Trout Fishing Report-White River-Arkansas
March 10, 2010 Edition
March 8, 2010 turned out to be a great fishing day for Shannon M. from Paragould, Arkansas when he caught this 13 pound brown trout with guide Michael Flippin of Cotter Trout Dock.
Just as they got the net under him, the line broke! Quite a fight.
With his huge hook jaw this male measured 32". Shannon released him unharmed and is having a replica made for his office wall. Click images for larger size image.
Michael casting for minnows to use for bait.
Scroll down for more photos and the AG&F Fishing Report.
This is Shannon's fishing patrner Rick with one of the seven or so other nice browns caught on this trip. They released all of them.
Emails from Shannon:
"Hey friends and family,
Thought you might want to see this! What a day!
Blessings,
Shannon"
"Thanks Debbie! I just sent copies of some of my pics to you. Let me know if you receive them okay.
I wouldn't pay to fish with anyone else!
Shannon"
Arkansas Game and Fish Fishing Report for March 10, 2010:
White River:
Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said the water is at normal levels. Five generators were running, but there were times of no generation that made for excellent rainbow trout fishing. Brown trout are fair on minnow-imitating crankbaits.
Zachary Hoyt at Just Fishing Guides said Bull Shoals is running around the clock with five units. Drift fishing from a boat with San Juan worms (pink, red, worm brown), Prince nymphs (sizes 12-14), Fox Squirrel nymphs (sizes 12-14), R&R Caddis (sizes 12-14) is producing many of fish. Streamer fishing with fast-sinking lines and large flies is producing larger fish.
Guide Davy Wotton said last week he saw the early stages of the caddis emergence on the river, and there should be more major hatches soon. Most trout are feeding close to the bed of the river, taking the cased and pupating caddis larva, which has reduced catch rates for many anglers. Fish caddis larva and deep water pupa patterns now, and as fish are seen starting to rise, switch to fishing high water caddis emergers and dry fly patterns such as the elk hair caddis.
Pupa patterns in sizes 12 to 14 with overall tan, green and olive bodies will work most days, as well as variations of soft hackles such as the greentail, partridge and hares ear, woodcock series.
Winged wet flies, such as the winged hare’s ear, Whickhams, Invicta, Silver and Gold Invicta, are also good options. There have been moderate levels of generation and short periods of shut down for the rivers. Average generations have ranged between 2 to 3 gates open for the White and 1 to 2 for the Norfork. Choices of fly patterns during moderate flow rates are caddis pupa and larva patterns, DW White tail midges (black, red, tan and olive, dynamite, prism), and San Juan worms (red, tan, brown and pink), sow bugs and scuds, and gold beadhead hares ear nymphs under a strike indicator. Drift or wade fishing with sink tips and smaller streamers can be a good bet. When fishing lower water levels, try soft hackles, dry flies and woolly bugger-type streamers. During no generation, use smaller midges, midge emergers, soft hackles, sow bugs and scuds.
During low flows spin-fishermen should use smaller Rooster Tails and Buoyant Spoons. During high flows, use Rapala Countdowns, stick baits and lures resembling sculpin.
Bait anglers are doing best with nightcrawlers, various colors of power baits, curly tails, gulp minnows, scented worm, fished on White river drift rigs. Live river minnows and sculpins are again good choices for the larger trout.
White River (From Buffalo City to Red’s Landing):
Jim Brentlinger at Linger's Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said fishing has been very good. Many anglers have been taking to the water and doing very well. Zig Jigs and Rapalas have done extremely well, as have Power Baits if you want to drag the bottom. Several Browns in the 18 to 22-inch range were caught over the last few days on Rapala floating minnows.
Buffalo River:
Zachary Hoyt at Just Fishing Guides said water levels are still a little high in the mid and lower sections for fishing. Water temperatures are hitting the high 40s in the afternoon. Fish slowly on the bottom to pick up a few smallmouths.
Crooked Creek:
Zachary Hoyt at Just Fishing Guides said water levels are very good just below the bridge at Kelly’s Slab. The water temperature is in the mid-40s.
Bull Shoals Lake:
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 654.00 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 551.99 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool: Sept.-April – 552 MSL, April-Sept. – 554 MSL).
101 Grocery and Bait had no new report.
Norfork Tailwater:
Zachary Hoyt at Just Fishing Guides said periods of no generation has allowed for some wade fishing. Nymphing, swinging soft hackles and stripping small streamers are all producing fish. Fly selection includes: zebra midges (gray, black), beadhead simple sow (sizes 14-16), humpback scuds (gray, sizes 12-16), partridge/peacock (sizes 14-18) and sparrows (gray, sizes 8-12).
Jim Brentlinger at Linger's Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said water levels have been very erratic due to the generation schedule changing several times per day. Fishing results have been erratic as well.
