Trout Fishing Report-White River-Arkansas

From Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

January 28, 2009 Edition                                            

White River: John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Service said the catch-and-release section below Bull Shoals Dam will open Feb. 1. It also is nearing time for the shad kill. Threadfin shad will be drawn through the turbines on the dams. The shad are tasty morsels to the spawned out browns just below the dam and are welcome food. The shad kill produces a feeding frenzy that has to be seen to be believed. For the shad kill to occur we must have very cold conditions coupled with high generation. The gulls feeding just below the dam will signal the start of the action. The state park is fishing well. The hot fly here has been the peach egg and various midge patterns. Be careful on lower flows to avoid walking through redds. On higher flows, try brightly colored San Juan worms with an egg dropper. Some anglers have done well fishing streamers on sink tip and full sinking lines. The hot streamers have been sculpins and white zonkers. The catch-and-release section at Rim Shoals is fishing well. The hot fly on lower water has been the Y2K. Also try sowbugs, olive scuds and midges (size 14). Olive woolly buggers stripped over weed beds have accounted for some large brown trout. Anglers also have done well on higher flows. The hot flies for this water were cerise San Juan worms and Y2Ks.

Mountain River Fly Shop said Bull Shoals is back down into power pool levels, so on cold days you can expect some generation. The bite during generation is pretty good from a boat. Clint caught a bunch of fish on Gary’s River King, a more streamlined version of Jim Mengle’s Ozark Sculpin. Clint was also tossing white Zonkers for some of his browns. But we have also had good reports on larger buggers in brown, olive and chartreuse. The Journal also has an affinity for Hansen’s Stay Hungry Streamer in the white/gray shiner colors. Egg patterns and San Juan and Dynamite worms are good on the higher flows, on the lower water levels try midges (12-14) and sowbugs. With temperatures expected to improve there is a good chance of some lower flows.

Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said the water is clear and low. One to two generators are running during the day. Trout fishing is good on Power Bait, wax worms and in-line spinners.

Crooked Creek: John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service said Crooked Creek is slow with all the cold weather and water.

Bull Shoals Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 654.16 feet MSL.

Lake Norfork: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 551.71 feet MSL.

101 Grocery and Bait said Brrr, that’s how it has been on Norfork Lake. One day it’s in the 50s, the next in the low 30s. The water surface temperature is in the low 40s. Fishing has been fair. Almost all fish had an excellent spawn last year, including the baitfish. With all the baitfish in Norfork the fish are growing fast. There have been a lot of good keepers of all the species caught. The crappie we are catching range from 14- to 17 inches.

Cranfield Junction Bait and Tackle (870-492-5141) had no report.

Norfork Tailwater: John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Service said fishing on the Norfork has been spotty. One day is poor and the next is excellent. The Norfork continues to get heavy pressure as it is the only wadable water available. The most productive times have been during the week when it is not crowded. The go-to flies have been olive scuds, sowbugs and orange micro eggs. 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 the projected cold weather, be sure and bundle your youngster up. When my daughter was of age, the best day we ever had in terms of trophy trout was at this time of year=2E The temperature was fourteen degrees and Katherine landed a twenty seven inch rainbow. Take a break occasionally to drink some hot chocolate and warm up. The hot flies are sowbugs and worm brown San Juan worms. Don’t forget to take your camera.