Story Published:
Aug 7, 2008 at 4:00 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Aug 7, 2008 at 4:00 PM CDT
Fishing Tip: Try pitching egg patterns to
trout throughout the year when the fishing gets slow. They're not the most
glamorous fly, but produce results on hatchery-raised fish, who must take an
"eat now, taste later" attitude in order to thrive in the competition
of a concrete run.
White River Levels are available at http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lmrfc/forecast/tributaries/status_white.shtml
Statewide Family and Community Fishing Report: Channel
catfish have been stocked in all program ponds and are biting well on worms,
liver, hot dogs, bait shrimp and paste baits. Channel catfish are being caught
with more success in early mornings and late evenings because of warmer weather.
Bream are still biting well on crickets, wax worms and redworms in shallow water
and near brushy cover. For more information on catfish stockings, call toll-free
1-866-540-FISH (3474).
White River: Sportsman’s White River Resort said water
conditions are normal with four generators running. Trout fishing is excellent
on spinnerbaits. Fly fishermen are doing well on egg patters, black or green
woolly buggers and 3-inch Power Worms.
John
Berry of Berry Brothers Guides said fishing has been excellent. The
perpetual hot spot has been the catch-and-release section at Bull Shoals Dam and
the adjacent state park. The better fishing is in the morning when the flows are
a bit lower. Most fish are caught on midge or worm patterns fished under an
indicator with a lot of weight to get it 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
sow bugs. The section from Wildcat Shoals to Cotter is still hot. This section
has received a bit more pressure. Trout have been taken on a variety of flies
including scuds, sowbugs and trout crack. Traditional high-water flies like San
Juan worms and egg patterns are also effective. Streamer fishing has been
particularly good. Try woolly buggers, sculpin patterns and kiwi muddlers on a
sink tip or full sinking line for the bigger fish.
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 686.73 feet MSL.
Lake Norfork: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 571.35 feet MSL.
101
Grocery and Bait said fishing has been fair. The early morning has been
the best time of day to be fishing. Top-water fishing is still good until
about 8 a.m. After that, you will need to fish deep. Bluegill fishing is very
good using worms and crickets fished around 20-30 feet deep. Striper fishing has
been fair. A few are being caught on small live bait. Mid-lake and toward the
dam have been the better areas to fish for stripers. They are hanging in 40 feet
of water and deeper. Walleye fishing has slowed, but a few are being
caught on live bait. Try fishing around the thermocline (18-25 feet deep).
Largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing are fair. The bass are still being
caught around the trees and along the bluffs. Crappie fishing is slow. White
bass fishing is fair. White in-line spinners are still the choice lure. Catfish
are still hitting live bait on limb lines.
Cranfield Junction Bait and Tackle (870-492-5141) said the water is clear and
high. Bream are biting well on crickets. Bass are fair on soft-plastic worms.
Norfork Tailwater:John
Berry of Berry Brothers Guides said the Norfork is receiving quite a bit of
pressure from boat traffic. If you go, use conventional high-water techniques.
The flies of choice will be San Juan worms in bright colors and various midge
patterns. The boat ramp at Quarry Park is open. Dry Run Creek is still producing
some really big fish for youngsters. The hot fly this week has been a sowbug in
size 14. Concentrate on fast deep water and use at least 4X tippets preferably
fluorocarbon which has greater abrasion resistance.
Beaver Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
reports the lake’s elevation at 1,127.55 feet MSL.
JT’s
Crappie Guide Service (479-640-3980) said bass are biting fairly well on
finesse rigs fished off main lake points and humps. Jighead worms in
Watermelonseed and green pumpkin are good choices. Some topwater fish have been
caught early and late. Crappie are slow, but a few have been caught off shaded
docks in 25 to 35 feet of water just off the bottom on minnows. Stripers have
been caught near the dam on umbrella rigs trolled 40 feet deep. White bass are
few and far between, but can be found schooling early in main lake bays and
flats. Catfish have been caught from the banks on worms and liver. Bluegill have
moved under the docks and can be caught on crickets fished 2 to 6 feet deep.
Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water is clear and high with
a surface temperature in the high 80s. Bream are biting well on worms and
crickets. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. A few bass have been caught on
crankbaits, topwater lures and small spoons. Catfishing is good on goldfish.