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Trouble in the Valley of the Hawgs: Emergency Trout Rules Shake Arkansas' Fly-Fishing Heartland

AGFC's emergency order sparks debate in the White River region about the future of these trophy-trout fisheries.

Trouble in the Valley of the Hawgs: Emergency Trout Rules Shake Arkansas' Fly-Fishing Heartland
A rainbow fingerling fish kill at the Norfork National Fish Hatchery has spurred emergency fishing regulations on one of the nation's best trophy brown-trout fisheries. (Courtesy of Steve Dally)

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) has voted to take unprecedented action to try and solve a deadly puzzle brought on by a perfect storm of weather conditions this year.

That October 16 vote by the AGFC, gave approval to a 120-day emergency order, one of four options presented by AGFC Trout Management Program coordinator Christy Graham. The one chosen by commissioners calls for catch-and-release fishing of all...

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