From Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

White River

Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said 2 to 4 generators are running. Trout fishing is excellent on trout worms, shrimp, Little Cleos and Rooster Tails. Fly-fishermen are doing well on black/red zebra midges, woolly buggers and green caddis.

Randy Oliver at www.randyoliverguide.com (901-832-1903) said trout are biting well on yellow Power Bait fished off the bottom in the deeper part of the river over rock flats.

Guide Davy Wotton said temperatures are dropping. The Bull Shoals Dam Zone is now closed to fishing for the spawn, and the area below the dam zone to the State Park now is catch-and-release only. Most brown trout are in spawning zones, digging redds and spawning. Please leave these fish alone so they can have a successful spawn for the health of the fishery. The best options during lower water flows are midge patterns in sizes 14 to 20 if fish are seen feeding on the surface. White-tail, prism, shimmer and zebra midges are the go-to flies. Sow bugs and scuds in gray, gray/olive and orange have produced during overcast conditions. Afternoons have been good for fishing both soft hackles in the riffle zones and small streamers in deeper water. When drift fishing moderate generations, combinations of midge, prism and San Juan worms have been very good, if fishing colored water and when overhead light is diminished then you may need to add hi-vis flies such as eggs and worms.

Jim Brentlinger at Linger’s Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said water levels continue to be steady and somewhat lower than usual. Fishing has been steady as well. Fish your favorite stretches of the river but pay special attention to any places that offer faster water, shoals and quick runs. Fly-fishing these spots with woolly buggers in Olive or olive/black is working well. White River Zig Jigs are working for spin-fishermen.

Buffalo River

Just Fishing Guides said all sections of the river are very low, and no floating opportunities are available in the upper ¾ of the river. Wade fishing is good if you don’t mind walking. Fish are biting well on Clouser minnows and crawdad patterns. Spin fishermen are using soft plastics and crankbaits in brown and green shades. (Last updated 10/27/2010)

Crooked Creek

Just Fishing Guides said the water is low and floating is difficult. Wade fishing at public access points is very good. Smallmouth are excellent on Clouser minnows, Shenk’s white streamers, crazy dads and sneaky Petes. Spin fishermen are catching plenty of smallmouth on tubes, brush hogs and lizards in watermelon, green pumpkin and black. Smallmouth are also being caught on small jerkbaits and crankbaits. (Last updated 10/27/2010)

Bull Shoals Lake

As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 651.58 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool – 654 MSL).

Mike Worley’s Guide Service said black bass are biting spinnerbaits and crankbaits on windy banks halfway back in the creek arms. Walleyes are biting in areas with shad, some days on the main channel points and other days back in the creek arms. Trolling crankbaits on leadcore line in 36-42 feet of water is catching some nice fish of all species. Jigging spoons are working well in 30-60 feet of water, catching a mixed bag of fish. Catfish are biting well on bluff ends and in coves. Crappie are biting jigs worked though standing timber along bluffs about 10 feet deep. (Last updated 10/27/2010)

Bull Shoals Tailwater

Ken Richards at Just Fishing Guides said generation is around the clock with 1-2 units. Some wade fishing is available in certain areas, but drift fishing is a better option. The trophy area below the dam is closed. A variety of tactics are working, including nymphing, swinging soft hackles and stripping streamers. Brown trout are in various stages of spawning, so be on the lookout for redds and don’t wade through them. Suggested patterns include: humpback scud, BH simple sow, pheasant tail, copper john, BH caddis, partridge/yellow, partridge/orange, partridge/peacock, San Juan worm, zebra midge, woolly bugger, zoo cougar, KC’s barred sculpin, sparrow and .56er.