White River
(updated 10-26-2023) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525)
said the fall colors are popping out all over, making
a float down the White River even better than usual.
All-day trout-catching action on a cool autumn morning
in the north-central Arkansas Ozarks is really hard to
compete with. Releases from Bull Shoals Dam into the
White River Tailwater remained consistent over the
past week: lower output during the morning hours,
increasing as the day progresses, averaging 4,000 (a
little more than one power unit). The lake is at
653.86 feet msl, which is 5 feet below the seasonal
power pool target. At these levels, an angler can put
an anchor down and fish a favorite deep spot, or drift
downriver keeping your line tight and near the bottom
without having to use too much weight.
The rainbow catch, as it often is, was abundant — if
you were dangling a pink worm topped with a white or
orange egg. A little fuzzy egg pattern, peach or
orange, tied to a No. 8 or 10 hook attracted some
curious trout, even without the worm. “I've said it
before, but it's worth repeating: This is just about
perfect water for jig fishing. A black or olive and
black jig or an olive and ginger D2 jig — perfect.
“Sculpins and shad continue to get some attention from
the browns, but as the spawn moves into high gear, the
browns will mostly swim past your bait. Annoy them
enough, be patient, and you'll get a bite.
“We've been treated to some perfect autumn days;
however, you'll enjoy your fishing adventure a lot
more if you come prepared for Arkansas weather
extremes. T-shirt and shorts were right for the
weather (Wednesday), but this coming weekend will
bring freezing temperatures during the night, so cold
launches in the morning. As always, whatever the
weather, we are blessed to be here in The Natural
State and always look forward to meeting fellow trout
lovers.”
(updated 10-26-2023) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins
Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said the days have had
cool mornings and then warmed up to comfortable days.
“We have seen varied generations from Bull Shoals Dam,
with Norfork Dam releasing water through one
floodgate. We have been seeing low water around 3
feet, rising in the mornings to 6 feet before dropping
again in the afternoon and evening. Spoons continue to
be the go to lure in the low water. Additionally,
black jigs, Rooster Tails, lures with a spinner and
Rapala Countdowns have worked very well. Uncommon
Baits Neo Pink UV eggs with shrimp, corn or worms
continue to work well when the water rises.
“The leaves are changing color and fall is here. For
the first time this fall we expect to see lows in the
30s next week with highs in the 50s and 60s. Last
Thursday the AGFC pontoon raft stocked 1,400 rainbow
trout between Calico Rock and Mt. Olive.”
(updated 10-26-2023) John Berry, angler and retired
guide/owner Berry Brothers Guide Service at Cotter,
said that during the past week they had a mere trace
of rain, cool temperatures and moderate winds. The
lake level at Bull Shoals fell 0.6 foot to rest at 5.5
feet below power pool of 659 feet msl. This is 41.1
feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock
Lake fell 0.3 foot to rest at 3.8 feet below power
pool and 17.8 feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver
Lake fell 0.3 foot to rest at 6.1 feet below power
pool and 15.7 feet below the top of flood pool. The
White has had less wadable water with moderate flows
in the afternoon during peak power demand. Norfork
Lake rose 0.1 foot to rest at 0.4 foot below power
pool of 553.75 feet msl and 26.6 feet below the top of
flood pool. The Norfork has had wadable water. All of
the lakes are below the top of power pool. Expect
wadable water in the coming days with heavy flows in
the afternoon during peak power demand. On the
Norfork, all turbines remain 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 floodgates.
John said, “On the White, the hot spot has been Cane
Island. 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).”
The catch-and-release section below Bull Shoals Dam is
closed from Nov. 1 to Jan. 31, 2024, to accommodate
the brown trout spawn. The State Park will be seasonal
catch-and-release for the same period. All brown trout
must be immediately released. In addition, night
fishing is prohibited in this area during this period.
This section will open to fishing Feb. 1.
John also said, “A few days ago I took my wife, Lori,
on our weekly fly-fishing trip. It was a slow go to
get started. Lori was not feeling 100 percent. She had
not slept well the night before. She is ever the
trouper and would not let that slow her down.
“The temperature was in the 40s and there were cloudy
skies with some unwelcome wind. I was interested in
the water flows. The Army Corps of Engineers was
running a bit more water than they had for the past
few weeks. I figured the flows would enable me to take
longer drifts and promised to fish a bit better. To
battle the cool temperatures and wind I had worn
slip-on L.L. Bean duck shoes with heavy wool socks and
a light down jacket. I also wore nylon fishing pants,
a straw hat and sun gloves. Lori wore a warm Elmer
Fudd hat, a light insulated jacket, light pants,
wading shoes with no socks and a fishing shirt.
“I was waiting for her to arrive after feeding and
walking our Labradors. As I was rigging a rod, I
blinked and fall started. I have been raking up leaves
from my big oak tree for the last two weeks but this
was the first time I noticed that leaves were
beginning to turn. I saw reds and yellows for the
first time. I must say that I enjoyed it.
“Lori arrived after I had launched the boat, done a
few drifts and landed a couple of trout. I motored
over to the ramp and picked her up. I had already
rigged a rod for her so we went upstream and
immediately began to fish. The slightly heavier flows
definitely produced some longer drifts. As a result,
we could easily cover more water than we did earlier
this summer. The White was on the bottom most days
with higher flows in the afternoon. We fished early
and always hit the lower flows. This is a nice change
that was triggered by the fall weather, which does not
require the high energy needs of summer.
“As we fished, the wind picked up. Along with an
overcast sky and lower temperatures than we were used
to, the weather seemed cooler. It was definitely
feeling like fall. Lori was beginning to chill. She
had not gotten cold when she walked the dogs. She was
exercising then but fishing from a boat is not nearly
as athletic. The clothing that worked for walking the
dogs was not enough to keep her comfortable sitting in
a boat. Lori is pretty tough but was beginning to get
cold. We pulled the plug and headed in. The idea is to
enjoy the outing. Besides we had caught plenty of
trout.
“I blinked and fall started.”
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 10-19-2023) Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake
Boat Dock said Wednesday the lake level IS 653 feet
msl and the water temperature is holding around 69
degrees. Bass fishing has been up and down like the
weather. Be sure to fish the conditions. It’s a mixed
bag — you can catch them a bunch of different ways
without one being better than the other. Looks like
we’re getting some shallow fish creeping up. Early
morning topwater is off. A small walk-the-dog-style
bait Zara Spook or Lucky Craft Gunfish will work. If
they’re busting, don’t put it away, though; they can
go to the middle of the day.
Fall fishing equals junk fishing, covering water with
a Whopper Plopper, buzzbait, square bill, Chatterbait.
The shad should pick back up. In the skinny water if
it cools off, then powerfish. If it gets cloudy and
windy, use a Rock Crawler and target steep transition
banks.
The shad have started their migration in the creeks.
There are wads three-quarters of the way back middle
of the channel or pushed on the flats, especially if
there’s wind. Shad balls are spread out. Look for
areas where they are bunched up.
“I have found groups busting the surface down to 50
feet. Graphing can pay off. Get around bait and fish
whatever is available: piles, ledges, swings, etc. …
Beaver, shaky head worm, and Jewel Jig in green
pumpkin orange are working. There seems to be some
color in the water for this. They seem to be holding
on ledges in the 15- to 20-feet range while not
munching shad. Most days you’re going to have work for
them.
There are mega schools of smallies demolishing shad,
but videogame fish can be tough to fool. Try a small
shad swimbait, Damiki or Hover Rig with a Tater Shad.
The Jewel Scuba Spoon is working for me if the shad
are on the bottom.
Every day is different, and you must fish the
conditions. Walleye guys are frustrated now. Crappie
seems to be picking up. The jig bite slowed a bit, but
they are hopping brush piles working for them. Try
crappie minnow under a float. “It isn’t easy fishing
right now but it’s getting better!”
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 10-26-2023) Steven “Scuba Steve” Street at
Blackburn’s Resort and Boat Rental said Wednesday
night that the lake level was 553.35 feet msl and has
been the same for a week. Both generators are still
inoperable. The siphon and minimum flow equals exactly
what is coming from the spring-fed Norfork River. The
surface water temperature is 70 degrees and has also
remained stable with the warm ambient temperatures.
The water is clearing on the main lake and the
visibility is pretty good. Creeks are still stained
green. The White River at Newport is 3.10 feet and
very low, indicating not much water is being released
anywhere. It was 1.34 feet yesterday and about ready
to dry up. They are reluctant to drop the lake below
the 553 feet msl level.
“The lake overall is at a good level and in good
condition for boating, but fishing is just fair at
best. The fish that I am cleaning are void of any food
and have not started their pre-winter feed. It usually
happens in November. Your best bet to catch fish is to
go to main lake point brush piles that the wind has
been blowing into and use a small spoon or live
minnows on a slip-float directly over the brush in
16-30 feet of water. Walleye, bass, crappie and
bluegill are suspended at various depths in and around
the brush. The crappie are schooled, roaming and
spooky. Use your trolling motor sparingly and shut off
the anchor or spot lock. Catfishing is not the best
with the full moon but some can be caught on live
bait.
“The fish are there but overall fishing is just fair
now. Trollers are not doing the best for temperate
bass but a few whites are being caught.”
Visit blackburnsresort.com and click on Scuba Steve's
blog for a daily update.
Norfork Tailwater
(updated 10-26-2023) John Berry, angler and retired
operator of Berry Brothers Guide Service in Cotter
(870-435-2169), said Norfork Lake rose 0.1 foot to
rest at 0.4 foot below power pool of 553.75 feet msl
and 26.6 feet below the top of flood pool. The Norfork
has had wadable water. All of the lakes are below the
top of power pool. Expect wadable water in the coming
days with heavy flows in the afternoon during peak
power demand. On the Norfork, all turbines remain
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
floodgates.
The most productive flies on the Norfork Tailwater
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 bit better despite a lot of
fishing pressure. School is back in session and
weekdays are not as crowded. 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.
Buffalo National River/Crooked Creek
(updated 10-26-2023) John Berry, angler and retired
operator of Berry Brothers Guide Service in Cotter
(870-435-2169), said Crooked Creek and the Buffalo
River are fishing well but are very low. With moderate
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.
