White River

(Updated 10-15-2013) Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said the water is clear and low with only one or two generators running. Trout are biting very well. Rainbow trout are biting on drift-rigged Power Bait and worms. Fishing for large brown trout is fair in spinners and small crankbaits.

(Updated 10-15-2013) Berry Brothers Guide Service (870-453-2424) said rain, cool temperatures and moderate winds have been the norm on the White River lately. There has been low levels of generation in the morning and heavier generation in the afternoon, with only one limited period of wadable water in the last few days. The hot spot has been White Hole. The best time to fish is early morning or late in the afternoon. The hot flies were Y2Ks, 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 eighteen inches below a brightly colored San Juan worm (hot fluorescent pink or cerise).

Buffalo River

(Updated 10-15-2013) Berry Brothers Guide Service said due to the federal government shutdown, all federal accesses on the Buffalo National River are closed. Accesses on Crooked Creek are state operated and open. Both streams are extremely low. The smallmouth are still 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

(Updated 10-15-2013) Berry Brothers Guide Service said due to the federal government shutdown, all federal accesses on the Buffalo National River are closed. Accesses on Crooked Creek are state operated and open. Both streams are extremely low. The smallmouth are still 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

As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 658.03 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 654 msl).

(Updated 10-8-2013) Mike Worley Guide Service said the surface water temperature is 76-80 degrees. Bass are biting on topwater baits early in the morning near shoreline brush and throughout the day in the middle of coves as they push shad to the surface. Most bass caught have been smaller spotted and smallmouth bass. Jigging spoons are catching largemouth bass, walleyes and larger spotted and smallmouth bass 30-50 feet deep under shad schools. Walleye are biting on crawler rigs trolled on bottom bouncers about 35 feet deep. Split-shotting nightcrawlers or crawfish on steep rocky points and around brush piles is catching a variety of fish. Drop-shot rigs also are working in these locations. Casting football jigs or crankbaits near the shore line brush and trolling shad-imitating lures also are working. Overall the lake bite has been slow but should improve with cooling water temperatures.