AGFC North Arkansas Fishing Reports
From the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission
www.agfc.com
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Cotter Trout Dock (870435-6525) says, “The White River below Bull Shoals Dam in the northernmost area of central Arkansas is Trout Fishing Heaven. The pattern we have seen developing for water releases from the dam, if there is such a thing as a pattern, is a full three units (12,000plus cfs) during the early morning hours. The water level remains fairly steady throughout the morning, then after the noon hour the water begins a gradual rise as an additional three generators are released, usually stepped up slowly.
Big water means big trout. Have you seen the rainbows that are being caught?! This past week we’ve awarded six catchand- release pins for rainbows over 19 inches. There are more in the 17- to 19-inch range. Sometimes they demand a minnow before they’ll let you catch sight of them, but more often than not, they take a bite of a bubblegum pink worm with a little shrimp added to the end of the hook. Throw out a Blue Fox spinner (grab a quarter- ounce or better) and the odds are good you’ll get to work that reel.
We’re still getting glimpses of the golden rainbow trout that were stocked a few weeks back. The ones that we’re seeing have obviously developed some survival skills, so you’ll have to try a few tricks to bring them in. If purple doesn’t work (as was suggested last week) give them a chance at a bronze Colorado spoon, one-sixth ounce; their curiosity may be your good fortune.
If you are new to fly-fishing, we’ve found the San Juan worm is a good way to catch your first trout on a fly given the high water we’re experiencing. Wading may be out for now, but fishing never is, so join us on the river and catch the fun.
• Updated 8-14-2019 —
Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said the river is high, and the Army Corps of Engineers is running water with six or seven generators running round-the-clock. The fish like it, though. Fishing was great over the weekend, they report. Lots of rainbows were caught on river rigs with pink Power Worms. Also, lots of nice browns were brought in on stick bait bigger browns than ever before, they say.
People fishing with guides are doing a lot better than those without, is the report. The trout bite rates excellent.
• Updated 8-14-2019 —
John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service in Cotter (870-435-2169) said Sunday that during the previous week they had about an inch and a half or rain, hot temperatures and moderate winds. The lake level at Bull Shoals dropped 2 feet to rest at 20.6 feet above seasonal power pool of 661 feet msl. This is 13.4 feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock remained steady at seasonal power pool and 14 feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell 0.2 foot to rest at 5.6 feet above seasonal power pool and 3 feet below the top of flood pool. The White had heavy generation with no wadable water. Norfork Lake fell 1.3 feet to rest at 11.6 feet above seasonal power pool of 555.75 feet msl and 12.6 feet below the top of flood pool. The Norfork had heavy generation in the afternoon and very limited wadable water in the morning.
Seasonal power pool has been reset for the lakes in the White River system.
Most of the lakes in the White River System are well over the top of power pool. Expect heavy generation for the foreseeable future.
Hopper season is in full swing. Use a short (7 foot) leader to turn over the big fly. Cast near the bank and hang on. The takes can be vicious. John says he prefers large western foam hoppers so that he does not need to dress them. Add a dropper nymph to increase your catch.
The White has fished very well. The hot spot has been Rim Shoals. The hot flies were olive Woolly Buggers (sizes 8, 10), Y2Ks (sizes 14, 12), prince nymphs (size 14), zebra midges (black with silver wire and silver bead or red with silver wire and silver bead sizes 16, 18), pheasant tails (size 14), ruby midges (size 18), root beer midges (size 18), pink and cerise San Juan worms (size 10), and sowbugs (size 16). Double- fly nymph rigs have been very effective (John’s current favorite combination is a cerise San Juan worm with an egg pattern suspended below it. Use long leaders and plenty of lead to get your flies down).
Buffalo National River/ Crooked Creek
• Updated 8-14-2019
— John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service in Cotter (870-435-2169) said the Buffalo National River and Crooked Creek are low and clear. The smallmouths are more active with the warm conditions.
John’s favorite fly is a Clouser minnow. Carefully check the water level before entering Crooked Creek or the Buffalo River.
There are no dams on these streams. They both have large drainages and are prone to flooding during and following any rain event. The water can rise very quickly.
