White River Fishing Report

Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said the water level has been nice and the water is cool. The generators aren’t running constantly, which is offering excellent wading conditions. Trout are biting excellently on a variety of bait, including sculpin and shrimp. In the current, Power Bait and pink trout worms seem to be the baits of coice. Brown trout are biting well on Rogues and Rapalas. Fly-fishing has been very good on zebra midges, copper Johns and grasshopper patterns. .

Berry Brothers Guide Service (870-453-2424) said rain has raised all of the lakes in the White River system to a level above power pool. All are now in flood pool. As a result, there likely will be more generation and less wadable water in the coming weeks. On the White, the hot spot has been Rim Shoals. 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 bead headed nymph (zebra midge, copper John or pheasant tail) suspended eighteen inches below a brightly colored San Juan worm (hot fluorescent pink or cerise). On the higher flows some anglers have had success on large streamers with heavy sink tip lines. The hot flies have been large articulated streamers in various colors. Hopper season is in full swing. These are tempting morsels for large trout. You need a stiff 6-weight rod and a 7 ½-foot 4X leader. My favorite hopper patterns are the western style foam hoppers with rubber legs and a bright quick sight patch on the back. Dave’s hoppers are also a good choice but be sure to dress them with plenty of fly 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 Fishing Report

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. They are prone to flooding during and following any rain event. The water can rise very quickly.

Crooked Creek Fishing Report

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. They are prone to flooding during and following any rain event. The water can rise very quickly.

Bull Shoals Lake Fishing Report

As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 668.05 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 654 msl).