Trout Fishing Report-White River-Arkansas
From Arkansas Game and Fish CommissionJanuary 7, 2009 Edition
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.
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.
Bull Shoals Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 653.35 feet MSL.
Lake Norfork:
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 551.82 feet MSL.
101 Grocery and Bait said this should be a great year for fishing Norfork. All species had a good spawn in 2008, and the lake is full of yearling fish. Surface water temperature is in the mid-40s. Crappie fishing has been great with minnows or split-tailed grubs using very small lead head jigs. Bass fishing has been good on crankbaits and suspending stick baits. Striper fishing has been a challenge; one day will be good; the next day will be slow. Live bait has been working on the good days as well as spoons. White bass fishing has been fair using jigging spoons. Walleye fishing has been slow. Catfishing has been fair.
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.