White
River: Sportsman’s
White River Resort said the water is murky. Six generators
are running and the level fluctuates from high to low throughout
the day. Trout fishing is excellent on Power Bait. Rapala floating
minnows are working very well. Fly-fishing should pick up once
the water level drops.
Mountain
River Fly Shop had no report.
John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Service said the generation
on the White River has slowed to allow for more generation on the
Norfork. The catch-and-release section below Bull Shoals Dam closed
to all fishing on Nov. 1, 2008. It will remain closed until Feb.
1, 2009, for the brown trout spawn. The section from the bottom
of the catch-and-release section downstream to the wing wall at
the state park is seasonal catch-and-release for the same time.
Fishing on the White River has been a generally good. Dissolved
oxygen levels have improved the bite significantly. The river is
stained from the breakdown of organic material and the water is
still a bit warm for this time of year. The river from the state
park down to White Hole has been the hot spot. The go-to flies
have been brightly colored San Juan worms. The best color seems
to change every day. Carry a variety of colors that include hot
fluorescent pink, cerise, red and fluorescent orange. The catch-and-release
section at Rim Shoals has fished a bit better, but not as well
as the upper river. The fishing has been better in the morning.
The hot flies for this area have been hot pink or cerise San Juan
worms. With the lower flows, it is once again possible to wade
below the second island. If you do not have access to a boat, stop
by Rim Shoals Trout Dock and take advantage of their water taxi.
For a nominal fee they will drop you off at the island and pick
you up later in the day.
Bull
Shoals Lake: As
of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s
elevation at 654.04 feet MSL.
Lake
Norfork: As
of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation
at 554.50 feet MSL.
101
Grocery and Bait said the water temperature is in the
50-degree range. Bluegill and crappie fishing has been good.
Heavy water generation during the last week has dropped the water
4 feet. This has helped move the crappie and bluegill to the
brush piles. White bass fishing has been good using jigging spoons.
Striper fishing is slow, but some are being caught on shiners.
Smallmouth and largemouth bass fishing are fair. Kentucky bass
are biting well. Catfishing is fair.
Norfork
Tailwater: John Berry
from Berry Brothers Guide Service said low wadable water on the
Norfork is now a distant memory as they are generating at a high
level. The fishing is still good. The go-to flies have been San
Juan worms in pink, worm brown and red. Orange egg patterns have
also done very well. In the higher water, you will have to fish
with substantial amounts of weight. Concentrate on fishing the
banks and grass beds. If you are not in the catch-and-release section
try a two-fly rig with a sowbug or scud as the dropper. Dry Run
Creek is still fishing well. During the past week I heard reports
of several very large rainbows being caught. The hot flies have
been sowbugs, San Juan worms, egg patterns and olive woolly buggers.
Mountain
River Fly Shop had no report.
Spring River: Spring
River Fly Shop said fishing conditions remain the same. Water
levels are still running fairly low with great clarity. Egg patterns
have been the favorite. Cold temperatures have become a factor
as winter moves into the area. Always remember to dress in layers
and to wear wool garments because they remain warm even when
they become wet.
