Trout Fishing Report-White River-Arkansas
July 1, 2009 Edition
White River:
John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Service said the pattern on the White was for around-the-clock generation of varied flows (3,000 CFS to 12,000 CFS) with lower flows at night and in the morning. The flows have been much heavier in the afternoon during peak power demand. This created some challenging conditions for drift fishing and some limited wade fishing. If possible, fish early in the morning to avoid the heat. The catch-and-release section below Bull Shoals Dam has been productive. Anglers reported success on midge larva patterns. The most effective were zebra midges in black with silver wire and silver beads and red with silver wire and silver beads. The best sizes were 14-16. Copper Johns and pheasant tails also have been productive. During higher flows, the hot patterns have been hot pink San Juan worms and eggs. The sulphurs are still in the upper river. They were sighted from the Dam to the Narrows in numbers but were thinning a bit in the Rim Shoals to Cotter area. This is our major mayfly hatch of the year. They are yellow/orange insects. The best way to fish them is with copper John or pheasant tail nymphs before the hatch begins, when the nymphs are more active. When the nymphs rise to the surface and begin to emerge, switch to partridge and orange or pheasant tail soft hackles. When the trout begin keying in on the adults, switch to sulphur parachute dry flies. The section from White Hole to Cotter has been very popular for float trips. The preferred technique in this section is to bang the bank with large streamers. The hot flies have been Kelly Gallop zoo cougars and other similar oversized streamers. Most anglers use heavy full sinking or sink tip lines. Rim Shoals has fished particularly well. The sulphur hatch is still coming off most days, but is diminished.
Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said fishing has been great with 2 to 4 generators running around the clock. Fly-fishermen are using woolly buggers, San Juan worms and copper johns. The boat fishermen are boing very well with silver and gold Lil’ Cleos. Thomas Spoons in red/gold and rainbow colors are working as well.
White River (From Buffalo Shoals to Norfork):
Jim Brentlinger at Linger's Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said Rim Shoals to Crooked Creek continues to be hot. The average size has been much better in the last two weeks. White River Zig Jigs and Power Bait above and below the catch-and-release zone have been working exceptionally well. Shipps Ferry to Norfork will produce fish, but not as many and not as large as upstream. From the Norfork down to Reds Landing has been slower than usual.
Crooked Creek:
John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service said Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River have fished extremely well, particularly on Clouser minnows. The water has reached a much safer level and has cleared substantially.
Bull Shoals Lake:
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 667.92 feet MSL.
Bob Pauletti (870-656-3350) with Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock had no report.
Lake Norfork:
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 561.33 feet MSL.
101 Grocery and Bait said the water temperature is in the mid- to upper 80s. Bluegill fishing is good using crickets, worms and small minnows. Crappie fishing has been fair fishing around 20-30 deep. Minnows have been the bait of choice for the crappie. Catfishing has been fair. Walleye fishing has been fair 20-25 feet deep on night crawlers. Bass fishing has been fair. White bass fishing has been fair. Striper fishing has been slow. Stripers are still being caught in the upper part of the lake north of Bidwell Point.
Norfork Tailwater:
John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Service said generation on the Norfork has been limited, which has created some excellent wading. The flows are heavier in the afternoon, during peak power demand. The river received a lot of pressure last week. There was great wadable water every morning and a lot of anglers took advantage of it. The most productive flies have been small black zebra midges, Norfork beadheads and red micro San Juan worms. On higher water, fish brightly colored San Juan worms and egg patterns. Olive woolly buggers accounted for several nice trout. Remember that the water rise happens very fast here. At the earliest hint of rising water, get out. Dry Run Creek has fished particularly well. The hot fly has been the sow bug. Use heavy tippet (4X) and work a short line. This is a great place to escape the heat. The creek is in a tight little valley with lots of tree cover and deceptively cold water.
Jim Brentlinger at Linger's Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said fishing is slow, and the fish being caught are small.