White River
(updated 8-3-2023) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525)
said the Arkansas Ozarks haven't missed out on the
heat wave that's moving across the country, but we
have the gem of the White River to cool us down. The
trout love that very cold water and the anglers love
the cool mist that lowers the air temperature by about
15 degrees.
Catching rainbows has seldom been easier than it's
been the last few weeks, undoubtedly due to the low
water we've had. The pattern from the dam continues
with minimum flows (less than 700 cfs) in the morning
and a full four or five units (12,000-plus cfs) during
the late afternoon hours. The lake level is now 658.81
feet msl, nearly 2.5 feet below pool level for this
time of year.
“I don't like to use the word "pattern" – once we
begin to depend on a certain water level, somebody
changes it – but it appears one has been established.
Silver blades on an orange or brown Rooster Tail, or a
silver Vibrax Blue Fox with an orange or bubblegum
pink bell will bring in a good share. A bronze
Colorado spoon, one-sixth ounce, is always a good
choice in lower water.
“The bigger browns have been looking for sculpins and
shad. Keep your eye on the tip of your rod for a
little tremor and watch that brown snatch your bait.
Play it slowly and carefully, no rapid movements, and
you'll be able to net it for a picture. If you are new
to fly-fishing, we've found the red San Juan Worm or a
red-and-silver Midge is a good way to catch your first
trout on a fly.
“Come on over and join us as we stay cool angling for
a fat, energetic rainbow on the White.”
(updated 8-3-2023) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins
Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said Southwestern
Power Administration has kept a similar generation
schedule of ramping up generation in the early
afternoon and slowing generation in the evenings. This
means at Calico Rock we are seeing water levels
increase in the early morning until late morning and
then drop throughout the afternoon. There is some
dinginess to the water in the mornings and clearing
throughout the day. In the mornings, drift-fishing
with a silver in-line spinner with Uncommon Bait UV
glow eggs (bright orange or Firefly [yellow/greenish])
and shrimp have worked well. Shrimp seems to be
working best, but we are also hearing that worms and
corn are working.
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 brown trout
colors are effective. Throwing Shad Raps in the deeper
holes has resulted in some nice browns and rainbows.
Using sculpins has been effective, resulting in some
nice 18-plus-inch trout.
“We needed the rain Sunday night and it didn’t have
any effect on the river. With the varying river
levels, beware of your surroundings watching for
debris in the water, submerged rocks and debris, and
shallow gravel bars. During the higher water levels
and water flow, don’t throw out an anchor in the
river. An anchor will drag and if it gets hung up it
could pull the boat under the water. If you use a drag
chain, either have a breakaway in the system or keep a
knife close by to cut the rope. Stay safe and enjoy
the last few days before most schools start this
month.”
(updated 8-3-2023) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide
Service at Cotter said that during the past week they
had a bit over a half an inch of rain in Cotter), hot
temperatures (to include heat advisories) and heavy
winds (to include lake wind advisories). The lake
level at Bull Shoals fell 0.5 foot to rest at 2.2 feet
below power pool of 661 feet msl. This is 36.2 feet
below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock Lake
fell 0.8 foot to rest at 3.4 feet below power pool and
17.4 feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake
fell 0.9 foot to rest at 3.3 feet below power pool and
11.9 feet below the top of flood pool. The White has
had wadable water every day with moderate flows in the
afternoon during peak power demand. Norfork Lake fell
0.2 foot to rest at 0.9 foot over power pool of 555.75
feet msl and 23.3 feet below the top of flood pool.
The Norfork Tailwater has had wadable water. All of
the lakes are below or near power pool. Expect lower
flows in the coming days. On the Norfork, all turbines
still 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.
John says, “On the White, the hot spot has been
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
Pheasant Tail (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 8-3-2023) Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake Boat
Dock said Tuesday that the lake level remains steady
at about 658 feet msl, slightly below normal
conservation pool. Water temperature is a warm 86
degrees, give or take, in the main lake and 90s in the
backs of dirty creeks. Get up early, especially with
this nasty heat, and hopefully you’ll get a chance at
a little topwater action. Look for surface activity
along shallow areas close to deep water. The shad are
starting the transition. If you are around them, the
bass will show themselves. They are schooled up and
covering water. A Scuba Spoon Popper or small
walk-the-dog-style bait like a Lucky Craft Gunfish of
Sammy will work if you can get in there while they’re
up.
“Most topwater for me has been closer to the main or
on the main lake. Look in mouths of large creeks early
if you’re planning to fish runoff or stained water in
the back. Make sure the conditions are right after a
rain, clouds etc. You can catch ’em on a buzzbait or
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, and
cover water. Look at temps back there before you
start. Del reminds anglers to be sure to fish the
conditions.
For sunny and clear, stay out toward the main lake and
fish natural colors in small profile baits. Look at
ledges; keep your boat off the fish. These fish have
been pressured a lot. “Drop-shot has been my go-to
bait matched with a Robo Worm on brush piles, bluffs,
standing timber off ledges for suspenders. You're
gonna have to cat-and-mouse them most days.
“Tater shad will also work on the deeper suspenders in
35-45 feet. Also a big R2S Flutter if the largemouths
and spotted bass are up high (0-20 feet) and a small
spoon if they are deeper (20-40 feet). Use a spoon or
Jewel Scope Spin on deep schoolers. Don’t put the
topwater away after the morning bite. If they start
generating at the dam, there will be a flurry even in
the middle of the day.”
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 8-3-2023) Steven “Scuba Steve” Street at
Blackburn’s Resort said the lake level was 556.59 and
had dropped 1.75 inches in the last 24 hours with
sluice gates open equivalent to two-thirds of a
generator for three days when he came in to work at
7:30 Wednesday evening. Both generators at Norfork Dam
are still inoperable. The surface water temperature is
88 degrees in the afternoon hot sun and the White
River at Newport is still very low at 5.91 feet,
indicating not much water is being let out anywhere.
The thermocline starts at 24 feet and is very cold at
30 feet. Several fish of different species are in the
25-30 feet range. Open water fish are in 60-70 feet of
water and suspended at various depths. There are a lot
of shad out there. Other fish are on main lake points
in 25-30 feet of water and can be caught on a jigging
spoon. After-dark fishing for bass is good with black
lights and saltcraws. The lake is at a good level for
boating, swimming but diving and fishing are just
fair. It is a typical early August but things will get
better soon.
Visit blackburnsresort.com and click on Scuba Steve's
blog for a daily report.
(updated 8-3-2023) 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 8-3-2023) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide
Service in Cotter (870-435-2169) said Norfork Lake
fell 0.2 foot to rest at 0.9 foot over power pool of
555.75 feet msl and 23.3 feet below the top of flood
pool. The Norfork Tailwater has had wadable water. All
of the lakes are below or near power pool. Expect
lower flows in the coming days. On the Norfork, all
turbines still 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.
The most productive flies on the Norfork 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 poorly. School is out and it
can get 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 Norfork 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.
Buffalo National River/Crooked Creek
(updated 8-3-2023) 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.
