Trout Fishing Report-White River-Arkansas

December 2, 2009 Edition                                                

White River: 

Mountain River Fly Shop had no report.

John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Service said there has been precious little wadable water, and the releases have increased. The stretch from Bull Shoals State Park down to Wildcat Shoals has fished very well from a boat. Small midge patterns (black zebra midges with silver wire and silver bead) and soft hackles have also been effective. Rim Shoals is still fishing well. The go to flies have been Y2Ks and cerise San Juan worms. It has fished much better in the morning than the afternoon. On the higher flows, hot fluorescent pink San Juan worms and orange egg patterns have been the most effective way to fish.

Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said the water is running swiftly with seven generators open. Trout are biting well on Rooster Tails, Little Cleos and large Rapalas. No wading is possible right now.

White River (From Buffalo City to Red’s Landing):

Jim Brentlinger at Linger's Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said fishing is excellent. The water is very clear with two to three generators running each day. Zig Jigs in ginger or ginger/orange and No. 7 Countdown Rapalas are all you need. If the flow increases to let the floodwater out of lakes Bull Shoals and Norfork, tie on a Magnum Rogue in blue/silver/orange and work the bank on the deeper side of the river. This will put the large browns right on the bank.

Crooked Creek: 

John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service said Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are clearing, but fishing is still very slow.

Bull Shoals Lake:

As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 679.69 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool – 654 MSL).

Lake Norfork:

As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 569.36 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool: Sept.-April – 552 MSL, April-Sept. – 554 MSL).

101 Grocery and Bait said fishing has been good for the most part. The surface temperature is in the low 60s. There is some stained water near the newly flooded brush that has been good for largemouth bass. Kentucky and smallmouth bass are being caught more often in the deeper water. Crappie fishing has been fair using minnows and small rubber baits with a very light jig and a slow presentation. Catfishing is good on nightcrawlers and live minnows. Walleye fishing has been slow. Striper fishing has been slow. White bass fishing has been fair on top-water baits.

Norfork Tailwater: 

Jim Brentlinger at Linger's Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) had no report.

John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Service had no report.

Ken Richards at Just Fishing Guides had no report.