White River
(updated 11-9-2023) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525)
said, “After the arctic snap passed through last week,
we had a gorgeous second summer with beautiful mild
days, cool nights and amazing creel fills of colorful
rainbow trout. The next few days will remain
relatively mild but the nighttime lows will begin to
feel more like November. Bull Shoals Lake is 6 feet
below the targeted power pool of 659 feet msl, and
releases from the dam are reflecting the lower lake
level with less than one unit flowing around the
clock.
“Low water means fewer places for our trout to hide,
but it is also a little tougher to get to their
hidey-holes and motoring requires more finesse. Even
though November sees a significant decrease in traffic
on the White River, all anglers — boaters and waders —
will need to add patience to their river tackle and
give each other space to maneuver.
“Successful catches this week started with mid-action
spinners (Vibrax Blue Foxes were a hit, sliver with a
blue blade or standard gold) and spoons (the always
popular blue-silver Thomas Buoyant). If you prefer
bait, the guides are using lots of nightcrawlers and
backing them up with shrimp and orange or sunrise egg
patterns. Pink and or red scented worms attracted a
fair share of rainbows. We’re seeing healthy,
good-sized rainbows with a lot of color, red cheeks
and bright pink stripes.
The browns are not immune to bait now even during the
spawn season, but they’re mostly striking in an
attempt to get rid of the annoyance. Dangle a sculpin
and you’ll get more attention.
“Thanksgiving weekend is just around the corner so
we’ll be seeing more visitors to the area and an
increase in river traffic. Additional care is called
for along with those open arms welcoming visiting
family and friends. We have a big river, wonderfully
tended by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission with
lots of trout, and enough room for every type and size
of angler who visits. We look forward to seeing you
and sharing fishing stories.”
(updated 11-9-2023) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins
Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said that after the
muddy water early last week the river cleared up
nicely and fishing has been good. For most of the week
we saw water slowly dropping as low as 3 feet Tuesday
morning then rising again to 5 feet Tuesday evening.
The water dropped again to around 3 feet between
Tuesday and Wednesday. When the water was low and
clear we saw a lot of fish caught using quarter-ounce
nickel/gold Colorado Spoons. Rapala Countdowns CD7s in
rainbow trout or silver also worked well where gravel
bars dropped off into deeper holes. We have heard from
some of the anglers of some very nice rainbows and
brown trout being seen. Uncommon Baits Ultra Violet
neon pink eggs with shrimp worked well.
“The weather has been nice but going into the weekend
expect to see lows in the upper 30s with highs in the
lower 60s. Deer modern rifle season starts this
weekend and it would be good to hunt in the morning
and then take advantage of the warmer afternoons to
catch some trout.”
(updated 11-9-2023) John Berry, veteran angler and
retired guide/owner in Cotter, said that during the
past week they had no rain events, cold temperatures
(to include frost advisories) changing into warm
temperatures and moderate winds. The lake level at
Bull Shoals fell 0.5 foot to rest at 6 feet below
power pool of 659 feet msl. This is 42 feet below the
top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock Lake fell 0.2
foot to rest at 4.2 feet below power pool and 18.2
feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell 0.2
foot to rest at 6.6 feet below power pool and 16.2
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 Tailwater has had wadable water. All
of the lakes are well below the top of power pool.
Expect wadable water in the coming days with moderate
flows in the afternoon during peak power demand. 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.
The catch-and-release section below Bull Shoals Dam is
closed through Jan. 31 to protect 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.
John said, “On the White, the hot spot has been
Buffalo 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).”
John also said, “Frugal is defined as the economical
use of one’s money or resources. My heritage is
Scots-Irish, which is noted for being frugal. My
previous career as a certified public accountant is
well known as a frugal path of life.
“Twenty-three years ago I decided to change my career
from accounting to trout guiding. I therefore
implemented a plan to sell my house in Memphis, quit
my job at Ducks Unlimited and relocate to Cotter to be
a professional trout bum at the tender age of 53. I
bought an old fixer-upper craftsman bungalow for
$38,000 and set about restoring it, doing most of the
work myself. I also decided to do as much as possible
of the ongoing maintenance, like grass mowing and
painting.
“I drive my automobiles as long as possible. When I
moved here, I had a Volvo station wagon that I had
bought used for $7,000. I put 380,000 miles on it
before I sold it for $1,000. The word in Cotter is,
don’t buy a used car from John Berry. I then acquired
a used Suburban that I got 250,000 miles out of it
before I sold it. I am now driving a new-to-me
Suburban with over 200,000 miles. I buy good used cars
and take care of them.
“I acquired most of my fishing gear through pro
purchase programs. My best buy was my Temple Fork
Outfitter signature two-piece, 5-weight, 9-foot rod. I
bought four of them ($36 each) and have used them
continuously for over 20 years as client rods. They
cast as well as any of my high-dollar personal rods.
They have a lifetime warranty that I have tested
several times over the years. I keep them in my car,
and my wife, Lori, and I use them more often than we
do our fancy rods. They have landed innumerable big
trout on Dry Run Creek without a problem. Never buy a
rod without a warranty or you personally casting it
for a while.
“I paired these rods with Orvis Battenkill reels made
in England. They were spectacular buys at $80. When
Orvis quit producing them, I acquired more at fishing
shows or eBay. They are tough and reliable with a good
disk drag system that will turn a brown. They come
with a lifetime warranty.
“When I first started guiding, I applied for pro
purchase programs for the big outdoor clothing
companies. I was included in Patagonia, Mountain
Khaki, Orvis and Simms programs, which allowed me to
buy all of my fishing clothing at a significant
discount. I then discovered that I could buy all of
this gear much cheaper slightly used on eBay. I quit
most of the pro purchase programs and now buy almost
all my clothing there.
“Being frugal is a good way to save money that could
be used for a deluxe fishing trip.”
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 11-9-2023) Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake
Boat Dock said Wednesday the lake level was 652 feet
msl, some 7 feet below normal pool, and water
temperature was back up to 65 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 ’em a
bunch of different ways without one being better than
the other! Powerfish if it’s cloudy and windy. I’m
gonna with Chatterbait, spinnerbait and square bill in
the stained water. I use a red Rock Crawler to target
windy, steep transition banks. If it’s sunny, flat and
bluebirds, pull the Robo drop-shot back out.
“Or target the shad eaters. They were getting grouped
up in the creeks, then the water warmed up and they
spread back out. There are wads three-quarters back
out in the channel. I have found groups busting the
surface down to 40 feet.
“Graph, graph, graph! Graphing can pay off. Get around
bait and fish whatever is available: piles, ledges,
swings, etc. A Beaver, A Texas Cowboy on a wobble
shaky head worm in green pumpkin, and a Jewel Jig in
green pumpkin orange with red highlights are working
for me. I seem to need to have some color in the water
for this bite to be good. They seem to be holding on
ledges shallow if it’s cloudy, or in the 15- to
20-foot range while not munching shad.
“Most days you’re gonna have to work for them. There
are mega schools of fish grouping up demolishing shad,
but videogame fish can be tough to fool. Try a small
shad swimbait, or a Damiki or Hover Rig with a Tater
Shad. The Jewel Scuba Spoon or Rapala Ice Jig is also
working for me if the shad are on the bottom. Every
day is different, so fish the conditions.
“Walleye are in the deep trees and humps around 50-60
feet. Crappie picking up. Anglers are hopping brush
piles working for them; stay off of them and try a
crappie minnow under a float.
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 11-9-2023) Steven “Scuba Steve” Street at
Blackburn’s Resort and Boat Rental said Wednesday
night that the lake level was 553.33 feet msl and
creeping up slowly with no discharge but minimum flow
for over a week. The White River at Newport is 3.83
feet and dropping, indicating not much water is being
released anywhere on the area lakes. “The surface
water temperature was 67 degrees at dark (Tuesday)
evening and I could see my lure down about 6-7 feet in
the sunshine. The lake overall is in excellent
condition and at a good level and fishing is
improving.
Walleye are starting to bite in the late evening on a
swimbait on shadowy banks, and the temperate bass are
schooled and starting to feed in open water on spoons.
A few crappie and black bass are still on the main
lake brush in 18-25 feet of water but a little slow
biting.
“It still looks good for a Thanksgiving fishing trip
on Norfork Lake with the full moon on Nov. 27, which
should move the stripers to the banks in the Cranfield
Area and near the walleye rearing pond entrance at
dark on the stick bait. Also try on the bank north of
Thumb Point. Fish for walleye before dark and switch
to stripers at dark. Make sure your 5-inch stick bait
is running true before it gets too dark to see. The
water is not cooling yet, but will with the cold front
moving in; the fish sense when it is going to do so
and start feeding. Cold water does not make the fish
start feeding. It is not great yet, but is getting
better — and it needed, too.”
Visit blackburnsresort.com and click on Scuba Steve’s
blog for a daily update.
(updated 11-9-2023) Lou Gabric at Hummingbird Hideaway
Resort said he posts fishing reports almost every day
on Hummingbird Hideaway Resort’s Facebook page, and
what follows was published on Nov. 8:
“It looks like the beginning of the fall bite has
begun. All species are starting to feed heavily as
they typically do before the cold winter season. Our
guests can see the fish activity getting better each
day. The striped bass, hybrid bass and white bass have
started to school up and can be found in shallow water
out to about 50 feet of water. If you are out fishing
very early in the morning, start checking out shallow
water, less than 20 feet, and as the sun gets higher
overhead the fish move out into deeper water. This
whole pattern is based on where the bait is located.
Check out large flats and also big round main lake
points. If you are fishing in the afternoon, the fish
will still be out in deeper water. The current magic
water depth appears to be around 50 feet. At sunset
the fish typically move up in the water column and
also toward the shore following the bait. Fish will
also be back in the major creeks, assuming the bait
migrates into them.
“This is the time of year that the fish can and will
be in many different types of locations. It takes a
little time graphing, but once you find them you will
have a blast. John and Joe, a couple of our guests,
caught over 25 jumbo white bass Wednesday morning
vertical jigging a 1-ounce spoon. Mike and Craig, two
guests, told me they have caught all the predator
species in the lake except for a smallmouth.”
The surface water temp is around 65 degrees and the
lake is holding stable at normal seasonal pool of
553.3 feet msl. The lake is fairly clear to slightly
stained back in coves. “It is going to be a lot of fun
fishing Norfork Lake over the next several months. If
you are needing a place to stay, give us a call at
Hummingbird Hideaway Resort, 870-492-5113 for
reservations. Happy fishing and enjoy Norfork Lake.”
Norfork Tailwater
(updated 11-9-2023) 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
Tailwater has had wadable water. All of the lakes are
well below the top of power pool. Expect wadable water
in the coming days with moderate flows in the
afternoon during peak power demand. 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.
The most productive flies on the 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 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 11-9-2023) 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 smallmouth bass 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.
