Hello Dave, no I don't live near Ft. Smith but I certainly did enjoy fishing there in the summer of 2008. There is a nice little campground with cabins just outside Ft. Smith. If you would like I'll look up their phone numbers and such. Don't forget to bring any adult refreshments with you as it is 50 plus miles to the nearest establishment that sells them. Good luck with your trip. I have lots of research material I collected prior to my trip if you have some questions.
Not local either, but I took my boat out there from Wisconsin last April and will be doing the same thing early this May. Great fishing and a great place to row a boat. Rick is right on about both the adult beverages and the cabin/campground setup. Good luck!
I was a "local" there during the early years, 1982-1990, before the crowds ran me out. I guess you know what to expect from the river scene but wanted to make sure you knew of the other fishing near Ft Smith. As crowds made the river fishing less and less appealing to me and my clients some of us escaped to the lake for some really fun sight fishing for very large carp. The boat ramp on Yellowtail Resevior is a short and beautiful drive from Smithberg. You can easily row a drift boat from the ramp to the face of the dam. Carp can be found rising to many things along the high cliffs and the face of the dam itself. They will take many types of dries and small nymphs. The sight fishing is excellent and the 90' vertical runs from fish off 6lbs and up are memorable. Time on the lake is well spent. Enjoy!!
Haven't been there for many years but the guys in the fly shops should know what's happening. The guides ussually have a carp derby around that time of year so it should be good.