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

June 24, 2009

White River: John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Service said the pattern on the White was for around-the-clock generation of moderate flows with a few significant periods of no generation. This created some excellent conditions for drift fishing and some limited but excellent wading. The catch-and-release section below Bull Shoals Dam has been fishing extremely well. Anglers reported success on midge larva patterns. The most effective were zebra midges in black or red with silver wire and silver beads (sizes 14-16). Other hot patterns have been pheasant tails and egg patterns. During the recent periods of no generation, anglers have done very well on partridge and orange soft hackles and green butts. There have been some decent midge hatches. The best fly for the midge hatches have been Dan’s turkey tail emerger. Wildcat Shoals has fished extremely well. There have been some prolific sulphur hatches in the late afternoon. Though there has been some limited dry fly fishing, the most productive technique has been to swing soft hackles when the trout are keying in on the emerging sulphurs. The most productive flies for this situation have been partridge and orange and pheasant tail soft hackles. Rim Shoals has fished well. The sulphur hatch is still coming off on most days, but is diminished. The trout have not keyed in on the adults, but have been very active on the emergers. The best fly for this situation has been the partridge and orange soft hackle. The most productive way to fish the hatch however has been to fish copper John nymphs before during and after the hatches.

Mountain River Fly Shop said moderate flows on the White were broken up Wednesday with low water. Those lucky enough to be on the water caught them. Relatively low flows in the mornings have opened up some wading throughout the system. Black and silver zebras, Clint’s black tungsten midge, and Davy Wotton’s super midges and white tails have been doing very well. In bright conditions, add the rainbow warrior and blue poison tung. In overcast conditions, add black and copper, or copper brown midges. Sowbugs have been very good. Davy’s Sows in size 16 and 18, Clint’s Sowbug, Tailwater Sowbugs and McLellan’s Woven V-Rib Sowbug all have been popular. Dry flies have been hot on low water. The fish are surface-oriented in these flows and while there are plenty of sulphurs coming off, patterns seem less important than getting the fly in front of a feeding fish. Elk hair caddis, hi-vis ants and parachute Adams have been doing as well.

Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said fishing has been great with 2 to 4 generators running around the clock. Fly-fishermen are using woolly buggers, San Juan worms and copper johns. The boat fishermen are boing very well with silver and gold Lil’ Cleos. Thomas Spoons in red/gold and rainbow colors are working as well.

White River (From Buffalo Shoals to Norfork): Jim Brentlinger at Linger's Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said Rim Shoals has been fishing extremely well. Hot pink San Juan worms fished on a fly rod or on light spinning tackle under indicators have worked well. One-eighth ounce Zig Jigs on spinning tackle has been working as well. Shipps Ferry all the way to Reds has been producing fish on Zig Jigs and Power Baits. The area from Cartney to Matney is producing quite a few smallmouth on tubes and spinnerbaits throwing to the bank.

Crooked Creek: John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service said Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are starting to clear. With lower flows the bass fishing should start picking up. Try Clouser minnows and crawfish patterns and concentrate on structure like rock shelves and fallen trees.

Bull Shoals Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 669.78 feet MSL.

Bob Pauletti (870-656-3350) with Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock said bass fishing has been good. Spoons, cast up to the bank and worked back to the 25-foot range has been the best technique. The top-water bite is also good early and late in the day. A jig-and-pig, hula jig or a grub on a ¼-oz. jighead will work well on smallmouth. Night fishing has really picked up, with crankbaits, spinnerbaits and jigs the most effective.

Lake Norfork: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 562.76 feet MSL.

101 Grocery and Bait said the water temperature is in the mid- to upper 80s. Bluegill fishing is good using crickets, worms and small minnows. Crappie fishing has been fair fishing around 20-30 deep. Minnows have been the bait of choice for the crappie. Catfishing has been fair. Walleye fishing has been fair 20-25 feet deep on night crawlers. Bass fishing has been fair. White bass fishing has been fair. Striper fishing has been slow. Stripers are still being caught in the upper part of the lake north of Bidwell Point.

Norfork Tailwater: John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Service said generation has been very limited, which has created some excellent wading. The overall quality of fishing on the Norfork Tailwater remains poor. If you want to avoid the crowds, fish very early. The most productive flies have been small black zebra midges, Norfork beadheads and red micro San Juan worms. On higher water fish brightly colored San Juan worms and egg patterns. Dry Run Creek is fishing well. School is out and there is more pressure on the creek as families begin to take vacations. The hot fly is the sowbug. Always use heavy tippet (at least 4X) and carry the biggest net you can lay your hands on.

Mountain River Fly Shop said the Norfork continues to offer plenty of wading and some great fishing. Norfork has been fishing well with zebra midges and sowbugs, and swung soft hackles. But don’t leave home without some dry flies. Parachute Adams is the obvious, but some parachute midges, Morgan’s midge, hi-vis ants and sprouts also are worth carrying.

Jim Brentlinger at Linger's Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said fishing is slow, and the fish being caught are small.