White River Fishing Report

Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said the water is clear and low with only two generators running. Trout are biting excellently on Power Bait. Blue Fox spinners are working well for the brown trout.

Berry Brothers Guide Service (870-453-2424) said the water level for the top of power pool has been reset higher for all of the lakes in the White River system. With all of the lakes in the White River system below power pool and the temperatures moderating, I predict that we will receive more wadable water, in the coming weeks. On the White, the hot spot has been Wildcat Shoals. 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 nymph (zebra midge, copper John or pheasant tail) suspended eighteen inches below a brightly colored San Juan worm (hot fluorescent pink or cerise). Some anglers have been fishing large streamers on the heavy flows we have been getting later in the day and having success. This requires heavy sink tip lines (250 grain or heavier), heavy rods (eight weights or better) and advanced casting skills. The hot flies have been large articulated streamers in various colors. Hopper season is in full swing. These are tempting morsels for large trout. 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 low and gin clear. You will have to drag your boat in spots. Both are receiving a lot of pressure. With summer coming to an end, 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 Fishing Report

Berry Brothers Guide Service said Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are low and gin clear. You will have to drag your boat in spots. Both are receiving a lot of pressure. With summer coming to an end, 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 Fishing Report

As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 658.95 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 654 msl).
Mike Worley’s 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.