Fishing Reports

Fishing Report

Buffalo River – River levels –

Ponca – 1.74 feet and 27 cfs, very low
Pruitt – 3.64 feet and 43 cfs, very low
Tyler Bend – 3.89 feet and 59 cfs, very low – 1200 cfs is average
Buffalo Point – 3.08 feet and 310 cfs, low,

Water temperatures this last week are ranging from 75-82 degrees averaging 78 degrees. The river level is extremely low for floating.

King’s River – The river gauge near Grandview is reading 3.14 feet and 81 cfs. The average is 650 cfs this time of year. Fair level for floating and fishing and very clear. Water temperatures are hitting near 75-82 degrees in the afternoon and averaging 78 degrees. Fish are biting on watermelon red and white soft plastics. Flyfishing is good with Tequeely streamers, rabbit strip divers in white or chartreuse and crazy dads in olive. Sunfish are good with poppers.

Crooked Creek – The gauge at Kelly’s Slab is reading 10.14 ft and 176 cfs. This is about 2.25 feet under the low water bridge at Kelly’s Access, but is floatable. Water temperatures have been averaging 76 degrees.

King’s River, Buffalo River and Crooked Creek – Water levels are very low and clear. Hope for some rain. Water temperatures are in the mid to upper 70’s, very good for smallmouth. Make sure you are fishing the deep holes on warm sunny days. Some good fish have been caught. With the warmer temperatures continuing, fishing is really picking up. Fish slow and deep with soft plastics in watermelon red and green pumpkinseed or crawdad pattern flies. The rivers are at early summer levels and very clear. Stealth is needed.

White River –
Beaver Tailwaters – Lake level is 1119.5 feet, which is just below conservation pool. Low, clear water conditions mean long leaders and stealthy presentations. Sight casting to visible fish instead of blind casting will spook fewer fish and improve hook-ups. Generation has been off in the mornings until 11:00am all week. Fish streamers early, then midges late morning. Recommended patterns include; Wooly Bugger, Slump Buster, Squirrely Tukass, .56er, Sparrow, Zebra Midge, BH Simple Sow, Humpback Scud, BH Pheasant Tail and BH Hare’s Ear.

Bull Shoals Tailwaters – Lake level is 653.2 feet, 0.8 feet into the conservation pool. Generation has been around the clock between 1-6 units. Drift fishing has been excellent with a variety of patterns and presentations. Streamers, nymphs, dry flies and terrestrials are all working at different times and areas during the day.

Norfork Tailwaters – Lake level is 551.9 feet, right at conservation pool. Generation has been off during the day until 3-4pm. Midges are best close to the dam and in the park. Caddis and mayfly patterns are working mid-river on down. Also, try scud, sow bug and small streamers when no hatches are observed.

Elk River (Missouri) – River conditions are low and clear but floatable. The river gauge is at 3.55 feet and 319 cfs. Long leaders concentrating on chunk rock channels with olive/white Clouser Minnows are working best. KC’s Darter, KC’s WTH and Zonkers, all in olive shades in sizes 2-6 are working well also. Spotted bass are spawning and quite spooky and some smallmouth are on beds as well.

Illinois River (Upper) Oklahoma – Water levels are at 5.22 feet and 498 cfs. The river is in good shape just a little low. Some good bass have been caught in the upper reaches in the deep holes.

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Fishing Report

Buffalo River – River levels –

Ponca – 1.79 feet and 32 cfs, very low
Pruitt – 3.78 feet and 56 cfs, very low
Tyler Bend – 4.06 feet and 103 cfs, low – 1300 cfs is average
Buffalo Point – 3.32 feet and 375 cfs, low moderate, 2” from being low

Water temperatures this last week are ranging from 68-74 degrees averaging 70 degrees.

King’s River – The river gauge near Grandview is reading 3.34 feet and 122 cfs. The average is 750 cfs this time of year. Fair level for floating and fishing and very clear. Water temperatures are hitting near 62-72 degrees in the afternoon and averaging 68 degrees. Fish are biting on green pumpkin seed and white soft plastics. Fly fishing is good with Tequeely streamers and crazy dads.

Crooked Creek – The gauge at Kelly’s Slab is reading 10.35 ft and 188 cfs. This is about 2.25 feet under the low water bridge at Kelly’s Access, but is very floatable. Water temperatures have been averaging 68 degrees.

King’s River, Buffalo River and Crooked Creek – Water levels are low and very clear. Hope for some rain. Water temperatures are in the upper 60’s, very good for smallmouth. Make sure you are fishing the deep holes on warm sunny days. Some good fish have been caught. With the warmer temperatures continuing, fishing is really picking up. Fish slow and deep with soft plastics or crawdad pattern flies. The rivers are at early summer levels and very clear. Stealth is needed.

White River –

Beaver Tailwaters – Lake level is 1120.0 feet, which is at conservation pool. Plenty of low water for wade fishing. Low, clear water conditions mean long leaders and stealthy presentations. Sight casting to visible fish instead of blind casting will spook fewer fish and improve hook-ups. Zebra midges, BH Simple Sow, Humpback Scud and Hare’s Ear are working well under a small white indicator. Flashy Wooly Buggers are working as well on some days. Vary the retrieve from a slow swing to an erratic strip to determine what the fish prefer. White bass are present in good numbers downstream of Parker Bend. Try Clouser Minnows, Zonkers and Wooly Buggers in white, olive and gray.

Bull Shoals Tailwaters – Lake level is 653.8 feet, 0.2 feet into the conservation pool. Generation was off over the weekend and fishing was excellent. Lots of brown trout are being caught up to 20 inches. Caddis and mayfly patterns covering top to bottom are working well. Recommended patterns include; BH Z-Wing Caddis, Graphic Caddis, Partridge & Green Soft Hackle, Elk Hair Caddis, BH Pheasant Tail, Olive Copper John, Partridge & Yellow Soft Hackle and Parachute Sulfur.

Norfork Tailwaters – Lake level is 552 feet, right at conservation pool. Plenty of low water for wade fishing. Midges are predominant close to the dam. Sow bugs and scuds are working well mid-river and caddis and mayfly patterns mid to lower river. Zebra midges, Harvested Midge and Parachute Adams in size 18-22, BH Simple Sow, Humpback Scud in shades of tan, gray & olive, size 14-18. BH Z-Wing Caddis, Graphic Caddis, Elk Hair Caddis, BH Pheasant Tail, Olive Copper John, Partridge & Yellow and Partridge & Pheasant Tail soft hackles, Parachute Sulfur in sizes 14-18 are some recommended patterns.

Elk River (Missouri) – River conditions are low and clear but floatable. Long leaders concentrating on chunk rock channels with olive/white Clouser Minnows are working best. KC’s Darter, KC’s WTH and Zonkers, all in olive shades in sizes 2-6 are working well also. Spotted bass are spawning and quite spooky and some smallmouth are on beds as well.

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Fishing Report

Buffalo River – River levels –

Ponca – 1.92 feet and 47 cfs, very low
Pruitt – 3.94 feet and 75 cfs, very low
Tyler Bend – 4.40 feet and 222 cfs, low – 1300 cfs is average
Buffalo Point – 3.56 feet and 543 cfs, low moderate

Water temperatures this last week are ranging from 60-70 degrees averaging 64 degrees.

King’s River – The river gauge near Grandview is reading 3.44 feet and 147 cfs. The average is 600 cfs this time of year. Fair level for floating and fishing and very clear. Water temperatures are hitting near 54-67 degrees in the afternoon and averaging 64 degrees. Fish are biting on green pumpkin seed and white soft plastics. Fly fishing is good with Tequeely streamers and crazy dads.

Crooked Creek – The gauge at Kelly’s Slab is reading 10.54 ft and 203 cfs. This is about 2.25 feet under the low water bridge at Kelly’s Access, but is very floatable. Water temperatures have been averaging 64 degrees.

King’s River, Buffalo River and Crooked Creek – Water levels are low and very clear. Hope for some rain. Water temperatures are in the mid 60’s, good for smallmouth. Make sure you are fishing the deep holes on warm sunny days. Some good fish have been caught. With the warmer temperatures continuing, fishing is really picking up. Fish slow and deep with soft plastics or crawdad pattern flies. The rivers are at early summer levels and very clear. Stealth is needed.

White River –

Beaver Tailwaters- Lake level is 1120.2 feet which is 0.2 feet into conservation pool. The Corp of Engineers having been running water to 7500 cfs from 8-10 pm. Fishing has been very good. Fish are biting on zebra midges mainly with black/silver, blue dun/blue and wine/copper being the best colors.

Bull Shoals Tailwaters- Lake level is 653.93 feet, 0.07 feet into the conservation pool. Flows are continuous at 2100-10,600 cfs with peak flows at 7-10 pm and 2,000-5,000 cfs during the day. Caddis are still predominant and a few sulphur mayflies are starting to show up. BH Z-Wing Caddis, Graphic Caddis, X-Caddis, BH Pheasant Tail, Copper John, Parachute Sulphur, sow bug, Hump Back Scud, San Juan Worm and various streamers are all recommended.

Norfork Tailwaters- Lake level is 552.10 feet, 0.1 feet into flood pool. Flows are still high as the COE lowers the lake. Highest flows are happening twice per day with flows to 6,000 cfs. High water nymph and streamer tactics are your best option right now. Worms, eggs, scuds, sow bugs, caddis and mayfly patterns, wooly buggers, zonkers and gongas are some of the recommended patterns.

Upper White/Twin Bridges- White bass are still in the river as the spawn is really slowed down. Most fish are being found 2 miles upstream of the 45 Bridge. Clousers, zonkers and wooly buggers in chartreuse, gray, olive, white and tan are recommended. Look for hybrid and stripers in the river if we get some rain.

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Fishing Report

Buffalo River – River levels –

Ponca – 2.05 feet and 67 cfs, very low

Pruitt – 4.08 feet and 93 cfs, very low

Tyler Bend – 4.67 feet and 340 cfs, low moderate

Buffalo Point – 3.74 feet and 651 cfs, low moderate

Water temperatures this last week are ranging from 62-68 degrees averaging 64 degrees.

King’s River – The river gauge near Grandview is reading 3.60feet and 259 cfs. Great level for floating and fishing and very clear. Water temperatures are hitting near 54-67 degrees in the afternoon and averaging 64 degrees. Fish are biting on green pumpkin seed and white soft plastics. Fly fishing is good with Tequeely streamers and crazy dads.

Crooked Creek – The gauge at Kelly’s Slab is reading 11.16 ft and 305 cfs. This is about 1.25 feet under the low water bridge at Kelly’s Access. Water temperatures have been averaging 64 degrees.

King’s River, Buffalo River and Crooked Creek – Water levels are lower and very clear. Water temperatures are in the mid 60’s, good for smallmouth. Make sure you are fishing the deep holes on warm sunny days. Some good fish have been caught. With the warmer temperatures continuing, fishing is really picking up. Fish slow and deep with soft plastics or crawdad pattern flies. The rivers are at early summer levels and very clear. Stealth is needed.

White River –

Beaver Tailwaters- Lake level is 1121.8 feet which is 0.4 feet into flood pool. Generation has increased accordingly and is running continuously at 8500 cfs. The Corp of Engineers having been running two units around the clock to bring the lake back to power pool. Fishing is by boat only utilizing high water nymph rigs and streamers with fast sink-tips or full sinking lines. Eggs, worms, sow bugs, scuds, wooly buggers, zonkers and lead-eyed gongas are some recommended patterns.

Bull Shoals Tailwaters- Lake level is 654.7 feet, 0.7 feet into the flood pool. Flows are continuous at 3,000-15,000 cfs as the COE is evacuating the lake. Generation has backed off as the lake approaches power pool. Caddis are still predominant and a few sulphur mayflies are starting to show up. BH Z-Wing Caddis, Graphic Caddis, X-Caddis, BH Pheasant Tail, Copper John, Parachute Sulphur, sow bug, Hump Back Scud, San Juan Worm and various streamers are all recommended.

Norfork Tailwaters- Lake level is 554.2 feet, 0.2 feet into flood pool. After heavy rains last month, the COE is lowering Norfork Lake with a combination of one unit of power generation and spillway releases equivalent to 6000 cfs. The spillway gates will be cut back from 2 ft. to 1 ft. on April 16, 2012. Flows are still high as the COE lowers the lake. High water nymph and streamer tactics are your best option right now. Worms, eggs, scuds, sow bugs, caddis and mayfly patterns, wooly buggers, zonkers and gongas are some of the recommended patterns.

Upper White/Twin Bridges- White bass are still in the river as the spawn starts to slow down. Most fish are being found 2 miles upstream of the 45 Bridge. Clousers, zonkers and wooly buggers in chartreuse, gray, olive, white and tan are recommended.

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Fishing Report

Buffalo River – River levels –

Ponca – 2.10 feet and 77 cfs, very low

Pruitt – 4.24 feet and 99 cfs, very low

Tyler Bend – 4.98 feet and 498 cfs, low moderate

Buffalo Point – 4.09 feet and 893 cfs, low moderate

Water temperatures this last week are ranging from 59-68 degrees averaging 65 degrees.

King’s River – The river gauge near Grandview is reading 3.83 feet and 355 cfs. Great level for floating and fishing and very clear. Water temperatures are hitting near 54-67 degrees in the afternoon and averaging 66 degrees. Fish are biting on green pumpkin seed and white soft plastics. Fly fishing is good with Tequeely streamers and crazy dads.

Crooked Creek – The gauge at Kelly’s Slab is reading 11.22 ft and 324 cfs. This is about 0.5 feet under the low water bridge at Kelly’s Access. Water temperatures have been averaging 64 degrees.

King’s River, Buffalo River and Crooked Creek – Water levels are lower and very clear. Water temperatures are in the mid 60’s, good for smallmouth. Make sure you are fishing the deep holes on warm sunny days. Some good fish have been caught. With the warmer temperatures continuing, fishing is really picking up. Fish slow and deep with soft plastics or crawdad pattern flies.

White River –

Beaver Tailwaters- Lake level is 1125.28 feet. Generation has increased accordingly and is running 6-8 hours afternoon/evening. The Corp of Engineers stated that increased releases are forecast to begin in mid-April, barring additional heavy rain to bring the lake level back to top of power pool. Generation has been starting in the afternoon around 3:00pm and running for approximately 5-6 hours. Fishing has been fair using scud, sow bug and midge patterns. Small streamers are also catching good numbers of fish. Suggested patterns include – Simple Sow, Humpback Scud, Zebra Midge, Pheasant Tail and Woolly Buggers.

Bull Shoals Tailwaters- Lake level is 656 feet, 2.0 feet into the flood pool. Flows are continuous at 20,000-25,000 cfs as the COE is evacuating the lake. Try bright bigger nymphs and attractors like San Juan worms and eggs or try throwing big streamers with a sink-tip. Don’t forget to add extra weight to get your nymphs down.

Norfork Tailwaters- Lake level is 558.8 feet, 6.8 feet into flood pool. After heavy rains last month, the COE is lowering Norfork Lake with a combination of one unit of power generation and spillway releases equivalent to 8000 cfs. Egg, worm and streamer patterns are your best bets.

Upper White River (Twin Bridges area): Flows are at 145 cfs and river level is 2.89 feet, which is a bit low. Beaver Lake level is high and making wading access near Goshen tough. Upstream fishing is good. White bass are still being caught in good numbers but slowing down. The White River above 45 Bridge will be your better option. Suggested flies include; Clouser Minnow (size 4-6), lead eyed wooly buggers (olive, brown, chartreuse, yellow & white), crazy dads (olive, brown & tan) and KC’s Slider. Temperatures have been from 60-72 degrees and now averaging around 68 degrees. Air temperatures have been in the mid to upper 70’s for the week

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Fishing Report

Buffalo River – River levels –

Ponca – 2.46 feet and 163 cfs, low

Pruitt – 4.80 feet and 206 cfs, low

Tyler Bend – 6.14 feet and 1550 cfs, moderate

Buffalo Point – 5.00 feet and 1740 cfs, moderate

Water temperatures this last week are ranging from 59-68 degrees averaging 65 degrees.

King’s River – The river gauge near Grandview is reading 4.41 feet and 676 cfs. Great level for floating and fishing and clear. Water temperatures are hitting near 54-67 degrees in the afternoon and averaging 64 degrees.

Crooked Creek – The gauge at Kelly’s Slab is reading 12.03 ft and 825 cfs. This is about 0.5 feet under the low water bridge at Kelly’s Access. Water temperatures have been averaging 60 degrees.

King’s River, Buffalo River and Crooked Creek – Water levels are just right and clear. Water temperatures are in the low to mid 60’s, good for smallmouth. Make sure you are fishing the deep holes and shallower waters on warm sunny days. Some good fish have been caught. With the warmer temperatures continuing, fishing is really picking up. Fish slow and deep with soft plastics or crawdad pattern flies.

White River –

Beaver Tailwaters- Lake level is 1125.55 feet. Generation has increased accordingly and is running 6-8 hours afternoon/evening. The Corp of Engineers stated that increased releases are forecast to begin in mid-April, barring additional heavy rain to bring the lake level back to top of power pool. Generation has been starting in the afternoon around 3:00pm and running for approximately 5-6 hours. Fishing has been good using scud, sow bug and midge patterns. Small streamers are also catching good numbers of fish. Suggested patterns include – Simple Sow, Humpback Scud, Zebra Midge, Pheasant Tail and Woolly Buggers. Wade fishing is tough because of the lake level of Table Rock is 916 feet.

Bull Shoals Tailwaters- Lake level is 660.6 feet, 6.6 feet into the flood pool. Flows are continuous at 20,000-25,000 cfs as the COE is evacuating the lake. Try bright bigger nymphs and attractors like San Juan worms and eggs or try throwing big streamers with a sink-tip. Don’t forget to add extra weight to get your nymphs down.

Norfork is now running even more water through the flood gates with flows equaling 3 units.

Upper White River (Twin Bridges area): Flows are at 1160 cfs and river level is 4.93 feet, which is a bit high and murky. Beaver Lake level is high and making wading access near Goshen tough. Upstream fishing is good. White bass are still being caught in good numbers. Richland Creek was producing well last week. Now, the White River above 45 Bridge will be your better option. Clousers, Zonkers and Wooly Buggers are producing good number of fish. Richland Creek is clear and fishing is good using Clouser Minnows in chartreuse and white. Use sink-tips with four-foot leaders ending in 6-8 lb. test. Suggested flies include; Clouser Minnow (size 4-6), lead eyed wooly buggers (olive, brown, chartreuse, yellow & white), crazy dads (olive, brown & tan) and KC’s Slider. Temperatures have been from 60-72 degrees and now averaging around 68 degrees. Air temperatures have been in the mid to upper 70’s and low 80’s for the week.

Little Red River –

Greers Ferry Tailwater – Lake level is at 468.2 feet, 6.8 feet into flood pool. Generation has been fairly continuous with flows to 4,000-5,000 cfs. The water is clear and high. Midge and sow bug patterns have been good for fly-fishing. Zebra midges in gray/silver and black/silver are working along with Ray Charles Sowbugs. Small streamers in olive are working also. Woolly Buggers and pine squirrel zonkers have been the best bet. With the high flows, try a heavier rod and big streamers.

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Fishing Report

Buffalo River – River levels –

Ponca – 2.59 feet and 172 cfs, low
Pruitt – 4.98 feet and 176 cfs, moderate
Tyler Bend – 6.27 feet and 1660 cfs, moderate
Buffalo Point – 4.78 feet and 1510 cfs, moderate

Water temperatures this last week are ranging from 46-53 degrees.

King’s River – The river gauge near Grandview is reading 4.60 ft. and 942 cfs. Water temperatures are hitting near 44-52 degrees in the afternoon.

Crooked Creek – The gauge at Kelly’s Slab is reading 11.04 ft and 77 cfs. This is 1.25 feet below the low water bridge. Water temperatures have been averaging 49 degrees.

King’s River, Buffalo River and Crooked Creek Are at good levels but cold due to lower air temperatures. Water temperatures are in the mid to upper 40′s, right at the point where fishing (catching) gets tough for smallmouth. That is not saying that you can’t catch them in cold water. It just gets tougher. Make sure you are fishing the deep holes and shallower waters on warm sunny days. With the cold temperatures and rain this week, it may be the last of our fly-fishing for smallies until spring.

White River –

Beaver Tailwaters- Lake level is 1120.6 feet. There has been low water for wade fishing except in the lower end of the tailwater. Table Rock Lake is above 915 feet and the area below Parker Bend will not have any flow. Generation has been for most of the day with flows to 8,000 cfs. The water has been off color but the fishing has been consistently good. A variety of flies are working including; Humpback Scud, BH Simple Sow, BH Flashback Pheasant Tail, all in sizes 12-16. Zebra Midge (grey, black, olive & red), size 18 and small streamers (size 8-12) including Wooly Bugger, Sparrow, .56′er and Zonker. Egg patterns are also working.

Bull Shoals Tailwaters- Lake level is 654.8 feet, 0.8 feet into flood pool. Generation has been around the clock varying between 2-6 units (5,000-20,000 cfs). Nymphing and streamers are two of the more productive presentations. Seasonal flies include scuds, sow bugs, blue wing olives, micro-caddis, midges, worm, egg and sculpin patterns. Now is the time to get out your big streamers and the 8 weight rods to pick up some big browns.

Norfork Tailwaters- Lake level is 552 feet, at the top of conservation pool. Generation has been usually twice per day with flows from 3,000-8,000 cfs. Periods of low water late night to very early morning each day for wade fishers. Tan scuds have been hot lately. Small streamers without bead or cone heads producing a slower fall are working well also. Sow bugs, midges, worm and egg patterns should be in your arsenal as well.

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Fishing Report

Buffalo River –

Ponca – 2.30 feet and 97 cfs, low

Pruitt – 4.57 feet and 102 cfs, moderate

Tyler Bend – 5.69 feet and 1160 cfs, moderate

Buffalo Point – 4.37 feet and 1120 cfs, moderate

Water temperatures this last week are ranging from 45-49 degrees.

King’s River – The river gauge near Grandview is reading 3.83 ft. and 436 cfs. Water temperatures are hitting near 45 degrees in the afternoon.

Crooked Creek – The gauge at Kelly’s Slab is reading 10.76 ft and 60 cfs. This is 1.5 feet below the low water bridge. Water temperatures have been averaging 47 degrees.

King’s River, Buffalo River and Crooked Creek Are at good levels but cold due to lower air temperatures. Water temperatures are in the low to mid 40′s, right at the point where fishing (catching) gets tough for smallmouth. That is not saying that you can’t catch them in cold water. It just gets tougher. Make sure you are fishing the deep holes and shallower waters on warm sunny days. With the cold temperatures and rain this week, it may be the last of our fishing for smallies until spring.

White River –

Beaver Tailwaters- Lake level is 1120.4 feet. Plenty of low water for wade fishing. The water has been off color but the fishing has been consistently good. A variety of flies are working including; Humpback Scud, BH Simple Sow, BH Flashback Pheasant Tail, all in sizes 12-16. Zebra Midge (grey, black, olive & red), size 18 and small streamers (size 8-12) including Wooly Bugger, Sparrow, .56′er and Zonker. Egg patterns are also working.

Bull Shoals Tailwaters- Lake level is 654.5 feet, 0.5 feet into flood pool. Generation has been around the clock varying between 2-6 units (5,000-20,000 cfs). Nymphing and streamers are two of the more productive presentations. Seasonal flies include scuds, sow bugs, blue wing olives, micro caddis, midges, worm, egg and sculpin patterns.

Norfork Tailwaters- Lake level is 552 feet, at the top of conservation pool. Generation has been usually twice per day with flows to 8,000 cfs. Periods of low water each day for wade fishers. Tan scuds have been hot lately. Small streamers without bead or cone heads producing a slower fall are working well also. Sow bugs, midges, worm and egg patterns should be in your arsenal as well.

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Fishing Report

Beaver Tailwater- plenty of low water for wade fishing. The water has been off color but the fishing has been consistently good. A variety of flies are working including; Humpback Scud, BH Simple Sow, BH Flashback Pheasant Tail, all in sizes 12-16. Zebra Midge(grey, black, olive & red), size 18 and small streamers(size 8-12) including Wooly Bugger, Sparrow, .56′er and Zonker. Egg patterns are also working.

Bull Shoals Tailwater- Generation has been around the clock varying between 2-6 units. Nymphing and streamers are two of the more productive presentations. Seasonal flies include scuds, sow bugs, blue wing olives, micro caddis, midges, worm, egg and sculpin patterns.

Norfork Tailwater- Periods of low water each day for wade fishers. Tan scuds have been hot lately. Small streamers without bead or cone heads producing a slower fall are working well also. Sow bugs, midges, worm and egg patterns should be in your arsenal as well.

King’s River, Buffalo River and Crooked Creek Are high and muddy due to recent rains. It will take several days for the waters to recede. Water temperatures are in the upper 40′s and low 50′s, right at the point where fishing gets tough for smallmouth. That is not saying you can’t catch them in the winter, it just gets tougher. With the snow we are receiving and cold temperatures this week, it may be the last of our fishing for smalls until spring.

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Fishing Report

Buffalo River – River levels –

Ponca – 1.31 feet and 1.9 cfs, very low
Pruitt – 3.12 feet and 2.2 cfs, very low
Tyler Bend – 3.47 feet and 40 cfs, very low
Buffalo Point – 2.23 feet and 69 cfs, low

The entire river is very low and wading or dragging a canoe is the only way to fish except in the Buffalo Point area and below. Water temperatures are ranging from 68-79 degrees. Smaller fish have been the rule. The river flows are very low and care should be taken to not spook fish. Spin fisherman are doing good bottom bouncing tubes, lizards and brush hawgs in watermelon red and green pumpkinseed. For fly fisherman, try Crazy Dads, Rabbit tail Sliders, Woolly Buggers and Clouser Minnows on both floating and sink-tip lines.

King’s River – The river gauge near Grandview is reading 2.31 ft. and 28 cfs. Water temperatures are hitting in the upper 70s in the afternoon. If you are using a boat, be prepared to walk quite a bit. Best fishing times are very early and very late. Fishing is good for fly fishers using Clousers, Sparkle Grubs, Rubber leg Woolly Buggers and various poppers and sliders like Sneaky Pete and Rabbit tail Sliders in black, yellow and white. Size 4 & 6 hopper patterns are another good pattern to have in your arsenal. Spin fisherman are catching fish with tubes, lizards and baby brush hawgs as well as small crawdad crankbaits and top waters like Tiny Torpedos and Rebel Pop-R’s. Don’t forget to try a Buzz Bait or spinner bait.

Crooked Creek – The gauge at Kelly’s Slab is reading 9.3 ft. and 4.3 cfs. The creek is really low for floating but fishing is excellent for wading. Spin fishing with soft plastics and 1/16 oz jigs will consistently catch good numbers of fish. Top water lures are working well also and some days will catch just as many as bottom bouncing plastics. 4″ lizards, 3″ tubes and 3″ & 4″ brush hawgs in watermelon, watermelon/red and green pumpkin colors along with tiny torpedos and small buzz baits for topwater. For fly fishers use, clousers, zonkers, crazy dads, near nuff sculpins, poppers, sliders and hopper patterns.

War Eagle River – Near Hindsville – The river level is 1.0 feet and 15 cfs. The river is low but floatable. Wade fishing is the best option. Late or early are the best times for fishing.

White River –
Beaver Tailwater – The lake level is 1121.3 ft., 0.9 ft. above power pool. Generation has been starting around 2:00 pm and running for an hour or two at 2,000-8,000 cfs. Wade fishing is available from the dam to Parker Bend. The better fishing is from just above Cane Break to Parker Bottom. The river bottom has changed with some new holes, so be careful. A variety of presentations are working throughout the day. Try small streamers and soft hackles early, then nymphing during the heat of the day. Suggested patterns include; .56ers, sparrows, wooly buggers, partridge & peacock soft hackle, scud, sow bug, pheasant tail, hare’s ear, zebra midge(olive, gray, cream), brassie (natural & red).

Norfork Tailwater – The lake level is 556.3 ft, 4.3 ft. above power pool. Generation has been continuous and running steady at 4400 cfs. Scuds, sow bugs, zebra midges, San Juan worms, eggs, hoppers, ants, beetles and streamers should be in your arsenal now.

Bull Shoals Tailwater – The lake level is 662.5 ft., 8.5 ft. above power pool. Water releases are continuous at 16,500 cfs. Drift fishing has been very good with sink-tips and medium size streamers with good numbers of rainbows and browns. Hopper patterns are doing very well also and of course nymphing with scud, sow bug, caddis and worm patterns. Minnow crank baits in black/gold and black/blue are working along with brown trout colored jointed minnows. In-line spinners like Rooster tails and Mepp’s are also picking up fish.

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