Trout Fishing Report-White River-Arkansas

From Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

January 16, 2008 Edition                                   

White River:
Mountain River Fly Shop had no report this week. Angler’s White River Resort said the water conditions are normal. Trout fishing has been pretty good on Powerbait and crankbaits.

Bull Shoals Lake:
As of Wednesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 651.26 feet MSL. Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock (870-445-4424) had no report this week.

Lake Norfork:
As of Wednesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 547.53 feet MSL. Cranfield Junction Bait and Tackle (870-492-5141) said water conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is fair in shallow water on minnows and jigs. Bass fishing is fair on crankbaits and jigs. 101 Grocery & Bait (870-467-5223) said water level is normal and clear with a temperature in the low 40’s. Striper fishing has been fair in 40 to 50 feet of water. Crappie fishing has been fair on small minnows around brush piles.

Norfork Tailwater:
Mountain River Fly Shop said it seems like more and more people have been hitting Norfork the past week, and with good reason. Fishing has been good, and though the water seems a little stained, the lake turnover is now done. Midges are the order of the day; Zebras Poison Tungs, WD40s and the like have all been performing well. We have also had good reports on Y2Ks and egg patterns plus the usual San Juan worms. But even more interesting, especially for dry fly anglers, was the report today of serious surface activity in the afternoons. Try Parachute Adams and standard Adams patterns in sizes 20 and 22. If the hatch isn’t on when you are there, make sure you have a healthy dose of Davy’s Sow bugs and a handful of McLellan’s Scuds. Gene’s Trout Dock (870-499-5381) said the water is low with very little generation. Trout fishing has been outstanding on nightcrawlers. Fly fishing is good on olive/black woolly buggers and sow bugs.