Trout Fishing Report-White River-Arkansas
March 17, 2010 Edition
White River:
Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said the water is low and no generators are running. Trout fishing is good on small spinners, Little Cleo spoons, Buoyant Spoons and Rooster Tails. White marabou jigs are working well on large brown trout. Fly anglers are doing well on silver zebra midges and sow bugs. Bait fishermen are doing well on yellow and rainbow-colored Power Bait and worms.
John Berry of Berry Brother’s Guide Service said fairly steady levels of moderate generation with periods of no generation were the norm last week. The catch-and-release section below Bull Shoals Dam is open and producing well. The hot spot has been the section from White Hole to the Narrows. The lower flows have been perfect for drift fishing this area. The hot flies have been cerise and hot fluorescent San Juan worms. Dry fly fishing season has begun. Several anglers have reported seeing caddis hatch on the White River. The most effective flies are a green elk hair caddis to imitate the adult, a fluttering caddis for the pupa and a green butt for the emerging insect. Fish the fluttering caddis before the hatch and the green butt when you see fish keying in on the top, but you see no insects. When you observe fish keying in on hatching insects, switch to the elk hair caddis. Another hot spot has been Rim Shoals. We have had precious little wadable water but it fished well and produced some really fine trout. On the rare lower flows, the hot flies were black zebra midges with silver wire and silver bead. Red San Juan worms also accounted for some good fish. On the higher flows, the hot flies were cerise San Juan worms and Y2Ks.
Guide Davy Wotton said the caddis emergence shut down by the further spell of wicked cold winds and dull overcast days. Many anglers are saying the bite has been slow. Released water from the dams is still in the low 40s. No consistent generation flow rates are keeping the bite slower than usual. Concentrate efforts close to the river bed, fish will be reluctant to move unless water temperatures rise a few degrees and the flow remains constant. Fish early with caddis larva and Ryac pupa imitations, along with white tail midges in black, claret and red. If you start to see caddis emerge then you can bet the fish are taking the ascending pupa. You can opt for dry fly fishing which is great fun, or stick with caddis pupa emergers and soft hackles. You can also double up with dry pupa or soft hackle combinations which can be deadly at times. We have a number of different caddis species, as a rule as many as three or four types may emerge at the same time, it matters not to the fish, as often as not when the hatch is going strong it brings the fish on into a feeding frenzy. Late evening also pay attention to the returning females that are ovipositing as here again we can have some great action both with dry and soft hackles. One tip here, do not be tempted to fish light tippets, as you may well hook into a trophy brown. Flies of choice at this time should include SLF Trans caddis pupa, sparkle pupa, diving caddis pupa, halo pupa, Ryac pupa, gold-ribbed hare’s ear (all in sizes 12 and 14). Dry flies may include elk hair caddis, muddler caddis, mini muddlers, balloon caddis, and demon skaters. Soft hackles, partridge and hares ear, greentail. Additional flies to carry are Dynamite worms and San Juan worms in red, tan, and pink, sow bugs and scuds. Spin and bait fisherman have again experienced slow days, again related to cold water and climatic conditions. Here again fish are reluctant to chase and feed. Concentrate working baits slow and deep. Scale down spin bait sizes when fish are slow. Gold and silver Buoyant Spoons and Rooster Tails are good options, as is a Rogue, Countdown Rapala or other minnow bait. Large white, olive and tan/brown jigs have done well on some huge browns.
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 good as water levels continue to drop and stay low. Ginger or Ginger/Orange White River Zig Jigs have been very productive. In deep water, use Black/Gold/White Rapalas or gold Blue Fox spinners. Slowly reel the spinner just enough to keep the blades moving. Cast the Rapala and make a steady, relatively quick retrieve. If you want to have a little fun throw a white Rebel Pop-R and chug it back in. You won't get as many strikes, but top-water action can be the most fun.
Buffalo River:
Zachary Hoyt at Just Fishing Guides had no report.
Crooked Creek:
Zachary Hoyt at Just Fishing Guides had no report.
Bull Shoals Lake:
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 653.64 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool – 654 MSL).
Bob Pauletti at Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock said water temperatures range from 49 degrees in the backs of creeks to 43 on the main lake. With the last three years of high water, anglers may see some of the best fishing on Bull Shoals that this lake has ever experienced! This is the time for big bass, especially large mouth. Look for better fish on bluff wall ends and channel swings in major creeks, also try main lake pockets that may have wind blowing on them. Use a jerk bait that suspends or sinks slowly and work it as slowly as you can. Crayfish-colored crankbaits, Carolina rigs and mojo rigs will pick up smaller prespawn males in the backs of the creeks. White bass have moved to the backs of major creeks. The action is just beginning, so it’s a good time to chase the whites on the run. Some favorite places to fish are Howard Creek, Jimmie Creek, gulley, and Barnes Bay. Fish Roadrunners, white jigs, Beetle Spins and small crankbaits in white or silver. Crappie fishing has been slow, but this will change soon. Your best bet now is a minnow and jig, or just a minnow on a split-shot rig over brush piles. Along with the crappie, you may find yellow perch. I have caught these more and more over the last few years in the same places I catch crappie. Walleye fishing is also slow at this point, especially for this time of year, but this too will change. One of the baits that work well is a jerk bait worked slowly on long points with access to deep water. Also try jigs tipped with nightcrawlers or minnows dragged along the bottom.
Lake Norfork:
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 551.92 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool: Sept.-April – 552 MSL, April-Sept. – 554 MSL).
101 Grocery and Bait said walleye and stripers are moving into the creeks and will hit long jerk baits and minnow plugs. The bass are mostly suspended. The crappie are hitting light as are the sunfish. There has been some white bass action around the flats and in the main lake area. Catfish are being caught using live bait and jigging spoons.
Norfork Tailwater:
John Berry of Berry Brother’s Guide Service said the Norfork has received low wadable water every day. It was the only wadable water around and got a bit crowded at times, particularly on the weekends. Now that we are getting some wadable water on the White, we should see reduced pressure. On the low flows, the hot flies were olive scuds, sow bugs and black zebra midges with silver wire and silver beads. We have been getting some nice midge hatches every afternoon and anglers have reported success with small hare’s ear soft hackles (size 16) and Dan’s turkey tail emerger. On the high flows, brightly colored San Juan worms (red, cerise and hot fluorescent pink) and egg patterns (peach and orange) have been the go-to flies. Work the banks and submerged weed beds. Be on the lookout for caddis. Dry Run Creek has fished well. The hot fly has been sow bugs in size 14. Worm brown San Juan worms and egg patterns have also done well. The new boardwalk is scheduled to open on Saturday, March 13. This is the major project of the Friends of the National Fish Hatchery and was done in conjunction with bank stabilization and habitat improvements. Stop by and see what the excitement is all about. I think you will be impressed.
Jim Brentlinger at Linger's Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said wading is possible, but the water levels have been erratic, causing a tough bite.