WWFG Fishing Reports

Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 Post subject: Fishing Report Update 7.10.09

Gaston's White River Resort

Fishing Report - Update 7.10.09

For daily water conditions and lake levels, call the Bull Shoals Powerhouse at (870)431-5311.

Trophy Browns and Chunky Rainbows

Nice rainbows and trophy browns have been the story for much of the summer. The most common water conditions that can be explained is that the water is high. But DON'T let that stop you. The high water has been great for fishing. More water means more food in the river. Although the fish might be spread out more and a little tougher to find. People can watch were the majority of the guides and locals are drifting from a boat and can have great success.

Baits that have been working are live red worms, pink creme worms, pink eagle claw nitro bait (artificial worm), yellow eagle claw eggs, and a peach or salmon egg pattern which is normally found amongst our fly selection.

Lures that have been successful are little cleos, buoyant spoons, and rooster tails casting down river and reeling in along the shore line (high water tends to push fish towards the bank.) When drifting, try the excalibur lures or smithwick rogue...slow fishing that way but very good trophy tactics. Also the rapalas can catch some really good trout.

Helpful Hints: Brown trout are naturally a nocturnal predator fish. BUT, anytime a natural food source is on a hook the odds of catching a brown trout are much greater!

Fly Fishermen

Hot Flies by Hank and Frank: Sculpin streamers, olive bead-head wholly buggers over grass beds have been great for the cruising brown bruisers, while a little flash and twitch from a fox squirrel nymph can draw in some rainbows.

Hank's secret: Try drifting a # 10 or # 12 foam ant over those fuss, midge-eating trout, on a long (5 ft.) 4x tippet. It works more often than not and de-complicates that whole "midge frustration-thing." Lots of low water makes wade fishing great!

Please note that a trophy trout released can be replicated if you have the dimensions and pictures of the fish so that one day someone else can experience a great trophy trout as well.

It is rewarding to see the bait fisherman, fly fisherman, guides, operators and the public working together in the best interest of the White River and it's Trophy Trout fishing program. Just proves what a bit of teamwork will do.

Good luck with your fishing and take a buddy along to enjoy fishing also
and to make memories of a lifetime.

Ron & Logan

Arkansas Trophy Trout - Gaston's White River Resort

BULL SHOALS LAKE LEVEL

Lake Level: 663.90 msl
Last Report: 670.43 msl (Power Pool is 654 msl)

MSL is mean sea level. When we say that the lake level is 654
MSL, that means that the top of the lake is 654 feet above sea level.