White River

Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said generators have been running heavy in the afternoon but are steady at one in the morning. Spin fishermen have had success with pink Power Worms. Fly fishermen have caught fish on zebra midges, copper Johns, grasshoppers, spoons, Rogues and Rapalas.

Berry Brothers Guide Service (870-453-2424) said the hot spot has been the state park. The best time to fish is early morning or late in the afternoon. The hot flies were prince nymphs, zebra midges (black with silver wire and silver bead or red with silver wire and silver bead), pheasant tails, copper Johns, pink and cerise San Juan worms, gold ribbed hare’s ears and sowbugs. Double fly nymph rigs have been very effective. Try a small beadheaded nymph (zebra midge, copper John or pheasant tail) suspended 18 inches below a brightly colored San Juan worm (hot fluorescent pink or cerise). Hopper season has begun. These are tempting morsels for large trout. You need a stiff 6-weight rod and a stout 7½-foot 4X leader. My favorite hopper patterns are the western style foam hoppers with rubber legs and a bright sight patch on the back. Dave’s hoppers are also a good choice but be sure to dress them with plenty of floatant to ensure that they ride high. A small nymph dropper can increase your takes. It is not uncommon to take more trout on the dropper. My favorite dropper flies are beadhead pheasant tails or zebra midges.

Buffalo River

Berry Brothers Guide Service said Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are navigable and both are receiving a lot of pressure. With summer here, the smallmouths are active. The most effective fly has been a tan and brown 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.

Crooked Creek

Berry Brothers Guide Service said Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are navigable and both are receiving a lot of pressure. With summer here, the smallmouths are active. The most effective fly has been a tan and brown 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.

Bull Shoals Lake

As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 660.09 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 654 msl).

Mike Worley’s Guide Service said the lake level is at 659.7 feet with water temperatures ranging 83-85 degrees. Walleye are biting crawler rigs in 25 to 35 feet of water and also trolling crankbaits on lead core line. Crawfish-type soft plastics like jigs and tube baits and live crayfish fished on points, drop offs and brush piles are catching spotted and smallmouth bass. Topwater lures are working well early in the mornings and evenings. Bass are biting at night on plastic worms and jigs in 10-30 feet of water.