Fishing Highlight of the Week: Many U.S. Corps of Engineers parks are still closed until the government shutdown ends. But many Corps lakes in Arkansas have ramps provided by Arkansas State Parks, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and local agencies. Call ahead before leaving to find out if your destination is closed. All ramps and parks operated and maintained by the AGFC and Arkansas State Parks are open for access.

White River
Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said the water is clear and generation has varied widely. Trout are biting well on pink trout worms, jigs and long, minnow-style crankbaits.

Berry Brothers Guide Service (870-453-2424) said last week there were a few small rains, cool temperatures and moderate winds. There have been low levels of generation in the morning and heavier generation in the afternoon with some limited wadable water. The water level for the top of power pool has been reset lower for some of the lakes in the White River system. With all of the lakes in the White River system below power pool and cooler temperatures, there should be more wadable water in the coming weeks. The hot spot has been Rim Shoals. The best time to fish is early morning or late in the afternoon. The hot flies were Y2Ks, prince nymphs, zebra midges (black with silver wire and silver bead or red with silver wire and silver bead), pheasant tails, copper Johns, pink and cerise San Juan worms, gold ribbed hare’s ears and sow bugs. Double fly nymph rigs have been very effective. Try a small bead headed nymph (zebra midge, copper John or pheasant tail) suspended eighteen inches below a brightly colored San Juan worm (hot fluorescent pink or cerise). Some anglers have been fishing large streamers on the heavy flows we have been getting later in the day and having success. This requires heavy sink tip lines (250 grain or heavier), heavy rods (eight weights or better) and advanced casting skills. The hot flies have been large articulated streamers in various colors.

Buffalo River
Berry Brothers Guide Service said due to the federal government shutdown, all federal accesses on the Buffalo National River are closed. Accesses on Crooked Creek are state-operated and open. Both streams are low and barely navigable. The smallmouth are still active. The most effective fly has been a tan and brown Clouser minnow. Carefully check the water level before entering Crooked Creek or the Buffalo River. There are no dams on these streams. They both have large drainages and are prone to flooding during and following any rain event. The water can rise very quickly.

Crooked Creek
Berry Brothers Guide Service said accesses on Crooked Creek are state-operated and open. Both streams are low and barely navigable. The smallmouth are still active. The most effective fly has been a tan and brown Clouser minnow. Carefully check the water level before entering Crooked Creek or the Buffalo River. There are no dams on these streams. They both have large drainages and are prone to flooding during and following any rain event. The water can rise very quickly.

Bull Shoals
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 658.60 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 654 msl).

Mike Worley’s Guide Service said the surface water temperature is 76-80 degrees. Bass are biting on topwater baits early in the morning near shoreline brush and throughout the day in the middle of coves as they push shad to the surface. Most bass caught have been smaller spotted and smallmouth bass. Jigging spoons are catching largemouth bass, walleyes and larger spotted and smallmouth bass 30-50 feet deep under shad schools. Walleye are biting on crawler rigs trolled on bottom bouncers about 35 feet deep. Split-shotting nightcrawlers or crawfish on steep rocky points and around brush piles is catching a variety of fish. Drop-shot rigs also are working in these locations. Casting football jigs or crankbaits near the shore line brush and trolling shad-imitating lures also are working. Overall the lake bite has been slow but should improve with cooling water temperatures.