Photo Galleries
War Eagle winter float
River runners went to Plan B during a wintertime float trip on the War Eagle River on Monday, Feb. 4. Fishing was to be the main event, but when Daniel Godwin of Huntsville and outdoors reporter Flip Putthoff arrived at the stream, they found it high and muddy. Fishing was out of the question, but a fine float to watch wildlife and enjoy the winter scenery took shape. The six-mile float from Parker Ford to the Gar Hole low-water bridge was one to remember. Staff photos by Flip Putthoff
Roaring River
Nothing like hard-fighting rainbow trout to warm cold fingers on opening day of catch-and-keep trout fishing at Roaring River State Park near Seligman, Mo. Hundreds of anglers shunned freezing temperatures and occasional snow to fish on March 1, which is the traditional opening day. Catch and keep fishing runs through October. Staff photos by Flip Putthoff
Birding at Beaver Lake
It was a day for birds on Saturday, Jan. 19 at Beaver Lake and Hobbs State Park. A day of birding activities kicked off at 9 a.m. with a birding hike at Rocky Branch park on Beaver Lake hosted by the Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society. About 30 bird enthusiasts saw a variety of waterfowl, songbirds and raptors on the hike. Trip leader was Joe Neal of Fayetteville, author of several books on birds. Later, Neal gave an informative program on birds at Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area on Saturday afternoon. That was followed by a program on raptors and vultures by Lynn Sciumbato, a wildlife rehabilitator who lives near Gravette. She brought a live screech owl, hawk and turkey vulture to her presentation. Staff photos by Flip Putthoff.
Springdale church fire
A vacant church building in Springdale burned Sunday night in Springdale. All Springdale fire engines, trucks and ambulances responded to the fire except for one engine and one ambulance. A ladder truck from Fayetteville responded to the fire as well.
Pea Ridge hike
The Civil War Battle of Pea Ridge is the focus at Pea Ridge National Military Park. There's a 7-mile driving tour, but visitors who strike out on foot along 10 miles of hiking trails see parts of the 4,300-acre park that aren't seen by car. There's a hidden lake, cemetery, orchard and vast acres of prairie that hikers can explore. Some new sections of trail opened in 2010. Staff photos by Flip Putthoff
Photos of the year, Gallery 2
NWA Media staff photographers picked their favorite images from 2012. They will be presented on NWAonline in four galleries, in no particular order.
Photos of the year, Gallery 1
NWA Media staff photographers picked their favorite images from 2012. They will be presented on NWAonline in four galleries, in no particular order.
Fly fishing
Anglers can catch all the trout they can hook at Roaring River State Park — as long as they let 'em all go. That's the rules during the fall and winter catch and release fly fishing season at the state park northeast of Seligman, Mo. Fishing is allowed Fridays through Mondays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. from mid November to mid February. Flies only are permitted. Russ Tonkinson of Rogers had the hot hand during a visit to Roaring River on Nov. 16. His catch included a 21-inch rainbow trout. Staff photos by Flip Putthoff
Swamp tour
The swamps of eastern Arkansas are beautiful for canoeing and kayaking, but may not be destinations paddlers think of when planning a trip. Arkansas Water Trails, a program of the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission, aims to change that. Canoe and kayak trails have been blazed through some of these swamps, much like hiking trails, to guide paddlers through and prevent them from getting lost. A group of paddlers who are working to establish these swampland trails traveled the Bayou De View water trail on Nov. 9, not far from where the ivory-billed woodpecker was seen and videotaped in 2004. Staff photos by Flip Putthoff
Opera House restoration
The former Opera House, the center of Rogers social life in the late 19th and early 20th century is set for restoration after years of neglect. John Mack, owner of JKJ Architects, recently purchased the building at 106 and 108 W. Walnut St. and has high hopes for the opera house. Photos by Michael Woods
Goat Trail
A hike along the Goat Trail in the Buffalo River area is one of the most spectacular hikes in all of the Ozarks. The 6-mile out and back route leads to Big Bluff, one of tallest along the Buffalo. The Goat Trail meanders 300 feet above the river for gorgeous views of the Buffalo River valley. The hike begins at the Centerpoint Trailhead along Arkansas 43 about 3 miles north of Ponca. It's 3 miles out to Big Bluff then 3 miles back to the trailhead. Caution is urged due to high, dangerous cliffs. Staff photos by Flip Putthoff.
Restaurant burns at Lake Atalanta
Rogers firefighters burned down the restaurant building at Lake Atalanta on Friday.
Bass on Beaver Lake
Black bass at Beaver Lake go on the prowl during fall as the water cools. Fishing with spinner baits is a great way to catch them. Keith Brashers of Rogers is one of the top bass anglers at Beaver, having won three major tournaments at the lake this year while fishing with teammate Nicky Parson of Farmington. They used spinner baits during part of each tournament. Brashers owns War Eagle Custom Lures in Rogers and put his company's spinner baits to the test on fall bass at Beaver Lake on Friday, Oct. 19. Staff photos by Flip Putthoff
Floating the Kings River
October is prime time for a floating and camping trip on the Kings River. A trio of paddlers enjoyed a two-day float of the Kings on Sunday and Monday from the Rockhouse Access near Eureka Springs to Kings River Outfitters, a float of about 7 miles. Matt Hughes of Lone Jack, Mo., Mark "Hog Ears" Hughes of Anchorage, Alaska and outdoors reporter Flip Putthoff enjoyed superb smallmouth bass fishing and fine gravel-bar camping. Readers may recognize "Hog Ears" Hughes from Putthoff's outdoor column where he has written frequently about their adventures together in a backwoods Ozarks cabin. Staff photos by Flip Putthoff.
Devil's Eyebrow
Some of the most rugged land in Benton County will soon become public property. The Nature Conservancy recently purchased 1,954 acres in northeast Benton County near Beaver Lake, known as Devil's Eyebrow. The Nature Conservancy will hold the tract until the Arkansas Heritage Commission purchases the tract which will make it public property. The tract is steep, rocky and wooded, with bluffs, springs, creeks, glades and meadows. The types of activities, such as hunting, to be allowed on the property has yet to be planned, but the process has started for the Natural Heritage Commission to purchase the property from The Nature Conservancy. Staff Photos by Flip Putthoff.
Low water floating
Hardcore river rats can float about any stream no matter how low the water. It just depends on how much they want to walk. Wading and walking were part of a low-water float down the War Eagle River on Friday. Alan Bland of Rogers and outdoors reporter Flip Putthoff observed the last day of summer, Sept. 21, with a canoe trip from the Gar Hole low-water bridge to a private take-out near the War Eagle Mill. Staff photos by Flip Putthoff
NWA Mountain Bike Championships
The 24th annual Northwest Arkansas Mountain Bike Championships held Saturday at Devil's Den State Park were more mud management than zipping along through the woods. One rider described the Fossil Flats Trail, where races were held: "It's like riding on ice with STP spilled all over it." Staff photos by Flip Putthoff
