Norfork from the air

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It was not going to be a typical day covering the Elite Series Day 1 on Norfork.
It was not going to be a typical day covering the Elite Series Day 1 on Norfork.
Baxter County Sheriff John Montgomery gave us the opportunity to see the lake and the first day of competition from the Sheriff’s Department helicopter. See those guys in yellow shirts? They are inmates who are on work release.
Baxter County Sheriff John Montgomery gave us the opportunity to see the lake and the first day of competition from the Sheriff’s Department helicopter. See those guys in yellow shirts? They are inmates who are on work release.
If the pilot has a cool-looking helmet, you best be ready.
If the pilot has a cool-looking helmet, you best be ready.
In no time we are traveling at 90 knots (105 mph) towards Lake Norfork. Oh, and they took the door off so I could take better pictures. I’m typing this so it clearly all worked out, but in the early part of the journey I had my doubts.
In no time we are traveling at 90 knots (105 mph) towards Lake Norfork. Oh, and they took the door off so I could take better pictures. I’m typing this so it clearly all worked out, but in the early part of the journey I had my doubts.
Very much worth it, though. Norfork is a beauty from the air.
Very much worth it, though. Norfork is a beauty from the air.
The site of the delayed takeoff today. Anglers will be back here on Sunday for the final day of fishing at this unique event.
The site of the delayed takeoff today. Anglers will be back here on Sunday for the final day of fishing at this unique event.
No sign of the fog that delayed the start. The sun is out and it’s quite pleasant, even at 1000 feet.
No sign of the fog that delayed the start. The sun is out and it’s quite pleasant, even at 1000 feet.
Ish Monroe off to find another spot.
Ish Monroe off to find another spot.
You could find anglers from the air, but you had to look carefully.
You could find anglers from the air, but you had to look carefully.
Seems like every time we showed up, they packed up. Justin Lucas head out.
Seems like every time we showed up, they packed up. Justin Lucas head out.
I recognize that flag flying.
I recognize that flag flying.
I’ve been covering the Elites now for 4 years. In that time I have come to accept that they usually leave me and my poor camera boat in the dust when they take off.
I’ve been covering the Elites now for 4 years. In that time I have come to accept that they usually leave me and my poor camera boat in the dust when they take off.
Not today, Chris Lane.
Not today, Chris Lane.
Today I win the race.
Today I win the race.
There wasn’t much bass fishing going on at the dam, but we visited it anyway.
There wasn’t much bass fishing going on at the dam, but we visited it anyway.
The dramatic change in height from Norfork to the river is a little disconcerting when you are leaning out of the open door of a helicopter.
The dramatic change in height from Norfork to the river is a little disconcerting when you are leaning out of the open door of a helicopter.
It’s pretty, though.
It’s pretty, though.
My pilot says there’s some pretty good trout fishing down below the dam. These guys were checking it out.
My pilot says there’s some pretty good trout fishing down below the dam. These guys were checking it out.
We find Brock Mosley nearby.
We find Brock Mosley nearby.
And Casey Ashley
And Casey Ashley
Michael Iaconelli…
Michael Iaconelli…
...shares water with some local guys having a pretty good Thursday.
…shares water with some local guys having a pretty good Thursday.
This island, called Sand Island for obvious reasons, is full of “kids” during the summer according to my pilot.
This island, called Sand Island for obvious reasons, is full of “kids” during the summer according to my pilot.
Right now parts of Norfork are full of pollen.
Right now parts of Norfork are full of pollen.
From up high you don’t start sneezing, though. You just gawk at the beauty of this place.
From up high you don’t start sneezing, though. You just gawk at the beauty of this place.
We find Davy Hite all alone.
We find Davy Hite all alone.
Wait a minute…
Wait a minute…
Does he have a fish on?
Does he have a fish on?
I’m watching Davy catch a fish from a helicopter.
I’m watching Davy catch a fish from a helicopter.
I didn’t get a good shot of him flipping the small bass on board.
I didn’t get a good shot of him flipping the small bass on board.
But Davy and I were both pretty delighted at the timing of this.
But Davy and I were both pretty delighted at the timing of this.
We head off in search of more anglers.
We head off in search of more anglers.
We find Morizo Shimizu. His Marshal was pretty happy to see us.
We find Morizo Shimizu. His Marshal was pretty happy to see us.
Not a lot of other anglers out today but some were having a good time.
Not a lot of other anglers out today but some were having a good time.
Watching 250 horses plow through some lake water from above is pretty great.
Watching 250 horses plow through some lake water from above is pretty great.
Hey, Matt Reed.
Hey, Matt Reed.
Terry Scroggins at work.
Terry Scroggins at work.
Bill MacCaghren.
Bill MacCaghren.
Some fans found their way to a bank to watch.
Some fans found their way to a bank to watch.
Dean Rojas
Dean Rojas
Last Elite’s winner Britt Myers
Last Elite’s winner Britt Myers
I could look at this all day, but we have to get back.
I could look at this all day, but we have to get back.
One last look at where the weigh-in will occur on the Arkansas State campus here in Mountain Home.
One last look at where the weigh-in will occur on the Arkansas State campus here in Mountain Home.
This is Deputy/Pilot Benny Mangess. He’s been doing this for 30 years, and it shows. He told me that a day like today, when he’s not rescuing people or searching for the missing, is a good day. Today we watched people fish and toured the lake. But people like Benny do amazing work you don’t see. At least not until you need them. Thanks Benny, and the whole Baxter County Sheriff’s Department for allowing us to see your lake from the air today.
This is Deputy/Pilot Benny Mangess. He’s been doing this for 30 years, and it shows. He told me that a day like today, when he’s not rescuing people or searching for the missing, is a good day. Today we watched people fish and toured the lake. But people like Benny do amazing work you don’t see. At least not until you need them. Thanks Benny, and the whole Baxter County Sheriff’s Department for allowing us to see your lake from the air today.