Trout Fishing Report-White River-Arkansas
From Arkansas Game and Fish CommissionJanuary 18, 2009 Edition
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.
Bull Shoals Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 652.45 feet MSL.
Lake Norfork:
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 551.62 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 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.