#1 Mountain Home, Arkansas Big-fish diversity in a laid-back Ozarks valley
Leading Appeals: World-class fishing for trophy largemouth and striped bass, walleye, slab crappies and whopper trout in the White River and nearby Bull Shoals and Norfork lakes. Turkey, squirrels and whitetails- even timber ducks and black bear- occupy the Ozark National Forest
Population: 12,215
Median Home Price: $92,900
Amenities: Excellent hospitals and schools, low crime rate, vibrant retail economy and cohesive community make this a great place to raise children or retire.
Bottom Line: Few towns have this diversity of fishing or such close proximity to boat ramps and trailheads.
Contact: enjoymountainhome.com
The first time Henry Seay fished northern Arkansas' White River Gorge he knew he'd buy a house nearby. That was seven years ago. Today the retiree from Phoenix owns a fish camp, Rim Shoals Resort, right on the bank of the trophy-trout stream. Seay still fishes the White River twice a week and adorns the walls of his business with evidence of his success, including mounts of brown trout pushing 30 inches.
Trout fishing in north-central Arkansas rivals any Rocky Mountain destination. The White, Buffalo, Little Red and North Fork rivers boast hundreds of trout per mile thanks to the coldwater habitat below the region's bottom-release dams. Mineral content in the water fuels growth rates. The Norfork River gave up a 38 1/2-pound brown trout two decades ago and the constellation of fly shops in the area are decorated with photos of 5- to 8-pound trout. Warmwater anglers have a playground west of town on Bull Shoals Lake, where walleye, bream, bass and crappie are caught in flooded timber and off rocky points. Norfork Lake's striped and hybrid bass reach 30 pounds of scrappy, reel-screaming action.
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Photo Gallery Comments (5)
that is a trophy elk
Have lived in Marquette for 15 years but will relocate soon. Was a great town but now dominated by local university (with zero academic credentials) and too many students from urban areas (Chicago, etc.) that see us rural folks as "easy pickins." Sexual assaults and property crimes now exceed the national average. Still, though, a good area to visit and shop.
This is one of the great pieces you have done to facilitate the town's chamber of commerce in getting their town exposed for more growth and business expansion. I doubt that the local outdoorsmen were very excited to find you exposing their treasure and placing them on the map. Down the road they will be competing for rocks to stand on when the steelhead and salmon runs are in full swing. They'll also be looking for new places to hunt when they find their old haunt invaded by strangers. I know this from my own experience that this is a heavy personal price one pays for progress. Once the big money shows up, they'll buy your old haunts that you've hunted forever and privatize them. Then it's "Say-la-vee!"
Well written with a lot of good information for a sportsman to consider if he/she is looking to relocate.
Nice Pictures don't think i'll be moving anytime soon though
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This is one of the great pieces you have done to facilitate the town's chamber of commerce in getting their town exposed for more growth and business expansion. I doubt that the local outdoorsmen were very excited to find you exposing their treasure and placing them on the map. Down the road they will be competing for rocks to stand on when the steelhead and salmon runs are in full swing. They'll also be looking for new places to hunt when they find their old haunt invaded by strangers. I know this from my own experience that this is a heavy personal price one pays for progress. Once the big money shows up, they'll buy your old haunts that you've hunted forever and privatize them. Then it's "Say-la-vee!"
Well written with a lot of good information for a sportsman to consider if he/she is looking to relocate.
Nice Pictures don't think i'll be moving anytime soon though
Have lived in Marquette for 15 years but will relocate soon. Was a great town but now dominated by local university (with zero academic credentials) and too many students from urban areas (Chicago, etc.) that see us rural folks as "easy pickins." Sexual assaults and property crimes now exceed the national average. Still, though, a good area to visit and shop.
that is a trophy elk
Post a Comment (200 characters or less)