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NORTH ARKANSAS - Weekly Fishing Report
Arkansas
Game and Fish Commission
Randy Zellers (501)223-6406, e-mail: rdzellers@agfc.state.ar.us
This is the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's fishing report
November 4, 2009
White River: Mountain River Fly Shop had no report.
John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Service said generation has been light but steady around the clock with slightly higher flows in the afternoon. There has been precious little wadable water. Fishing in the catch-and-release section below Bull Shoals Dam has been excellent. With the low level flows we had this week; it was difficult to navigate around the new habitat. The hot flies have been brightly colored San Juan worms (cerise, hot fluorescent pink and red) and egg patterns (orange and peach). White marabou jigs accounted for some good fish. This section will be closed Nov. 12-Jan 31 for the brown trout spawn. The section from the bottom of this closed area downstream to the wing wall at the state park is will be seasonal catch-and-release during the same time period. The stretch from Wildcat Shoals to Cotter has fished well. The moderate flows have been perfect for drift fishing. The hot flies have been San Juan worms and Y2Ks. There has also been a bit of grasshopper action, especially on windy days. Rim Shoals has been red hot for another week. The go-to flies have been Y2Ks and cerise San Juan worms. In the afternoon we have been getting some good baetis (small mayfly) hatches. If you encounter high water, Rim Shoals Trout Dock maintains a water taxi and will ferry you to wadable water for a nominal fee.
Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said two generators are running and the current is high. Trout fishing is fair on trout worms and Power Bait. All the trout being caught are rainbows. Very few large brown trout are being caught.
Jim Brentlinger at Linger's Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said the water has been very stained but plenty of fish taken on Power Bait below the catch-and-release area. Just bounce it on the bottom and make sure you have enough weight to get it all the way down. Any bright color will work in the stained water.
White River (From Buffalo City to Red’s Landing): Jim Brentlinger at Linger's Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said the Buffalo is still 4 feet above normal but beginning to clear. As you get down to Norfork and Reds Landing, the water is clear enough to fish either Power Bait or Rapalas. The fish being caught are a little larger than usual and there has been plenty of action.
Crooked Creek: John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service said Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are running high and muddy.
Bull Shoals Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 676.80 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool – 654 MSL).
Lake Norfork: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 569.93 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool: Sept.-April – 552 MSL, April-Sept. – 554 MSL).
101 Grocery and Bait said fishing has been good for the most part. The surface temperature is in the low 60s. There is some stained water near the newly flooded brush that has been good for largemouth bass. Kentucky and smallmouth bass are being caught more often in the deeper water. Crappie fishing has been fair using minnows and small rubber baits with a very light jig and a slow presentation. Catfishing is good on nightcrawlers and live minnows. Walleye fishing has been slow. Striper fishing has been slow. White bass fishing has been fair on top-water baits.
Norfork Tailwater: Jim Brentlinger at Linger's Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said the tailwater is very muddy because of Otter Creek flooding during the last rain. There won’t be much good fishing until the stained water is flushed out.
John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Service said there have been significant periods of no generation every day with moderate generation in the afternoon. This has created some great wading conditions daily. The Norfork River has received quite a bit of pressure due to round the clock generation on the White. The lower flows fished well with midge patterns. The hot flies were black zebra midges with silver wire and silver beads, black Norfork midges and Dan’s turkey tail emergers. On higher flows hot pink San Juan worms and orange egg patterns have been the most effective flies. There are some spawning rainbows in the catch-and-release section. Please watch your step and avoid walking through the redds (spawning beds). They will appear as light colored depressions in the gravel. Dry Run Creek has fished well. Some big browns have begun moving into the creek to spawn. The hot fly, as always, has been the sow bug. Other hot flies have been worm brown San Juan worms and egg patterns (orange).
Ken Richards at Just Fishing Guides said some low water is available in the morning through early afternoon. Indicator nymphing and swinging soft hackles are providing the most consistent action. Scuds, sow bugs, small pheasant tails and zebra midges are working well. Many fish are surfacing for midges in the mornings and evenings. There are many sculpin in the water, so don't discount woolly buggers or woolly worms.