Fishing Tip: When tying knots in monofilament line, use saliva to lubricate the knots. When dry knots are pulled tight, the friction causes heat, which can damage the line.

White River: Gaston's White River Resort said the river water is really clear, but the river is still high. There have been eight generators running 24-hours a day since Jan. 9. Drift fish with caution. Brown trout fishing is excellent; the fish taken have ranged from 3 to 11 pounds. For browns, use rogues in silver with a black back and orange belly or in silver with a blue back and orange belly. Rainbow trout fishing has also been very good. For rainbows, use yellow-and-white Power Eggs, red worms or Husky Jerk Rapalas in sliver-and-black or lime-and-black.
 
Bull Shoals Tailwater: McLellan’s Fly Shop said two to six units have been running most days, building up to eight units by late afternoon. Drifting with the lower water releases has produced some excellent fly-fishing opportunities. The trout are all fat and healthy after the extended period of high water. As a result, fly-fishing has been very good lately in the various shoals of the upper river, especially using sow bugs, scuds, Unreal Eggs, Golden Eggs and San Juan Worms. Some very large trout have been hooked lately. The best flies have been:  Zebra and Black/Olive Rubber-leg Copper John (sizes 14 to 18), McLellan’s Woven V-Rib Sowbug (sizes 14 to 16), McLellan’s Hunchback Scud Tan, Olive and Gray (sizes 14 to 16), Red Fox Squirrel Nymph (sizes 12 to 16), Little Brown Bug (sizes 14 to 16), March Brown Spider (sizes 12 to 14), Red Ass (size 16), Partridge & Herl (size 16), Rag Sculpin (size 6), Golden Eggs (size 16), Unreal Eggs (size 12), Platte River Special (size 4), Articulated Zoo Cougar (size 4) and Swimming Jimmy (size 4).
 
North Fork River: McLellan’s Fly Shop said generation has been scaled back the last week. The water has been running early and late in the day, providing some wade-fishing opportunities. However, with all the water in Lake Norfork, generation should increase over the next week. During low-water conditions, scuds, sow bugs and midges have been producing plenty of strikes. During high-water conditions, streamer fishing has been excellent from a boat (especially on overcast days). Nymph fishing in high water has also been productive using bigger McLellan’s Hunchback Scuds, egg patterns and San Juan Worms. The best flies have been:  McLellan’s Hunchback Scud Tan, Olive and Gray (sizes 14 to 16), Morgan’s Midge (sizes 22 to 24), Rojo Midge (size 22), Yong Special (sizes 20 to 22), Zebra Jujubee Midge (sizes 20 to 24), Mercury Black Beauty (sizes 20 to 22), Gray Mercury Midge (sizes 20 to 22), WD-50 (sizes 20 to 22), McLellan’s Woven Sow Bug (sizes 14 to 16), Golden Egg (size 16), Unreal Eggs (size 12), Mercury Brassie (sizes 18 to 20), Mercury Blood Midge (sizes 20 to 22), Platte River Special (size 4), San Juan Worm (size 16), Articulated Zoo Cougar (size 4), and Swimming Jimmy (size 4).
 
Lake Norfork: Cranfield Junction Quik Stop said the water in the lake is clear, but the water in the creek arms is dingy. The lake level is dropping rapidly. Crappie fishing has slowed, but some are being taken on a little Lake Norfork crappie jig. Spoons are catching an assortment of fish, such as walleye, whites and stripers.

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