White
River: Sportsman’s
White River Resort said water conditions are normal with eight
generators running. Trout have been fair on lures and plastic pink
or red trout worms.
John
Berry of Berry Brothers Guides said the upper river
from Bull Shoals Dam, through the State Park down to Cane Island
Shoals has been a real hot spot. The better fishing is in the
morning when it is much cooler the water flows are generally
a bit lower than in the afternoon. Most are caught on midge or
worm patterns fished under an indicator with a lot of weight
to get it down to the bottom. Hot flies have been black zebra
midges with silver wire and silver bead, San Juan worms in bright
colors (cerise, hot pink and red). Many anglers were reporting
success fishing sowbugs. There have been several reports of larger
fish being caught on streamers. Cast to the bank and vary your
retrieve to figure out whether they want it fast or slow. The
hot new pattern has been Jim Mengle’s Ozark Sculpin on
a sink tip or full sinking line to get it down to the bottom.
The section from Wildcat Shoals to Cotter is producing well.
There is still quite a bit of pressure here. The hot flies are
trout crack, sow bugs, zebra midges and brightly colored San
Juan worms. Another hot spot has been the Rim Shoals catch and
release section. It has received a bit more pressure lately,
but it is not crowded except at lunch when a lot of guides pull
in.
Mountain
River Fly Shop said some anglers reported good action from
Wildcat to Ranchette on heavily-weighted olive, black or “Bow
River” buggers on a floating line. Streamers are also producing
well, even in the middle of the day. You might not catch as many
as on the drifted eggs and worms but it’s a lot of fun.
Work your flies close to the banks, over grassbeds and drop-offs.
The section from Cotter to Wildcat has been fishing very well
with eggs and worms. Run a red, orange or flame egg in front
of a San Juan worm or dynamite worm. Sowbugs have been working
well in the dam area as well.
Bull
Shoals Lake: As
of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s
elevation at 685.12 feet MSL.
Bull Shoals
Lake Boat Dock said bass are fair on 1/2 –ounce
spoons fished in 28 to 32 feet of water around bluff ends and standing
timber. Flukes, Spooks and other topwaters are working during low-light
hours. Bass are fair on nightcrawlers and ¼-ounce white
Road Runners in fished over the top of brush and standing trees
in 25 to 35 feet of water. Drop-shot rigs are working in the same
areas as well. White bass are fair on trolled Shad Raps and minnow-style
stick baits in 25 to 35 feet of water. Some are being caught on
spoons as well. Walleye have moved to the thermocline around 25
to 32 feet of water. Spoons are working well, as are nightcrawlers
tightlined on a split-shot rig. Trolling shallow and medium-diving
Reef Runners and Wally Divers is working around 25 feet deep. Crappie
are slow and scattered. Night fishing under lights is the best
way to produce some fish this time of year. Catfishing is good
in shallower water on stinkbait, liver, shrimp and live sunfish.
Lake
Norfork: As
of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s
elevation at 569.65 feet MSL.
101
Grocery and Bait said visibility is good and the water
temperature is in the mid to high 80s. Striped bass fishing is
good. Walleye fishing has been fair. Bluegill fishing is good.
White bass fishing is fair. Largemouth bass are biting well on
topwaters in the evenings. Smallmouth are fair. Catfishing is
fair. Crappie fishing is fair.
Cranfield Junction Bait and Tackle (870-492-5141) said all species
are slow.
Norfork
Tailwater: John
Berry of Berry Brothers Guides said the Norfork is not fishing
as well as it has recently. There has been a lot of boat traffic,
especially considering the width of the Norfork as compared to
the White. Dry Run Creek Youth Area is still producing some really
big fish. This has been the most comfortable place to fish in
the twin Lakes area. The narrow valley and heavy tree cover help
keep the temperatures on the creek several degrees cooler than
any where else around. Wet wading in the creek has been the ticket
to beating the heat. The hot flies have been sowbugs and San
Juan worms.
