From Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

White River

Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said the water is high, with eight generators running during the day. The water clarity is stained, but trout fishing remains good. Rainbow trout are being caught drifting Power Eggs, Power Bait and trout worms. Some are being caught on small spinners cast to the edges of current. Brown trout are biting fairly well on Rapalas, Rogues and jigs.

Randy Oliver at www.randyoliverguide.com (901-832-1903) said drift fishing with yellow Power Bait and redworms along the bottom before 11 a.m. has worked well for trout lately.

Guide Davy Wotton said there’s been some welcome rain the last week. Fishing is as good as you can get with many trophy browns and rainbows being caught daily. Overall fishing pressure has been moderate. The constant high water has kept the river clean and clear, making it necessary to fish with small, very realistic flies. Sowbugs, white tail and prism midges, scuds, worms, hares ear, and many other nymph-type flies are doing very well. Streamer fishing may be productive during low light. There are a lot of hoppers and crickets around this year, so be prepared for some excellent dry fly action soon. The best time to try hopper imitations will be on windy days near brushy shorelines and grassy banks.

Jim Brentlinger at Linger’s Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said fish continue to bite very well from Rim Shoals down through Shipps Ferry. As you come down the river to Norfork and Reds the fishing slows considerably. You can still drag Power Baits and catch your limit but the artificial bite slows considerably. Additional generators hit different areas at different times of day, but when that initially happens the bite slows to a snail’s pace. Between the new water and above 100 degree days it’s best to go fishing early and quit before noon.

Buffalo River

Just Fishing Guides said the water levels are: Ponca – 1.34 feet and 3.9 cfs; Pruitt – 3.20 feet and 7.3 cfs; Tyler Bend – 3.47 feet and 40 cfs; Buffalo Point – 2.27 feet and 82 cfs. The entire river is very low and wading or dragging a canoe is the only way to fish. Water temperatures are hitting 90 degrees in the heat of the day. Smaller fish have been the rule. The river flows are very low and care should be taken to not spook fish. Spin fisherman are doing fair bottom bouncing tubes, lizards and brush hawgs in watermelon and green pumpkin. For fly fisherman, 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 the gauge at Kelley’s Slab is reading 9.50 ft. and 4.3 cfs. This is very low water and poor floating conditions. Wade fishing is good for fly fishers using Clousers, Near Nuff Sculpins, Zonkers, Sneaky Petes and size 4-6 hopper patterns. Spin fisherman are doing fair using tubes, lizards and baby brush hawgs in watermelon and green pumpkin. Crawdad crankbaits and Tiny Torpedoes are also working well. Try fishing away from the heat of the day. Best bets are early morning and early evening just before dark.

Bull Shoals Lake

As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 679.39 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool – 654 MSL).

Bull Shoals Tailwater

Just Fishing Guides said water releases are I-2 units of generation overnight, then ramping up to 19,000 cfs by noon. Drift fishing is very good now. Nymphing, terrestrials and streamers should all be used. San Juan worms, eggs, scuds, sow bugs, BH Pheasant Tails, Copper Johns, Hare n’ Copper, hoppers, ants, beetles, Zoo Cougars, Woolly Buggers and large articulated streamers are suggested patterns to use.