Arkansas Fishing Reports - March 1, 2006

White River: Gaston's White River Resort said last week started off with about six inches of snow and much cooler temperatures than we have seen all winter. But that didn’t stop the fishermen from wading into the river to catch a limit of trout. There were many nice brown trout caught and released last week. Most were caught on white or yellow PowerBait and wax worms or nightcrawlers, but artificial lures worked very well, too. Any type of white or silver spoon, such as a Little Cleo, Rooster Tail or Krocodile spoon is a good bet now. Fly fishermen are still using the Y2K bug with much success, as well as sow bugs, woolly buggers, and red San Juan worms when the water comes up.  Water generation was slightly higher this week, probably because to the colder temperatures. We have had more high water this week than in past weeks, which is great for fishermen who like to throw big Rogues and Husky Jerks from a boat. There are plenty of opportunities for both high- and low-water fishing, so be prepared for both water levels when you come to river.

McLellan’s Fly Shop said March is the month to start looking for big caddis hatches on the White.  Early in the morning, when few dry flies are present, nymph fishing the shoal areas with a Z-Wing Caddis, Graphic Caddis or Caddis Larva can be very productive. As the hatch progresses and the caddis pupae swim toward the surface, swinging a soft hackle like the Submarine Soft Hackle, Swing Caddis or Swing Nymph through the riffles can be very productive. Of course, when you see caddis in the air and trout rising to the surface, it’s time to switch to a caddis dry fly like the Elk Hair Caddis, E-Z Caddis, Candy Caddis or the new, ultra-realistic Web Wing Caddis and cast to the risers.

 Wilderness Trail said fishing for trout on the White River has been good on Berkley Power Eggs in yellow, white and pink. Buoyant Spoons, Little Cleos, and white marabou jigs are the best bet during generation. There have been some shad coming through the dam this last week. We are not having a shad kill, but the shad are so deep they are getting sucked in. The injured shad are making for some great action on white Marabou jigs. The fly fishermen have done well during periods of no generation on olive woolly buggers, scuds and sow bugs. Brown trout are being caught on Countdowns, Shad Raps, Jointed Rapalas, Suspending Rogues and sculpins.  

 North Fork River: McLellan’s Fly Shop said generation has been sporadic. The wade fishing has been very good, and fishing high water from a boat has been productive as well. Try scuds, sow bugs, midges and eggs in low water, and eggs, San Juan Worms, and big streamers like the Articulated Zoo Cougar in high water.

Norfork Trout Dock said the river is running low and clear. Rainbow trout are biting well on PowerBait. Brown trout have been taken lately on nightcrawlers, Shad Raps and Rapalas fished across the current below any riffle.

Bull Shoals Lake: As of Wednesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 644.06 feet MSL.

Wilderness Trail said the snow is gone. Water temperature ranges from 46.4 on the surface to 45.7 in 10 to 90 feet of water. With spring just around the corner and sun getting higher in the sky, bass, crappie and walleye should begin moving to water from 20 feet deep to the bank on the northern side of creeks. The lake is still 10 feet below normal pool. Largemouth bass have moved up to the banks in the upper lake and in the Theodosia arm. Some largemouth are close enough to catch on spinnerbaits, but suspending Rogues are the best bet. The rest of the lake is still on the slow side, with largemouth holding on the bluffs and main lake points. When the wind is up, throw crankbaits or jerkbaits, otherwise fish jigs and tubes in brown colors. Smallmouth bass started showing up on secondary points in the creek arms this week. There are not many smallmouth coming in, but the ones that do are good fish. Spider jigs, tubes and grubs are working well along with Wiggle Warts and jerkbaits on breezy days. Start by fishing the 35-foot depth and then move in from there. Kentucky bass are still with the shad and catching one off the bank is rare. Look for the balls of shad in the main lake cuts, cliff wall ends and creek channel swings.  Spoons and drop shot rigs are still your best bet except along the bluff walls with pole tress where the Kentuckies will bite grubs, tubes and spider jigs fished through the trees. We are supposed to get a warm up this next week and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the shad start to make a move out of the deeper water.  If they move, the Kentuckies will move with them.  Walleye aren’t cooperating since the week of snow and freezing temperatures. We can mark the walleye in 45 to 48 feet of water off points and flats, but they just are not biting.  They should move if the shad move. Until then drop shiners on a jig head or spoons down to them and hope for a bite.  .   

Sugar Loaf Harbor said crappie are suspended in 15 to 25 feet of water and are biting fairly well on minnows. Walleye have been biting decent in the shallows of the creeks on crankbaits.

Lake Norfork: As of Wednesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 539.69 feet MSL.

Cranfield Junction Quik Stop said the lake is low and the water is extremely clear. Overall, the fishing has been pretty good. Crappie are biting well on minnows fished around brush in 5 to 20 feet of water. Bass are biting well on suspending jerkbaits and crankbaits on warm, sunny afternoons. The walleye bite has picked up, with many walleye beginning to make their move to spawning areas. Stripers are still deep.