Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said the river conditions have been almost perfect the last week and the fishing has reflected the river conditions. The brown trout bite has been tremendous. We have seen numerous 18-inch-plus brown trout caught to include one over 26 inches. The most effective lures were crankbaits similar to a Rapala CD5 in rainbow trout or brook trout. Other lures resulting in good fish, either brown trout or rainbow trout, were quarter-ounce Colorado spoons in nickel/gold or Little Cleo in gold. Drift-fishing with Uncommon Baits UV neo pink eggs with corn worked well.
The storms Wednesday night into Thursday may dump up to 2 inches of rain in the area. This will likely cause the Buffalo River to rise and the next few days the river would be dingy at best and muddy at worst. Once the creeks clear up, fishing in the creeks with corn should work well. The river was a great place to view the total eclipse Monday.

Reported by: Arkansas F&G