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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
February 3, 2010
White River: John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Service said generation has been around the clock, providing no wadable water. The lack of fluctuation has allowed for reliable fishing from a drift boat. Use brightly colored San Juan worms (red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise) and egg patterns (red, pink and orange). Other effective patterns have been scuds, sow bugs, copper johns and various midge patterns. You will need a 14 foot leader combined with a lot of lead (at least an AAA split shot placed 18 inches from the fly). Use at least 4X tippet and a large strike indicator to float this rig. Another effective strategy is to fish streamers. Concentrate on banging the bank or any heavy structure where fish might escape the current. Your best bet would be to use large articulated streamers like the zoo cougar on heavy sink tip line. This strategy targets big fish, but is a lot of work. When we have high flows like this, trout will seek the comfort provided by feeder creeks to escape the heavy currents. Look in the lower stretches of Jenkins Creek or Crooked Creek to locate trout. The brutally cold temperatures and high levels of generation we have been experiencing are the perfect conditions for creating a shad kill. Threadfin shad are drawn through the dam turbines and create a feeding frenzy in the river below. Be on the lookout for gulls feeding on the shad below the dam. The most effective flies will be white shad patterns. Be sure and have both floating and sinking versions.
Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said seven generators are running and the current is swift. Trout are biting well on white jigs and stickbaits in the current. Some nice brown trout have been caught lately.
Zachary Hoyt atJust Fishing Guides said heavy generation all week has made fishing from a boat the best option. Drifting heavily-weighted nymphs under a large indicator and stripping streamers with a fast sinking line two of the better options. The best flies to try include: egg patterns(orange, pink or peach), humpback scuds, sow bugs, copper johns, zebra midges, zoo cougars, woolly buggers, slump busters, Arkansas beadheads, Davy's shad and zonkers. Look for shad to start coming through and fish a white streamer, either under an indicator or with varying retrieved with a floating or fast sinking line. For safety during extremely high water, always wear your PFD and maintain control of your boat at all times.
White River (From Shipp’s Ferry to Red’s Landing): Jim Brentlinger at Linger's Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said there have been no opportunities to launch a boat with all the ice lately, but the ice is clearing and access is easier.
Buffalo River: Zachary Hoyt at Just Fishing Guides said water levels are very good in the middle section for fishing. Water temperatures are in the low 40s. Lures fished slowly on the bottom should pick up some smallmouth. Water flows are just a tad high for fly-fishing in the mid- and lower sections.
Crooked Creek: Zachary Hoyt at Just Fishing Guides said water levels are a little high for fly-fishing, but spin-fishing should be good. Water temps are in the low 40s and the slightly warmer and sunny days will make the fish more active. Soft plastics and jigs fished slowly on the bottom should pick up some good fish.
Bull Shoals Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 654.79 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 552.84 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool: Sept.-April – 552 MSL, April-Sept. – 554 MSL).
101 Grocery and Bait said cold weather has kept some anglers off the water, but fishing has been good for those who have managed to get out. Live bait and jigging spoons are catching fish well. The surface water temp is in the mid-30s depending on the area of the lake you are in.
Norfork Tailwater: John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Service said generation has been around the clock, with no wadable water. Brightly colored San Juan worms (red, cerise and hot fluorescent pink) and egg patterns (peach and orange) have been the go-to flies. Long leader tippet combinations and heavy weight have been the secret to success. Work the banks and submerged weed beds. Be on the lookout for a shad kill. Dry Run Creek has fished well. The hot fly has been a sow bug in size 14. Worm brown San Juan worms and egg patterns also have done well. The weather has improved a bit and now is the perfect time to take your youngster to Dry Run.
Zachary Hoyt at Just Fishing Guides said heavy generation this week has made fishing challenging. High-water techniques from a boat are the only option. Drifting nymphs under a large indicator or fishing streamers with a fast sink-tip or full sinking line are two of the better techniques. Keep an eye out for shad to start coming through the generators and fish white streamers, either under an indicator or with various retrieves on a floating or fast sinking line. For safety, always wear your life jacket during high water and maintain control of your boat at all times.