White River

(Updated 10-30-2013) Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said two to four generators are running continuously. The trout are biting well on Power Bait and shrimp. There was some very good boat fishing last weekend with a lot of anglers opting for lures instead of live bait. Rooster Tails, Buoyant Spoons, Colorado Spoons and Blue Fox spinners all worked very well. Fly-fishermen have had some good success fishing on the bottom with Copper Johns, and a few are still catching trout on hopper patterns.

(Updated 10-30-2013) Berry Brothers Guide Service (870-453-2424) said with all lakes in the White River system below power pool and the temperatures moderating, anglers should see more wadable water, in the coming weeks. The catch-and-release section below Bull Shoals Dam will close Nov. 1, 2013 to Jan. 31, 2014, to accommodate the brown trout spawn. The State Park area will be seasonal catch-and-release for the same period. All brown trout must be immediately released. Night fishing also is prohibited in this area during this period. The hot spot has been the section from White Hole down to Cotter. 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 bead headed pheasant tail suspended eighteen inches below a brightly colored San Juan worm (hot fluorescent pink or cerise). Some anglers have had success fishing large articulated streamers during heavy flows on heavy, sink-tip lines (250 grain or heavier).

Buffalo River

(Updated 10-30-2013) Berry Brothers Guide Service said the water is 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 10-30-2013) Berry Brothers Guide Service said the water is 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

(Updated 10-30-2013) As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 657.55 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 654 msl).