through Boone and Marion Counties before arriving at its final destination, about 80 miles later, the famed White River.
Crooked Creek has long been known as one of the best smallmouth fisheries in the country, but most of the attention is given to the lower 40 or 50 miles. The upper end, closer to Harrison, affords some great fishing as well but mostly in the form of wading or bank fishing. Water levels are rarely sufficient for a good float fishing trip in the upper reaches. This can be inconvenient for covering lots of water, but also helps keep the crowds away.
One definite thing to keep in mind when fishing any part of Crooked Creek is that almost all of the surrounding land is private property. Remembering and respecting that will not only help keep you out of trouble, but will keep the landowners happy as well. We need to remember to respect their rights to reflect well on ourselves and other anglers.
Near Harrison, there are many places where county roads or state highways cross the creek, allowing access. A good county road map of Boone or Marion Counties will help you find such spots. Try to find the crossings a little further out of town to find the less fished spots.
Nice smallmouth can be caught any time of the year, but mid spring through late fall are typically best. There are many offerings that can produce, from live bait to small crankbaits (Rebel Craws being a top choice), to small plastics and jigs. Late in the evening, throw a small crankbait or spinner above and along the edges of the faster moving shoals and keep a keen eye for cover or structures that allow for hiding spots or current breaks.
Check the Harrison Convention and Visitors Bureau website for more information on fishing in the area along with great places to eat and nice lodging facilities. Check them out at www.harrisonarkansas.org . Also be sure and visit the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's site at www.agfc.com for the latest in fishing regulations.