From Arkansas Game and Fish Commisssion

White River

Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said the water is clear and high with three to six generators running continuously. Weeds have been washed away. Beware of underwater trees and rocks. Brown trout are excellent on Rogues, Rapalas and jigs. Rainbow trout are excellent on spinnerbaits, jigging spoons and drift-rigs. There are a few bass in the river from the spillway being open. Walleye are good near the dam late in the evening.

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 generation has increased, slowing down the fishing. Rapalas in black, gold and white and spring perch patterns in green, orange and yellow work well.

Buffalo River

Just Fishing Guides said bottom-bouncing tubes, lizards and Brush Hawgs in watermelon and green pumpkin colors is working well for smallmouth. 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 10.68 feet and flow is 56 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, Zonkers in white and olive, Near Nuff Sculpins and Meat Whistles in olive and Shenks Streamer in white are all working well. Try Pop-R’s and slider worms 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 690.60 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool – 654 MSL).

Mike Worley’s Guide Service said the lake is slowly falling; boats can be launched from the flooded roads. Walleye and bass are good on jigs, crankbaits and crawler rigs near points in 15 to 25 feet of water. Trolling 30 to 45 deep and fishing jigging spoons under schools of shad also are working well.

Bull Shoals Tailwater

Just Fishing Guides said the water level is 690.9 feet with continuous generation at night. Flow averages 12,000 cubic feet per second. Drift fishing is very good with egg and worm patterns. Cicada patterns work well on the lower river below Rim Shoals. Some sulphur mayflies are producing.