Stories by Flip Putthoff

Karst Loop trail at Hobbs State Park offers water, woods for hikers and bikers Hiking may be the most comfortable way to see the sights during winter at one of the region's most popular trails.Mountain bikers and hikers head for Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area east of Rog... January 24, 2023

NWA outdoors: Watershed group seeks public’s input Input sought for watershed planIllinois River Watershed Partnership will host a free public input session from 2 to 4:30 p.m. today to update the management plan for the Illinois River watershed. The ... January 24, 2023

NWA fishing report: Striper bites warm winter fishing Beaver LakeLive bait is working best for striped bass.Jon Conklin, fishing guide, recommends fishing for stripers from Prairie Creek park south to Point 12 where the White and War Eagle arms of the la... January 24, 2023

OPINION | PUTTHOFF: Easy to catch bass on Beaver Lake with Smithwick Rogue lure Catching fish with jerk baits is enough to coax anglers away from the fire place for a day on the lake.We have plenty of pleasant days in January and February for hitting the water to cast jerk baits,... January 24, 2023

Bluff wanderers gotta want it to see it Tall and majestic bluffs are treasured sights to behold at Beaver Lake. Long ago, settlers believed treasure was buried along these rocky cliffs.Explorers today can see evidence of digging, plus remna... January 17, 2023

NWA outdoor briefs: Opportunities abound to walk, bike Northwest Arkansas Walkers to explore BentonvilleOzark Hill Hikers, affiliated with the American Volkssport Association, invite all walkers to join a walk Jan. 25 in Bentonville. Registration is from 9:30 to 10 a.m. at ... January 17, 2023

OPINION | PUTTHOFF: Anglers hit the water, then the bank Forty six Beaver Lake anglers not only felt the joy of catching a big striped bass, they went home $100 richer.More than 200 stripers prowl the lake's depths with a special Arkansas Game and Fish ... January 17, 2023

NWA fishing report: Head to Horseshoe Bend to catch stripers Beaver LakeFish the Horseshoe Bend area for striped bass.Jon Conklin, fishing guide, said that area is holding lots of shad and stripers are following the shad. Troll with shad or brood minnows. Strip... January 17, 2023

Beaver Lake cruise promises magical views of wintering eagles During winter, when people are few and far between at Beaver Lake, bald eagle numbers peak at the 31,000-acre reservoir.January and early February are the best times to catch a glimpse of a soaring ea... January 15, 2023

Pitch a tent, hike a new trail at Devil’s Den Campers have more sites to snuggle in a sleeping bag. Hikers and bikers have more trail to travel at the new Devil's Racetrack campsites and trailhead that are the latest additions at Devil's ... January 10, 2023

NWA outdoor briefs: Lake Fayetteville reopens Team notches Polar Bear winRonnie Davidson and Kirk McClelland won the annual Polar Bear bass tournament held Jan. 1 out of Prairie Creek park on Beaver Lake. Their five-fish tournament limit weighed ... January 10, 2023

OPINION | PUTTHOFF: Don’t miss a chance for a snow float No doubt the first thought that comes to everyone's mind after a big snow is, "Hey, let's take a float trip."The snow and cold we had just before Christmas conjured up memories of an... January 10, 2023

NWA fishing report: Top-water lures good to use Beaver LakeHave a top-water lure tied on to catch striped bass.Reese Jones at Hook, Line and Sinker in Rogers said anglers report schools of striped bass feeding on the surface at the mouths of creek ... January 10, 2023

NWA fishing report: Live bait is working best to catch striped bass Beaver LakeLive bait is working best to catch striped bass.Jon Conklin, fishing guide, recommends fishing for stripers between Rocky Branch and Hickory Creek parks. Trolling with brood minnows or umbr... January 3, 2023

NWA outdoor briefs Coler crossing removedColer Mountain Bike Preserve, the Watershed Conservation Resource Center and Crossland Construction are working to remove the low water crossing that spans Coler Creek near Airsh... January 3, 2023

Cast, catch, repeat: Trout fishing warms up winter at Missouri state park There aren't enough fingers and toes for anglers to count how many trout they catch at Roaring River State Park. And that's in an hour of fishing.With the right fly, trout can keep a fishing r... January 3, 2023

COLD WEATHER RAPTORS COLD WEATHER RAPTORS Bald eagles are seen congregated at the Indian Creek arm of Beaver Lake in January 2020. January is the best month to see bald eagles at the lake. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Flip ... December 30, 2022

High above the Buffalo National River: trails lead to creek crossing and scenic vistas It's been a banner 50th anniversary year for the Buffalo National River. The list of events and celebrations that took place is a long one that recognized the free-flowing stream as the nation&#39... December 27, 2022

NWA fishing report: Cold water improves black bass bite Beaver LakeBlack bass are biting a variety of lures.Reese Jones at Hook, Line and Sinker in Rogers said bass can be caught with jerk baits, crank baits or Alabama rigs from 2 to 20 feet deep along poi... December 27, 2022

COLUMN | FLIP PUTTHOFF: Polar Bear prize one that got away New Year's Day wouldn't be a holiday without football, black-eyed peas and the annual Polar Bear bass tournament at Beaver Lake.The contest is open to everyone, and it's a fine way to star... December 27, 2022

NWA Outdoor Briefs: Hobbs State Park rings in solstice, new year Celebrate winter solsticeHobbs State Park-Conservation Area will host a winter solstice celebration from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday. The events pay homage to age-old traditions honoring the human connectio... December 20, 2022

Fine feathered Beaver Lake cruise: Passengers bundle up and go on waterfowl trip Editor's note: Joe Neal of Fayetteville, a field trip leader with Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society, writes an essay after each of his birding trips. Here's his report of a pontoon boat trip ... December 20, 2022

Camp’s hunters head to the kitchen Deer seasons are winding down, but fine dining is just beginning.When a miracle happens and one of us at Camp See No Deer bags a buck or doe, most of the meat ends up as ground venison. It's delic... December 20, 2022

NWA fishing report Beaver LakeThe upstream end of Beaver Lake is muddy, but water color is good north of Horseshoe Bend park.Angler James Whittle reports black bass are biting well on crank baits. Swim baits and spinner... December 20, 2022

NWA fishing report: Rain runoff has created muddy conditions Beaver LakeRain runoff has created muddy conditions on upstream portions of Beaver Lake.Jon Conklin, fishing guide, said the lake level rose about a foot after the rain. That could slow the catch rate... December 13, 2022

Drive the Heritage Trail A scenic drive through the McDonald County hill country in Missouri visits an historic iron bridge, a courthouse museum, one of the most beautiful streams in the Ozarks and much more.McDonald County H... December 13, 2022

NWA outdoor briefs: Hike in the new year Hike in the new yearThe Ozark Society and Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area will each host guided First Day hikes Jan. 1.Sugar Creek chapter of the Ozark Society will host a First Day hike at 10 a.m.... December 13, 2022

NWA fishing report: Colder water has improved fishing Beaver LakeJon Conklin, fishing guide, said colder water has improved fishing for a variety of species.Striped bass fishing is good with lots of 20-pounders being caught. Try the Prairie Creek area, A... December 6, 2022

NWA outdoor briefs: See moon, Mars cross paths See moon, Mars cross pathsNWA Space and Science Center will host a free viewing event Wednesday night at Kathleen Johnson Memorial Park in Lowell to see the moon pass in front of Mars.A program explai... December 6, 2022

New woods to wander - Visitors welcome at Highfill's Logan Springs Preserve HIGHFILL -- What was once a fish hatchery is now a haven for hiking, bird watching and nature study at Logan Springs Preserve south of Highfill.The Nature Conservancy acquired the 210-acre tract three... December 6, 2022

OPINION | FLIP PUTTHOFF: Books explore two ways to get away On one hand, there's nothing like being snug and warm in your tent and hearing the soothing sound of rain drops on a nylon fly.On the other, there's nothing like being curled up and enjoying t... December 6, 2022

King's River boasts a prized fish, smal-mouth bass When this trio of fishing friends gets together, they're armed with two fishing rods each and an array of lures made for Ozark streams. What they don't have is a boat.Legions of anglers float ... November 29, 2022

NWA outdoor briefs: Rainbow trout stocked in area lakes Caverns close for seasonBlanchard Springs Caverns near Mountain View has closed its visitor season for 2022. Tours of the caverns will resume March 9. Tour reservations will be available before that d... November 29, 2022

NWA fishing report: Bite improves as water cools Beaver LakeStriped bass are biting, but scattered in the south half of the lake.Reese Jones at Hook, Line and Sinker in Rogers recommends fishing in the Prairie Creek area and waters south of there. B... November 29, 2022

OPINION | PUTTHOFF: Hiking an Ozarks original never gets old The building boom of new trails in our little corner of the Ozarks means hiking and biking traffic is more spread out across the land. There's less pressure on some of the region's original tr... November 29, 2022

NWA fishing report: Colder temps get fish moving Beaver LakeColder water should jump start fall fishing in a big way.Jon Conklin, fishing guide, said the water temperature is dropping into the mid-50s and that generally gets fall fishing going at th... November 22, 2022

NWA outdoor briefs Winter camping quiet optionWinter camping is offered at Beaver Lake from November through March. Campsites are available at Lost Bridge North, Prairie Creek, Horseshoe Bend and Hickory Creek parks. Ca... November 22, 2022

OPINION | FLIP PUTTHOFF: Wrap the gift of a guided fishing trip Deer hunting and gift hunting are both on the agenda the Friday after Thanksgiving. Each year, the search is on for the ideal gift for the outdoor enthusiasts on your list.If they are anglers and hunt... November 22, 2022

Deep freeze sends birds clawing for altitude, fleeing frigid north country Wildlife watchers who show up in October are the early birds when it comes to catching the fall migration of waterfowl, raptors and song birds at Beaver Lake.A clear, chilly morning on Oct. 28 finally... November 22, 2022

NWA fishing report Beaver LakeFall tactics are starting to kick in for catching black bass.Reese Jones at Hook, Line and Sinker in Rogers said black bass can be caught early with top-water lures. Try spinner baits or sq... November 15, 2022

Rails out, trails in along Missouri’s Katy Trail Old memories of an historic railroad remain, but new memories are made daily on foot or by bike along the Katy Trail in the heart of Missouri.Bicycles, tricycles, walkers and runners have replaced the... November 15, 2022

NWA outdoor briefs: Fishing, hiking on November agenda Hikers explore Highlands routeHill 'N Dale Hiking Club will hike Wednesday on the Ozark Highlands Trail from the Morgan Fields trailhead to Hare Mountain. Hare Mountain is the highest point on the... November 15, 2022

OPINION | PUTTHOFF Dangers two-fold when cars, deer collide A close encounter with a white-tail doe was a scary reminder that November is deer mating season and the month to be on the lookout for deer darting across highways and back roads.Right now is the pea... November 15, 2022

Shuffle down the Buffalo Some wanderers prefer paths less traveled when they visit the Buffalo National River at the peak of autumn. Where Pat Bodishbaugh treads, there's no path at all.A rocky shoreline of bright gravel ... November 8, 2022

NWA outdoor briefs Hikers explore two trailsHill 'N Dale Hiking Club will hike Thursday along the Elk River Hiking Trail near Independence, Kan. The hike is 6 miles out and back. The drive to get there is approximat... November 8, 2022

OPINION | PUTTHOFF: Alarm cocked and ready for modern gun deer season It'll be a three-alarm morning on Saturday when modern gun deer season opens at first light across Arkansas. That's the number of clocks a family might set so they're not late for this red... November 8, 2022

NWA fishing report Beaver Lake: Striped bass are on the move to the south end of the lake.Jon Conklin, fishing guide, recommends striper fishing in the Prairie Creek and Monte Ne areas and farther south into the White a... November 8, 2022

OPINION | FLIP PUTTHOFF: Funky taste of tap water befuddles new NWA residents Phones at the Beaver Water District ring long into autumn with customers asking one question: Why does my water taste so funky?That's the word from Nikki Holloway, lab supervisor at the Beaver Wat... November 1, 2022

NW outdoor briefs Hikers venture to KansasHill 'N Dale hiking club will hike Nov. 10 along the Elk River Hiking Trail near Independence, Kan. The hike is six miles out and back. The drive to get there is approximat... November 1, 2022

NWA fishing report Beaver LakeJon Conklin, fishing guide, reports fair fishing for striped bass with brood minnows. Stripers are beginning to migrate upstream away from Beaver Dam.Crappie are moving into brush in and ar... November 1, 2022