Fly Fishing Reports for Kansas, Arkansas, Colorado, Missouri

Fly Fishing Reports

Fly Fishing Tips - Colorado Fishing Report

July 8, 2010 - White River - Submitted by Berry Brothers Guides - JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 7/08/2010

During the past week, we have had rain, moderate winds and warm temperatures. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam rose three tenths feet to rest at two and seven tenths feet above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is thirty eight and three tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake rose two tenths of a foot to rest at two and two tenths feet above power pool or thirteen and eight tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell two tenths of a foot to rest at one and four tenths of a foot above power pool or eight and two tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we have had significant periods of no generation every day with short periods of moderate to heavy generation in the afternoon. This has created perfect wading conditions. Norfork Lake fell five tenths of a foot to rest at two and two tenths feet above power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty five and nine tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we have had significant periods of no generation daily which has created some great wading.

There were significant changes to trout fishing regulations effective January 1, 2010. The Catch and Release section on the Norfork River will be increased from it current size of 1.1 miles to a new total of approximately two miles. The new upper boundary will be the bottom of long hole and the new lower limit will be the Ackerman access. The new regulations will also allow for multiple hook points in Catch and Release sections on the White and Norfork Rivers . Up to three treble hooks will be allowed. All hook points must be barbless. Of interest to fly fishers, is that the new regulations will allow the use of droppers, multiple fly rigs and articulated multiple hook streamers.

The low water we received this past week produced some absolutely spectacular fishing. There were reports of exceptional fishing from every section of the rivers.

Though on the wane, the sulphurs are still coming off. Before the hatch, fish copper Johns or pheasant tail nymphs (size fourteen or sixteen) under an indicator. When you trout begin feeding on the top, but you see no insects switch over to partridge and orange or partridge and yellow soft hackles. When you observe fish keying in on adult insets, switch over to sulphur parachutes. Hot spots for this hatch have been the section from White Hole down to Cotter, with Wildcat Shoals the epicenter.

Another hot spot has been Rim Shoals. There were few sulphurs coming off and the fish did not seem to be keying in on them like they were upstream. The hot flies here were midges. The most productive patterns were zebra midges in black with silver bead and silver wire, brown with copper wire and copper bead, red with silver wire and silver bead and disco midges. Olive woolly buggers and sowbugs also accounted for a lot of fish.

With low wadable water and warm summer temperatures, it is time to start fishing grasshoppers. These are large wind resistant flies and require shorter leaders (nine feet or less), heavy tippets (at least 4X) and a substantial rod (at least a six weight). Work the bank and heavy structure. Cast the fly so that it splashes down and give it a twitch from time to time to imitate a struggling insect. This technique can generate some vicious strikes.

Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are higher and stained. The water is at a comfortable temperature and the small mouths are active. Try Clouser minnows or crawfish patterns. Carefully check the water level before entering Crooked Creek or the Buffalo River. There are no dams on these streams. They both have large drainages and are prone to flooding during and following any rain event. The water can rise very quickly.

With the lower flows we have received on the Norfork, the key to success has been to fish soft hackles and emergers during the midge hatches. The hot fly has been Dan’s turkey tail emerger. On the higher flows we have been receiving on the Norfork later in the afternoon, cerise San Juan worms and peach eggs have been the hot flies. Try a dropper here. Use a sow bug near the dam and a copper John on the lower river.

Dry Run Creek has fished well. The most productive flies are sowbugs and worm brown San Juan worms. Use at least 4X tippet and carry the biggest net that you can lay your hands on. While you are there take a tour of the adjacent National Fish Hatchery. Please remove your waders before entering to prevent the spread of aquatic diseases.

The water level on the Spring River is lower and clear. The aluminum hatch (canoe day trippers) is in full swing. Many boaters on the river have little experience and can be a nuisance or worse a safety hazard. To avoid them, you should fish during the week. Be sure and wear cleated boots and carry a wading staff. There is a lot of bedrock that can get very slick. The hot flies have been olive woolly buggers with a bit of flash, cerise San Juan worms and pheasant tail nymphs.

Remember that the White and Norfork Rivers are infected with didymo, an invasive alga. Be sure and thoroughly clean and dry your waders (especially the felt soles on wading boots) before using them in any other water. Many manufacturers are now making rubber soled wading boots that are easier to clean and are not as likely to harbor didymo.

June 10, 2010 - Courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation - TROUT PARKS

Bennett Spring State Park: 57 degrees, high, dingy; spring level 2 inches above normal and dingy; best lures: ginger snap, persimmon and pink colored marabou jigs, pale pink glo balls, pearl grizzly and blue colored Cracklebacks, cream midges, orange with brown stripe colored Rooster Tails, grey scuds, black and yellow wooly buggers with gold plated head, yellow colored Power Baits and kapok. June fishing hours are 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
We will be cutting weeds in the stream Tuesday and Wednesday, June 22 and 23. We will begin around 9 a.m. and be done by 3 p.m. (Report made on 6/10/2010)

Maramec Spring Park: 56 degrees, normal, clear; the Spring Branch is starting to clear up after heavy rains last month. Water color is greenish blue. Stream level is falling back to normal levels. (Report made on 6/9/2010)

Montauk State Park: 58 degrees, the river level is normal and holding steady as of 7:30 a.m. on June 10th. Water is clear. Fishing is good on all baits with the best fishing in the morning and evening hours.

Aquatic vegetation removal will be conducted in Montauk Lake, Spring Branch and the Mill Dam Hole on June 23rd.

For up to date stream conditions check http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?07064440 (Report made on 6/10/2010)

Roaring River State Park: 57 degrees, the stream is clear and normal; fishing has been good; Power Eggs and plastic worms in zone one are working well; use bright colors; white, olive and black are working well in all zones. (Report made on 6/10/2010)

June 10, 2010 - White River - Submitted by Berry Brothers Guides - JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 6/10/2010

During the past week, we have had no measurable rain, moderate winds and warmer temperatures. Flooding receded downstream and the Corps of Engineers has begun drawing down the lakes. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam fell two and one tenth feet to rest at eleven and one tenth feet above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is twenty nine and nine tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake fell one tenth of a foot to rest at one and nine tenths feet above power pool or fourteen and one tenth feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell four tenths of a foot to rest at five and one tenth of a foot above power pool or four and five tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we have had round the clock generation with one brief period of low water to accommodate the ladies from Casting for Recovery last Sunday. Norfork Lake fell one and one tenth of a foot to rest at seven and five tenths feet above power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty and five tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we have had limited generation with a few periods of no generation (mostly at night) that allowed for limited wading. Now that an aggressive draw down of the lakes has begun, I estimate that it will take at least a month to complete.

On the higher flows, we have been receiving; the key to success has been to fish brightly colored San Juan worms (red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise) and egg patterns (peach and orange). You will need long tippet leader combinations (up to twelve feet) and plenty of lead (AAA split shot). One of the most successful tactics has been to fish droppers. Rig a San Juan worm or egg as you normally would. Then tie a twenty inch 5X tippet to the bend of the hook (use an improved clinch knot) on the worm and tie a small nymph (try a copper John) on the tag end. Fish as you normally would. Most fish will be caught on the nymph.

The caddis hatch is essentially over. The sulphurs are now in full swing. This is our major mayfly hatch of the year. They are yellow to orange mayflies that are size fourteen when the hatch begins and will get progressively smaller as the hatch continues, generally ending at size eighteen. The best way to fish this hatch is to fish copper John or pheasant tail nymphs before the hatch starts. When the fish begin feeding on emerging sulphurs, switch over to partridge and yellow or partridge and orange soft hackles. When you observe trout taking adult insects, change over to sulphur parachutes. The key to success is a perfect drag free drift.

Most of the best top water action has been on the upper river from White Hole down to Rim Shoals. The hot spots have been the Narrows, Wildcat Shoals and Roundhouse Shoals in Cotter.

Rim Shoals has been another hot spot. The hot fly here has been copper Johns and prince nymphs. If you want to wade on high flows (up to 17,000 CFS) you can obtain the services of the water taxi at Rim Shoals Trout Dock. For a nominal fee they will ferry you to wadable water and pick you up when you are ready to return.

We have a significant alga bloom on the White and Norfork. When the water rises, a significant amount of it is washed down stream. This dirties the water and makes for difficult fishing as you must constantly clean the alga from your hook. It has significantly cleared out on the Norfork but remains a problem on the White. The upper river below Bull Shoals Dam is clear.

Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are lower and clearer. The water is at a comfortable temperature and the small mouths are becoming active. Carefully check the water level before entering Crooked Creek or the Buffalo River . There are no dams on these streams. They both have large drainages and are prone to flooding during and following any rain event. The water can rise very quickly.

On the Norfork, we received wadable water earlier in the week and there have been some nice midge hatches. The hot flies have been elk hair caddis, parachute Adams (size 20 -24), green butts, bead head green butts and Dan’s turkey tail emergers. On higher flows cerise San Juan worms and peach eggs have been the hot flies. Try a dropper here. Use a sow bug near the dam and a copper John on the lower river.

Dry Run Creek has fished well. The most productive flies are sowbugs and worm brown San Juan worms. With summer here expect more families to be fishing here. It can get crowded, particularly on the weekends. You can fish early or late to avoid the crowds. There are fish everywhere. Spread out and try new spots. The most successful technique is to fish a nymph under an indicator with a short line. There is very little room to cast here.

The water level on the Spring River is lower and clear. The aluminum hatch (canoe day trippers) is in full swing. Many boaters on the river have little experience and can be a nuisance. To avoid them, you can fish at the Lassiter Access. This is upstream of the put in point for most of the canoe outfitters. Be sure and wear cleated boots and carry a wading staff. There is a lot of bedrock that can get very slick. The hot flies have been olive woolly buggers with a bit of flash, cerise San Juan worms and pheasant tail nymphs.

June 4 - White River - Submitted by Berry Brothers Guides - JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 6/04/2010

During the past week, we have had one minor rain event and moderate winds. The Corps of Engineers continued their reduced levels of generation to prevent flooding downstream and lake levels continue to rise. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam rose nine tenths feet to rest at thirteen and two tenths feet above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is twenty seven and eight tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake fell eight tenths of a foot to rest at two feet above power pool or fourteen feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell one tenth of a foot to rest at five and five tenths of a foot above power pool or four and one tenth feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we have had several substantial periods of no generation, which created some excellent wading conditions. Norfork Lake rose three tenths of a foot to rest at eight and six tenths feet above power pool of 552.00 feet or nineteen and four tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we have had limited generation with several significant periods of no generation that allowed for some excellent wading. It looks like the flooding has cleared downstream. I predict increased generation for the immediate future.

The caddis hatches have been greatly reduced. There are, however, some sulphurs appearing. This is our major mayfly hatch of the year. They are yellow to orange mayflies that are size fourteen when the hatch begins and will get progressively smaller as the hatch continues, generally ending at size eighteen. The best way to fish this hatch is to fish copper John or pheasant tail nymphs before the hatch starts. When the fish begin feeding on emerging sulphurs switch over to partridge and yellow soft hackles. When you observe trout taking adult insects, change over to sulphur parachutes. The key to success is a perfect drag free drift.

Most of the best top water action has been on the upper river from White Hole down to Rim Shoals. The hot spots have been Wildcat Shoals and Roundhouse Shoals in Cotter.

Rim Shoals has been another hot spot. The hot fly here has been copper Johns and prince nymphs. If you want to wade on high flows you can obtain the services of the water taxi at Rim Shoals Trout Dock. For a nominal fee they will ferry you to wadable water and pick you up when you are ready to return.

One of the most successful tactics has been to fish droppers. Rig a San Juan worm as you normally would. Then tie a twenty inch 5X tippet to the bend of the hook on the worm and tie a small nymph (try a copper John) on the tag end. Fish as you normally would. Most fish will be caught on the nymph.

We have a significant alga bloom on the White and Norfork. When the water rises a significant amount of it is washed down stream. This dirties the water and makes for difficult fishing as you must constantly clean the alga from your hook. It has significantly cleared out on the Norfork but remains a problem on the White.

On the Norfork, we have received reliable wadable water almost every day and there have been some nice midge hatches. Fishing conditions during the week have been excellent. The hot flies have been elk hair caddis, parachute Adams (size 20 -24), green butts, bead head green butts and Dan’s turkey tail emergers. On higher flows cerise San Juan worms and peach eggs have been the hot flies. Try a dropper here. Use a sow bug near the dam and a copper John on the lower river.

Dry Run Creek has fished well. The most productive flies are sowbugs and worm brown San Juan worms. With summer here expect more families to be fishing here. There are fish everywhere. Spread out and try new spots. The most successful technique is to fish a nymph under an indicator with a short line. There is very little room to cast here.

The water level on the Spring River is lower and a bit less stained. Be sure and wear cleated boots and carry a wading staff. There is a lot of bedrock that can get very slick. The hot flies have been olive woolly buggers with a bit of flash, cerise San Juan worms and pheasant tail nymphs. The hot spot has been bayou access.

February 4, 2010 - Courtesty of Arkansas Game and Fish Commission -

Central Arkansas

Little Red River:

Lindsey's Resort (501-302-3139) said the water is low with the generators running around noon every day. Fishing has been good using Power Bait, nightcrawlers and wax worms. Over the weekend, the mid-morning hours provided the best fishing.

North Arkansas

White River:

Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said the river has been very mossy with the generators running. They run from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., and about four generators run in the afternoon. There has been good wade fishing on the river, and nice rainbows and browns have been caught. Shrimp and minnows are the best live baits. Spinnerbaits, Power Bait, stick baits and pink worms are the best choices for artificial baits.

Cotter Trout Dock said fishing is very slow. The best time to try to get a bit is early morning or just after dark. Fishing during the first hour of generation may produce a bite. Fishing for stripers by the dam is recommended.

Guide Davy Wotton said fishing has been great over the past week, and generations have provided opportunities for wade and float fishing. The low water levels in the early morning have provided great surface fishing using midges, dries and small caddis. Once the sun rises, the trout will move into deeper water. Fishing with wets and soft hackles and indicator nymphing with white tail, prism and zebra style midges has produced great fishing in the riffles. Sowbugs in tan, neutral and gray, scuds in olive or tan have also been good baits. Try to avoid fishing in rising water because algae and other trash has built up due to generation. The Norfork, Bull Shoals, and Rim Shoals catch-and-release zones have been producing great fish. Spin and bait fishermen have been going great with a number of different natural and artificial baits. Stick baits, Rooster Tails, Cleos, Mepps, Buoyants and jigs are all producing fish. If you are after a trophy brown, dawn or the late evenings to dark are the best times to fish.

Zachary Hoyt at Just Fishing Guides said generators are running at least eight hours a day providing low water wade fishing. Nymphing with various patters has been the most productive method. Scuds, sow bugs, midge, caddis and mayfly patterns are all producing successful fishing. Observe how fish are feeding to determine which fly to fish.

Northwest Arkansas

Beaver Tailwater:

(Updated 5-26-2010) Zachary Hoyt at Just Fishing Guides said there is very little flow and the tailwater level is high from Table Rock Lake being back up. The tailwater level is 918 feet. There is not much wading available due to the high water unless you are near the dam. Spin fishing has been best with rainbow and brown trout colored Rebel minnow patterns. For fly fishing, black/silver zebra midges and charcoal gray beadhead scuds have been the best lures.

Northeast Arkansas

Spring River:

Mark Crawford at Spring River Fly Shop said the river is running at 460cfs and is a little cloudy. There have been good hatches of caddis flies and mayflies during the early morning and just before sunset. There are a higher number of trout stocked at this time of year, so the fishing is good. Fluorescent fly patterns such as Cotton Candy and Y2ks have been producing catches. Snails and black woollies are also doing well. Check out Mark's Blog for daily updates on river conditions and what they might be biting.

March 11, 2009 - White River - Submitted by Berry Brothers Guides - During the past week, we have had warmer temperatures, two rain events and heavy winds (to include lake wind advisories. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam remained steady at one tenth of a foot below power pool of 654.00 feet. This is forty one and one tenth feet below the top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake fell three tenths of a foot to rest at four tenths of a foot below power pool or sixteen and four tenths of a foot below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake rose one tenth of a foot to rest at one tenth of a foot below power pool or nine and seven tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we have had fairly steady levels of moderate generation and a few periods of no generation. Norfork Lake rose one tenth of a foot to rest at power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty eight feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we have had several windows of no generation. All of the lakes on the White River system are now at or below power pool. We are receiving lower levels of generation and wadable water.

The Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam, which was closed from November 1, 2009 through January 31, 2010 for the brown trout spawn, has now reopened. Remember that there are numerous spawning beds (redds) containing freshly laid and fertilized eggs. Please avoid dragging chains through these areas. Now that we have some wadable water, avoid walking through them. The redds will appear as clean depressions in the gravel.

The hot spot has been the section from White Hole to the Narrows . The lower flows have been perfect for drift fishing this area. The hot flies have been cerise and hot fluorescent San Juan worms. Y2Ks have also accounted for good fish.

The dry fishing season has begun. Several anglers have reported seeing caddis hatch on the White River . The rhyacophylia caddis is our best hatch of the year. They are plentiful and begin as a righteous size fourteen. Later in the hatch they will decrease to sixteen and then eighteen. The most effective flies are a green elk hair caddis to imitate the adult, a fluttering caddis for the pupa and a green butt for the emerging insect. Fish the fluttering caddis before the hatch and the green butt when you see fish keying in on the top but you see no insects. When you observe fish keying in on hatching insects, switch to the elk hair caddis.

Another hot spot has been Rim Shoals. We have had precious little wadable water but it fished well and produced some really fine trout. On the rare lower flows, the hot flies were black zebra midges with silver wire and silver bead. Red San Juan worms also accounted for some good fish. On the higher flows, the hot flies were cerise San Juan worms and Y2Ks.

Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are a bit high and off color. The water temperatures (48 degrees) are too cold for the smallmouth to be active. Smallmouth are generally not active when the water temperatures fall below 55 degrees. There were anglers that reported success fishing for trout in the mouth of Crooked Creek. The hot flies were olive woolly buggers.

The Norfork has received low wadable water every day. It was the only wadable water around and got a bit crowded at times, particularly on the weekends. Now that we are getting some wadable water on the White, we should see reduced pressure here. On the low flows, the hot flies were olive scuds, sowbugs and black zebra midges with silver wire and silver beads. We have been getting some nice midge hatches every afternoon and anglers have reported success with small hare’s ear soft hackles (size sixteen) and Dan’s turkey tail emerger. On the high flows, brightly colored San Juan worms (red, cerise and hot fluorescent pink) and egg patterns (peach and orange) have been the go to flies. Long leader tippet combinations and heavy weight have been the secret to success. Work the banks and submerged weed beds. Be on the lookout for caddis.

Dry Run Creek has fished well. The hot fly has been sow bugs in size fourteen. Worm brown San Juan worms and egg patterns have also done well. The new boardwalk is scheduled to open on Saturday, March 13. This is the major project of the Friends of the National Fish Hatchery and was done in conjunction with bank stabilization and habitat improvements. Stop by and see what the excitement is all about. I think you will be impressed.

The Spring River has been fishing well. The water level is still a bit high and off color. This makes for challenging wading. Be sure and wear cleated boots and carry a wading staff. There is a lot of bedrock that can get very slick. The hot flies have been Y2Ks, olive woolly buggers, cerise San Juan worms and cotton candy.

February 4, 2010 - Courtesty of Arkansas Game and Fish Commission -

Central Arkansas
Little Red River:

Lindsey's Resort (501-302-3139) said the water is high, with two generators running all day. Trout fishing is good on Power Bait and glow worms drifted from a boat.

Zachary Hoyt at Just Fishing Guides said generation has increased to 6,500 CFS. High-water tactics from a boat with nymphs and streamers is the best option. The best flies to use are San Juan worms (tan, pink and red), eggs (pink, orange and peach), copper johns (olive and black), bead head pheasant tails, Arkansas sow bugs (tan and gray), zebra midges (black, tan and gray) all in sizes 10-16. Flies for streamer fishing include woolly buggers, zonkers, slump busters and various sculpin patterns in sizes 4-10. Look for shad to start coming through the generators and match these baitfish with white streamers.

North Arkansas
White River:

John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Service said generation has been around the clock, providing no wadable water. The lack of fluctuation has allowed for reliable fishing from a drift boat. Use brightly colored San Juan worms (red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise) and egg patterns (red, pink and orange). Other effective patterns have been scuds, sow bugs, copper johns and various midge patterns. You will need a 14 foot leader combined with a lot of lead (at least an AAA split shot placed 18 inches from the fly). Use at least 4X tippet and a large strike indicator to float this rig. Another effective strategy is to fish streamers. Concentrate on banging the bank or any heavy structure where fish might escape the current. Your best bet would be to use large articulated streamers like the zoo cougar on heavy sink tip line. This strategy targets big fish, but is a lot of work. When we have high flows like this, trout will seek the comfort provided by feeder creeks to escape the heavy currents. Look in the lower stretches of Jenkins Creek or Crooked Creek to locate trout. The brutally cold temperatures and high levels of generation we have been experiencing are the perfect conditions for creating a shad kill. Threadfin shad are drawn through the dam turbines and create a feeding frenzy in the river below. Be on the lookout for gulls feeding on the shad below the dam. The most effective flies will be white shad patterns. Be sure and have both floating and sinking versions.

Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said seven generators are running and the current is swift. Trout are biting well on white jigs and stickbaits in the current. Some nice brown trout have been caught lately.

Zachary Hoyt at Just Fishing Guides said heavy generation all week has made fishing from a boat the best option. Drifting heavily-weighted nymphs under a large indicator and stripping streamers with a fast sinking line two of the better options. The best flies to try include: egg patterns(orange, pink or peach), humpback scuds, sow bugs, copper johns, zebra midges, zoo cougars, woolly buggers, slump busters, Arkansas beadheads, Davy's shad and zonkers. Look for shad to start coming through and fish a white streamer, either under an indicator or with varying retrieved with a floating or fast sinking line. For safety during extremely high water, always wear your PFD and maintain control of your boat at all times.

White River (From Shipp’s Ferry to Red’s Landing):

Jim Brentlinger at Linger's Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said there have been no opportunities to launch a boat with all the ice lately, but the ice is clearing and access is easier.

Crooked Creek:

Zachary Hoyt at Just Fishing Guides said water levels are a little high for fly-fishing, but spin-fishing should be good. Water temps are in the low 40s and the slightly warmer and sunny days will make the fish more active. Soft plastics and jigs fished slowly on the bottom should pick up some good fish.

Norfork Tailwater:

John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Service said generation has been around the clock, with no wadable water. Brightly colored San Juan worms (red, cerise and hot fluorescent pink) and egg patterns (peach and orange) have been the go-to flies. Long leader tippet combinations and heavy weight have been the secret to success. Work the banks and submerged weed beds. Be on the lookout for a shad kill. Dry Run Creek has fished well. The hot fly has been a sow bug in size 14. Worm brown San Juan worms and egg patterns also have done well. The weather has improved a bit and now is the perfect time to take your youngster to Dry Run.

Zachary Hoyt at Just Fishing Guides said heavy generation this week has made fishing challenging. High-water techniques from a boat are the only option. Drifting nymphs under a large indicator or fishing streamers with a fast sink-tip or full sinking line are two of the better techniques. Keep an eye out for shad to start coming through the generators and fish white streamers, either under an indicator or with various retrieves on a floating or fast sinking line. For safety, always wear your life jacket during high water and maintain control of your boat at all times.

Northwest Arkansas

Beaver Tailwaters:

Zachary Hoyt at Just Fishing Guides said the drawdown of Beaver Lake is in full swing. Generation has been around 8,500 cfs 24 hours a day. Wade fishing is extremely dangerous, and is not recommended. Boat fishing is producing some nice fish. With waters this high and fast, a full sinking fly line or a very long leader/tippet are the answer. Flies or line must be weighted to get down to where the fish are feeding. This is prime streamer fishing, so lead-eyed woolly buggers and cone-head zonkers will produce fish. Pound the banks and around any structure. Fish will be holding in the slack water around these areas. San Juan worms, soft hackles, and weighted eggs are doing well under an indicator. Again, some split shot will need to be added to get the flies down to the feeding lanes. For safety during extremely high water, always wear your PFD and maintain control of your boat at all times.

Kings River:

Just Fishing Guides said the Kings is at a great level for floating, but runoff and future precipitation could make the water dangerous. Water temps are still very low, so smallmouth will be holding deeper in the pools and close to structure. The banks will be very wet from the previous snow storm, so be wary of strainers and log jams.

Northeast Arkansas
Spring River:

Mark Crawford at Spring River Fly Shop said the snow is off the roads and the river is looking good. The river levels are running around 460 cfs, and the water is clear with a green tint. Peeping Caddis has been the most consistent fly pattern. Grandma’s Brownie and Y2K bugs are doing well also. Fishing pressure is low, and it’s a great time to get on the water for a relaxing outdoors experience. Check out www.springriverflyshop.com for daily updates.