1-11-10 North Arkansas Fishing Reports

Beaver Tailwaters-
Some morning and evening generation has allowed for some wading between generation periods. During low water periods, fishing nymphs under indicators will provide the most consistent action. Scuds, sow bugs, phheasant tails, copper johns and zebra midges all in sizes 16 - 20. Also, try swinging soft hackles (sizes 16 - 20) or stripping streamers (sizes 8 - 12). Recent trips have observed trout sipping midges most of the day. Small dry flies or soft hackles (sizes 20 - 24) in grey or creamy tan were the most productive. Drifting with any kind of indicator seem to alert the fish and put them down.

Norfork Tailwaters- Heavy generation with flows averaging 6600 cfs most of the week have made fishing challenging. High water techniques from a boat is the only option. Drifting nymphs under a large indicator and split shot or fishing streamers with a fast sink-tip or full sinking line are two of the better techniques. Flies to try: egg fly (orange, pink or peach), San Juan worm (tan, pink or red), copper john, red fox squirrel nymph, humpback scud, simple sow bug and zebra midges all in sizes 10 - 16. Flies for streamer fishing include: zoo cougar, wooly buggers, slump buster, Arkansas bead head, Davy's shad and zonkers in sizes 4-10. Keep an eye out for shad to start coming through the generators and fish white streamers, either under an indicator or with various retrieves on a floating or fast sinking line. For safety, always wear your pfd during high water and maintain control of your boat at all times.

Bull Shoals Tailwaters-
Heavy generation with flows averaging 22,000 cfs all week have made fishing from a boat the best option. High water techniques with nymphs drifted under a large indicator and split shot or stripping streamers with a fast sinking line two of the better options. Fly selection: Egg flies(orange, pink or peach), humpback scuds, sow bugs, copper johns, zebra midges, zoo cougars, wooly buggers, slump busters, Arkansas bead heads, Davy's shad and zonkers. Look for shad to start coming through and fish a white streamer, either under an indicator or with varying retrieved with a floating or fast sinking line. For safety during extremely high water, always wear your PFD and maintain control of your boat at all times.

Little Red River -
Generation has increased from 3400 cfs on the 4th to 6500 cfs by the 7th through the 10th. High water tactics from a boat with nymphs and streamers is the better option. Fly selections include: San Juan worms (tan, pink & red), Egg flies (pink, orange & peach), copper johns (olive & black), Bh pheasant tails, Arkansas sow bug (tan & grey), zebra midge (black, tan & grey) all in sizes 10-16. Flies for streamer fishing include; wooly buggers, zonkers, slumpbusters and various sculpin patterns. Sizes 4-10. Look for shad to start coming through the generators and match these baitfish with various white streamers including; Arkansas bead heads, zonkers and Davy' Shad.

King's River -
Water levels are very good for floating and fishing. Water temperatures are in the low 40's. Any fishing you do will have to be very slow as the temperatures have cooled off the water. The warmer and sunny upcoming days should cause a little activity. Soft plastics and jigs are the best bet this time of year. Fly fishing will be tough unless you have a sinking line and heavy flies. You want to be on the bottom.

Crooked Creek -
Water levels are a little high for fly fishing, but spin fishing should be good. Water temps are low 40's and the slightly warmer and sunny days will make the fish a tad more active. Soft plastics and jigs fished slow on the bottom should pick up some good fish.

Buffalo River -
Water levels are very good in the middle section for fishing. Water temperatures are in the mid to low 40's. Lures on the bottom fished slow should pick up smallmouth. Water flows are just a tad high for fly fishing in the mid and lower sections.