North Arkansas Fishinf Report 5-24

Bull Shoals Tailwaters - The lake level is 665.01ft, 11 feet above power pool. Generation has been around the clock with 3 units. Conditions are great for drift fishing with some wading in certain areas. Various caddis patterns are still working including BH Caddis, Z-Wing Caddis, Partridge & Green soft hackle and Elk Hair Caddis. Sulfur mayflies should start hatching soon so various mayfly nymphs will work including BH Pheasant Tail, Copper Johns and BH Hare's Ear. Streamer fishing with sink-tips should also be part of your arsenal.

Norfork Tailwaters - lake level is 559.81ft, 7.8ft above power pool. Generation has been for approximately 8 hours a day which allows for some low water wade fishing. Nymphing with various patterns is the most productive method. Scuds, sow bugs, midge, caddis and mayfly patterns can all be fished with success. Look for insects emerging or observe how fish are feeding to help determine which fly to fish.

Beaver Tailwaters - The tailwater level is high from Table Rock Lake being backed up and there is very little flow. The TW level is 918 feet, about 3 feet over normal. There is not much wading available except near the dam. Some type of watercraft will get you to many other wading spots. The best flies have been black/silver zebra midges and charcoal gray beadhead scuds. Spin fishers have had luck with Rebel minnow patterns in Rainbow or brown trout colors.

Crooked Creek - Water levels are still high in the mid section around Yellville. The level is 14.12 feet, 1.5 feet over the low water bridge at Kelly's. The water is slightly off color and the temperatures are around 65 - 72 degrees. Larger plastics such as brush hogs and tubes fished along the bottom are working in green and brown colors. Water is too high to fly fish in the mid sections, but from Pyatt and above fishing is good.

King's River - Water levels are at 5.16 feet and slightly off color. This is about 1.5 feet over the best water level for fly fishing. Spin fishing with tubes and lizards on the bottom are working. Best colors are watermelon red and green pumpkinseed.

Buffalo River (Hwy. 65) - The water is still a bit high for most fly fishing. It is at 6.88 feet. water temperatures are in the 65 - 72 degree range. Spin fishing with soft plastics and heavy weights is working.