Trout Fishing Report-White River-Arkansas
From Arkansas Game and Fish CommissionMarch 25, 2009 Edition
Had some good weather this week with lots of brown trout caught.
Brother and sister on first White River tout fishing trip had a great time.
Click images for larger images.
Arkansas Game and Fish Report is below:
White River: John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Service said the generation pattern on the White last week was low levels throughout the day with the occasional spike of heavy current during midday. Remember, there is a new size limit on brown trout. All browns shorter than 24 inches must be released immediately no matter where they are caught on the White and Norfork Rivers. Only one brown trout longer than 24 inches may be kept in the daily limit of five trout. The upper river from the Bull Shoals Dam catch-and-release area downstream to Cain Island has been hot. Low flows were perfect for drift fishing. Effective patterns were zebra midges, San Juan worms and egg patterns. When you are fishing this area, do not drag chains or walk through the redds. Disturbing them could destroy the wild brown trout eggs recently deposited there. Rim Shoals has been another hot spot. During low flows, anglers have been doing well with size 14 black zebra midges. During high flows, the go-to flies have been brightly colored San Juan worms (hot pink, cerise and red). The most productive pattern has been the Y2K in yellow and orange. We will begin having our major insect hatches very soon. The first is our rhyancophilia caddis. They have an insect green body and are large (size 14) at the beginning of the hatch. As it goes on, they will get progressively smaller, down to size 18. Green elk hair caddis work well for this hatch. Before the hatch, fish a size 14 pulsating nymph and you should hook up on some good subsurface strikes.
Mountain River Fly Shop had no report.
Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said the water is low and clear with one generator running. Trout fishing is excellent with all species of trout biting well on Power Bait. Five grand slams (catching at least one rainbow, brown, brook and cutthroat trout in the same day) were caught last week.
White River (From Buffalo Shoals to Norfork): Jim Brentlinger at Linger's Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said fishing from Buffalo Shoals to Red's Landing has been outstanding. The low water brought on by lack of generation has made for excellent fly-fishing and spin-fishing. Fishing by boat and stopping to wade has proven very successful. Woolly buggers fished in the runs as well as your choice of 1/64- or 1/80-ounce jigs with or without indicators have been very productive. There’s hardly any pressure in this area of the White during low water.
Crooked Creek: John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service said Crooked Creek still is not fishing well. The water is low and clear but still a bit cold for the smallmouth to be active. As the weather warms and the water temperature reaches 55 degrees, we can expect the smallmouth action to improve.
Bull Shoals Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 653.67 feet MSL.
Bob Pauletti (870-656-3350) with Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock said fishing on the lake has been good with water temperatures around 52 to 54 degrees in the backs of creeks and 49 to 51 degrees on the main lake. Quality largemouth are being caught on steep banks in the creek arms. When it’s windy, use stick baits, crankbaits and spinnerbaits. On calm days, use a Carolina or mojo rig with a 6-inch worm or lizard. Spotted bass and smallmouth have been very active on the same baits, look for these fish further back in the creek arms. Crappie up to 2 ½ pounds are being brought to the dock – work live bait or small jigs over brush piles for these fish. Big white bass are starting to be caught on Road Runners, Beetle Spins, and minnow baits. Look for these fish in the backs of major creek arms. Walleye have been few, but two over 8 pounds came in this week, so the bits should pick up soon.
Lake Norfork: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 552.03 feet MSL.
101 Grocery and Bait said the last week was beautiful at Norfork, with air temperature in the 70s and water temperature ranging from 46-52 degrees. Crappie fishing has been good on minnows and jigs. White bass fishing is good. Walleye are fair, with most being caught on stick baits, such as Storm Thundersticks, at night. Bass fishing has been good and the largemouth and Kentucky bass can be found just about anywhere as they start their prespawn feed. Catfishing is slow. Striper fishing is slow. For those who want to use live bait, remember that it is illegal to bring live bait fish from another body of water to Norfork.
Norfork Tailwater: John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Service said there has been limited generation on the Norfork with several days of no generation. This has created some excellent wading. With many anglers in town for the Sowbug Roundup, the Norfork has been packed. If you plan on fishing there, be sure and take your own rock so you will have a place to stand. The better fishing has been on the lower river just below the Ackerman Access. The fish seem to be running a bit larger there. Another hot spot has been Quarry Park below Norfork dam. The catch-and-release section has been particularly crowded. Several anglers have been walking up to McClellan’s. Be very careful! This is a long walk and, if the water comes up, it is a dangerous wade out in rising water. It would be much safer to launch a personal watercraft at the dam; float down to McClellan’s and exit at the confluence. Rose’s Trout Dock will arrange a shuttle for a nominal fee. Dry Run Creek, as always, has fished particularly well. There have been a few more young anglers on the creek particularly on the weekends. Hot flies have been sowbugs, worm brown San Juan worms and egg patterns.
Jim Brentlinger at Linger's Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said there has been no generation on the Norfork, which has made it good for wading. Fishing still seems to be spotty, but some days have produced fish on sow bugs and scuds.
