Fishing report

Fishing Hint

 

There are dozens of books out there full of fishing knots, but if you can’t tie the knots well they are pretty much useless. Learn a couple of basic knots and learn to tie them in any condition: hot or cold, windy or calm, bright sunlight or dark thirty. A poorly tied knot is a failed knot and a lost fish.

 

Fishing Report 01-07-13

 

River Levels

 

Arkansas

cfs                        feet

King’s River                                    66                        2.93                        Grandview Bridge

Crooked Creek                         34                        9.65                        Kelly’s Access

Buffalo River                                    27                        1.86                        Ponca            – 40.3 degrees

28                        3.97                        Pruitt            – 37.8 degrees

331                        4.28                        Tyler Bend – 44.6 degrees

271                        3.43                        Buffalo Point            – 40.5 degrees

War Eagle Creek                        94                        1.18                        near Huntsville

 

Missouri

 

Little Sugar Creek                        40                        2.60                        near Pineville

Big Sugar Creek                        6.8                        3.14                        near Powell

Elk River                                    164                        2.78                        near Tiff City

Indian Creek                                    40                        1.22                        near Lanagan

James River                                    167                        2.45                        near Galena

Bryant Creek                                    181                        3.42                        near Tecumseh

 

Oklahoma

 

Illinois            River                                    224                        4.92                        near Tahlequah

 

These are all warm water streams where we fish for smallmouth bass and sunfish. The water levels (feet) are not necessarily the true water depth, only the gauge reading. The rivers and streams are near their seasonal averages. Be prepared to walk and drag your boat quite a bit. Water temperatures are in the lower 40’s in the morning to near 50 degrees in the afternoon on warmer days. We have had two rain events that have helped the ground water and river levels a bit and we are expecting a couple more in the next week. Get ready to fish slow and deep for smallmouth or set your sights on cold-water trout.

 

Trout Tailwaters

 

White River – Beaver Lake level is 1108.80 and normal pool is 1120.4. Water releases have been in the morning for 2-4 hours at 4,000 cfs. Midges, scuds, sow bugs and small streamers are producing good numbers of fish. On bright, calm days, fish midge patterns under a small indicator with 6 or 7X tippet. Gray, olive and chocolate brown are good colors now. On overcast, breezy days, a size 14-16 nymph under a medium small indicator with 5-6X is working. When the fish seem more active, try streamers in the 6-10 sizes. Olive, black and tan are good colors now. Generation has been off most days but expect increases with the colder weather. Cover the water to find concentrations of active fish. Table Rock Lake is at 904.95 so there are wading opportunities well below the Hwy. 62 Bridge. The lower tailwater below Bertrand Access fishing has been slow.

 

White River – Bull Shoals Lake level is 646.4 and normal pool is 654. Water releases have been averaging 1,000 with highs to 6,500 cfs. From the 1^st to the 6^th there were no releases at the dam. This is allowing wade fishing in most areas. Post spawn browns are starting to feed and for you streamer addicts now is the time. Reports of fish up to 24 inches are being caught. Mike Schmidt’s Double Deceiver is the hot fly as well as most of the bigger articulated flies. Shades of olive, pink and yellow are good color choices now. On days with a slow streamer bite, nymphing is always a reliable option. Scuds, sow bugs, midges, blue wing olives, micro caddis, egg and worm patterns should be in your arsenal. Remember the area above the state park is closed until February 1 to protect spawning browns and in the State Park all browns are catch and release.

 

North Fork River – Norfork Lake level is 540.5 and normal pool is 552. Water releases have been about 1,000-5,000 cfs most of the day. Some days there have been brief pulses of generation and on other days generation is starting late morning with 1 unit. Saturday was a perfect day for drift fishing with releases at 1,000-2,000 cfs. There have been periods of low water everyday for wading anglers. Midges, scuds, sow bugs, blue wing olives, egg and worm patterns are all options. Small streamers (2-3 inches) in low water are working in areas with active fish and larger streamers (4-6 inches) during periods of generation can produce a trophy. Persistence, patience and observation are key to hooking a trophy brown. Have a selection of scud, sow bug, worm and egg flies as well.

 

Little Red River – Greers Ferry Lake level is 455.6 and normal pool is 461.44. Water releases have been very low with most days with no generation. Your standard winter flies have been working.

 

 

Winter Duties

It is 21 degrees out as I am typing this. It has been a fairly mild winter so far, but the cold, dreary days will soon be harboring the dreaded “cabin fever”. We will have a few days of warmer weather here in northwest Arkansas over the winter and will be able to get out and fish.  Now is the time of year to take care of those little things that you put off when the fishing is hot.

Yes, it is the time to do all the little things that become big things when you have your fish of a lifetime on. Did you ever thing how long that backing has been on your fly reel? Everyone checks the fly line and replaces it when it is worn or a new super line comes out, but what about the backing that has been getting wet for the last 5-10 years. What kind of shape is that in? Big fish, long run, into the backing, put some pressure on it to slow the fish down, rotten backing, too bad! Bye-bye fish. (And fly, leader, fly line) Now is a good time to double check (re-tie) those knots that hold everything together.

Cleaning all your equipment is also very important. How many trips did you take this past year and afterwards just chunk it all in the back of the truck? Take the time to clean and wax your fly rods and clean out that sticky ferrule. Don’t forget the reel seat and cork grip. You paid a lot for that stuff. After the rod, start in on the reel. I know it is usually just a place to store the line, but think of how many times it was set on the ground, dropped in the river and rode to the river in the bed of a truck or across the lake in your boat. Take the time to clean out the grit and grime and old nasty grease and replace as needed with a light coat of lubricant.

Don’t forget you boots and waders. The breathables do not breathe as well with a layer of dirt, fish slime and floatant. Soap and water along with a soft brush should get the crud off. This works just as well with neoprene if anyone still has them. You can also wash most breathables in your washing machine. Remember to spray them with a rejuvenator finish afterwards. With the threat of invasive species like whirling disease, zebra mussels and didymo algae, now is the time to get in the habit of cleaning your boot felt with a 10% solution of bleach or betadine to kill the spores. Do this after every trip and when you travel so the habit is there. Clean out all those empty leader packets and candy wrappers from your vest and take a good inventory of your supplies. It’s tough to go out fishing with #20 midges and have only 3X tippet in your vest. Take time to inventory your fly boxes. Winter is a good time to tie and fill up. The left over flies from last year should be taken out and sharpen the hooks. They will rust stuck in the foam of your boxes.

If you have a boat, clean it out, polish it up and get ready for your next trip. Who wants to spend the night before a big trip working on the boat hoping it will be seaworthy the next day. Hoping everything is there. Now is a good time to change the wheel bearings or at least grease them and check the spare and find your anchor. If you do a lot of camping when you fish, now would be the time to set everything up and do the necessary repairs and maintenance. Clean out the summer’s worth of grease from the camp stove. Seal the seams on your tent. Wash the camp dishes and sleeping bags.

Just remember, white bass season will be here sooner than you think or for some not soon enough and when they are running there is nothing on your mind but fishing time.

2012 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

The new Boeing 787 Dreamliner can carry about 250 passengers. This blog was viewed about 1,400 times in 2012. If it were a Dreamliner, it would take about 6 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

fishing report 12-17-12

Fishing Report 12-17-12

 

River Levels

 

Arkansas

cfs                        feet

King’s River                                    38                        2.72                        Grandview Bridge

Crooked Creek                         28                        9.53                        Kelly’s Access

Buffalo River                                    10                        1.68                        Ponca

13                        3.67                        Pruitt

103                        3.69                        Tyler Bend

115                        2.91                        Buffalo Point

War Eagle Creek                        31                        0.85                        near Huntsville

 

Missouri

 

Little Sugar Creek                        40                        2.60                        near Pineville

Big Sugar Creek                        4.9                        3.07                        near Powell

Elk River                                    183                        2.85                        near Tiff City

Indian Creek                                    52                        1.32                        near Lanagan

James River                                    152                        2.46                        near Galena

Bryant Creek                                    181                        3.42                        near Tecumseh

 

Oklahoma

 

Illinois            River                                    188                        4.82                        near Tahlequah

 

These are all warm water streams where we fish for smallmouth bass and sunfish. The water levels (feet) are not necessarily the true water depth, only the gauge reading. The rivers and streams are near their seasonal averages. Be prepared to walk and drag your boat quite a bit. With the warm weather the last week, water temperatures are in the upper 40’s in the morning to near 60 degrees in the afternoon on warmer days. We have had two rain events that have helped the ground water and river levels a bit. Get ready to fish slow and deep for smallmouth or set your sights on cold-water trout.

 

Trout Tailwaters

 

White River – Beaver Lake level is 1109.37 and normal pool is 1120.4. Water releases have been in the morning for 2-4 hours at 4,000 cfs. Midges, scuds, sow bugs and small streamers are producing good numbers of fish. On bright, calm days, fish midge patterns under a small indicator with 6 or 7X tippet. Gray, olive and chocolate brown are good colors now. On overcast, breezy days, a size 14-16 nymph under a medium small indicator with 5-6X is working. When the fish seem more active, try streamers in the 6-10 sizes. Olive, black and tan are good colors now. Generation has been off most days but expect increases with the colder weather. Cover the water to find concentrations of active fish. Table Rock Lake is at 905.65 so there are wading opportunities well below the Hwy. 62 Bridge. The lower tailwater below Bertrand Access fishing has been slow.

 

White River – Bull Shoals Lake level is 646.4 and normal pool is 654. Water releases have been averaging 1,000 with highs to 6,500 cfs. Generation has been a soft 1-2 unit around the clock although there have been a couple of days (this last week) without water releases. This is allowing wade fishing in certain areas as well as good drift fishing. Post spawn browns are starting to feed and for you streamer addicts now is the time. Reports of fish up to 24 inches are being caught. Mike Schmidt’s Double Deceiver is the hot fly. Shades of olive, pink and yellow are good color choices now. On days with a slow streamer bite, nymphing is always a reliable option. Scuds, sow bugs, midges, blue wing olives, micro caddis, egg and worm patterns should be in your arsenal. Remember the area above the state park is closed until February 1 to protect spawning browns and in the State Park all browns are catch and release.

 

North Fork River – Norfork Lake level is 541.34 and normal pool is 552. Water releases have been about 1,000-4,500 cfs several times per day. Some days there have been brief pulses of generation and on other days generation is starting late morning with 1 unit. There have been periods of low water everyday for wading anglers. Midges, scuds, sow bugs, blue wing olives, egg and worm patterns are all options. Small streamers (2-3 inches) in low water are working in areas with active fish and larger streamers (4-6 inches) during periods of generation can produce a trophy. Persistence, patience and observation are key to hooking a trophy brown. Have a selection of scud, sow bug, worm and egg flies as well.

 

Little Red River – Greers Ferry Lake level is 454.25 and normal pool is 461.44. Water releases have been very low with several days with no generation. Most days in the last week has seen water releases at 3,000 cfs for 2-6 hours.

 

 

Fishing report 12-10-12

Trout Tailwaters

 

White River – Beaver Lake level is 1109.71 and normal pool is 1120.4. Water releases have been in the morning for 2-4 hours at 2,000 cfs. Most days there are no water releases. Olive or gray scuds, gray or olive zebra midges, peach and yellow eggs and olive wooly buggers are all working well. For spin fisherman, olive marabou jigs and black over gold and shad colored Rapalas are catching good numbers of fish as well. Generation has been off most days but expect increases with the colder weather. Cover the water to find concentrations of active fish. Table Rock Lake is at 905.76 so there are wading opportunities well below the Hwy. 62 Bridge. The lower tailwater below Bertrand Access fishing has been slow.

 

White River – Bull Shoals Lake level is 646.96 and normal pool is 654. Water releases have been averaging 1,000 with highs to 5,000 cfs. Generation has been a soft 1-2 unit around the clock although there have been a couple of days (this last week) without water releases. This is allowing wade fishing in certain areas as well as good drift fishing. With periods of generation streamer addicts are having fun throwing larger patterns looking for the big bite. During periods of non- generation, wade fishermen are having fun as well fishing a variety of their favorite presentations. Recommended flies this winter season includes; soft hackles, scud, sow bug, midge, micro caddis, blue wing olive and medium to large streamers. Remember the area above the state park is closed until February 1 to protect spawning browns.

 

North Fork River – Norfork Lake level is 541.68 and normal pool is 552. Water releases have been about 1,000-5,000 cfs several times per day. Some days there have been brief pulses of generation and on other days generation is starting late morning with 1 unit. There have been periods of low water everyday for wading anglers. The hot flies lately have been the Squirrely Tuckass and olive zebra midges. Mid-morning and late afternoon/early evening is when the fish are keying on midges. Fish a size 8 streamer the rest of the day. Olive, rusty brown and natural tan colors are all working for the streamers. Have a selection of scud, sow bug, worm and egg flies as well.

 

Little Red River – Greers Ferry Lake level is 454.25 and normal pool is 461.44. Water releases have been very low with several days with no generation. Most days in the last week has seen water releases at 3,000 cfs for 2-6 hours.

fishing report 12-3-12

Fishing Report 12-03-12

 

River Levels

 

Arkansas

cfs                        feet

King’s River                                    23                        2.57                        Grandview Bridge

Crooked Creek                         27                        9.51                        Kelly’s Access

Buffalo River                                    5.1                        1.61                        Ponca

7.0                        3.50                        Pruitt

57                        3.51                        Tyler Bend

74                        2.71                        Buffalo Point

War Eagle Creek                        16                        0.74                        near Huntsville

 

Missouri

 

Little Sugar Creek                        26                        2.60                        near Pineville

Big Sugar Creek                        2.2                        2.92                        near Powell

Elk River                                    105                        2.66                        near Tiff City

Indian Creek                                    45                        1.26                        near Lanagan

James River                                    140                        2.41                        near Galena

Bryant Creek                                    173                        3.38                        near Tecumseh

 

Oklahoma

 

Illinois            River                                    164                        4.75                        near Tahlequah

 

These are all warm water streams where we fish for smallmouth bass and sunfish. The water levels (feet) are not necessarily the true water depth, only the gauge reading. The rivers and streams are near their seasonal averages. Be prepared to walk and drag your boat quite a bit. With the warm weather the last week, Water temperatures are in the upper 40’s in the morning to near 60 degrees in the afternoon. Get ready to fish slow and deep for smallmouth or set your sights on cold-water trout.

 

Trout Tailwaters

 

White River – Beaver Lake level is 1109.69 and normal pool is 1120.4. Water releases have been in the morning for 2-4 hours at 2,000 cfs. Most days there are no water releases. Fishing Wednesday was excellent with high numbers of fish caught. Olive or gray scuds, gray or olive zebra midges, peach and yellow eggs and olive wooly buggers are all working well. For spin fisherman, olive marabou jigs and black over gold and shad colored Rapalas are catching good numbers of fish as well. Generation has been off most days but expect increases with the colder weather. Cover the water to find concentrations of active fish. Table Rock Lake is at 906.0 so there are wading opportunities well below the Hwy. 62 Bridge. The lower tailwater below Bertrand Access has been fishing slowly lately.

 

White River – Bull Shoals Lake level is 646.5 and normal pool is 654. Water releases have been averaging 2,000 with highs to 6,000 cfs. Generation has been a soft 1-2 unit around the clock although there have been a couple of days (this last weekend) without water releases. This is allowing wade fishing in certain areas as well as good drift fishing. With periods of generation streamer addicts are having fun throwing larger patterns looking for the big bite. During periods of non- generation, wade fishermen are having fun as well fishing a variety of their favorite presentations. Recommended flies this winter season includes; soft hackles, scud, sow bug, midge, micro caddis, blue wing olive and medium to large streamers. Remember the area above the state park is closed until February 1 to protect spawning browns.

 

North Fork River – Norfork Lake level is 541.9 and normal pool is 552. Water releases have been about 1,000-5,500 cfs several times per day. As winter gets closer and low dissolved oxygen in the lake, releases will be several per day with shorter times. Some days there have been brief pulses of generation and on other days generation is starting late morning with 1 unit. There have been periods of low water everyday for wading anglers. The hot flies lately have been the Squirrely Tuckass and olive zebra midges. Mid-morning and late afternoon/early evening is when the fish are keying on midges. Fish a size 8 streamer the rest of the day. Olive, rusty brown and natural tan colors are all working for the streamers. Have a selection of scud, sow bug, worm and egg flies as well.

 

Little Red River – Greers Ferry Lake level is 454.1 and normal pool is 461.44. Water releases have been very low with several days with no generation. Only two days in the last week has seen water releases at 3,000 cfs. Lots of smaller browns are being caught along with rainbows with smaller streamers. Bigger browns have been tough.

 

 

 

Fishing Report 11-26-12

 

 

River Levels

 

These are all warm water streams where we fish for smallmouth bass and sunfish. The water levels (feet) are not necessarily the true water depth, only the gauge reading. The rivers and streams are near their seasonal averages. Be prepared to walk and drag your boat quite a bit. Water temperatures are in the lower 40’s in the morning to near 50 degrees in the afternoon. Get ready to fish slow and deep for smallmouth or set your sights on cold-water trout.

 

Arkansas

cfs                        feet

King’s River                                    25                        2.59                        Grandview Bridge

Crooked Creek                         27                        9.52                        Kelly’s Access

Buffalo River                                    6.5                        1.63                        Ponca

7.0                        3.50                        Pruitt

72                        3.58                        Tyler Bend

80                        2.74                        Buffalo Point

War Eagle Creek                        21                        0.78                        near Huntsville

 

Missouri

 

Little Sugar Creek                        29                        2.59                        near Pineville

Big Sugar Creek                        2.3                        2.69                        near Powell

Elk River                                    112                        2.74                        near Tiff City

Indian Creek                                    47                        1.28                        near Lanagan

James River                                    145                        2.43                        near Galena

Bryant Creek                                    181                        3.42                        near Tecumseh

 

Oklahoma

 

Illinois            River                                    155                        4.76                        near Tahlequah

 

Trout Tailwaters

 

White River – Beaver Lake level is 1109.79 and normal pool is 1120.4. Water releases have been in the morning for 2-4 hours at 1,500-4,000 cfs. Most days there are no water releases. Fishing Wednesday was excellent with high numbers of fish caught. Olive scuds, gray and olive zebra midges, partridge & yellow soft hackles, peach and yellow eggs and olive wooly buggers are all working well. For spin fisherman, olive marabou jigs and black over gold and shad colored Rapalas are catching good numbers of fish as well. Generation has been off most days but expect increases with the colder weather. Cover the water to find concentrations of active fish. Table Rock Lake is at 906.3 so there are wading opportunities well below the Hwy. 62 Bridge. The lower tailwater below Bertrand Access has been fishing slowly lately.

 

White River – Bull Shoals Lake level is 647.04 and normal pool is 654. Water releases have been averaging 2,000 with highs to 8,000 cfs. Generation has been a soft 1-2 unit around the clock although there have been a couple of days (this last weekend) without water releases. This is allowing wade fishing in certain areas as well as good drift fishing. With periods of generation streamer addicts are having fun throwing larger patterns looking for the big bite. During periods of non- generation, wade fishermen are having fun as well fishing a variety of their favorite presentations. Recommended flies this winter season includes; soft hackles, scud, sow bug, midge, micro caddis, blue wing olive and medium to large streamers. Remember the area above the state park is closed until February 1 to protect spawning browns.

 

North Fork River – Norfork Lake level is 542.63 and normal pool is 552. Water releases have been about 1,000-4,500 cfs several times per day. As winter gets closer and low dissolved oxygen in the lake, releases will be several per day with shorter times. Some days there have been brief pulses of generation and on other days generation is starting late morning with a soft 1 unit. There have been periods of low water everyday for wading anglers. The hot flies lately have been the Squirrely Tuckass and olive zebra midges. Mid-morning and late afternoon/early evening is when the fish are keying on midges. Fish a size 8 streamer the rest of the day. Olive, rusty brown and natural tan colors are all working for the streamers. Have a selection of scud, sow bug, worm and egg flies as well.

 

Little Red River – Greers Ferry Lake level is 454.18 and normal pool is 461.44. Water releases have been very low with several days with no generation. Only two days in the last week has seen water releases at 3,000 cfs. Lots of smaller browns are being caught along with rainbows with smaller streamers. Bigger browns have been tough.

 

 

 

fishing report 11-19-12

Fishing Report 11-19-12

 

River Levels

 

Arkansas

cfs                        feet

King’s River                                    26                        2.60                        Grandview Bridge

Crooked Creek                         29                        9.56                        Kelly’s Access

Buffalo River

5.8                        1.62                        Ponca

7.6                        3.52                        Pruitt

72                        3.58                        Tyler Bend

78                        2.73                        Buffalo Point

War Eagle Creek                        25                        0.81                        near Huntsville

 

Missouri

 

Little Sugar Creek                        40                        2.76                        near Pineville

Big Sugar Creek                        3.1                        2.98                        near Powell

Elk River                                    123                        2.74                        near Tiff City

Indian Creek                                    51                        1.31                        near Lanagan

James River                                    184                        2.58                        near Galena

Bryant Creek                                    185                        3.44                        near Tecumseh

 

Oklahoma

 

Illinois            River                                    173                        4.82                        near Tahlequah

 

These are all warm water streams where we fish for smallmouth bass and sunfish. The water levels (feet) are not necessarily the true water depth, only the gauge reading. The rivers and streams are near their seasonal averages. Be prepared to walk and drag your boat quite a bit. Water temperatures are in the upper 40’s in the morning to near 55 degrees in the afternoon. Get ready to fish slow and deep for smallmouth or set your sights on cold-water trout. This will be our last smallmouth (warm water) report until next Spring.

 

King’s River – If your willing to drag a canoe/kayak or hike you can reach some deeper runs and pools that are holding good numbers of fish. 4″ lizards, 3″ tubes and 3 & 4 inch brush hawgs in watermelon, green pumpkin and black as well as flukes in white, watermelon and baby bass colors are consistent producers. Rebel craws and 3 – 4 inch suspending stick baits should be in your arsenal also.

 

Crooked Creek – Fishing has been pretty good, you just have to hike or drag a canoe/kayak to get to the fish. There are some areas where there is no water in the streambed. Top water fishing is slowing. Concentrate on deeper runs and the upper end of pools with chunk rock and/or wood cover and cover thoroughly with repeated, accurate casts with varied retrieve rates. Hot flies this past week have been Ozark Shiner Clousers, olive Crazy Dads.

 

Elk River (Missouri) – Of all the warm water rivers, the Elk is the best bet for floating. Below the Mt. Shira access has been fishing well. Find the deeper runs and pools and you’ll find fish. Deeper patterns like Clouser Minnows, Crazy Dads, Shenk’s Minnow and Wooly Buggers have been the best bet to pick up fish with a fly rod. Bass have been hitting watermelon red and green pumpkinseed colored soft plastics. The bite has been light so be attentive. Remember to SET the hook. These are bass not trout.

 

Trout Tailwaters

 

White River – Beaver Lake level is 1109.87 and normal pool is 1120.4. Water releases have been in the morning for 2-4 hours at 1,500-4,000 cfs. Some days there is no water releases. Fishing Saturday was excellent with high numbers of fish caught. Olive scuds, gray and olive zebra midges, partridge & yellow soft hackles and olive wooly buggers are all working well. For spin fisherman, olive marabou jigs and black over gold and shad colored Rapalas are catching good numbers of fish as well. Generation has been off most days but expect increases with the colder weather. Cover the water to find concentrations of active fish. Table Rock Lake is at 906.7 so there are wading opportunities well below the Hwy. 62 Bridge. The lower tailwater below Bertrand Access has been fishing slowly lately.

 

White River – Bull Shoals Lake level is 647.05 and normal pool is 654. Water releases have been averaging 2,000 with highs to 10,000 cfs. Generation has been a soft 1-2 unit around the clock although there have been a couple of days (this last weekend) without water releases. This is allowing wade fishing in certain areas as well as good drift fishing. Fishing has been excellent with good numbers of trout being caught. Hoppers have still been working on warmer days surprisingly. Nymphing, soft hackles and streamers are all working as well. Tan scuds, olive and chocolate brown zebra midges, tan caddis, pheasant tails, copper johns, partridge & orange and partridge & yellow soft hackles, egg and worm patterns and various small to medium size olive streamers should be in your fly boxes. Remember the area above the state park is closed until February 1 to protect spawning browns.

 

North Fork River – Norfork Lake level is 542.7 and normal pool is 552. Water releases have been about 1,500-4,500 cfs several times per day. As winter gets closer and low dissolved oxygen in the lake, releases will be several per day with shorter times. Some days there have been brief pulses of generation and on other days generation is starting late morning with a soft 1 unit. Nymphing is the most consistent technique for good numbers of fish. Tan scuds, olive & gray zebra midges, olive copper johns and olive wooly buggers are all working at various times over the course of the day.

 

Little Red River – Greers Ferry Lake level is 454.16 and normal pool is 461.44. Water releases have been very low with several days with no generation. Only two days in the last week has seen water releases at 3,500 – 7,000 cfs. Lots of smaller browns are being caught along with rainbows with smaller streamers. Bigger browns have been tough.

 

 

 

Fishing report 11-12-12

Fishing Report 11-12-12

 

River Levels

 

Arkansas

cfs                        feet

King’s River                                    28                        2.62                        Grandview Bridge

Crooked Creek                         34                        9.66                        Kelly’s Access

Buffalo River

8.6                        1.66                        Ponca

8.1                        3.54                        Pruitt

65                        3.55                        Tyler Bend

89                        2.79                        Buffalo Point

War Eagle Creek                        18                        0.76                        near Huntsville

 

Missouri

 

Little Sugar Creek                        41                        2.72                        near Pineville

Big Sugar Creek                        39                        3.02                        near Powell

Elk River                                    132                        2.78                        near Tiff City

Indian Creek                                    63                        1.4                        near Lanagan

James River                                    192                        2.61                        near Galena

Bryant Creek                                    198                        3.5                        near Tecumseh

 

Oklahoma

 

Illinois            River                                    177                        4.84                        near Tahlequah

 

These are all warm water streams where we fish for smallmouth bass and sunfish. The water levels (feet) are not necessarily the true water depth, only the gauge reading. The rivers and streams are near their seasonal averages. Be prepared to walk and drag your boat quite a bit. Water temperatures are in the low 50’s in the morning to near 60 degrees in the afternoon but that will probably change with this cold snap. Get ready to fish slow and deep for smallmouth or set your sights on cold water trout.

 

King’s River – If your willing to drag a canoe/kayak or hike you can reach some deeper runs and pools that are holding good numbers of fish. 4″ lizards, 3″ tubes and 3 & 4 inch brush hawgs in watermelon, green pumpkin and black as well as flukes in white, watermelon and baby bass colors are consistent producers. Rebel craws and 3 – 4 inch suspending stick baits should be in your arsenal also.

 

Crooked Creek – Fishing has been pretty good, you just have to hike or drag a canoe/kayak to get to the fish. There are some areas where there is no water in the streambed. Top water fishing is slowing. Concentrate on deeper runs and the upper end of pools with chunk rock and/or wood cover and cover thoroughly with repeated, accurate casts with varied retrieve rates. Hot flies this past week have been Ozark Shiner Clousers, olive Crazy Dads.

 

Elk River (Missouri) – Of all the warm water rivers, the Elk is the best bet for floating. Below the Mt. Shira access has been fishing well. Find the deeper runs and pools and you’ll find fish. Deeper patterns like Clouser Minnows, Crazy Dads, Shenk’s Minnow and Wooly Buggers have been the best bet to pick up fish with a fly rod. Bass have been hitting watermelon red and green pumpkinseed colored soft plastics. The bite has been light so be attentive. Remember to SET the hook. These are bass not trout.

 

Trout Tailwaters

 

White River – Beaver Lake level is 1110.01 and normal pool is 1120.4. Water releases have been in the morning for 2-4 hours at 1,500-4,000 cfs. Some days there is no water releases. Fishing Saturday was excellent with high numbers of fish caught. Olive scuds, gray and olive zebra midges, partridge & yellow soft hackles and olive wooly buggers are all working well. For spin fisherman, olive marabou jigs and black over gold and shad colored Rapalas are catching good numbers of fish as well. Generation has been off most days but expect increases with the colder weather. Cover the water to find concentrations of active fish. Table Rock Lake is at 907.21 so there are wading opportunities well below the Hwy. 62 Bridge. The lower tailwater below Bertrand Access has been fishing slow lately.

 

White River – Bull Shoals Lake level is 647.3 and normal pool is 654. Water releases have been averaging 1,000 with highs to 7,000 cfs. Generation has been a soft 1-2 unit around the clock although there have been a couple of days without water releases this past week. This is allowing wade fishing in certain areas as well as good drift fishing. Fishing has been excellent with good numbers of trout being caught. Hoppers have still been working on warmer days surprisingly. Nymphing, soft hackles and streamers are all working as well. Tan scuds, olive and chocolate brown zebra midges, tan caddis, pheasant tails, copper johns, partridge & orange and partridge & yellow soft hackles, egg and worm patterns and various small to medium size olive streamers should be in your fly boxes. Remember the area above the state park is closed until February 1 to protect spawning browns.

 

North Fork River – Norfork Lake level is 543.25 and normal pool is 552. Water releases have been about 1,500-3,500 cfs several times per day. As fall gets here and low dissolved oxygen in the lake, releases will be several per day with shorter times. Some days there have been brief pulses of generation and on other days generation is starting late morning with a soft 1 unit. Nymphing is the most consistent technique for good numbers of fish. Tan scuds, olive & gray zebra midges, olive copper johns and olive wooly buggers are all working at various times over the course of the day.

 

Little Red River – Greers Ferry Lake level is 454.07 and normal pool is 461.44. Water releases have been very low with several days with no generation. Only one day in the last week has seen water releases at close to 3,500 cfs. Lots of smaller browns are being caught along with rainbows with smaller streamers. Bigger browns have been tough.

 

Fishing Report

Fishing Report 11-05-12

 

River Levels

 

Arkansas

cfs                        feet

King’s River                                    25                        2.59                        Grandview Bridge

Crooked Creek                         27                        9.52                        Kelly’s Access

Buffalo River

5.1                        1.61                        Ponca

6.5                        3.48                         Pruitt

59                        3.52                        Tyler Bend

78                        2.73                        Buffalo Point

War Eagle Creek                        26                        0.82                        near Huntsville

 

Missouri

 

Little Sugar Creek                        33                        2.61                        near Pineville

Big Sugar Creek                        9                        2.69                        near Powell

Elk River                                    129                        2.77                        near Tiff City

Indian Creek                                    63                        1.37                        near Lanagan

James River                                    249                        2.79                        near Galena

Bryant Creek                                    188                        3.45                        near Tecumseh

 

Oklahoma

 

Illinois            River                                    155                        4.77                        near Tahlequah

 

These are all warm water streams where we fish for smallmouth bass and sunfish. The water levels (feet) are not necessarily the true water depth, only the gauge reading. The rivers and streams are near their seasonal averages. Be prepared to walk and drag your boat quite a bit. Water temperatures are in the low 50’s in the morning to near 60 degrees in the afternoon.

 

King’s River – If your willing to drag a canoe/kayak or hike you can reach some deeper runs and pools that are holding good numbers of fish. Top water is still producing good numbers and quality fish as well. Poppers, slider/divers, hopper, damsel and dragon fly patterns are all producing consistent action. 4″ lizards, 3″ tubes and 3 & 4 inch brush hawgs in watermelon, green pumpkin and black as well as flukes in white, watermelon and baby bass colors are consistent producers. Rebel craws and 3 – 4 inch suspending stick baits should be in your arsenal also.

 

Crooked Creek – Fishing has been pretty good, you just have to hike or drag a canoe/kayak to get to the fish. There are some areas where there is no water in the streambed. Top water fishing is slowing. Concentrate on deeper runs and the upper end of pools with chunk rock and/or wood cover and cover thoroughly with repeated, accurate casts with varied retrieve rates. Hot flies this past week have been Ozark Shiner Clousers, olive Crazy Dads.

 

Elk River (Missouri) – Of all the warm water rivers, the Elk is the best bet for floating. Below the Mt. Shira access has been fishing very well. Find the deeper runs and pools and you’ll find fish. Fishing on top with a variety of poppers, slider/divers and foam hopper and damsel/dragon fly imitations are all producing good numbers of fish as well as quality. Bass have been hitting watermelon red and green pumpkinseed colored soft plastics. The bite has been light so be attentive. Remember to SET the hook. These are bass not trout.

 

Trout Tailwaters

 

White River – Beaver Lake level is 1110.17 and normal pool is 1120.4. Water releases have been in the morning for 2-4 hours at 1,500-4,000 cfs. Some days there is no water releases. A variety of presentations are working for trout currently. Scuds in olive, gray and tan, sow bugs, midges in gray, olive and chocolate, small Prince nymphs and small streamers, size 10 is all working. Quite a few brown are starting to show up in pre-spawn staging areas. Cover the water to find concentrations of active fish. Table Rock Lake is at 907.50 so there are wading opportunities well below the Hwy. 62 Bridge.

 

White River – Bull Shoals Lake level is 647.45 and normal pool is 654. Water releases have been averaging 1,000 with highs to 7,000 cfs. Generation has been a soft 1-2 unit around the clock although there have been a couple of days without water releases this past week. This is allowing wade fishing in certain areas as well as good drift fishing. Scuds, sow bugs, pheasant tails, caddis and midges should cover most nymphing situations. Streamers size 6-10 are also working at various times of day or when fish are more active. Remember the area above the state park is closed until February 1 to protect spawning browns.

 

North Fork River – Norfork Lake level is 543.65 and normal pool is 552. Water releases have been about 1,500-3,500 cfs several times per day. As fall gets here and low dissolved oxygen in the lake, releases will be several per day with shorter times. Some days there have been brief pulses of generation and on other days generation is starting late morning with a soft 1 unit. Scuds, (olive and tan), sow bugs, midges (gray, tan, olive & black), caddis (tan) and streamers size 6-10, in shades of olive and black. Depth of presentation is more important that pattern.

 

Little Red River – Greers Ferry Lake level is 454.0 and normal pool is 461.44. Water releases have been very low with several days with no generation. Only one day in the last week has seen water releases at close to 4,000 cfs. Lots of smaller browns are being caught along with rainbows with smaller streamers. Bigger browns have been tough.