White River

Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said the water is clear and levels are up and down. In the morning, up to two units have been running but in the afternoon, six units have been running and water really gets rolling. Fishing has been good for browns using jigs and stick baits. Rainbow fishing has been excellent using drift rigs and spoons. There was a report of a lady catching over 100 rainbows in one day using shrimp.

Berry Brothers Guide Service (870-453-2424) said we have had significant wadable water and the hot spot has been Rim Shoals. The best time to fish is early morning or late in the afternoon; midday can be slow. 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 also been very effective. Try a small bead headed nymph (zebra midge, copper John or pheasant tail) suspended 18 inches below a brightly colored San Juan worm (hot fluorescent pink or cerise).

Buffalo River

Berry Brothers Guide Service said 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 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 664.99 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 654 msl).

Mike Worley’s Guide Service said the water temperature is in the lower 80s. Walleye fishing has been good this past week on crawler rigs in 15-30 feet trolled on bottom bouncers or Carolina-rigs. Topwater lures are catching bass in the early morning, late afternoon and during cloudy, rainy days. Soft plastics like tubes, craws and worms fished near the brush or old shore line are catching lots of bass. Crankbaits in shad or crawfish colors are working well casting or trolling on windy overcast days for bass and walleye.