April - June of 2007
June 28, 2007 - Courtesty of Missouri Department
of Conservation - Trout Parks
Bennett Spring State Park:
57 degrees, normal, dingy; fishing
is good; successful lures are: Marabou jigs (ginger), mini-jigs
(John Deere, Brown Roach); glo balls (any 3 color combo); dry
flies: #18 griffiths gnat; other successful flies are; red Brassies
and Kapok; zone 3: orange and yellow Power Baits; fishing hours
for June: 6:30 AM - 8:30 PM. (Report made on 6/28/2007)
Maramec Spring Park:
58 degrees, clear; fishing is
good; try using scented Doughbaits, white plastic worms; yellow
or orange Marabou jigs; if fish quit biting, experiment with
colors and use lighter line for a leader; fishing hours: 6:30
AM - 8:30 PM. (Report made on 6/27/2007)
Montauk State Park:
59 degrees, normal, clear; fishing
is good; 2lb test or lighter line is recommended; natural and
artificial bait area: prepared and garlic scented Doughbaits,red
and white Power Baits are producing good numbers; flies only
area: Rooster Tails in dark colors are good choices early in
the morning, midges, cracklebacks, and brassies are good choices,
Marabou jigs in blk/yellow, white, brown, and green/yellow are
good choices throughout the day; fishing hours: Month of June,
6:30 AM - 8:30 PM. (Report made on 6/28/2007)
Roaring River State Park:
58 degrees, falling, clear;
water flow is about the same as last week; water is still clear
so 2-4 lb. test line is recommended; trout are striking on Marabou
jigs (1/32 and 1/16 oz); brown plastic power eggs are recommended;
plastic worms in cheese yellow, white, orange, and chartreuse
are working well; Rooster Tails in black, skunk, brown, and olive
are also good; check locally to see what flies work best; for
more information on current fishing conditions call 417-847-2430.
(Report made on 6/27/2007)
June 27, 2007 - Courtesty of Arkansas Game and
Fish Commission
White River Levels: According
to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as of Wednesday the White
River stages are:
6.16 feet at Georgetown (flood
stage 21 feet)
17.26 feet at Augusta (flood stage 26 feet)
4.49 feet at Newport (flood stage 26 feet)
7.92 feet at Batesville (flood stage 15 feet)
4.52 feet at Calico Rock (flood stage 19 feet
Statewide Family and Community Fishing Report: Catfish are biting
on chicken liver, shrimp and minnows in deeper water or around
weed edges. Fishing has been best late in the day or right after
dark. Bream fishing has been good on crickets, worms and panfish
flies. For more information on catfish stockings, call toll-free
1-866-540-FISH (3474).
CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Little Red River: Lindsey's
Resort (501-302-3139) said the water is clear and low with minimal
generation. Trout are biting well on wax worms with marshmallows,
Power Bait, corn and nightcrawlers.
Jed Hollan at the Little Red
Fly Shop said the Greers Ferry Powerhouse continues to release
small qualities if water on a daily basis. Most days the generation
is less than one full generator starting mid-afternoon and lasting
for 1 to 3 hours. Last Sunday's rain muddied the water in areas
below Canoe Creek, Sulphur Creek and Big Creek. Aquatic insect
hatches are continuing with sulphurs, midges and pale morning
duns leading the way. There are a few blue-winged olives being
seen, but not in great numbers. Right now, the dry flies that
are working include Adams (size 16), PMD (sizes 16 through 18,
olive), midges (sizes 16 through 22, black or cream) and sulphurs
(sizes 16 through 18, yellow). Sub-surface flies attracting trout
are sow bugs (sizes 14 through 16, tan or light gray), flashback
pheasant tails (size 16), zebra midges (sizes 16 through 22,
red, olive or black), prince nymphs (sizes 14 through 16), San
Juan worms (size 18), copper johns (sizes 14 through 16, red
or chartreuse) and woolly buggers (sizes 8 through 12, brown
or olive).
NORTH ARKANSAS
White River: Gaston's White
River Resort said one to three generators have been running around
the clock, and fishing has been good. Fishing has been good on
live redworms or yellow power eggs. Artificial lures that have
been successful have been 14 oz. or 1/8 oz. Gold Cleo Spoons
and Countdown Rapalas in number 7 Gold or Silver. Fly fishing
has been good with red San Juan worms, olive green Woolley buggers,
64 oz. pink jigs and 16 oz. olive jigs
Anglers White River Resort (870-585-2226)
said the water is clear and dropping with no generators running.
Trout are biting well on chartreuse and hot pink Power Bait.
Bull Shoals Tailwater: McLellan's
Fly Shop said over the last week, water releases have been pretty
heavy from the Bull Shoals Dam, producing very good high-water
fly-fishing. Sulfurs are hatching on the lower river, so during
low-water conditions, be sure to have plenty of mayfly patterns
to imitate the nymphs, the emergers and the dry fly stages of
the hatch. Patterns like the Mighty May, the Batwing Emerger,
and the Spundun are working well. Fishing from a boat using sinking
lines, cast to fishy-looking structure as you drift downstream
and use an erratic retrieve to swim your fly across the current.
Lake Norfork : As of Tuesday,
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation
at 554.67 feet MSL.
Norfork Tailwater: Gene's Trout
Dock (870-499-5381) said the water is clear and there is one
generator running around four in the afternoon. Fly and bait
fishing have been good. A few browns have been caught on zebra
midges and olive-colored woolly buggers. Working the banks and
submerged tree stumps with Number 5 Rapala Count Downs is working
well. Using corn or half a nightcrawler and a white or chartreuse
Power Eggs also is catching fish.
McLellan's Fly Shop said water
releases have been very light, with one to two units usually
coming on line sometime during mid- to late afternoon. The sulfurs
and crane flies are still hatching, producing some excellent
dry-fly fishing from mid morning to early afternoon. During the
early morning hours, nymph fishing with classic mayfly nymph
patterns like the hare's ear and pheasant tail nymph has been
productive; however, more realistic patterns like the mighty
may and micro mayfly have been producing even more hook-ups.
Once adult mayflies (and crane flies) are evident on the surface,
definitely switch to adult patterns for some spectacular dry-fly
fishing.
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
Beaver Tailwater: McLellan's
Fly Shop said there has been little generation this week. However,
TableRockLake is backing up into Beaver Tailwater, producing
deeper water conditions with little or no flow. Midge patterns
are always important. Griffith's Gnats and other midge dry fly
patterns have been hooking plenty of trout as well.
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
Spring River : Many Islands
Camp (870-856-3451) said the water is clear and at a normal level.
Trout are biting well on Power Bait and corn. Walleye are biting
well on minnows. Bass are biting well on plugs.
June 21, 2007 - Courtesty
of Missouri Department of Conservation - Trout Parks
Bennett Spring State Park:
57 degrees, normal, dingy; fishing
is good; successful lures are: Marabou jigs (black/yellow w/gold
head), mini-jigs (John Deere, Brown Roach); glo balls (original
peach); dry flies: #22 Cream Midge and olive or blue Crackleback;
other successful flies are; red Brassies and Kapok; zone 3: orange
Power Baits; fishing hours for June: 6:30 AM - 8:30 PM. (Report
made on 6/21/2007)
Maramec Spring Park:
58 degrees, clear; fishing is
good; try using scented Doughbaits, white plastic worms; yellow
or orange Marabou jigs; if fish quit biting, experiment with
colors and use lighter line for a leader; fishing hours: 6:30
AM - 8:30 PM. (Report made on 6/21/2007)
Montauk State Park:
58 degrees, normal, clear; fishing
is good; 2lb test or lighter line is recommended; flies only
area: wooly buggers and Rooster Tails in dark colors are good
choices early in the morning, midges, cracklebacks, and brassies
are good choices, Marabou jigs in blk/yellow, white, brown, and
green/yellow are good choices throughout the day; natural and
artificial bait area: prepared and garlic scented Doughbaits,
pink, red, and white Power Baits are producing good numbers of
fish; fishing hours: Month of June, 6:30 AM - 8:30 PM. (Report
made on 6/21/2007)
Roaring River State Park:
58 degrees, falling, clear;
water flow has decreased since last week and flow is a little
below normal; water is still clear so 2-4 lb. test line is recommended;
trout are striking on Marabou jigs (1/32 and 1/16 oz); brown
plastic power eggs are recommended; plastic worms in cheese yellow,
white, orange, and chartreuse are working well; Rooster Tails
in black, skunk, brown, and olive are also good; check locally
to see what flies work best; for more information on current
fishing conditions call 417-847-2430. (Report made on 6/21/2007)
June 20, 2007 - Courtesty of Arkansas Game and
Fish Commission
White River Levels: According
to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as of Wednesday the White
River stages are:
7.57 feet at Georgetown (flood
stage 21 feet)
20.48 feet at Augusta (flood stage 26 feet)
8.76 feet at Newport (flood stage 26 feet)
8.95 feet at Batesville (flood stage 15 feet)
7.54 feet at Calico Rock (flood stage 19 feet)
CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Little Red River: Lindsey's
Resort (501-302-3139) said the water is clear and cold. Bait
fishers are having luck on chartreuse Power Eggs, wax worms with
marshmallows and artificial lures. The Thomas Buoyant spoon and
2 inch Rapalas are working the best. Fly-fishermen are having
luck with midges in zebra, red, black, and tan. Sow bugs and
Red Asses are producing fish as well.
Jed Hollan at the Little Red
Fly Shop said the water is clear with a few spots of siltation
from bank erosion. Aquatic insect hatches continue to be sparse.
Caddis hatches are over, blue-winged olive mayflies have yet
to begin in earnest but should hatch sometime in July lasting
until October. Sulphur mayflies and pale morning dun mayflies
are coming off most days, and you always have the daily midge
hatch. Dry flies working the best include midges (size 22 in
cream or black), Adams (size 16), PMDs (sizes 16-18) and sulphurs
(sizes 16-18). Sub-surface flies are working the best and include
any soft hackle emerger. The best sub-surface patterns are sow
bugs (mostly tan or light gray in sizes 14-16), flashback pheasant
tails (sizes 14-16), zebra midges (sizes 16-22), electric princes
(sizes 14-16), San Juan worms (size 18) and olive woolly buggers
(sizes 10-12).
NORTH ARKANSAS
White River: Gaston's White
River Resort said water generation has varied the past two weeks.
For the first few days, no power units were turned on. As of
June 9, the generation has been from 3 units to 7 units. Even
with the different water conditions, fishing has been amazing.
The best bite consists of fishing with a live red worm, chartreuse
or yellow Power Eggs. Red, pink, or brown rubber worms are also
catching many fish. Buoyant spoons with red and gold is the best
spinning lure now on the river. Fly fishing is now limited to
using a red San Juan Worm or a Y2K bug with a level tippet (no
taper) and a heavy split shot to get the fly down to the bottom.
Anglers White River Resort (870-585-2226)
said the water is clear and high. Trout are biting well on spinners
and white or orange Power Bait.
Norfork Tailwater: Gene's Trout
Dock (870-499-5381) said the water is clear and low in the mornings
but up in the afternoons. Fishing has been good using both baits
and flies. Frozen shad, corn and worms have all worked well for
the bait fishermen. Green/black woolly buggers have been working
well for the fly-fishermen.
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
Beaver Tailwater: McLellan's
Fly Shop said midge patterns are important on the Beaver tailwater.
The jujubee, the poison tung, Griffith's gnat, and the zebra
midge have had the trout fooled.
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
Spring River: Many Islands Camp
(870-856-3451) said the trout are biting well on Roostertails
and Power Bait.
June 14, 2007 - Courtesty
of Missouri Department of Conservation - Trout Parks
Bennett Spring State Park:
54 degrees, normal, clear; fishing
is good; successful lures are: Marabou jigs (black/yellow, black/chartreuse
and pink/white), mini-jigs (John Deere, Bedspread and peacock
w/ yellow eye); glo balls (original 3 color and Oregon cheese
w/ red dot; dry flies: orange, #22 Cream Midge and olive or blue
Crackleback; other successful flies are; red Brassies and Kapok;
zone 3: orange Power Baits; red salmon eggs; fishing hours for
June: 6:30 AM - 8:30 PM; HILLBILLY DAYS - JUNE 15-17. (Report
made on 6/14/2007)
Maramec Spring Park:
58 degrees, clear; fishing is
good; try using scented Doughbaits, yellow or orange Marabou
jigs; if fish quit biting, experiment with colors and use lighter
line for a leader; fishing hours: 6:30 AM - 8:30 PM. (Report
made on 6/14/2007)
Montauk State Park:
60 degrees, normal, dingy; fishing
is good; 2lb test or lighter line is recommended; flies only
area: wooly buggers and Rooster Tails are good choices early
in the morning, Marabou jigs in white, green/yellow and brown
are good choices throughout the day; natural and artificial bait
area: prepared and garlic scented baits, worms, Doughbaits and
pink, red, and white Power Baits are producing good numbers of
fish; fishing hours: 6:30 AM - 8:30 PM. (Report made on 6/14/2007)
Roaring River State Park:
58 degrees, normal, clear; water
flow has increased since last week with recent rain to a more
normal level for this time of year; water is still clear so 2-4
lb. test line (Ultragreen Maxima) is recommended; trout are striking
on Marabou jigs (1/32 and 1/16 oz); brown plastic power eggs
are recommended; plastic worms in cheese yellow, white, orange,
and chartreuse are working well; Rooster Tails in black, skunk,
brown, and olive are also good; check locally to see what flies
work best; for more information on current fishing conditions
call 417-847-2430. (Report made on 6/14/2007)
June 13, 2007 - Courtesty of Arkansas Game and
Fish Commission
CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Little Red River: Lindsey's
Resort (501-302-3139) said fishing was good over the weekend.
The water clarity is good and the river is low, wish minimal
generation. Trout are biting on corn, night crawlers, and wax
worms with marshmallows or Power Bait in deeper holes. Fly fishing
is very productive.
Jed Hollan at the Little Red
Fly Shop said water releases from the Greers Ferry power house
continue to be small and daily with around 3,200 cubic feet of
water per second flow rates. The water is clear with a few spots
of siltation from bank erosion. Aquatic insect hatches continue
to be sparse. Caddis hatches are over, blue-winged olive mayflies
have yet to begin in earnest but should hatch sometime in July
lasting until October. Sulphur mayflies and pale morning dun
mayflies are coming off most days, and you always have the daily
midge hatch. Dry flies working the best include midges (size
22 in cream or black), Adams (size 16), PMDs (sizes 16-18) and
sulphurs (sizes 16-18). Sub-surface flies are working the best
and include any soft hackle emerger. The best sub-surface patterns
are sow bugs (mostly tan or light gray in sizes 14-16), flashback
pheasant tails (sizes 14-16), zebra midges (sizes 16-22), electric
princes (sizes 14-16), San Juan worms (size 18) and olive woolly
buggers (sizes 10-12).
NORTH ARKANSAS
Lake Norfork: As of Tuesday,
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation
at 554.78 feet MSL.
Cranfield Junction Bait and
Tackle (870-492-5141) said the water is clear on the lake and
river. Fly fishing is best from Cotter to Buffalo Shoals. Fly
fishing is going well on scuds, wooly buggers, or midges and
elk hair caddis, sulfur duns and Adams in the afternoons. Bait
fishing is good in moving water on power and spinner baits. Trout
are biting well.
Norfork Tailwater: Gene's Trout
Dock (870-499-5381) said the water is clear and low, there are
no generators running at this time. The fly-fishing is excellent.
Black woolly buggers are working well as are pink PowerBait and
frozen shad.
McLellan's Fly Shop said fly-fishing the high water from a boat
has been very productive using large strike indicators, flies
and split shot as well as longer leaders and heavier tippet.
For low-water conditions, nymph fishing with mayfly nymph patterns
has been productive. Trout are liking the sulfur nymphs as they
prepare to hatch. Classic patterns like the hare's ear and pheasant
tail nymph are working well.
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
Beaver Tailwater: McLellan's
Fly Shop said there has been very little generation this week.
Midge patterns are important on the Beaver tailwater. The jujubee,
the poison tung, Griffith's gnat, and the zebra midge have had
the trout fooled.
Best flies have been: McLellan's
Hunchback Scud, Gray and Olive (14-16), McLellan's Woven Sow
Bug (14-16), Zebra Midge in Black/Copper and Olive (16-20), Mercury
Brassie (18-20), Poison Tung in Gray/Blue and Black (20), Mercury
Blood Midge (20-22), Zebra Jujubee Midge (20-22), Mercury Black
Beauty (20-22), Gray Mercury Midge (20-22), Cream Midge Adult
(22-24), Flashtail Mini Egg (16-18).
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
Spring River : Many Islands
Camp (870-856-3451) said the water is clear and at a normal level.
Trout are biting well on salmon eggs and marshmallows.
June 8, 2007 - Courtesty of Missouri Department
of Conservation - Trout Parks
Bennett Spring State Park:
54 degrees, normal, clear; fishing
is fair; successful lures are: Marabou jigs (black/yellow, ginger,
moss green and brown), mini-jigs (John Deere, Bedspread and olive
floss); glo balls (dark roe and chartreuse w/flame dot); dry
flies: #22 creme midge, crackleback, and #16 blue wing olive;
other successful flies are Brown Wooly w/ gold spinner, red Brassies
and Kapok; zone 3: red, white and blue Power Baits; Red Hot salmon
eggs; fishing hours for June: 6:30 AM - 8:30 PM. (Report made
on 6/7/2007)
Maramec Spring Park:
58 degrees, clear; fishing is
good; try using scented Doughbaits, yellow or orange Marabou
jigs; if fish quit biting, experiment with colors and use lighter
line for a leader; fishing hours: 6:30 AM - 8:30 PM. (Report
made on 6/7/2007)
Montauk State Park:
58 degrees, normal, clear; fishing
is good; 2lb test or lighter line is recommended; natural and
artificial bait area: prepared and garlic scented baits, worms,
dough and pink, red, and white Power Baits are producing good
numbers of fish; flies only area: wooly buggers and Rooster Tails
are good choices early in the morning, Marabou jigs in white,
green/yellow and brown are good choices throughout the day; fishing
hours: 6:30 AM - 8:30 PM. (Report made on 6/7/2007)
Roaring River State Park:
58 degrees, low, clear; water
flow has increased since last week; 2-4 lb. test line (ultragreen
maxima) is recommended; striking on Marabou jigs (1/32 and 1/16
oz); plastic power eggs in brown are recommended; plastic worms
in cheese yellow, white, orange, and chartreuse are working well;
Rooster Tails in black, skunk, brown, and olive are also good;
check locally to see what flies work best; for more information
on current fishing conditions call 417-847-2430. (Report made
on 6/7/2007)
June 6, 2007 - Courtesty of Arkansas Game and
Fish Commission
White River Levels: According
to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as of Wednesday the White
River stages are:
4.62 feet at Georgetown (flood
stage 21 feet)
16.93 feet at Augusta (flood stage 26 feet)
5.87 feet at Newport (flood stage 26 feet)
7.50 feet at Batesville (flood stage 15 feet)
2.07 feet at Calico Rock (flood stage 19 feet)
CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Little Red River: Lindsey's Resort (501-302-3139) said the generators
are running in the afternoon for 2 to 3 hours. Bait fishing is
good in the mornings on wax worms and marshmallows. Fly-fishing
is very good in deep pockets. Gold beadhead and tan sow bugs
have been successful at 4 to 6 feet. Pheasant tails and hare's
ears have also been good for fly-fishing. In the afternoons,
artificial baits, spoons and Rooster Tails have been the most
successful.
Jed Hollan at the Little Red
Fly Shop said small, daily water releases continue from the Greers
Ferry power house. Generation has been starting between 10 a.m.
and 2 p.m. The volume of water has been between 1,600 and 2,500
cubic feet per second. The water is clear with occasional areas
of silt. Trout fishing is very good. Be on the alert for larger
water releases as the temperatures in June increase and people
turn on their air conditioners which requires more hydroelectric
power.
Aquatic insect hatches are,
for the moment, few and far between. Caddis hatches are over
and blue-winged olive mayfly hatches have not begun. Soft hackle
emergers continue to catch fish in the shoals in spite of the
sporadic insect activity. Red Asses, Partridge & Orange and
Partridge & Yellow flies are working the best. Sizes 16 and
18 are best. Other subsurface flies that are catching fish include:
smoky olive or tan beadhead sow bugs (size 14), flashback pheasant
tails (size 16), zebra midge (red or black, size 16-22), electric
prince (size 14-16), copper john (chartreuse or copper, size
14) and olive wooly buggers (size 12). Dry flies that are catching
fish (if you work hard and fish them during a hatch) include
Adams (size 16), PMD (pale morning dun mayfly size 16-18 olive),
and sulphur (size 16-18 yellow or cream).
NORTH ARKANSAS
White River: Gaston's White
River Resort said generation has been varied the last two weeks
some days none, others two to four generators running nonstop.
During low water, Mepps, Red and Gold Buoyant Spoons and spinners
seem to be the best lures to use. Yellow PowerBait and orange
PowerBait with a wax worm attract many fish to the hook. Nightcrawlers
are catching a lot of fish while the water is low and if one
or two power units start, the redworms are best. Fly-fisherman
have really enjoyed the last two weeks. Flies that work best
are red butt soft hackle, orange soft hackle, olive woolly buggers,
and red San Juan worms.
Norfork Tailwater: Gene's Trout
Dock (870-499-5381) said the water is clear and the flow is good
with one to two generators running. Trout fishing has been good
on nightcrawlers and chartreuse PowerBait.
Mountain River Fly Shop said the river has had low water in the
mornings to mid afternoon, and the fish are feisty. Some sulphurs
are being seen in the afternoon. The hatch is not full blown
but soon will be. A Humpback Sulphur nymph, Parachute Sulphur,
or Copper Anna "K" soft hackle are the best bet once
the hatch hits.
May 31, 2007 - Courtesty
of Missouri Department of Conservation - Trout Parks
Bennett Spring State Park:
54 degrees, normal, clear; fishing
is good; successful lures are: Marabou jigs (black/yellow, white,
and black/chartreuse), mini-jigs (Brown Roach, Bedspread, white
floss); glo balls (original 3 color, white and chartreuse w/flame
dot); other successful lures are Brown Wooly w/ gold spinner,
Rooster Tails (most colors) and Super Duper; zone 3: yellow Power
Baits; fishing hours for June: 6:30 AM - 8:30 PM. (Report made
on 5/31/2007)
Maramec Spring Park:
58 degrees, clear; fishing has
been good; stream is holding lots of good-sized fish; bright
colors have been working best; green, brown or yellow jigs and
red and orange worms; if fish quit biting, switch colors; fishing
hours: 6:30 AM - 8:15 PM. (Report made on 5/30/2007)
Montauk State Park:
57 degrees, normal, clear; fishing
is good; 2lb test or lighter line is recommended; flies only
area: wooly buggers and Rooster Tails are good choices early
in the morning, Marabou jigs in white, green/yellow and brown
are good choices throughout the day; natural and artificial bait
area: prepared and garlic scented baits, worms, dough and pink,
red, and white Power Baits are producing good numbers of fish;
fishing hours: 6:30 AM - 8:15 PM. (Report made on 5/31/2007)
Roaring River State Park:
58 degrees, low, water flow
has increased slightly since last week; water is still very clear
so 2-4 lb. test line is recommended; jigs in black/yellow, white,
brown, olive and pink as well as micro jigs in olive are working;
plastic power eggs in brown, white, and orange are best right
now; plastic worms in cheese yellow, white, and chartreuse are
recommended; check locally to see what other flies are working
best; for more information or more current fishing conditions
call 417-847-2430. (Report made on 5/31/2007)
May 31, 2007 - Courtesty of Arkansas Game and
Fish Commission
White River Levels: According
to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as of Wednesday the White
River stages are:
6.57 feet at Georgetown (flood
stage 21 feet)
18.60 feet at Augusta (flood stage 26 feet)
6.51 feet at Newport (flood stage 26 feet)
7.92 feet at Batesville (flood stage 15 feet)
5.37 feet at Calico Rock (flood stage 19 feet)
CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Little Red River : Lindsey's
Resort (501-302-3139) said there were many anglers on the water
this weekend. Low releases mad for great fly-fishing as well
as bait fishing. The best baits were wax worms, marshmallows
and PowerBait.
Jed Hollan at the Little Red
Fly Shop said moderate temperatures and water stockpiling because
of an expected dry summer have led to small but daily water releases.
There has only been a fraction of the typical generation patterns
and the releases are primarily in the afternoons. The river is
very clear and cold. The fishing remains spotty with reports
of larger than average fish being caught. Soft hackle emergers
are working well, especially during a hatch. Try a red butt midge,
partridge and orange, partridge and yellow and partridge and
green emergers are all working. Cast slightly down and across
the current, mend your line and let the fly swing in the current.
When the fly gets to the end of the swing (straight down current
from you) give it a little twitch or strip it back slowly.
NORTH ARKANSAS
White River: Gaston's White
River Resort said the recent low water has been offering some
excellent fishing lately. Water generation has been slim to none
with one or two power units operating in the morning. Wax worms
teamed up with a yellow Power Egg are working well on the trout.
Mepps spinners, brown Rooster Tails, Colorado Spoons and Buoyant
Spoons are all working as well. The best flies reported are the
olive beadhead woolly bugger, squirrel tail nymphs, partridge
and orange soft hackles and the bulbous bivisible.
Bull Shoals Lake : As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
reports the lake's elevation at 656.83 feet MSL.
Norfork Tailwater: Gene's Trout
Dock (870-499-5381) said the water is clear and the flow is good
with one to two generators running. Trout fishing has been good
on nightcrawlers and chartreuse PowerBait.
Mountain River Fly Shop said
the river has had low water in the mornings to mid afternoon,
and the fish are feisty. Some sulphurs are being seen in the
afternoon. The hatch is not full blown but soon will be. A Humpback
Sulphur nymph, Parachute Sulphur, or Copper Anna "K"
soft hackle are the best bet once the hatch hits.
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Shane Goodner, owner of Catch'em
All Guide Service, reports that the water temperature varies
from 55 to 60 degrees during the day as Entergy operates on a
regular generation schedule. The trout population at Carpenter
continues to thrive in the fertile waters that are teeming with
threadfin shad. Limits of trout are being caught daily by bank
fishermen who are casting redworms, wax worms, live shad and
PowerBait. Although the moss growth hinders fishing somewhat,
the trout bite is very good with most of the fish in the 12-
to 16-inch range. Boaters trolling the channels during periods
of generation with small crawfish crankbaits are doing well.
Casting Rooster Tails, 1/16-ounce jigs and white, brown and silver
Rapalas is working as well. Fly-anglers are doing well on olive-colored
woolly buggers and San Juan worms in areas where there is some
current out of the main flow. Stripers and hybrids have been
decent near the dam on large top-water baits such as Zara spooks
and C10 Redfins. Fishing with large gizzard shad is the most
effective presentation to catch large stripers.
May 25, 2007 - Beaver - G'day
y'all from the Beaver
Dam Store crew! -Well its Memorial Day weekend and summer
break is almost here. The weather has been superb, there has
been plenty of splashing and swimming up on the Lake. The tailwater
is still its normal trouty self, cool and clear. Its a great
time to come up, get away from the city and relax in the leafy
camprgounds along the river, or the comfortable cabins of Spider
Creek Resort , and treat yourself to a well earned rest. Oh yeh
some trout fishing would be fun too. Consider it therapy.
* FISHING REPORT
BEAVER TAILWATER: Fishing has
been a little up and down on the fly for the past week or so.
Fishing has definately been a little moody mid-morning after
an early midge hatch. As usual soft hackles are the most productive
bet for the fish swirling or showing dorsals, a giveaway sign
that the fish are taking the hatching midges under the surface
and not off the top.
Try a Partridge and Orange, Patridge and Yellow, Red Ass or a
Patridge and Pheasant on a long 6x leader. SOme of the takes
will be furious but on others the only signal is a gradual tightening
of the line. Either way a slow lift is better than a strike.
Fish Cadion Midges short under the smallest indicator you can,
or perhaps a Barr Pure Midge under a Para Midge or a Parachute
Adams. If its misty you can up the size of the dry fly to better
visibility or add a flouro orange indicator.
The surface action can be strong until betwene 9am and 10am but
the trout activity seems to slow for a couple of hours. Cadion
Midges in blue dun, Blue Poison Tungs, Tungsten Rainbow Warriors,
Lightning Bugs, Copper Johns, and olive Zebra Midges and WD40s
have all been performing. Don't forget scud and sowbug patterns
too which are consistently part of the trout diet.
Drifted Woolly Buggers, Crystal Buggers and Baby Buggers are
hard to beat through the dog hours in the middle of the day.
But the good thing is the fishing is really picking up around
the middle of the day. Generation this week has been running
around 2pm-ish for a couple of hours, enablish a return to the
water to fish through until dark.
All the more reason for an early start.
*
FISHING TWIGS
THERE is nothing like nice summer
days, small streams, wading wet and carrying a short, light rod.
In the Australian venacular this is Twig Water fishing _ and
that feather light rod, usually 4wt and below, and under 8',
a twig. Roaring River is the closest Twig Water we have around
here for trout, but there's plenty of smallmouth/panfish streams
on offer where these rods work just as well. Incidentally Roaring
River is fishing nicely with an Olive Elk Hair Caddis.
And somedays its fun to take your twig out onto the big tailwaters,
throwing midges, ants or beetles on the Upper end of the river
for instance. Sections of Norfolk lend itself to twigs, perhaps
behind the island at RoundHouse Shoal or the Flats immediately
below Bull Shoals.
But there are some things that twigs can't do _ otherwise we'd
be fishing them all the time. Mending is inherently more difficult,
you just can't cast as much line. The lighter line weights make
it harder, sometimes impossible, to toss bigger streamers and
indicator rigs, and for most casting they are generally designed
for shorter range work. We love loading up the Rio Selective
Trout line on pretty much all of our twigs. Its easy to cast,
floats high and for these quiet waters, the delicacy needed.
The reel can be as simple or compelx as you like, a drag rarely
essential, but as you go lighter and lighter, a lighter, more
expensive reel becomes more of a necessity in terms of balance.
Twig fishing is a great part of the fly fishing experience, more
intimate than the tailwaters, the relaxing flow of crystal waters
around your bare legs, freed from their normal confinement in
fleece and waders, the rod and reel barely felt.
Tight Lines from the Beaver Dam Store staff,
Lisa, Steve, and Bryce
May 10, 2007 - Courtesty of Missouri Department
of Conservation - Trout Parks
Bennett Spring State Park: 54
degrees, normal, clear; fishing is good;
successful lures are: Marabou jigs (black/yellow, pink and white,
and
ginger), mini-jigs (John Deere, Bedspread, Peacock w/ eye); glo
balls
(original 3 color, white and baby pink); other successful lures
are Brown
Wooley w/ gold spinner, Rooster Tails (most colors) and Super
Duper;
zone 3: yellow Power Baits and orange and white plastic worms;
fishing
hours for May: 6:30 AM - 8:15 PM. (Report made on 5/24/2007)
Maramec Spring Park: 58 degrees,
clear; stream is in excellent shape;
fishing has been good; stream is holding lots of good-sized fish;
bright
colors have been working best; green, brown or yellow jigs working
and
red and orange worms; if fish quit biting, switch colors; fishing
hours: 6:30 AM - 8:15 PM. (Report made on 5/24/2007)
Montauk State Park: 56 degrees,
normal, clear; fishing is good; 2lb
test or lighter line is recommended; natural and artificial bait
area:
prepared and scented baits, corn, dough and Power Baits are producing
good
numbers of fish; flies only area: wooly buggers and Rooster Tails
are
good choices early in the morning, Marabou jigs in white, black/yellow
and green are good choices throughout the day; fishing hours:
6:30 AM -
8:15 PM. (Report made on 5/24/2007)
Roaring River State Park: 58
degrees, falling, clear; water flow has
decreased since last week; 2-4 lb. test line is recommended;
jigs in
black/yellow, white, brown, olive and pink as well as micro jigs
in olive
are working; plastic power eggs in brown, white, and orange are
best
right now; plastic worms in cheese yellow, white, and chartreuse
are
recommended; check locally to see what other flies are working
best; for
more information or more current fishing conditions call 417-847-2430.
(Report made on 5/24/2007)
May 23, 2007 - Courtesty of Arkansas Game and
Fish Commission
White River Levels: According
to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Tuesday morning White
River stages were:
12.2 feet at Georgetown (flood
stage 21 feet)
24.1 feet at Augusta (flood stage 26 feet)
11.4 feet at Newport (flood stage 26 feet)
7.1 feet at Batesville (flood stage 15 feet)
5.1 feet at Calico Rock (flood stage 19 feet)
CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Little Red River: Lindsey's
Resort (501-302-3139) said the river is clear and there has been
a little generation in the afternoons till dark. Trout fishing
is good in the mornings with TroutKrilla baits. The best colors
are orange and green. In the afternoons with generation, fishermen
have been using cranks baits such as floating Rapalas or Buoyant
spoons.
Little Red River: Jed Hollan
at the Little Red Fly Shop said the Greers Ferry Powerhouse has
been generating every afternoon. The river is crystal clear and
rich in oxygen but fishing has been spotty. The aquatic insect
hatches continue but are tapering off. The caddis hatch is almost
over. Dry flies that are working include the American March brown
(sizes 14-16), elk hair caddis (sizes 16-18), Adams (size 16),
sulphurs (sizes 18-20) and midges (sizes 16-22). The best wet
flies are zebra midges (sizes 16-22), sow bugs (sizes 14-16),
pheasant tail (size16), prince (size 16), gold-ribbed hare's
ears (sizes 14-16) and copper Johns (sizes 14-16). The best time
to fish is mid-day and later from Winkley Shoal and points downstream.
NORTH ARKANSAS
White River: Gaston's White
River Resort said Mepps, Buoyant spoons (red and gold) and spinners
work well during periods of low water. Yellow PowerBait and orange
PowerBait with wax worms are attracting fish, too. Night crawlers
are working well in low water; red worms are working when generation
starts. Red butt soft hackle, orange soft hackle, olive woolly
buggers and red San Juan worms have worked for fly-fishers lately.
Norfork Tailwater: Gene's Trout
Fishing Resort (870-499-5381) saidwater releases at Norfork Dam
this week have been low during morning and afternoon. The horn
blows late afternoon and water runs about one generator. Trout
tend to wait for even flows. Be patient and work the riffles,
banks, tree limbs and shallows. Get your bait down to the tips
of the moss. Bait fishing is best on night crawlers, red worms,
Power Eggs and salmon eggs fished on green line smaller than
6-pound-test. Husky Jerks, Little Cleos, Blue Foxes and Original
Rapalas are working well for spin-fishing. Fly-anglers are doing
best on green or black woolly buggers, sow bugs, zebra midges
or orange glow balls.
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
Beaver Tailwater: McLellan's
Fly Shop said wade fishing has been going well during recent
low water. Midge patterns such as Jujubee, Poison Tung, and zebras
have been working.
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
Spring River: Many Islands Camp
(870-856-3451) said the river is clear and at a good level. Trout
are biting yellow PowerBait.
May 23, 2007 - Lemon and Vallecito in Colorado
-
Lemon
- Very slow, not to many people fishing there at all, bank fishing
with spinners for 7-10" rainbows, we were there for 5 hours
roughly and caught 4 between 4 of us!
Vallecito - Very good for rainbow trout, trolling seemed
to be the best method. Early afternoon showers seemed to be the
norm for right now as well. Pike are still in the spawning stage,
you may be lucky to either anger a nesting female, or hook up
with a rogue male. Within the next week or so Pike fishing will
pick up as it will be post spawn for them and they will be back
to their normal behavior. Some salmon are being taken as well
as the water is still pretty cold, so they aren't as deep as
they will be in the next couple of weeks to a month when the
weather heats up. Some browns are also being taken trolling.
The lake is high as well, it gained about 3-5" while we
were there.
Craig Buster & The Franchise
May 16, 2007 - Courtesty of Arkansas Game and
Fish Commission
White River Levels: According
to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as of Wednesday the White
River stages are:
13.46 feet at Georgetown (flood
stage 21 feet)
25.71 feet at Augusta (flood stage 26 feet)
13.76 feet at Newport (flood stage 26 feet)
7.76 feet at Batesville (flood stage 15 feet)
3.01 feet at Calico Rock (flood stage 19 feet)
CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Jed Hollan at the Little Red
Fly Shop said the Greers Ferry Power House is releasing water
every day in small quantities. This makes all the shoals open
to wade fishing most of the day. There is no dependable schedule
for future water releases. Always be on the lookout for rising
water when you are on the river. Caddis flies continue to hatch
most every day on the river along with midges, blue-winged olives,
sulphurs and March browns (the last three being mayflies). The
dry flies that are attracting the most fish include elk hair
caddis (sizes 14-16, tan with black bodies), sulphurs (sizes
18-20), Adams (size 16, tan), midges (size 22, cream or black),
and March browns (sizes 14-16). The best sub-surface flies are
a red zebra midges (size 16), smoky olive sow bugs (size 14,
beadhead), pheasant tails (size 16), and gold-ribbed hare's ears
(sizes 14-16).
NORTH ARKANSAS
White River : Gaston's White
River Resort said generation has been varied the last two weeks
some days none, others two to four generators running nonstop.
During low water, Mepps, Red and Gold Buoyant Spoons and spinners
seem to be the best lures to use. Yellow PowerBait and orange
PowerBait with a wax worm attract many fish to the hook. Nightcrawlers
are catching a lot of fish while the water is low and if one
or two power units start, the redworms are best. Fly-fisherman
have really enjoyed the last two weeks. Flies that work best
are red butt soft hackle, orange soft hackle, olive woolly buggers,
and red San Juan worms.
Norfork Tailwater: Gene's Trout
Dock (870-499-5381) said the water is clear and the flow is good
with one to two generators running. Trout fishing has been good
on nightcrawlers and chartreuse PowerBait.
Mountain River Fly Shop said
the river has had low water in the mornings to mid afternoon,
and the fish are feisty. Some sulphurs are being seen in the
afternoon. The hatch is not full blown but soon will be. A Humpback
Sulphurnymph, Parachute Sulphur, or Copper Anna "K"soft
hackle are the best bet once the hatch hits.
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
Beaver Tailwater: McLellan's
Fly Shop said there has been very little generation this week.
Especially during the weekend, watch for little or no generation,
producing some excellent wade-fishing opportunities. During low
water, midge patterns are always important on Beaver Tailwater.
Patterns like the Jujubee, the Poison Tung, and the Zebra Midge
have been fooling lots of trout this week, and especially on
breezy days, Griffith's Gnats and other midge dry fly patterns
have been hooking plenty of trout as well.
May 10, 2007 - Courtesty of Missouri Department
of Conservation - Trout Parks
TROUT PARKS:
Bennett Spring State Park:
54 degrees, normal, dingy; fishing
is good; water level is above normal; successful lures are: jigs
(black/yellow, black and green and ginger), mini-jigs (John Deere,
brown roach, and Original Peach Bug); glo balls (chartreuse with
a red dot and white); Zone 3: Power Baits (orange or yellow);
other successful lures are Red Brassie, brown Rooster Tails and
Kapok. Fishing Hours for May are: 6:30 AM - 8:15 PM. We would
like to thank all who participated in the annual Kid's Free fishing
event it was a huge success with 1185 children attending. The
annual Trout Fishermans Association Spring Derby will be held
on the 19th and 20th of May. (Report made on 5/10/2007)
Maramec Spring Park:
58 degrees, dingy; fishing hours:
6:30 AM--8:15 PM; water flow is normal; fishing has been good;
stream is holding lots of good-sized fish; bright colors have
been working best; green, brown or yellow jigs working; red and
orange worms; KID'S FISHING DAY MAY 19TH!! (Report made on 5/10/2007)
Montauk State Park:
56 degrees, falling, clear;
fishing is good; the river is slowly falling back to normal flow;
in the natural and artificial bait area: prepared and scented
baits; corn and worms are producing good numbers of fish; in
the flies only area: Rooster Tails and wooly buggers are good
choices early in the morning, thread jigs, and Marabou jigs are
good choices throughout the day; fishing hours: 6:30 AM to 8:15
PM. (Report made on 5/10/2007)
Roaring River State Park:
58 degrees, normal, clear; the
water flow is about the same as last week; 2-4 lb. test line
is recommended; jigs in black/yellow, white, brown, olive and
pink as well as micro jigs in olive are working; plastic power
eggs in brown, white, and orange are best right now; plastic
worms in cheese yellow, white, and chartreuse are recommended;
check locally to see what other flies are working best. Kids'
Fishing Day is May 19, 2007! Reserved area for kids 15 and younger,
lots of fish will be stocked, everything is free, conservation
classes will be held, there will be prizes and contests. Volunteers
welcome. Call 417-847-2430 for more information (Report made
on 5/10/2007)
May 9, 2007 - Courtesty of Arkansas Game and
Fish Commission
White River Levels: According
to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as of Wednesday the White
River stages are:
11.48 feet at Georgetown (flood
stage 21 feet)
24.08 feet at Augusta (flood stage 26 feet)
12.41 feet at Newport (flood stage 26 feet)
8.21 feet at Batesville (flood stage 15 feet)
5.59 feet at Calico Rock (flood stage 19 feet)
CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Little Red River: Lindsey's
Resort (501-302-3139) said the river is at normal flow with generation
in the afternoons. Trout fishing is excellent on corn, Power
Eggs, wax worms and nightcrawlers. Fly-anglers are doing well
on brassies. Spin fishing is good with small Rebel crankbaits.
Jed Hollan at the Little Red
Fly Shop said starting May 1 and continuing until October, the
Greers Ferry Power House will be releasing small amounts of water
into the Little Red on a daily basis. These small releases help
keep the water cool and add to the dissolved oxygen. Larger water
releases will also occur as hydroelectric power is required.
Caddis fly hatches continue and the flies that worked last week
are still attracting fish. One smoky olive bead head sow bug
(size no. 14) recently caught 32 trout at the Dripping Springs
Shoal in 4 1/2 hours with eight of them measuring longer than
20 inches. Dry flies that are working include the elk hair caddis
(no. 14-16 tan with black bodies), sulphurs (no. 18-20), Adams
(no. 16 tan), midges (no. 22 cream) and March browns (no. 14-16).
Effective sub-surface flies include the smoky olive sow bug (no.
14-16), zebra midge (no. 16-22 red or black), pheasant tail (no.
16), gold-ribbed hare's ear (no. 14-16), prince (no. 16) and
woolly buggers (no. 10-12 olive or brown). Lots of aquatic insect
hatches mean lots of fly choices for the angler.
Today (5/09/07) is the fifteenth
anniversary of the catching of the largest brown trout ever.
The 40 pound 4 ounce behemoth was caught in the Little Red River
by Howard "Rip" Collins of Heber Springs. A replica
can be seen at the Little Red Fly Shop.
NORTH ARKANSAS
Norfork Tailwater: Gene's Trout
Dock (870-499-5381) said the water is clear and low. Many fly-anglers
are doing well on green and black woolly buggers. Bait fishing
with frozen shad is working well in the current.
May 3, 2007 - Courtesty of Arkansas Game and
Fish Commission
White River Levels: According
to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as of Wednesday the White
River stages are:
10.63 feet at Georgetown (flood
stage 21 feet)
21.14 feet at Augusta (flood stage 26 feet)
8.56 feet at Newport (flood stage 26 feet)
7.60 feet at Batesville (flood stage 15 feet)
3.09 feet at Calico Rock (flood stage 19 feet)
CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Little Red River: Lindsey's Resort (501-302-3139) said the water
is clear and there is a pretty good flow from generation. Trout
are biting well on wax worms and chartreuse PowerBait.
Jed Hollan at the Little Red
Fly Shop said the heavy rainfall has kept water releases high
all weekend. Caddis fly hatches continue with very large congregations
of adults flying around at various times and places on the river.
Trout are gorging themselves with the larva, pupa and adults
of the Caddis and it is a lucky angler that finds himself among
the hatches. Elk hair caddis dry flies in sizes 14-16 (tan with
black bodies) are working wonderfully well. Some Blue Winged
Olive mayflies have been spotted coming off down river near Pangburn
so BWO dries (16-18) are also working. An Adams (tan 16) has
been found to be irresistible to a few trout. The usual midge
selection is continuing to catch fish (22 cream). Sub-surface
flies that are catching trout include sow bugs (14-16 in tan
or light gray), zebra midges (16-22 in red or black), pheasant
tails (16 flashbacks), gold-ribbed hare's ear (16-14), princes
(14) and woolly buggers in 12 and 10 (brown or olive).
While I do not encourage fishing in high water (generators in
operation) because of the inherent danger, there are some anglers
with sufficient skills who can navigate their boat safely and
catch fish at the same time. You will need about 15 feet of leader
consisting of a long leader or a shorter one with tippet material
attached to gain that total length to the fly. You will need
lots of weight (split shot or soft weight) to get the fly down
to the bottom and a shiny fly of some sort such as the Electric
Prince or Flashback Pheasant Tail. A couple of dozen fish per
day (caught and released) can be boated if you do it right. If
you are the boat operator in this scenario, plan ahead of the
boat in your thoughts a quarter of a mile or so to avoid getting
into dangerous situations. The safest bet, however, is to wait
for shallower water.
NORTH ARKANSAS
Norfork Tailwater: Genes Trout Dock (870-499-5381) said the water
is clear and low. One or two generators are running off and on
throughout the day. Trout fishing is good on red Power Eggs and
on green woolly buggers. Frozen shad are also working well on
larger trout.
Mountain River Fly Shop said
things are pretty much the same as last week. The caddis hatch
is back in full force. Fishing continues to be good on the Norfork.
Start out fishing Zebra Midges in the morning and go to Anna''K"
soft hackles and e/c caddis dries in the afternoon.
May 3, 2007 - Courtesty of Missouri Department
of Conservation - Trout Parks
Bennett Spring State Park: 54
degrees, normal, dingy; fishing is good; water level is just
above normal; water clarity is approximately to 2 feet; successful
lures are: Marabou jigs (black/yellow, white and ginger), mini-jigs
(John Deere, brown roach,and white floss); glo balls (chartreuse
with a red dot and white); Zone 3: power baits (orange or orange
glitter) and orange and white plastic worms; fishing Hours for
May are: 6:30 AM - 8:15 PM.
Kid's Fishing Day is May 5,
2007 - free to kids 15 and under! Educational activities are
scheduled from 9 AM until 2 PM, lunch will be provided for the
kids free of charge! (Report made on 5/3/2007)
Maramec Spring Park: 58 degrees,
dingy; fishing hours: 6:30 AM--8:15 PM; water flow is normal;
fishing has been good; stream is holding lots of good-sized fish;
bright colors have been working best. (Report made on 5/3/2007)
Montauk State Park: 56 degrees,
high, dingy; fishing is good; the river is up due to recent rains;
natural and artificial bait area: prepared and scented baits;
corn and worms are producing good numbers of fish; flies only
area: wooly buggers, thread jigs, and Marabou jigs are good choices.
Kid's Fishing Day is May 5, 2007 - free fishing for all kids
15 years and younger! (Report made on 5/3/2007)
Roaring River State Park: 58
degrees, normal, clear; the water flow is about the same as last
week; 2-4 lb. test line is recommended; olive wooly buggers;
black, olive, brown and skunk Rooster Tails; plastic eggs in
white, brown and orange; jigs working well in black/yellow, olive,
tan and white; check locally to see what other flies are working
best.
Kids' Fishing Day is May 19, 2007! (Report made on 5/3/2007)
April 25, 2007 - Courtesty of Arkansas Game and
Fish Commission
White River Levels: According
to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as of Wednesday the White
River stages are:
11.73 feet at Georgetown (flood
stage 21 feet)
23.11 feet at Augusta (flood stage 26 feet)
10.58 feet at Newport (flood stage 26 feet)
7.87 feet at Batesville (flood stage 15 feet)
3.66 feet at Calico Rock (flood stage 19 feet)
CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Little Red River: Lindsey's
Resort (501-302-3139) said the water is clear and low. One generator
has been running very sporadically, but that may increase with
the warmer weather. Trout fishing is good on Power Eggs and waxworm/marshmallow
combinations.
Jed Hollan at the Little Red
Fly Shop said trout fishing is great on tan or dark gray sow
bugs in sizes 14 and 16. Gold ribbed hare's ears in size 16,
red zebra midges (16), March brown nymphs (16) and brown woolly
buggers (10-12) are also working well. There are a lot of very
small brown trout in the river (about 1-2 inches long) as a result
of last year's spawn. Small brown woolly buggers, yellow head
jigs and chili peppers are getting a lot of attention from the
trout. Dry flies that are working include March browns (14-16),
elk hair caddis (16) and Adams (16).
NORTH ARKANSAS
White River: Wilderness Trail
(870-445-2703) said trout fishing has been good on Berkley Power
Eggs in yellow and Sunrise along with Belgian redworms. With
generation, Little Cleos, Rooster Tails and Original Floating
Rapalas are the baits of choice. Fly-anglers have done well with
little generation on olive woolly buggers, San Juan worms in
bright colors and sow bugs. Brown trout are being caught on Rapala
Countdowns, Flat Fish, Rogues and nightcrawlers.
Norfork Tailwater: Gene's Trout
Dock (870-499-5381) said the water is clear and trout fishing
is excellent on nightcrawlers and live crayfish.
Mountain River Fly Shop said
things are pretty much the same as last week. The caddis hatch
is back in full force. Fishing continues to be good on the Norfork.
Start out fishing Zebra Midges in the morning and go to Anna''K"
soft hackles and e/c caddis dries in the afternoon.
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
Beaver Tailwater: McLellan's
Fly Shop said there has been very little generation this week.
Especially during the weekend, watch for little or no generation,
producing some excellent wading opportunities. During low water
try patterns like the jujubee midge and the zebra midge. On breezy
days, try a Griffith's Gnats and other midge dry fly pattern.
April 19, 2007 - Courtesty of Missouri Department of Conservation
TROUT PARKS:
Bennett Spring State Park:
54 degrees, falling, dingy;
fishing hours are 7:00 AM - 7:30 PM; fishing is fair; water level
is about six inches above normal due to recent rains; water flow
is very strong; successful lures are: Marabou jigs (heavy weight
black/yellow), mini-jigs, John Deere or Bedspread; glo balls
(chartreuse with flame dot); white Power Bait. Kid's Fishing
Day is May 5, 2007. (Report made on 4/19/2007)
Maramec Spring Park:
58 degrees, Fishing hours: 7:00
AM--7:30 PM; stream is up, off color; fishing has been good;
stream is holding lots of good sized fish; bright colors work
best. (Report made on 4/19/2007)
Montauk State Park:
55 degrees, falling, dingy;
fishing is good; the river is up a bit due to recent rains in
the area but slowly falling back to normal; in the flies only
area: wooly buggers and mini jigs in thread or Marabou jigs are
good choices; good colors are white, black and yellow, gray and
brown; in the natural and artificial bait area: prepared and
scented baits; corn and worms are producing good numbers of fish.
Attention: aquatic vegetation in the spring branch and the lower
fly zone will be cut on April 24th; it should be completed in
one day. Don't forget about Montauk Kid's Fishing Day, May 5th
2007! (Report made on 4/19/2007)
Roaring River State Park:
57 degrees, normal, clear; the
water is still clear and the flow is up from last week; 2-4 lb.
test line is still recommended; olive wooly buggers; black, olive,
brown, and skunk Rooster Tails; plastic eggs in white, brown,
and orange; jigs working well in black/yellow, olive, tan and
white have been working well; check locally to see what other
flies are working best. The Spring Kids' Fishing Day will be
held on May 19. (Report made on 4/19/2007)
April 18, 2007 - Courtesty of Arkansas Game and
Fish Commission
White River Levels : According
to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as of Wednesday the White
River stages are:
8.52 feet at Georgetown (flood
stage 21 feet)
20.63 feet at Augusta (flood stage 26 feet)
10.78 feet at Newport (flood stage 26 feet)
9.49 feet at Batesville (flood stage 15 feet)
6.51feet at Calico Rock (flood stage 19 feet)
NORTH ARKANSAS
Norfork Tailwater : Gene's Trout
Dock (870-499-5381) said the water is clear and generators are
running sporadically. Trout fishing is good on frozen shad, worms
and crawdads.
Mountain River Fly Shop said
the cold snap is gone and the caddis are back in full force.
Fishing on the Norfork River was great Sunday April the 14 th
. We started out fishing Zebra Midges in the morning and went
to Anna ''K" soft hackles and e/c caddis dries in the afternoon.
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
Beaver Tailwater : McLellan's Fly Shop said there has been very
little generation this week, producing some excellent wade-fishing
opportunities. San Juan worms, egg patterns and shad patterns
like the Arkansas Beadhead are working well. During low water,
midge patterns are always important on Beaver Tailwater. Zebra
midges have been fooling lots of trout this week.
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
Spring River : Many Islands Camp (870-856-3451) said trout fishing
has been very good on live bait and prepared baits like Berkley
PowerBait and YUM Trout Krilla.
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Lake Catherine : Shane Goodner,
owner of Catch'em All Guide Service , reports that rainbow trout
fishing is red hot with most of the good fishing taking place
during periods of no power generation. Fly fishermen are catching
limits of trout on streamers. White and olive woolly buggers
are drawing strikes as are San Juan worms and egg patterns. Spin
fishermen are recording good catches on white/black 1/8-ounce
Rooster Tails along with small crankbaits that imitate injured
shad. Trolling these crankbaits in the channels will catch good
numbers of trout as well as white bass that are attempting to
bed. Bank fishermen, despite early moss growth, are catching
trout by casting redworms and wax worms floated under a bobber.
PowerBait presentations will catch trout with great regularity
even by inexperienced anglers as rainbow trout have an insatiable
desire to feed on fish eggs.
April 11, 2007 - Courtesty of Arkansas Game and
Fish Commission
White River Levels: According
to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as of Wednesday the White
River stages are:
6.71 feet at Georgetown (flood
stage 21 feet)
18.21 feet at Augusta (flood
stage 26 feet)
5.98 feet at Newport (flood
stage 26 feet)
7.56 feet at Batesville (flood
stage 15 feet)
3.03 feet at Calico Rock (flood
stage 19 feet)
Statewide Family and Community
Fishing Report: Cold weather slowed the fishing from last week.
Trout are still biting well on PowerBait. Bream are fair in the
afternoons on worms or crickets. Catfish stockings will begin
next week. For more information on fish stockings, call toll-free
1-866-540-FISH (3474).
CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Little Red River: Lindsey's
Resort (501-302-3139) said the water is clear and running very
little on the weekends. Trout are biting well on PowerBait, corn
and wax worm/marshmallow combinations.
Mark Hollan at The Little Red
Fly Shop in Heber Springs said GreersFerryLake is down to top
power pool and the generators have stopped operating around the
clock. The low river water is cold and clear and the fishing
is great! It seems that, after several weeks of water releases,
the fish are biting most everything. Tan or dark gray sow bugs
in sizes 14 and 16 are working well along with gold ribbed hare's
ears in size 16 and brown woolly buggers (sizes 10-12).
NORTH ARKANSAS
White River : Local angler Jason
Oury said anglers fishing the West Fork is starting to see some
smallmouth action on McLellan's Crazy Dad streamer flies and
small homemade poppers in natural wood and yellow. Bream seem
to want anything and everything that lands in their space, but
not many large ones are showing up.
Norfork Tailwater: Gene's Trout
Dock (870-499-5381) said the water is clear and generators are
running sporadically. Usually two generators are running. Trout
fishing has been excellent on corn, frozen shad and Power Eggs.
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
Beaver Tailwater : McLellan's
Fly Shop said generation decreased last week. During the weekends,
fly anglers should look forward to some excellent wade-fishing
and low water. San Juan worms, egg patterns and shad patterns
like the Arkansas beadhead work well during the spring. Midge
patterns like zebra midges and the jujube midge are also working
well.
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
Spring River : Many Islands
Camp (870-856-3451) said the water is at normal levels. Trout
are biting well on salmon eggs. All other species are slow.
April 9, 2007 - Lake Taneycomo - Submitted by Table Rock Guide Service -
I'm catching some nice rainbows
and a few browns on a small Rapala in the morning and also swimming
a white 1/16 ounce jig. The trout in the trophy area will also
take pink or green micro jigs under a float and a zebra midge
has also been very good. Below the trophy are from Fall Creek
down, the trout are biting very good on night crawlers or power
baits. In the early morning you can catch them swimming a 1/16
ounce jig or little Cleo spoon, in line spinners are also good
in the mornings.
Bill Beck
April 7, 2007 - Beaver - G'day
y'all from the Beaver
Dam Store crew! - OK Who ordered snow in April. One day
we were in shorts and sandals and a couple of days later we are
back in the winter woollies, hand warmers in the pocket trying
to watch a high school track meet in Eureka Springs. We were
tempted to enter something just to try and warm up _ but most
of the kids were still in shorts.
The weekend is supposed to be pretty nippy as well so bundle
up if you are going to be fishing.
FISHING REPORT
BEAVER TAILWATER: This weekend could be interesting to say the
least. Stop buy the store and pick up some gloves, fleece or
just wander around trying to stay warm tomorrow morning. This
cold front, then sunny days, could make the fishing great or
very average. Still there is worse things you could be doing.
If the trout are up on top early try soft hackles in Yellow,
Orange or Olive/Green colors. Swing it across their noses and
you should be rewarded. Persistance definately pays off. Peak
times seem to be 8-11 and then 4- to dusk. But we have hit "fish
a cast" bursts during the middle of the day too. As the
action slows try different tactics. Some days a drifted woolly
bugger will be best, other day's they want them stripped.
Olive and greenish or chartruese midges are doing very well in
the overcast periods, go with Cadion Midges in Green and Red,
Green/Yellow Hotwire Princes, Psycho Princes in caddis Green,
Olive scuds, WD40s etc. Under full sun go with something with
a little more sparkle like a Cadion Midge in blue dun, Tungsten
Rainbow Warriors, Razorback Midges or Charlotte's Redneck.
BEAVER LAKE: THE cold weather is expected to shut down the white
bass, hybrids and stripers in Beaver and the Upper White this
weekend. But they should return as conditions warm next week.
Tight Lines from the Beaver Dam Store staff,
Lisa, Steve, and Bryce.
April 5, 2007 - Courtesty of
Missouri Department of Conservation
TROUT PARKS:
Bennett Spring State Park:
54 degrees, clear; fishing is
good. Flow is strong and water level is normal. Successful lures
are: Marabou jigs (black/yellow), Flies- Renegades (brown) and
Red Brassies, glo balls (tri-color), Power Bait (yellow or white).
Fishing Hours are 7am until 7:30pm. Kid's Fishing Day is May
5, 2007. (Report made on 4/5/2007)
Maramec Spring Park:
58 degrees, fishing hours: 7:00
AM--7:30 PM Stream is in great shape. Slightly off color and
normal level. Fishing has been excellent; stream is holding lots
of fish; olive wooly buggers, Gray Scuds, doughbaits working
well. (Report made on 4/5/2007)
Montauk State Park:
55 degrees, normal, clear; fishing
is good. The river is up a bit due to recent rains in the area.
In the natural and artificial bait area, anglers should find
success using prepared and scented baits fished passively under
a bobber or along the bottom. In the flies only area, dry flies
in the smaller sizes should produce fish in good numbers; wooly
buggers and glo balls may be good choices, and mini jigs in thread
or marabou are also good choices for fish that are down in swift
current. Good colors to try are black and yellow, white, pumpkin,
and gray. (Report made on 4/5/2007)
Roaring River State Park:
57 degrees, normal, clear; water
is still clear. Two to four lb. test line is recommended. Olive
wooly buggers; black, olive, brown, and skunk Rooster Tails;
plastic eggs in white, brown, and orange; jigs in black/yellow,
olive, tan and white have been working well. Check locally to
see what flies are best. We plan to cut water weeds on April
10 and 11 through out Zone 1. (Report made on 4/5/2007)
Back to Current Fly
Fishing Reports | Zeiner's Fly Shop
Fly Fishing Reports 2007
Jan
- Mar | Apr - Jun
| Jul - Sept | Oct - Dec
Fly Fishing Reports 2006
Jan
- Mar | Apr - Jun | Jul - Sept | Oct - Dec
Pre
2006 Fly Fishing Reports
Fishing
News Archives
Back to Fishing News from
Zeiner's Angler Supply | Kansas
Angler Online |
Swim
Tail Lures
|