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North Arkansas Weekly Fishing Report
From the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
August 21, 2008

Fishing Tip: During summer, all fish are active and must move around and eat more than during cold months. While a slowly falling lure is deadly in winter, summer fishing is more about drawing a reaction strike. Buzzbaits, heavily weighted worms and jigs, and lipless crankbaits are top-producers in warm water.

White River: Sportsman’s White River Resort said water conditions are normal with eight generators running. Trout have been fair on lures and plastic pink or red trout worms.

John Berry of Berry Brothers Guides said the upper river from Bull Shoals Dam, through the State Park down to Cane Island Shoals has been a real hot spot. The better fishing is in the morning when it is much cooler the water flows are generally a bit lower than in the afternoon. Most are caught on midge or worm patterns fished under an indicator with a lot of weight to get it down to the bottom. Hot flies have been black zebra midges with silver wire and silver bead, San Juan worms in bright colors (cerise, hot pink and red). Many anglers were reporting success fishing sowbugs. There have been several reports of larger fish being caught on streamers. Cast to the bank and vary your retrieve to figure out whether they want it fast or slow. The hot new pattern has been Jim Mengle’s Ozark Sculpin on a sink tip or full sinking line to get it down to the bottom. The section from Wildcat Shoals to Cotter is producing well. There is still quite a bit of pressure here. The hot flies are trout crack, sow bugs, zebra midges and brightly colored San Juan worms. Another hot spot has been the Rim Shoals catch and release section. It has received a bit more pressure lately, but it is not crowded except at lunch when a lot of guides pull in.

Mountain River Fly Shop said some anglers reported good action from Wildcat to Ranchette on heavily-weighted olive, black or “Bow River” buggers on a floating line. Streamers are also producing well, even in the middle of the day. You might not catch as many as on the drifted eggs and worms but it’s a lot of fun. Work your flies close to the banks, over grassbeds and drop-offs. The section from Cotter to Wildcat has been fishing very well with eggs and worms. Run a red, orange or flame egg in front of a San Juan worm or dynamite worm. Sowbugs have been working well in the dam area as well.

Bull Shoals Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 683.17 feet MSL.

Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock said bass are fair on 1/2 –ounce spoons fished in 28 to 32 feet of water around bluff ends and standing timber. Flukes, Spooks and other topwaters are working during low-light hours. Bass are fair on nightcrawlers and ¼-ounce white Road Runners in fished over the top of brush and standing trees in 25 to 35 feet of water. Drop-shot rigs are working in the same areas as well. White bass are fair on trolled Shad Raps and minnow-style stick baits in 25 to 35 feet of water. Some are being caught on spoons as well. Walleye have moved to the thermocline around 25 to 32 feet of water. Spoons are working well, as are nightcrawlers tightlined on a split-shot rig. Trolling shallow and medium-diving Reef Runners and Wally Divers is working around 25 feet deep. Crappie are slow and scattered. Night fishing under lights is the best way to produce some fish this time of year. Catfishing is good in shallower water on stinkbait, liver, shrimp and live sunfish.

Lake Norfork: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 568.13 feet MSL.

101 Grocery and Bait said visibility is good and the water temperature is in the mid to high 80s. Striped bass fishing is good. Walleye fishing has been fair. Bluegill fishing is good. White bass fishing is fair. Largemouth bass are biting well on topwaters in the evenings. Smallmouth are fair. Catfishing is fair. Crappie fishing is fair. 

Cranfield Junction Bait and Tackle (870-492-5141) said all species are slow

Norfork Tailwater: John Berry of Berry Brothers Guides said the Norfork is not fishing as well as it has recently. There has been a lot of boat traffic, especially considering the width of the Norfork as compared to the White. Dry Run Creek Youth Area is still producing some really big fish. This has been the most comfortable place to fish in the twin Lakes area. The narrow valley and heavy tree cover help keep the temperatures on the creek several degrees cooler than any where else around. Wet wading in the creek has been the ticket to beating the heat. The hot flies have been sowbugs and San Juan worms.

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