March 5, 2009 - Arkansas River near Salida - Submitted by www.eddylineanglers.com
Temps in the 40's-50's have made for great fishing! Fish are
becoming more active and insect life is consistent. Midge patterns
have been working for the past month. Bead head griffith's gnats,
black beauties and any small midge pattern size 16-22. Also blue-winged
olive nymphs have been populating the river. Bead head pheasant
tails are the classic BWO nymph imitation. Golden stone nymphs
and caddis pupa are also productive. Skiing is always fun, but
this is some of the best fishing I've seen here in a few years.
Come out with us for a trip!
March 5, 2009 - White River
- Submitted by Berry
Brothers Guides - JOHN BERRY
FISHING REPORT 3/05/2009
Over the past week, we have
had a light snow, some very heavy winds and some cold and then
warm temperatures. All of the lakes in the White River system
have continued their fall and are currently at or below power
pool. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam fell eight tenths of
a foot to rest at three tenths of a foot below power pool of
654.00 feet. This is forty one and three tenths feet below the
top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake fell four tenths
of a foot to rest at power pool or sixteen feet below the top
of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell five tenths of a foot to rest
at power pool or nine and four tenths feet below the top of flood
pool. The pattern on the White was for low levels of generation
around the clock with a couple of high level spikes during the
day. Norfork Lake has fallen eight tenths of a foot to rest at
one tenth of a foot below power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty
eight and one tenth feet below the top of flood pool. There has
been limited generation on the Norfork with several windows of
no generation that has created some excellent wading. With the
current lake levels and possible mild weather, I would predict
wadable water in the near future on both rivers.
Remember that there is a new
slot limit on Brown trout. All browns less than twenty four inches
must be released immediately no matter where they are caught
on the White and Norfork Rivers . Only one brown trout may be
kept in the daily limit of five trout.
This year's shad kill is basically
over. The lower levels of generation and higher temperatures
have conspired to end it. Trout are still hitting shad patterns.
The most effective flies have been white marabou jigs and white
bead head woolly buggers. For fishing this area during high levels
of generation, I generally use long 4X tippets (a twelve foot
leader tippet combination). Use plenty of lead to get the fly
down and a big strike indicator to float it all. When fishing
floating shad patterns use stout tippet (4X) to cast these heavy
flies. There have been reliable reports of excellent fishing
on shad patterns from Bull Shoals down to Rim Shoals.
The upper river from the Bull
Shoals Dam Catch and Release area down stream to Cain Island
has been a real hot spot. The lower flows were perfect for drift
fishing and, with the trout still keying in on shad patterns,
the bite was on. Other effective patterns were zebra midges and
San Juan worms.
When you are fishing in this
area, please be careful and do not drag chains through the redds.
Disturbing them could destroy the wild brown trout eggs recently
deposited there. We do not want to eliminate the next generation
of wild brown trout. In addition, dragging chains in high water
is dangerous. If the chain grabs the bottom, it could easily
swamp the boat.
The big story this past week
has been the spectacular streamer fishing. Several anglers have
been drifting in the upper river from Bull Shoals down to Cotter.
They were banging the bank with huge streamers (sculpin and bait
fish patterns five to seven inches long). They were using eight
weight fly rods with three hundred grain sink tip lines. This
technique resulted in several trophy browns.
Crooked Creek is still not fishing
well. The water is low and clear but still a bit cold for the
smallmouth to be active. As the weather warms and the water temperature
reaches fifty five degrees we can expect the smallmouth action
to improve.
With the hot action centered
on the upper White River , the fishing pressure has been much
lighter on the Norfork of late. That coupled with lower flows
and reliable wadable water has created some greatly improved
fishing. Though I have not heard any reports of a shad kill here,
anglers have reported success with white jigs and white woolly
buggers. The better fishing has been on the lower river below
the Ackerman Access. The fish seem to be running a bit larger
there. Another hot spot has been Quarry Park below Norfork dam.
There have been some spectacular midge hatches on sunny days.
The best fly for this hatch has been Dan's turkey tail emerger
is size eighteen through twenty two.
Dry Run Creek has fished particularly
well during the past week. We had some nice warm days that were
perfect for youngsters. There is quite a bit of tree cover here
and the key to success is to have your young angler work a short
line. Hot flies during the past week have been sowbugs, egg patterns
and San Juan worms. Use heavy tippet (at least 4X), carry a very
big net and take great care when releasing fish. Do not forget
to take a camera. While you are there take the time to visit
the adjacent National Fish Hatchery. The tour is fascinating.
Be sure and remove your waders before entering the hatchery to
prevent the transfer of aquatic diseases.
March 4,
2009 - Courtesty of Arkansas Game and Fish Commission -
White River Levels are available
at :
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lmrfc/forecast/tributaries/status_white.shtml
CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Jed Hollan at the Little Red
Fly Shop said the Greers Ferry power house continues its pattern
of morning and afternoon water releases. Most days, releases
are 6-10 a.m. and 5-10 p.m. This makes wade fishing possible
every morning at Winkley Shoal from dawn until 9 a.m. and until
10:30-11 a.m. further downstream at Libby Shoal. After a leisurely
lunch, wading at JFK Park near the dam is possible until the
horn sounds at 5 p.m., signaling the beginning of the afternoon
water release. Aquatic insect hatches continue as in prior weeks
with midges being the primary players. Good dry flies to try
include midge (size 22 or smaller in cream or black), para adams
(size 18) and crackleback (size 14). Sub-surface flies that are
working inlcude the sowbug (sizes 14-16; tan, olive, UV tan,
UV light gray and peacock), chronic (size 14), zebra midge (sizes
16-22; red, black or copper), egg pattern (sizes 12-14; roe,
watermelon or salmon), red butt soft hackle (sizes 14-18) or
woolly bugger (sizes 8-12; olive, brown or black).
NORTH ARKANSAS
White River: John Berry from
Berry Brothers Guide Service said the pattern on the White was
for heavy generation around the clock. Last week the conditions
created a perfect storm and the shad kill kicked into high gear.
This has been the best one that has occurred in several years
with the trout absolutely keying in on the shad. The most effective
flies have been white marabou jigs and white beadhead woolly
buggers. For fishing this area during high levels of generation,
I generally use 12-foot 4X tippets. Use plenty of lead to get
the fly down and a big strike indicator to float it all. The
shad kill has been so heavy that at times the trout were gorged
on shad and quit feeding. When you find yourself in this situation,
drift downstream until you encounter feeding fish. There have
been reliable reports of excellent fishing from Bull Shoals down
to Rim Shoals.
The catch-and-release section at Rim Shoals is the area that
has wadable water available as long as they are generating below
seventeen thousand cubic feet per second. To access these spots
contact Gary Flipin at Rim Shoals Trout Dock to ferry you to
wadable water with his water taxi. The cost is nominal. Below
Rim Shoals, concentrate on conventional high-water tactics. Brightly
colored San Juan worms and egg patterns dead drifted along banks
and over weedbeds with a lot of extra lead and big strike indicators.
The hot technique for the big browns is to bang the bank with
sculpin patterns on sink tip and full sinking lines. Kiwi muddlers,
zoo cougars and Mengle's Ozark sculpins would be good fly choices.
Mountain River Fly Shop said
the shad kill was very good on the White last week, but with
a warming trend for the next week, we can expect the shad action
to slow. Stay tuned as cooler temperatures, plus higher flows
will have the shad back.
Sportsman's White River Resort
(870-453-2424) said the water is clear and two generators are
running. Trout fishing is good on worms and Power Bait. Some
good fish up to 11 pounds were caught last week.
White River (Below Cartney Access):
Jim Brentlinger at Linger's Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185)
said the area from Shipps Ferry to Reds Landing has been relatively
slow compared to usual. You can always catch your limit by going
to the bottom with Power Bait, corn or worms, but it may take
a while. You also can use Rapalas or Zig Jigs and catch a limit,
but you must make a lot of casts. The big fish of the day will
most always come on the Rapala during tough conditions. Casting
toward the bank when there is high water is always the most productive.
Crooked Creek: John Berry of
Berry Brothers Guide Service said fishing is dead slow.
Norfork Tailwater: John Berry
from Berry Brothers Guide Service said the Norfork has fished
a bit better of late. Generation has still made wading impossible.
There has been no report of a shad kill here, but anglers have
reported success with white jigs and white woolly buggers. There
have been some big browns caught on large streamers cast at the
bank. You do not catch a lot of fish this way but you can hook
up with some really big trout. This is the best way to catch
large browns.
Jim Brentlinger at Linger's
Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said the Long
Hole to the confluence has been off more than on. The action
has been more consistent on the White River on a fly rod or spinning
rod with artificial baits. The catch-and-release area will produce
some fish on San Juan worms, egg patterns and beadhead sow bugs,
but it has been slow.
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
Beaver Tailwaters: Ken Richards
at Just Fishing Guides had no report.
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
SpringRiver: Mark Crawford at
Spring River Fly Shop said fishing has been very good through
the week. Water has cleared up well with water flows just about
perfect. Weekend fishing has produced large crowds because of
high generation on other rivers, but fishing has still been good
off the beaten path. Cotton candy (a shrimp-imitating pattern)
was good all week. Mayfly emergers, brownies and brown super
buggers were the ticket during the weekend. Warm weather in the
forecast promises excellent fishing again this week.
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Lake Catherine: Shane Goodner,
owner of Catch'em All Guide Service, reports that rainbow trout
fishing below Carpenter Dam continues to be hot. Guided trips
regularly catch 50 trout and numbers have gone over 100 when
conditions were right. Water temperature is holding at 48 degrees
and the water is clear from the bridge to the dam. The best fishing
has been when the turbines are not running; however, many fish
have been caught during generation. Fly-anglers have done well
concentrating their efforts on both channels where visible current
draws insect activity. Olive woolly buggers and red San Juan
worms have hooked quality trout while these fish search for prey.
Strike indicators help keep the baits at the right depth and
also assist in casting. Gray and white micro jigs offer another
proven fly to the mix. Bank anglers casting wax worms and meal
worms are recording limits of trout in short order. Floated up
off the bottom with marshmallows or fished under a cork
both worm presentations are deadly. Boaters anchoring in the
current around rock piles and submerged islands have done the
most catching, as trout in great numbers are holding behind structure
in the channels looking for relief from the current. White Rooster
Tails and Super Dupers in silver or gold are perfect threadfin
shad imitators. Trolled small crankbaits that resemble shad or
crawfish have taken the largest trout measuring over 18 inches.
February
28, 2009 - White River - Submitted by Berry Brothers Guides - JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 2/28/2009
Over the past
week, we have had no discernable rain, some very heavy winds
and some generally warm temperatures. All of the lakes in the
White River system have dropped significantly but remain in flood
pool. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam fell two and four tenths
of a foot to rest at five tenths of a foot above power pool of
654.00 feet. This is forty and five tenths feet below the top
of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake fell five tenths of
a foot to rest at four tenths of a foot above power pool or fifteen
and six tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake
fell one and one tenth of a foot to rest at five tenths of a
foot above power pool or nine and one tenth feet below the top
of flood pool. The pattern on the White was for heavy generation
around the clock. Norfork Lake has fallen two feet to rest at
seven tenths of a foot above power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty
seven and three tenths feet below the top of flood pool. There
has been heavy generation on the Norfork. There were a couple
of very brief windows of no generation on the Norfork that created
some good wading. With the current lake levels and mild weather,
I would predict wadable water in the near future on both rivers.
Remember that
there is a new slot limit on Brown trout. All browns less than
twenty four inches must be released immediately no matter where
they are caught on the White and Norfork Rivers . Only one brown
trout may be kept in the daily limit of five trout.
This past week
the conditions created a perfect storm and the shad kill kicked
into high gear. This has been the best one that has occurred
in several years with the trout absolutely keying in on the shad.
There were numerous instances where the feeding was so heavy
that many trout were feeding on floating shad and anglers were
taking good fish on shad surface patterns.
The shad kill
occurs when there are low temperatures are coupled with high
levels of generation. Watch for gulls feeding in the dam discharge
to signal that the shad are coming through. The most effective
flies have been white marabou jigs and white bead head woolly
buggers. For fishing this area during high levels of generation,
I generally use long 4X tippets (a twelve foot leader tippet
combination). Use plenty of lead to get the fly down and a big
strike indicator to float it all. When fishing floating shad
patterns use stout tippet (4X) to cast these heavy flies.
When you are
fishing in this area, please be careful and do not drag chains
through the redds. Disturbing them could destroy the wild brown
trout eggs recently deposited there. We do not want to eliminate
the next generation of wild brown trout. In addition, dragging
chains in high water is dangerous. If the chain grabs the bottom,
it could easily swamp the boat.
The shad kill
has been so heavy that at times the trout were gorged on shad
and quit feeding. When you find yourself in this situation, drift
down stream until you encounter feeding fish. There have been
reliable reports of excellent fishing from Bull Shoals down to
Rim Shoals.
The Catch and
Release section at Rim Shoals is the area that has wadable water
available as long as they are generating below seventeen thousand
cubic feet per second. To access these spots contact Gary Flipin
at Rim Shoals Trout Dock to ferry you to wadable water with his
water taxi. The cost is nominal.
If you are fishing
below Rim Shoals, you need to concentrate on conventional high
water tactics. Brightly colored San Juan worms and egg patterns
dead drifted along banks and over weed beds with a lot of extra
lead and big strike indicators. The hot technique for the big
browns is to bang the bank with sculpin patterns on sink tip
and full sinking lines. Kiwi muddlers, zoo cougars and Mengle's
Ozark sculpins would be good fly choices.
Crooked Creek
has slowed considerably. The water temperature has dipped below
fifty five degrees and the Smallmouth have pretty much shut down.
The Norfork
has fished a bit better of late. Though I have not heard any
reports of a shad kill here, anglers have reported success with
white jigs and white woolly buggers. There have been some big
browns caught on large streamers cast at the bank. You do not
catch a lot of fish this way but you can hook up with some really
big trout. This is the best way to catch large browns.
Dry Run Creek
has been a busy place recently. There are plenty of big fish
and eager young anglers. If your favorite spot is taken, move
around. There are big fish every where. The hot flies are sowbugs,
San Juan worms and woolly buggers. Do not forget to take the
biggest net you can lay your hands on. Most fish are lost at
the net. Use heavy tippet, at least 4X. Carry a camera to record
the fish of a lifetime.
February
24, 2009 - Courtesty of Arkansas Game and Fish Commission - White River Levels are available
at :
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lmrfc/forecast/tributaries/status_white.shtml
CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Little Red River:
Lindsey's Resort (501-302-3139) said the water is clear and at
normal levels. One to two generators are running each day. Trout
fishing is excellent on gold spoons.
Jed Hollan at
the Little Red Fly Shop said the Greers Ferry power house has
been releasing water every day for the last four weeks. Lately,
releases have been from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. This protocol creates
wading opportunities at Winkley Shoal from dawn until 9 a.m.
When rising water arrives, wade fishermen can relocate downstream
to Libby Shoal until the high water arrives around 10:30-11:00
a.m. Trout feed underwater 90 percent of the time, making nymphs,
larvae, pupae, crustaceans and emergers their largest food sources.
Midges continue to be the prominent bug coming off these days.
Caddis flies and March brown mayflies should be hatching in the
near future. The dry flies of choice include midge (size 22;
cream or black), crackleback (size 14) or para adams (size 18).
Sub-surface attractors include sowbug (size 14-size 16; tan,
olive, UV tan, UV light gray, peacock), zebra midge (size 16-size
22; red, copper or black), San Juan worm (size 14; red or fl.
cerise), egg pattern (size 12-size 14; roe or salmon), red butt
soft hackle (size 14-size 18) or woolly bugger (size 8-size 12;
olive, brown or black).
NORTH ARKANSAS
White River:
John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Service said generation
has been high and constant, causing zero wadable water on the
upper white. The major action in the area has been on the upper
White from a boat. The shad kill occurs when there are low temperatures
are coupled with high levels of generation. Watch for gulls feeding
in the dam discharge to signal that the shad are coming through.
The most effective flies have been white marabou jigs and white
beadhead woolly buggers. For fishing this area during high levels
of generation, I generally use long 4X tippets (a 12-foot leader
tippet combination). Use plenty of lead to get the fly down and
a big strike indicator to float it all. When you are fishing
in this area, please be careful and do not drag chains through
the redds. Disturbing them could destroy the wild brown trout
eggs recently deposited there. We do not want to eliminate the
next generation of wild brown trout. In addition, dragging chains
in high water is dangerous. If the chain grabs the bottom, it
could easily swamp the boat. The catch-and-release section at
Rim Shoals has been spotty. One day it fishes well and the next
day it is not as productive. This is the area that has wadable
water available as long as they are generating below seventeen
thousand cubic feet per second. To access these spots contact
Gary Flipin at Rim Shoals Trout Dock to ferry you to wadable
water with his water taxi.
Mountain River
Fly Shop said the shad kill was very good on the White last week,
but with a warming trend for the next week, we can expect the
shad action to slow. Stay tuned as cooler temperatures, plus
higher flows will have the shad back. The low-water fishing has
been very good on the upper White. We have heard good things
from Cotter upstream to the dam. Black and silver Zebra Midges
have been reliable and we scored some nice fish on Davy's Whitetail
Black Silver 14 wading in one unit of water. Sowbugs continue
to be very successful, with patterns from Davy Wotton and Clint
Wilkinson plus the McLellan's Woven V-Rib Sowbug.
Sportsman's
White River Report (870-453-2424) said the water is clear and
high, with five generators running. Trout fishing is good on
jigs and frozen shad.
White River
(Below Cartney Access): Jim Brentlinger at Linger's Guide Service
and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said the generators at Bull
Shoals and Norfork lakes have been running almost around the
clock. Bull Shoals is running all eight generators and Norfork
running their two. The fishing has been relatively steady from
Norfork down to Calico Rock and you see some left over dead shad
that have come from Bull Shoals. There are not enough shad in
the water to get the trout to go on a feeding frenzy but you
will have good luck using white jigs and gold spinners. In this
heavy water, tie on a magnum Rattling Rogue in blue/silver/orange.
This will usually bring the big fish of the day, just be patient
and keep casting.
Crooked Creek:
John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service said fishing is dead
slow.
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Lake Catherine:
Shane Goodner, owner of Catch'em All Guide Service, reports that
rainbow trout fishing below Carpenter Dam continues to be hot.
Guided trips regularly catch 50 trout and numbers have gone over
100 when conditions were right. Water temperature is holding
at 48 degrees and the water is clear from the bridge to the dam.
The best fishing has been when the turbines are not running;
however, many fish have been caught during generation. Fly-anglers
have done well concentrating their efforts on both channels where
visible current draws insect activity. Olive woolly buggers and
red San Juan worms have hooked quality trout while these fish
search for prey. Strike indicators help keep the baits at the
right depth and also assist in casting. Gray and white micro
jigs offer another proven fly to the mix. Bank anglers casting
wax worms and meal worms are recording limits of trout in short
order. Floated up off the bottom with marshmallows or fished
under a cork both worm presentations are deadly. Boaters
anchoring in the current around rock piles and submerged islands
have done the most catching, as trout in great numbers are holding
behind structure in the channels looking for relief from the
current. White Rooster Tails and Super Dupers in silver or gold
are perfect threadfin shad imitators. Trolled small crankbaits
that resemble shad or crawfish have taken the largest trout measuring
over 18 inches.
February 12, 2009 - White River
- Submitted by Berry
Brothers Guides -JOHN BERRY
FISHING REPORT 2/12/2009
Over the past week, we have
had a significant rain event, some very heavy winds and some
unseasonably warm temperatures. The lakes in the White River
system have all risen and are in flood pool. The lake level at
Bull Shoals Dam rose one and six tenths of a foot to rest at
three feet above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is thirty eight
feet below the top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake
rose one foot to rest at eight tenths of a foot above power pool
or fifteen and two tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver
Lake rose one and six tenths of a foot to rest at eight tenths
of a foot above power pool or eight and eight tenths feet below
the top of flood pool. The pattern on the White was for no generation
over the weekend and heavy generation during the week. Norfork
Lake has risen two and six tenths of a foot to rest at three
and three tenths of a foot below power pool of 552.00 feet or
twenty four and seven tenths feet below the top of flood pool.
There has been limited generation on the Norfork with significant
periods of no generation and a few days of heavy generation.
This again has created some truly spectacular wading.
Remember that there is a new
slot limit on Brown trout. All browns less than twenty four inches
must be released immediately no matter where they are caught
on the White and Norfork Rivers .
The major action in the area
has been on the upper White. The long awaited opening of the
Catch and Release section at Bull Shoals Dam drew large numbers
of anglers from inside and outside the immediate area. It was
definitely crowded at times. The hot flies were egg patterns
in orange and peach. Midge patterns, particularly Dan's turkey
tail emerger accounted for some nice fish.
When you are fishing in this
area please be careful and do not walk through the Redds (brown
trout spawning beds). They appear as clean depressions in the
gravel. On higher flows do not drag chains through the area.
Disturbing redds could destroy the wild brown trout eggs recently
deposited there. We do not want to eliminate the next generation
of wild brown trout.
The Narrows has been fishing
particularly well. Though several anglers have been fishing there,
all have been catching trout. Olive woolly buggers and black
zebra midges have been the go to flies. Be careful when fishing
here. The river can come up fast. Leave as soon as you detect
rising water.
Wildcat Shoals has been a real
hot spot. The lower shoals have fished particularly well with
partridge and orange soft hackles and Dan's turkey tail emerger,
while the upper section has fished well with a variety of nymphs.
Try Y2Ks, olive scuds and sowbugs.
Roundhouse Shoals has been another
hot spot. This section is one of the easiest areas to access
in the area. While the crowds have been light, the fishing has
been good. Swinging olive or black woolly buggers in heavier
water has been particularly effective. Another hot technique
has been to high stick nymphs like the olive scud, Y2K and sowbug
in fast water. Take care when wading here as there is quite a
bit of bedrock. If you have them, wear studded boots.
The Catch and Release section
at Rim Shoals has been spotty. One day it fishes well and the
next day it is not as productive. However, this is one of the
areas that have wadable water available even when they are generating.
To access these spots contact Gary Flipin at Rim Shoals Trout
Dock ferry you to wadable water with his water taxi. The cost
is nominal.
With some of the heavier flows,
we need to remember our high water tactics. Brightly colored
San Juan worms and egg patterns dead drifted along banks and
over weed beds with a lot of extra lead and big strike indicators.
The hot technique for the big browns is to bang the bank with
sculpin patterns on sink tip and full sinking lines. You will
need a stout rod (six weight or better), as these can be a bit
more difficult to cast.
Crooked Creek has slowed considerably.
The water temperature has dipped below fifty five degrees and
the Smallmouth have pretty much shut down. In addition the recent
rains have raised the level and considerably stained the water.
The Norfork has not fished well
during the past week. There has been a lot of fishing pressure
here, more than any other area. My favorite time to fish it is
on Sunday afternoon or during the week when the out of town anglers
have headed home. The go to flies have been olive scuds, sowbugs
and orange micro eggs. Worm brown San Juan worms have also produced
fish. Sculpin patterns fished through deep holes have accounted
for some nice browns.
Dry Run Creek has been fishing
well, as always. The warmer temperatures tempted a few young
anglers and they were rewarded with some great trout. The dominant
food source is sowbugs. Be sure and pinch down those barbs. It
is the law. I always carry a big net and a camera. The fish are
huge.
Practice water safety and always
check conditions before you leave home.
John Berry is a fly fishing
guide in Cotter, Arkansas and has fished our local streams for
over twenty five years.
February
10, 2009 - Courtesty of Arkansas Game and Fish Commission -
White River Levels are available
at :
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lmrfc/forecast/tributaries/status_white.shtml
Statewide Family and Community
Fishing Report: Rainbow trout fishing has been excellent in all
trout fishing ponds statewide. The anglers report that they have
been having great success using yellow corn, small marshmallows,
Power Bait, Trout Magnets, Rooster Tails and spinners. To increase
your fishing success, fish early mornings before the sun is directly
overhead or between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. For stocking information,
call the Hotline at 1-866-540-FISH (3474) toll-free.
CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Little Red River: Lindsey's
Resort (501-302-3139) said generators have been running every
day during the week. The fly-fishing has been good on the weekends,
but it's a good idea to call for conditions before you make the
trip. Trout fishing has been good from a boat on Power Eggs,
glow worms, crankbaits and nightcrawlers.
Jed Hollan at the Little Red
Fly Shop said water releases at the Greers Ferry Powerhouse continue
daily. In general, releases begin at 6 a.m. with both generators
running for about 4 hours then again around 5 p.m. for another
3-4 hours. Wade fishing is possible at Winkley Shoal from dawn
until roughly 9 a.m. Anglers can then go downstream to Libby
Shoal and wade fish until 10:30 or so. After lunch, move up to
JFK Park near the dam until the late afternoon water release
begins. If heavy rain events occur, you will probably see longer
periods of water releases. As always, this plan is subject to
change without notice so be on the alert for rising water throughout
the day.
Aquatic insect hatches along
the Little Red River continue to occur with midges being the
primary bug coming off. Of course, there are also sowbugs, scuds,
bait fish and the like available to the trout. If you want to
try your luck with a dry fly, tie on a para adams (size 18),
midge (size 22; cream or black) or crackleback (size 14). Fishing
sub-surface? Try a sowbug (sizes 14-16; tan, olive, UV tan, UV
light gray or peacock), big eye scud (size 14; gray or tan),
chronic (size 14), zebra midge (sizes 16-22; red, copper or black),
egg pattern (sizes 12-14; roe or salmon), San Juan worm (sizes
14; red or worm brown), red butt soft hackle (sizes 14-18) and
woolly bugger (sizes 8-12; brown, olive or black). I know the
above list of flies seems to stay the same most weeks but I actually
prepare a new listing of flies with each report. You may notice
that I have added the big eye scud to the above usual suspects.
Other dry flies that will work include the royal coachman (size
16), para hare's ear (size 16) and Griffith gnat (size 20). Below
the surface, tie on a green butt soft hackle (size 14), Chuck's
emerger (size 16), serendipity (size 16; red or green) or Yong
special (size 22).
NORTH ARKANSAS
White River: John Berry from
Berry Brothers Guide Service said the catch-and-release section
below Bull Shoals Dam opened for fishing. There has also been
a shad kill, producing a feeding frenzy that has to be seen to
be believed. The most effective flies to fish during the shad
kill are white streamers. White woolly buggers, zonkers or marabou
jigs can be effective. The shad kill has produced some fine browns.
You must have a boat to effectively fish this phenomenon as it
generally only occurs during fairly heavy generation. The best
flows for a good shad kill would be in the 12,000 to 15,000 CFS
range. The major action in the area has been on the upper White.
The long awaited opening of the Catch and Release section at
Bull Shoals Dam drew large numbers of anglers from inside and
outside the immediate area. It was definitely crowded at times
despite the cold temperatures and icy conditions. The hot flies
were egg patterns in orange and peach. Midge patterns, particularly
Dan's turkey tail emerger accounted for some nice fish. There
were some good browns caught. Wildcat Shoals has been a real
hot spot. The lower shoals have fished particularly well with
partridge and orange soft hackles, while the upper section has
fished well with a variety of nymphs. Try Y2Ks, olive scuds and
sowbugs. Roundhouse Shoals has been another hot spot. While the
crowds have been light, the fishing has been good. Swinging olive
woolly buggers in heavier water has been particularly effective.
Another hot technique has been to high stick nymphs like the
olive scud, Y2K and sowbug in fast water. The catch-and-release
section at Rim Shoals has not been fishing well. However, this
is one of the areas that has wadable water available even when
they are generating substantial amounts of water. To access these
spots contact Gary Flipin at Rim Shoals Trout Dock ferry you
to wadable water with his water taxi.
Mountain River Fly Shop had
no report due to the weather.
Norfork Tailwater: John Berry
from Berry Brothers Guide Service said the Norfork has not fished
well during the last week. With heavier generation on the White
River this has been the only wadable water that could be easily
accessed. The go-to flies have been olive scuds, sowbugs and
orange micro eggs, but again, it's been slow. Worm brown San
Juan worms have also produced fish. Sculpin patterns fished through
deep holes have accounted for some nice trout. Dry Run Creek
has been fishing well, as always. There has been virtually no
one there. It has been brutally cold and not the kind of weather
that you want to subject your children. The fish are still there.
Carefully monitor the weather and capitalize on that warm sunny
day we get occasionally in the middle of winter. Be sure and
bundle up your youngster. The hot flies have been sowbugs, San
Juan worms and olive woolly buggers.
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
SpringRiver: Mark Crawford at
Spring River Fly Shop said the power is back on in the area,
and the fallen trees have been cleared and the roads opened.
The fishing has been excellent. The past storm has kept anglers
off the water and now is the time to get out there and have some
fun. The warmer weather has made for some great bug hatches coming
out of the water in the morning and just before dusk. My Go-Go
Nymph has been the main fly for this week with my snail pattern
coming in a close second. Water clarity has been great and the
river is still running a little low.
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Lake Catherine:Shane Goodner,
owner of Catch'em All Guide Service, reports that rainbow trout
fishing below Carpenter Dam is smoking hot! Guided trips are
the best ticket for success with an average of 30-50 fish being
caught per outing. Trout over 15 inches are regularly caught
with fish over 18 being reported. Fly-fishermen casting threadfin
shad imitations such as streamers or micro-jigs in white or gray
are recording quality limits of trout as these fish actively
pursue injured shad. Likewise, boaters who are throwing white
or brown Rooster Tails around visible structure are hooking good
numbers of fish during generation. Trolling the channels remains
a solid pattern with fishermen using small crankbaits that run
from 3-6 feet deep. Bank fishermen are having success when the
turbines are not running fishing nightcrawlers and redworms under
a bobber.
January 22,
2009 - White River - Submitted by Berry Brothers Guides - JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 1/22/2009
Over the past
week we have had some cold and some warm days, some very heavy
winds but no measurable precipitation during the past week (it
is so dry that a burn ban has been announced for Baxter and Marion
Counties ); the lakes in the White River system are all below
flood pool and continue their steady fall. The lake level at
Bull Shoals Dam rose one and one tenth of a foot to rest at eight
tenths of a foot below power pool of 654.00 feet. This is forty
one and eight tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Up stream,
Table Rock Lake fell one foot to one and one tenth of a foot
below power pool or seventeen and one tenth feet below the top
of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell eight tenths of a foot to rest
at one and two tenths of a foot below power pool or ten and eight
tenths feet below the top of flood pool. The pattern on the White
was for light to heavy generation with significant periods of
wadable water and limited navigation. Norfork Lake has fallen
five tenths of a foot to rest at one foot below power pool of
552.00 feet or twenty nine feet below the top of flood pool.
There has been limited generation on the Norfork with significant
periods of no generation every day. This again has created some
truly spectacular wading.
The low water
has exposed significant changes in the river channel. There is
virtually no section that has remained unchanged. When navigating
the rivers at low water, take great care. The channel may not
be where you expect it to be.
The Catch and
Release section below Bull Shoals Dam closed to all fishing on
November 1, 2008. It will remain closed until February 1, 2009
for the brown trout spawn. The section from the bottom of this
Catch and Release section downstream to the wing wall at the
State park is seasonal Catch and Release for the same time period.
It is only one week until the Catch and Release section below
Bull Shoals Dam opens for fishing. The brown trout have been
spawning in this area (they do not feed during the spawn) and
they have not been fished over.
Remember that
there is a new slot limit on Brown trout. All browns less than
twenty four inches must be released immediately no matter where
they are caught on the White and Norfork Rivers.
We had a minor
shad kill last week. It occurred at night and to my knowledge
no one was able to take advantage of it. The shad kill is a natural
phenomenon where threadfin shad are drawn through the turbines
on the dams. The shad kill produces a feeding frenzy that has
to be seen to be believed. For the shad kill to occur we must
have very cold conditions coupled with high generation. The first
tell tale signs are gulls feeding on them just below the dam.
The lower water
and light traffic has resulted in some pretty fantastic fishing
conditions on the White River . This is the first reliable wading
we have had in almost a year. The State Park is fishing well.
The hot fly here has been the peach egg and various midge patterns.
Be careful on lower flows to avoid walking through redds particularly
in the seasonal Catch and Release section.
Wildcat Shoals
has been a real hot spot. The lower shoals have fished particularly
well with partridge and orange soft hackles, while the upper
section has fished well with a variety of nymphs. Try Y2Ks, olive
scuds and sowbugs.
Roundhouse Shoals has been another hot spot. While the crowds
have been light, the fishing has been good. Swinging olive woolly
buggers in heavier water has been particularly effective. Another
hot technique has been to high stick nymphs like the olive scud,
Y2K and sow bug in fast water.
The Catch and
Release section at Rim Shoals is fishing particularly well. The
hot fly on lower water has been the Y2K. You should also try
sowbugs, olive scuds and midges (size 14). Hot spots have been
the back of the first island and the Jenkins Creek area. If they
are running water have Gary Flipin at Rim Shoals Trout Dock ferry
you to wadable water with his water taxi. The cost is nominal.
Crooked Creek
has slowed considerably. The water temperature has dipped below
fifty five degrees and the Smallmouth have pretty much shut down.
The Norfork
has not fished well during the past week. The crowds from the
three day holiday absolutely pounded it. If you must fish there,
you should go during the week when it is not as crowded. My favorite
time to fish it is on Sunday afternoon when the out of town anglers
have headed home. The go to flies have been olive scuds, sowbugs
and orange micro eggs. Worm brown San Juan worms have also produced
fish. Sculpin patterns fished through deep holes have accounted
for some nice trout.
Dry Run Creek
has been fishing well, as always. There has been virtually no
one there. If you want a great day on the water, take your youngster
here on the next warm day. The hot flies are sowbugs, San Juan
worms and olive woolly buggers. While you are there, take a few
minutes to visit the adjacent National Fish Hatchery. It is fascinating.
Remember to remove your waders before entering to prevent the
spread of aquatic diseases.
January 21,
2009 - Courtesty of Arkansas Game and Fish Commission -
CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Little Red River:Lindsey's
Resort (501-302-3139) said the water has cleared up quite a bit.
The generators are running in the morning, but the level is staying
low. Crankbaits, Rogues and Little Cleo spoons are working well
in the current. Wax worms and Power Bait are working around the
clock.
Jed Hollan at
the Little Red Fly Shop said the Greers Ferry powerhouse releases
should be fairly predictable with a few hours of release every
morning and again in the late afternoon. This information is
current as of January 20th but, as always, is subject to change
without notice. Large and frequent midge hatches continue to
come off most days along the Little Red. Most of these tiny but
tasty trout morsels are cream colored in about a hook size 26.
Trout are "looking up" during a midge hatch most afternoons.
The "rise rings" tell the tale. The dry flies that
are working well include the midge (size 22; cream or black),
crackleback (size 14) or para Adams (size 18). Sub-surface fly
patterns that are attracting trout include the sowbug (sizes
14-16; tan, smoky olive, peacock or UV tan), chronic (size 14),
zebra midge (sizes 16-22; red, copper or black), egg pattern
(sizes 12-14; salmon), red butt soft hackle (size 16), Chuck's
emerger (size 16), San Juan worm (sizes 12-14; red or worm brown)
and woolly bugger (sizes 8-12; olive, brown or black).
Lake Valencia:
Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop said bass are fair on minnows. Trout
are biting well on redworms and Power Bait.
NORTH ARKANSAS
White River:
John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Service said the catch-and-release
section below Bull Shoals Dam will open Feb. 1. It also is nearing
time for the shad kill. Threadfin shad will be drawn through
the turbines on the dams. The shad are tasty morsels to the spawned
out browns just below the dam and are welcome food. The shad
kill produces a feeding frenzy that has to be seen to be believed.
For the shad kill to occur we must have very cold conditions
coupled with high generation. The gulls feeding just below the
dam will signal the start of the action. The state park is fishing
well. The hot fly here has been the peach egg and various midge
patterns. Be careful on lower flows to avoid walking through
redds. On higher flows, try brightly colored San Juan worms with
an egg dropper. Some anglers have done well fishing streamers
on sink tip and full sinking lines. The hot streamers have been
sculpins and white zonkers. The catch-and-release section at
Rim Shoals is fishing well. The hot fly on lower water has been
the Y2K. Also try sowbugs, olive scuds and midges (size 14).
Olive woolly buggers stripped over weed beds have accounted for
some large brown trout. Anglers also have done well on higher
flows. The hot flies for this water were cerise San Juan worms
and Y2Ks.
Mountain River
Fly Shop said Bull Shoals is back down into power pool levels,
so on cold days you can expect some generation. The bite during
generation is pretty good from a boat. Clint caught a bunch of
fish on Gary's River King, a more streamlined version of Jim
Mengle's Ozark Sculpin. Clint was also tossing white Zonkers
for some of his browns. But we have also had good reports on
larger buggers in brown, olive and chartreuse. The Journal also
has an affinity for Hansen's Stay Hungry Streamer in the white/gray
shiner colors. Egg patterns and San Juan and Dynamite worms are
good on the higher flows, on the lower water levels try midges
(12-14) and sowbugs. With temperatures expected to improve there
is a good chance of some lower flows.
Sportsman's
White River Resort (870-453-2424) said trout fishing has been
good on woolly buggers.
Crooked Creek:
John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service said Crooked Creek
is slow with all the cold weather and water.
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
Beaver Tailwaters:
Ken Richards at Just Fishing Guides said Beaver has been fishing
well. The fish are in small areas and are not spread out. Once
you get into fish the fishing is fast and furious. Closer to
the dam, the best flies have been in light colors. Downstream,
darker colors are hooking up with fish. The hot flies are still
midges and scuds in various shades of gray and brown from size
12 to 18. Small woolly buggers (sizes 10-14) in olive and black
also are very good.
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
SpringRiver: Mark Crawford at Spring River Fly Shop said water
levels are low. Fishing has been good with trustworthy flies
like the crackleback, woolly bugger and egg patterns. On warm
days, hatches of mayflies and caddis are coming up. We just need
more warm weather. Spring is coming up and everyone should be
getting their elk hair caddis and mayfly emergers ready. After
spring rain showers heavy hatches occur on the SpringRiver and
we all know how much we love to match the hatch.
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Lake Catherine:
Shane Goodner, owner of Catch'em All Guide Service, reports that
rainbow trout fishing below the dam is excellent. Guided trips
routinely catch 50 or more trout per trip with numbers as high
as 100 caught last week. Water temperature is in the high 40s,
which has allowed fly anglers casting small streamers to hook
rainbows at will. The warmer temperatures have eliminated the
flow of injured shad through the turbines at the dam, so the
trout are hungry for any shad-imitating lure. Egg patterns offer
anglers another great opportunity to catch trout as these baits
act upon a rainbow trout's inborn instinct to feed on fish eggs.
Bank fishermen are still recording limits by using nightcrawlers
and redworms fished under a bobber. Boaters trolling the main
channel during periods of generation have caught trout longer
than 16 inches. Small minnow- and crayfish-imitating crankbaits
are the baits of choice. Some small male walleye have been hooked
as these fish prepare to spawn. Striper and hybrid action has
been very spotty at best. Some topwater action has been observed
as these fish feed on the trout population. Casting C-10 Redfins
in rainbow trout colors will draw vicious strikes from these
large predators.
January 15,
2009 - White River - Submitted by Berry Brothers Guides - - JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 1/15/2009
Once again we
have had alternately cold and warm temperatures, some very heavy
winds but no measurable precipitation during the past week; the
lakes in the White River system are all below flood pool and
continue their steady fall. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam
fell one and two tenths of a foot to rest at one and nine tenths
of a foot below power pool of 654.00 feet. This is forty two
and nine tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Up stream,
Table Rock Lake remained steady at one tenth of a foot below
power pool or sixteen and one tenth feet below the top of flood
pool. Beaver Lake fell four tenths of a foot to rest at four
tenths of a foot below power pool or ten feet below the top of
flood pool. The pattern on the White was for light to heavy generation
around the clock. Norfork Lake has fallen three tenths of a foot
to rest at five tenths of a foot below power pool of 552.00 feet
or twenty eight and five tenths feet below the top of flood pool.
There has been high generation on the Norfork with significant
periods of no generation every day. Last weekend the Norfork
was off for over forty eight hours. This again created some truly
spectacular wading.
The Catch and
Release section below Bull Shoals Dam closed to all fishing on
November 1, 2008. It will remain closed until February 1, 2009
for the brown trout spawn. The section from the bottom of this
Catch and Release section downstream to the wing wall at the
State park is seasonal Catch and Release for the same time period.
It is only two weeks until the Catch and Release section below
Bull Shoals Dam opens for fishing. The brown trout have been
spawning in this area (they do not feed during the spawn) for
the last three months and they have not been fished over in that
period.
It is nearing
time for the shad kill. This is a natural phenomenon where threadfin
shad are drawn through the turbines on the dams. The shad are
tasty morsels to the spawned out browns just below the dam and
are welcome food. The shad kill produces a feeding frenzy that
has to be seen to be believed. For the shad kill to occur we
must have very cold conditions coupled with high generation.
The first tell tale signs are gulls feeding on them just below
the dam.
The State Park
is fishing well. The hot fly here has been the peach egg and
various midge patterns. Be careful on lower flows to avoid walking
through redds in the seasonal Catch and Release section. On higher
flows, try brightly colored San Juan worms with an egg dropper.
Some anglers have done well fishing streamers on sink tip and
full sinking lines. The hot streamers have been sculpins and
white zonkers.
The Catch and
Release section at Rim Shoals is fishing well. The hot fly on
lower water has been the Y2K. You should also try sowbugs, olive
scuds and midges (size 14). Olive woolly buggers stripped over
weed beds have accounted for some large brown trout. Anglers
have also done well on higher flows. The hot flies for this water
were cerise San Juan worms and Y2Ks.
Crooked Creek
has slowed considerably. The water temperature has dipped below
fifty five degrees and the Smallmouth have pretty much shut down.
The Norfork
has been spotty. One day is poor and the next is excellent. The
Norfork continues to get heavy pressure as it is the only wadable
water available. The most productive times have been during the
week when it is not as crowded. My favorite time to fish it is
on Sunday afternoon when the out of town anglers have headed
home. Remember that Monday is a national holiday so they will
stay a day longer this week. The go to flies have been olive
scuds, sowbugs and orange micro eggs. Worm brown San Juan worms
have also produced fish. On the higher water, try San Juan worms
in bright colors (hot fluorescent pink, cerise and red) with
substantial amounts of weight. If you are not in the Catch and
Release section try fishing a sowbug or scud as the dropper under
a San Juan worm.
Dry Run Creek
has been fishing well as always. With the projected cold weather,
be sure and bundle your youngster up. When my daughter was of
age, the best day we ever had in terms of trophy trout was at
this time of year. The temperature was fourteen degrees and Katherine
landed a twenty seven inch rainbow. Take a break occasionally
to drink some hot chocolate and warm up. The hot flies are sowbugs
and worm brown San Juan worms. Do not forget to take your camera.
January 14,
2009 - Norfork and White River - Submitted by Mountain
River Fly Shop
-Arctic weather
brings higher water on the White but Norfork has been the place
to fish all week.
WHITE RIVER:
Bull Shoals is back down into power pool levels, so on cold days
you can expect some generation. You had to be lucky to catch
the 2 hours of low water on Tuesday, but like almost everyone
else we were stuck on the job.
But the good
thing is, as Clint Wilkinson found out, the bite on generation
is pretty good.Clint caught a bunch of fish on Gary's River King,
a more streamlined version of Jim Mengle's Ozark Sculpin, Check
it out next time you are in the shop, the pictures are coming.
Clint was also
tossing white Zonkers for some of his browns. But we have also
had good reports on larger buggers in brown, olive and chartruese.
The Journal also has an affinity for Hansen's Stay Hungry Streamer
in the white/gray shiner colors.
Egg patterns
and San Juan and Dynamite Worms are good on the higher flows,
on the lower water levels try midges (12-14) and sowbugs.
Clint's Black
Tungsten Midge, Sunday Special and Sowbug are favorites of our
on this 1-3 units of water.
We also make
sure we have a good stock of Davy Wotton's Whitetail and Super
Midges (12-14) and his Sowbug patterns . With temperatures expected
to improve on Saturday and Sunday there is a good chance of some
lower flows.
NORFORK: There
has been afternoon windows of wadeable water on Norfork. Most
report coming in find its hard to sift your way through the smaller
fish to find the bigger ones. Most fish caught are in the 14Åç
to 16Åç range. Nothing to be sneezed at but not
your usual Norfork fishery. There is also a bunch of smaller
stocked brooks, browns and cutts, so getting a grand slam is
a real chance.
Tan scud and
sowbug patterns have been doing well one of our old friends from
northwest Arkansas, Oswald had a big time with a very pale tan
sowbug/scud pattern that resembled a cross between Rainy's Woven
Scud and Kaufman's Scud.
Its always worth
carrying midges to Norfork particularly the Camel Midge (search
our archives here for the tying video), Super Midges, Tungsten
WD40s and standard Zebra Midges.
January 13,
2009 - Courtesty of Arkansas Game and Fish Commission -
CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Little Red River:
Lindsey's Resort (501-302-3139) said the water is low in the
afternoons with some generation in the mornings. Rapalas, Buoyant
Spoons and marabou jigs are working well when the water is high.
When the water is low, wax worms and chartreuse Power Eggs.
Jed Hollan at
the Little Red Fly Shop said the Greers Ferry powerhouse will
generate in direct proportion to the power demands from the grids
until Jan 19 (early morning releases from 6 to 9 or no releases
at all). Beginning Jan. 19, both generators will be brought on
line for two weeks non-stop. There is a lock and dam on the White
River near Batesville, AR in need of repair and maintenance.
To accomplish the work, smaller than average flows will be required
from the Bull Shoals and Norfork facilities. Greers Ferry will
be used to generate and regulate the power not being provided
by the other two projects. Aquatic insect hatches continue to
be sparse with midges being the most prominent player. Midge
hatches are occurring every day along the Little Red, mostly
in the afternoons. The dry flies that are working the best include
the midge (#22 or smaller in cream or black), para adams (#18-20)
or crackleback (#14). Sub-surface flies that are working well
are the sowbug (#14-16 olive, tan or peacock), chronic (#14),
zebra midge (#16-22 red, black or copper), egg pattern (#14 salmon),
red butt soft hackle emerger (#14-18), Chuck's emerger (#16),
San Juan worm (#14-12 red or worm brown) and woolly bugger (#8-12
olive, brown or black).
NORTH ARKANSAS
White River:
John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Service said the pattern
on the White has been light generation around the clock. It is
only three weeks until the Catch-and-Release section below Bull
Shoals Dam opens for fishing. This event generates quite a bit
of excitement in the fly-fishing community. The brown trout have
been spawning in this area for the last three months and they
have not been fished during that period. The state park is a
perpetual hot spot with plenty of fish reported. The hot fly
here has been the peach egg and various midge patterns. Be careful
on lower flows to avoid walking through redds in the seasonal
catch-and-release section. On higher flows, try brightly colored
San Juan worms with an egg dropper. The section from Wildcat
Shoals to Cotter has been a real hot spot during the last week.
At low water, it has been very productive. Anglers have done
well fishing a variety of flies under an indicator. Productive
patterns have included brightly colored San Juan worms (cerise,
hot fluorescent pink and red), peach or orange egg patterns,
gold ribbed hares ears and black zebra midges (size 14). The
catch-and-release section at Rim Shoals is fishing extremely
well. The hot fly on lower water has been the Y2K. Olive woolly
buggers stripped over weed beds have accounted for some large
brown trout. Anglers have also done well on moderate flows. The
hot flies for this water were cerise San Juan worms and Y2Ks.
If they are running water and you want to wade, make use of the
water taxi at Rim Shoals Trout Dock.
Crooked Creek:
John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service said Crooked Creek
has slowed considerably. The water temperature has dipped below
55 degrees and the smallmouth have pretty much shut down
Norfork Tailwater:
John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Service said there has been
less generation on the Norfork with significant periods of no
generation every day. Last weekend, the Norfork was off for more
than 48 hours. This created some truly spectacular wading. The
Norfork continues to fish poorly due to constant pressure. The
most productive times have been during the week when it is not
as crowded. The go-to flies have been olive scuds and sowbugs.
Worm brown San Juan worms have also produced fish. On the higher
water, try San Juan worms in bright colors (hot fluorescent pink,
cerise and red) with substantial amounts of weight. If you are
not in the catch-and-release section try fishing a sowbug or
scud as the dropper under a San Juan worm. Dry Run Creek has
been fishing well as always. With school back in session and
some of the cold temperatures we have experienced lately, there
has been little pressure on the creek. If you get a chance to
take your youngster there, it is loaded with fish. The hot flies
are sowbugs and worm brown San Juan worms. Do not forget to take
your camera.
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
Spring River:
Mark Crawford at Spring River Fly Shop said although it hasn't
rained recently, the water was a little murky last week. Be specific
about fly selection under these conditions. A snail pattern or
San Juan worm in orange or red is working fairly well. Fishing
this weekend was very good with a snail fly and an ostrich bugger
dropper. A brown super bugger with a dropper also worked well.
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Lake Catherine:
Shane Goodner, owner of Catch'em All Guide Service, reports that
generation has slowed considerably in the last few days
making it much easier for boaters and waders to access areas
that are holding fish. Rainbow trout fishing remains good with
guided trips routinely catching 30-50 trout an outing. With the
water temperature in the mid-40s, trout are feeding heavily on
injured threadfin shad from Lake Hamilton. Fly fishermen casting
small white streamers in the current have done well since the
flow has slowed. Egg patterns work consistently and offer a nice
change from the abundant dead shad in the tailrace. Bank fishermen
are recording limits of trout using redworms and nightcrawlers
fished under a bobber. Boaters anchoring in the current flow
are catching stringers of fish by throwing Rooster Tails and
Super Dupers around submerged structure.
January 8, 2009 - White River
- Submitted by Berry
Brothers Guides - - JOHN BERRY
FISHING REPORT 1/08/2009
We have had alternately cold
and warm temperatures, some very heavy winds but no measurable
precipitation during the past week; the lakes in the White River
system are at or below flood pool and continue to fall. The lake
level at Bull Shoals Dam fell four tenths of a foot to rest at
seven tenths of a foot below power pool of 654.00 feet. This
is forty one and seven tenths feet below the top of flood pool.
Up stream, Table Rock Lake fell two tenths of a foot to rest
at one tenth of a foot below power pool or sixteen and one tenth
feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake remained steady
at power pool or nine and six tenths feet below the top of flood
pool. The pattern on the White was for light generation around
the clock. Norfork Lake has fallen two tenths of a foot to rest
at two tenths of a foot below power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty
eight and two tenths feet below the top of flood pool. There
has been less generation on the Norfork with significant periods
of no generation every day. Last weekend the Norfork was off
for over forty eight hours. This created some truly spectacular
wading.
The Catch and Release section
below Bull Shoals Dam closed to all fishing on November 1, 2008.
It will remain closed until February 1, 2009 for the brown trout
spawn. The section from the bottom of this Catch and Release
section downstream to the wing wall at the State park is seasonal
Catch and Release for the same time period.
It is only three weeks until
the Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam opens for
fishing. This event generates quite a bit of excitement in the
fly fishing community. The brown trout have been spawning in
this area for the last three months and they have not been fished
over in that period. They do not feed during the spawn so they
are ready to regain some weight.
The State Park is a perpetual
hot spot with plenty of fish reported. The hot fly here has been
the peach egg and various midge patterns. Be careful on lower
flows to avoid walking through redds in the seasonal Catch and
Release section. They are clean depressions in the gravel that
hold fertilized brown trout eggs. If you walk through them, you
will destroy future trophy brown trout. On higher flows, try
brightly colored San Juan worms with an egg dropper.
The section from Wildcat Shoals
to Cotter has been a real hot spot during the last week. At low
water, it has been very productive. Anglers have done well fishing
a variety of flies under an indicator. Productive patterns have
included brightly colored San Juan worms (cerise, hot fluorescent
pink and red), peach or orange egg patterns, gold ribbed hares
ears and black zebra midges (size 14).
The Catch and Release section
at Rim Shoals is fishing extremely well. The hot fly on lower
water has been the Y2K. Olive woolly buggers stripped over weed
beds have accounted for some large brown trout. Anglers have
also done well on moderate flows. The hot flies for this water
were cerise San Juan worms and Y2Ks. If they are running water
and you want to wade, make use 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 leave.
Crooked Creek has slowed considerably.
The water temperature has dipped below fifty five degrees and
the Smallmouth have pretty much shut down.
The Norfork continues to fish
poorly due to constant pressure. The most productive times have
been during the week when it is not as crowded. The go to flies
have been olive scuds and sowbugs. Worm brown San Juan worms
have also produced fish. On the higher water, try San Juan worms
in bright colors (hot fluorescent pink, cerise and red) with
substantial amounts of weight. If you are not in the Catch and
Release section try fishing a sowbug or scud as the dropper under
a San Juan worm.
Dry Run Creek has been fishing
well as always. With school back in session and some of the cold
temperatures we have experienced lately, there has been little
pressure on the creek. If you get a chance to take your youngster
there, it is loaded with fish. The hot flies are sowbugs and
worm brown San Juan worms. While you are there, take a tour of
the adjacent National Fish Hatchery. Be sure to remove your waders
before entering to prevent the spread of aquatic diseases to
the trout population. Do not forget to take your camera.
Jauary 7, 2009 - Norfork
and White River - Submitted by Mountain River Fly Shop -
Looks like a fantastic weekend
of fishing ahead on both Norfork and the White, the sun is shining
and the fishing is very good.
WHITE RIVER: Expectations are
high for some wadeable water this weekend with windows of wading
opening up today. Bull Shoals cut back generation from around
10pm last night until 7am which opens a decent days fishing downstream.
With the weather looking good for this weekend, though cool on
Saturday, we are hoping for some great fishing.
If you have read Davy's tips,
then Saturday with a lower temperature and some clouds will mean
for brighter colors, eggs and San Juan Worms, Dynamite Worms.
If the day warms, (or on Sunday) look for midges, Super Midges,
White tails, standard Zebras, Poison Tungs and WD40s. Follow
Davy's tip and pick up bigger midges for moderate generation,
we like the 12-14 Whitetails and Clint's Black Midge. On lower
water Black and Silver, Red, Pearl are all good colors, and the
Journal often drags out the Tungsten Rainbow Warrior on bright
winter days.
Scuds and sowbugs remain very
strong too, especially fished in combination with a brighter
egg, or perhaps a larger midge. Davy's Sowbugs, Clint's Sowbug,
McLellan's Hunchback Scud (UV Gray, olive) and Woven V-Rib Sowbug
plus Rainy's Gray Sowbug are all very good.
Talking to one of our good friends
and shop guide Marc Poulos yesterday, Marco told us he had been
doing very well on size 6 buggers in the "usual places"
tailouts of pools and in the runs. The Journal also dragged up
some fish on streamers along some structured bank. As you know
we have plenty of choice in buggers. Try the brighter colors,
Chartruese, Yellow, Red for some variety but there is always
a place for olive and black.
NORFORK RIVER: Tracking down
the best information off the river is something of a chore when
two of your sources are out of cell phone range catching fish.
Guides Clint Wilkinson and Kevin Brandtonies were out on Norfork
yesterday. We had a garbled message something about "been
here half an hour and caught 12 to 14 fish, biggest about 15Åç
or so, talk to you later." No fly patterns, nada _ guess
they were having too much fun!
So we will have to tell you
what we know from last weekend and update tonight after the inevitable
phone call to rub it all in.
Norfork has been off since Tuesday
morning, we are guessing it will stay this way for the weekend,
though our crystal ball is still on the fritz so we can't be
more certain. Midge action has been strong during the low water,
with soft hackles scuds, sowbugs and of course buggers all accounting
for fish.
Black and silver and olive Zebra
Midges, Camel Midges and Tungsten WD40s are good. On bright days
with some water clarity try blue Poison Tungs and the newish
Tungsten Rojo Midges. The latter barely got a trot last year
on the White due to high water, and this twist on a Colorado
favorite hasn't been seen by many trout.
January 6, 2009 - Courtesty
of Arkansas Game and Fish Commission -
CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Little Red River: Lindsey's
Resort (501-302-3139) said the water is clear and there has been
a lot of generation. Trout are biting well on spinners, Power
Eggs and glow worms drifted in the current from a boat. Trolling
crankbaits, Rogues and Countdown Rapalas has worked as well.
Jed Hollan at the Little Red
Fly Shop said the Greers Ferry powerhouse continues to lower
the lake level with daily water releases. As of January 5, the
Corps has requested 3,500 day-second-feet releases from Southwestern
Power Administration in Tulsa. This translates to one generator
for 12 hours per day. The releases, however, may not occur 12
hours in a row. The average temperature of the lake water flowing
through the turbines is 49 degrees with average dissolved oxygen
content of 11.2 mg/l. Aquatic insect hatches can be described
with one word - midges. Abundant midge hatches should continue
daily until March. The best dry flies to try include the midge
(#22 or smaller in cream or black), para adams (#18) or crackleback
(#14). Sub-surface flies you should tie on include sowbug (#14-16
in tan, olive, UV tan, UV light gray or peacock), chronic (#14),
red butt soft hackle emerger (#14-18), Chuck's emerger (#12),
zebra midge (#16-22 in red, copper or black), egg pattern (#14-12
in salmon or watermelon) or woolly bugger (#8-12 in olive, brown
or black). The brook trout are in spawn at JFK Park. Try some
small (#22) zebra midges or egg patterns (#14) to enjoy the bite.
Lake Valencia in Maumelle: Hatchet
Jack's Sport Shop said trout are biting well on Power Bait.
NORTH ARKANSAS
White River: Sportsman's White
River Resort said two or three generators are constantly running.
Trout are biting well on Power Bait that is drifted in the current,
but few anglers are out.
John Berry from Berry Brothers
Guide Service said a significant rain event and some very heavy
winds prevailed last week. The pattern on the White was for moderate
generation during the week. The catch-and-release section below
Bull Shoals Dam will remain closed until Feb. 1, 2009. The section
from the bottom of this catch-and-release area downstream to
the wing wall at the state park is catch-and-release fishing
only for the same time period. Upstream, the state park has been
a real hot spot with stacks of fish reported. The hot fly has
been a peach-colored egg and various midge patterns. On higher
flows, try brightly colored San Juan worms in red, cerise, hot
pink and fire orange. Wildcat Shoals has been a real hot spot
during the last week. At low water, it has been very productive.
Anglers have done well fishing small olive scuds under an indicator.
Other productive nymph patterns have been red San Juan worms,
Y2Ks and sowbugs. The lower section has fished well with various
soft hackles. The hot flies have been green butts and partridge
and orange soft hackles. The catch-and-release section at Rim
Shoals is fishing extremely well. The hot flies on lower water
were Y2Ks, sowbugs and olive scuds. Olive woolly buggers also
accounted for many fish. Anglers also have done well on moderate
flows. The hot flies for this water were cerise San Juan worms,
peach eggs and Y2Ks. If they are running water and you want to
wade, make use 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 leave.
Cranfield Junction Bait and
Tackle (870-492-5141) had no report.
Norfork Tailwater: John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Service
said there has been heavy generation on the Norfork with periods
of no generation on most days. Last weekend the Norfork was off
for more than 48 hours. This created some truly spectacular wading.
However, the pressure has gotten to it, and the bite suffered
last week. The go-to flies have been olive scuds and worm brown
San Juan worms. Orange egg patterns also have done very well.
On the higher water, try San Juan worms in bright colors (hot
pink, cerise and red) with a lot of weight to get them down.
Concentrate on the banks and grass beds. If you are not in a
catch-and-release section, try fishing a sowbug or scud as a
dropper under a San Juan worm. Dry Run Creek has been fishing
well as always. Lately we have had some nice sunny days that
have been perfect for fishing the creek. It is located in a deep
valley and is not affected much by winds. Take your youngster
there the next time you get a pretty day. The hot fly is the
sowbug, but also try San Juan worms.
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Anglers trolling small crankbaits
that imitate minnows or crawfish have caught both trout and walleye.
Casting Rooster Tails and Super Dupers around structure has also
produced good results in the late evening before dark. Rainbow
trout fishing has been very good with guided trips producing
as many as 50 trout per outing. Due to the heavy current, bank
fishermen are finding it hard to catch fish close to the dam.
Anglers should move downstream where the current is slower and
concentrate their efforts in areas where fish are resting. Nightcrawlers
and redworms fished on the bottom have taken many limits of quality
fish around the fishing docks. Fly fishermen are able to wade
into areas and cast to feeding trout. San Juan worms and micro-jigs
have been the baits of choice in the last few weeks. Trout fishing
will be world class at the end of January as the stocking schedule
intensifies. These fish grow at a tremendous rate and are healthy
and full of fight.
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