White River

Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said the water is clear and low. Light tackle such as Little Cleo’s and Rooster Tails are working well in lower water. For higher water, use Rogues and Rapalas.

Guide Davy Wotton said flood gates at Bull Shoals Dam are closed. River flow has almost returned to normal with some periods of no generation and up to six gates open. Norfork is running about 3000 cubic feet per second. Sulphurs and PMDs are hatching so expect to see surface feeding. PMD soft hackles and dries or PTNs and sulphur nymphs are a good bet for dead drift techniques. The Cicada bite has been good also working imitations close to shorelines and structures. Streamer fishing during higher flow has been productive early in the morning and late in the evening. Combinations of GRHE, PTNs, White tail and Prism midges in black and red, sowbugs in gray and tan and scuds in olive and orange work best for low and medium flow rates. San Juan Worms, Dynamite and Prism worms and eggs may also be fished in combination with a two-fly worm rig for higher flow.

Jim Brentlinger at Linger’s Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said the spillway gates are all closed with little generation. The fishing has been outstanding with 100- to150-fish days possible. Zig Jigs in Mustard and Ginger colors and #7 or #9 Rapalas in black, gold and white work well.

Buffalo River

Just Fishing Guides said bottom-bouncing tubes, lizards and Brush Hawgs in watermelon and green pumpkin colors work well. Fly fishermen should try Crazy Dads, Near Nuff Crawdad, Near Nuff Sculpin, Clouser Minnow and Shenks White Streamer on both floating and sink-tip lines.

Crooked Creek

Just Fishing Guides said Kelly’s Access is at 11.02 feet and flow is 72 cubic feet per second. This is a little low for good floating. Minnow patterns are best for fly fishermen. Clousers (standard and fur strip) in olive and tan colors, Near Nuff Sculpins and Meat Whistles in olive and Shenks Streamer in white are all working well. Try Pop-R’s and sliders in chartreuse, white, black and frog colors, also. Spin fisherman are doing well with soft plastic worms, jerkbaits and topwater lures.

Bull Shoals Lake

As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 691.65 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool – 654 MSL).

Bull Shoals Tailwater

Just Fishing Guides said the water level is 691.68 feet, with some periods of no generation at night. Wade-fishing downstream using sulphur mayfly patterns during the middle of the day work well. Cicada patterns having been producing fish downstream from Rim Shoals to the mouth of Crooked Creek. Drift-fishing with high-water nymphing tactics and streamers fished with a fast sink-tip or full sinking line are producing also.