White River
(updated 7-20-2023) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525)
said We have a remedy for these hot, humid July days:
a slow, peaceful float on the cold, refreshing, clear
water of the White River beside Cotter, or maybe a
little wade fishing during the morning hours when the
river is low and layers of mist make you forget the
numbing heat of midsummer.
And while you're at it, you can catch a whole bunch of
trout. What a gift!
White River water levels below Bull Shoals Dam have
continued to be little arbitrary for the past week;
minimum flow (600 cfs) all day around Cotter, then
rising several feet with releases from the dam of
12,000-14,000 cfs during late afternoon and early
evening.
Low water means finding the deepest spots with the
coldest water. When you do, get ready for plenty of
angling action. Orange and black jigs have proven
successful on the lower water. Swim them mid-depth
with a small tug now and again.
It's fun to watch the rainbows follow the spinners--
try an ⅛- or 3/16-ounce Blue Fox Spinner with a red
bell or the bleeding frog Rooster Tail. We found that
bleeding frog pattern in a Thomas Bouyant Spoon and
worked it for several catches. Yellow and/or Sunrise
PowerBait are bringing in the rainbows with or without
a morsel of shrimp added to the mix.
Come on over, get out of the house, and enjoy the cool
of the river in the beautiful Natural State and the
Arkansas Ozarks.
(updated 7-20-2023) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins
Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said, “We continue to
see the routine of low water around 3 feet in the
mornings and rising to as high as 7 feet late in the
morning. Around 11 or noon the water stops dropping
again. On Saturday we saw some muddy water arrive
mid-morning, but by late afternoon the water was
clearing. Otherwise the water has ranged from clear to
some dinginess.
“In the mornings drift fishing with a silver inline
spinner with Uncommon Bait UV glow eggs and shrimp has
worked well, as have quarter-ounce spoons.
Additionally, deeper-diving Shad Rap size 5 lures in
Purpledescent or orange Crawdad colors did well. “As
the water drops in the afternoon, using quarter-ounce
Colorado Spoons with nickel/gold or copper/gold or
Buoyant rainbow trout or brown trout-colored spoons
work well while fishing the gravel bars. CD7 Rapala
Countdowns in silver or rainbow trout are effective.
Additionally, dragging sculpins has resulted in some
nice 16-plus inch rainbow trout.
“Stay safe during this heat. Drink plenty of water,
wear a hat and use sunscreen. After applying, make
sure to wash your hands so you don’t get any on your
bait.”
(updated 7-20-2023) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide
Service at Cotter said that during the past week, they
had four rain events combining for 3 inches in Cotter,
hot temperatures (to include heat advisories) and
heavy winds (to include lake wind advisories). The
lake level at Bull Shoals rose 0.3 foot to rest at 1.3
feet below power pool of 661 feet msl. This is 34.3
feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock
Lake fell 0.2 foot to rest at 2 feet below power pool
and 16 feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake
fell 0.2 foot to rest at 1.8 feet below power pool and
10.4 feet below the top of flood pool. The White had
wadable water every day with moderate flows in the
afternoon during peak power demand. Norfork Lake rose
0.5 foot to rest at 1.3 feet over power pool of 555.75
feet msl and 23.1 feet below the top of flood pool.
The Norfork Tailwater has had wadable water this past
week. All of the lakes in the White River System are
below or near power pool. Expect lower flows in the
coming days. On the Norfork, all turbines are
inoperable for the foreseeable future. Minimum release
is being made through the siphon at continuous flows
of 185 cfs and additional flows are made through the
flood gates.
On the White, the hot spot has been the Wildcat
Shoals. “We have had lower flows that have fished
well. The hot flies were Y2Ks, Prince Nymphs, Zebra
Midges (black with silver wire and silver bead or red
with silver wire and silver bead), Pheasant Tails,
Copper Johns, pink and cerise San Juan Worms, gold
ribbed Hare’s Ears and Sowbugs. Double-fly nymph rigs
have been very effective. My favorite has been a
Copper John (size 14) with a ruby Midge Dropper (size
18).
Bull Shoals Lake
For the Army Corps of Engineers’ real-time outflow
report from Bull Shoals Dam, visit the Corps’ Little
Rock office website.
(updated 7-13-2023) Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake
Boat Dock said Wednesday the lake level is steady at
659 feet msl. Water temperature is around 85 degrees
but is 90s in the backs. Bass activity seems fair. A
thermocline is starting to form down there around 26
feet. Get up early, especially with this heat, and
you’ll get a chance at some topwater action. Look for
surface activity along shallow areas close to deep
water. If you’re around them, they will show
themselves, but it’s still hit or miss. They are
schooled up and covering water. A popper or small
walk-the-dog like a Lucky Craft Gunfish or Sammy if
you can get it in there while they’re up.
“Shad are spread out everywhere. Most topwater for me
has been closer to the main lake or on the main lake.
Look in large creeks early if you’re planning to fish
runoff or stained water. If the conditions are right
you can catch them on a Whopper Plopper on the flats
and remaining bushes. Pick up a Jewel Jig Bass Whacker
in green pumpkin orange or a big red worm or green
pumpkin shaky head in any of the laydowns, brush
piles, drop-offs – cover water. Look at the temps back
there before you start. Be sure to fish the
conditions.”
If it’s sunny and clear, stay out toward the main lake
and use natural colors on small profile baits. Look at
ledges, keep boat off the fish. Start early with a
topwater and as it slows, a drop-shot has been my
go-to bait matched with a Robo Worm on brush piles,
bluffs, standing timber off ledges or suspenders.
Bonus walleye are mixed in on the brush piles off
points in 25-28 feet.
“It’s summer for sure. You’re gonna have to cat and
mouse ’em most days. Tater Shad will also work on the
deeper suspenders at 35-45 feet. Also a big R2S
Flutter if the largemouths and Kentuckys are up high
(0-20 feet) and a small spoon if they are deeper
(20-40). Use a spoon or Jewel Scope Spin on schoolers.
Don’t put the topwater away after the morning bite. If
they start generating, there will be a flurry.”
Del regularly posts new YouTube videos. Visit his
YouTube site (Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock) for more
information and tips on fishing Bull Shoals Lake.
Norfork Lake
For the Army Corps of Engineers’ real-time outflow
report from Norfork Dam, visit the Corps’ Little Rock
office website.
(updated 7-13-2023) Steven “Scuba Steve” Street at
Blackburn’s Resort said the lake level is 556.97 feet
msl and has risen three-quarters of an inch in the
last 24 hours with absolutely no discharge for four
days. Both generators at the dam are still out of
service. The level continues to creep up. The surface
water temperature is 87 degrees and the water is clear
down to 16 feet and there is a mudline with very
little visibility down past the thermocline at 23
feet. It is clear down past that. A lot of fish are in
the mudline, especially on main lake points around
brush near the bottom, including bass, catfish and
walleye. Some white bass are roaming a few feet above
the bottom. Stripers and some larger walleye are deep
and being caught on the jigging spoon. Drop it right
on their heads. The night bite for bass with a black
light and salt craw is very good near Cranfield Island
from 9 p.m. until almost midnight. Bluegill are under
docks and biting crickets in the shade. Catfish are
hitting prepared baits on drop-shotted jugs and
trotlines back in the creeks. Flatheads have finished
spawning and are hungry but only bite live baits. Get
out early, take the middle of the day off, and fish
until or after dark. The lake overall is in excellent
condition and at a good level for boating and fishing.
Visit blackburnsresort.com and click on Scuba Steve's
blog for a daily report.
(updated 7-20-2023) Lou Gabric at Hummingbird Hideaway
Resort had no new reports, but Lou posts almost daily
on his Facebook page with photos and where the fish
are biting and what’s biting. Check it out.
Norfork Tailwater
(updated 7-20-2023) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide
Service in Cotter (870-435-2169) said Norfork Lake
rose 0.5 foot to rest at 1.3 feet over power pool of
555.75 feet msl and 23.1 feet below the top of flood
pool. All turbines at the dam are inoperable for the
foreseeable future. Minimum release is being made
through the siphon at continuous flows of 185 cfs and
additional flows are made through the flood gates.
There has been wadable water on the Norfork. The most
productive flies have been small Midge patterns like
Zebra Midges (black or red with silver wire and silver
bead). Double-fly nymph rigs have been very effective.
Try a small bead-head nymph (Zebra Midge, Copper John
or Pheasant Tail) suspended 18 inches below a brightly
colored San Juan Worm (hot fluorescent pink or
cerise). John says his favorite rig has been a cerise
San Juan Worm and a ruby Midge. The fishing is better
in the morning and late afternoon and tapers off
midday.
Dry Run Creek has fished a poorly. School is out and
can get a quite crowded particularly on weekends. The
hot flies have been Sowbugs, various colored San Juan
Worms (worm brown, red, hot fluorescent pink and
cerise) and white Mop Flies. Small orange or peach
eggs have been very effective. Carry a large net, as
most fish are lost at the net.
Remember that the White and North Fork rivers and Dry
Run Creek are infected with didymo, an invasive alga.
Thoroughly clean and dry your waders (especially the
felt soles on wading boots) before using them in any
other water. Many manufacturers are now making rubber
soled wading boots that are easier to clean and are
not as likely to harbor didymo.
John also said, “I have often said that my biggest
problem is keeping up with my gear. This past week I
had a guide trip to Dry Run Creek for a brother and a
sister. My wife, Lori, was out of town competing in a
dog show with our Labrador retrievers, Tilley and
Ghillie. I was to join them in Springfield, Missouri,
at the end of my guide trip. I find guide trips to Dry
Run Creek much more challenging because the young
clients have never fished before and have no gear.
Therefore, I furnish it.
“I have found that if my clients wear waders there
they can fish several spots that other anglers cannot
comfortably reach. I have about a dozen pairs of
waders of various sizes. Before the trip I asked the
father what sizes his kids require. He also supplied
his shoe size. The day before the trip I go through
the garage gathering the three sets of waders (waders,
boots and wader belt) that I will need the next day. I
also include three pairs of heavy wool socks to wear
under the waters. These are put into a folding box and
put in my car.
“While I am doing this, I also make sure my waders are
in my wader bag and loaded in my Suburban. I always
carry a big boat net, but when there are two young
anglers I carry an extra big boat net. The net stays
with the angler and if I am busy with another trout,
Dad can net the trout. I keep no less than five fly
rods and reels already rigged and ready to go in a
rack in the rear of my car. I also pack and load lunch
in my Yeti for five people.
“I thought I had it all packed. I arrived at Dry Run
30 minutes early and donned my waders. I pulled out
two rods and the two nets and did a last-minute check
of the gear in my little chest pack to be sure that I
had all the tackle I needed. I found flies, strike
indicators, leaders and weights. There was no tippet.
This is an ultimate rookie mistake! You can’t finish
without tippet.
“I looked all through my gear to no avail. I thought I
might have an extra spool in my wader bag or my rain
jacket. They were not there. I remembered my last boat
trip, where I took the tippet spools from my vest to
the boat. I had not put them back.
“I had to figure a way to fish with no tippet. The
answer was in my car. I had five rods ready to go. I
fished one rod until it was so tangled I could not fix
it without fresh tippet. I then took the next rod and
fished it until it got tangled. At the end of the day,
we were still fishing and I had three badly tangled
rods in my car. My clients never knew the difference.
“Sometimes the answer is obvious.”
Buffalo National River/Crooked Creek
(updated 7-20-2023) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide
Service in Cotter (870-435-2169) said Crooked Creek
and the Buffalo River are fishing well. With warmer
temperatures, the smallmouths are more active. The
most effective fly has been a tan and brown Clouser
minnow. Carefully check the water level before
entering Crooked Creek or the Buffalo River. There are
no dams on these streams. They both have large
drainages and are prone to flooding during and
following any rain event. The water can rise very
quickly.
