Arkansas Fishing Report: White River

About Us | Contact Us | Outdoor News |

Arkansas Fishing Report

States

Lakes & Reservoirs

Rivers

White River Sponsored by
,

Date	01-Jul-09
Water Condition
Water Temperature

Conditions : White River: John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Service said the pattern on the White was for around-the-clock generation of varied flows (3,000 CFS to 12,000 CFS) with lower flows at night and in the morning. The flows have been much heavier in the afternoon during peak power demand. This created some challenging conditions for drift fishing and some limited wade fishing. If possible, fish early in the morning to avoid the heat. The catch-and-release section below Bull Shoals Dam has been productive. Anglers reported success on midge larva patterns. The most effective were zebra midges in black with silver wire and silver beads and red with silver wire and silver beads. The best sizes were 14-16. Copper Johns and pheasant tails also have been productive. During higher flows, the hot patterns have been hot pink San Juan worms and eggs. The sulphurs are still in the upper river. They were sighted from the Dam to the Narrows in numbers but were thinning a bit in the Rim Shoals to Cotter area. This is our major mayfly hatch of the year. They are yellow/orange insects. The best way to fish them is with copper John or pheasant tail nymphs before the hatch begins, when the nymphs are more active. When the nymphs rise to the surface and begin to emerge, switch to partridge and orange or pheasant tail soft hackles. When the trout begin keying in on the adults, switch to sulphur parachute dry flies. The section from White Hole to Cotter has been very popular for float trips. The preferred technique in this section is to bang the bank with large streamers. The hot flies have been Kelly Gallop zoo cougars and other similar oversized streamers. Most anglers use heavy full sinking or sink tip lines. Rim Shoals has fished particularly well. The sulphur hatch is still coming off most days, but is diminished.

Sportsmans White River Resort (870-453-2424) said fishing has been great with 2 to 4 generators running around the clock. Fly-fishermen are using woolly buggers, San Juan worms and copper johns. The boat fishermen are boing very well with silver and gold Lil Cleos. Thomas Spoons in red/gold and rainbow colors are working as well.

Jim Brentlinger at Linger's Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said Rim Shoals to Crooked Creek continues to be hot. The average size has been much better in the last two weeks. White River Zig Jigs and Power Bait above and below the catch-and-release zone have been working exceptionally well. Shipps Ferry to Norfork will produce fish, but not as many and not as large as upstream. From the Norfork down to Reds Landing has been slower than usual.

Reported by: Arkansas F&G

Hatches:	Patterns	Lures & Spinners


About: - Fishing Arkansas's White River Keeps Small Arkansas Town These fish aren't native to Arkansas, but were introduced several decades ago when new dams on some of the state's major rivers wiped out the native bass, bream, catfish and crappie below the dams. Cold water released from the dam made the downstream rivers too chilly for the native fish, so trout were brought in. (more)			Brown & Rainbow Trout Cutthroat Brookies Small & Largemouth Bass Sunfish Catfish

Misc Info: -