JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 8/21/2008

In spite of a major rain event, the reservoir levels on the White River continue to fall, albeit slowly. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam fell one and eight tenths of a foot to rest at twenty nine and two tenths feet above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is eleven and eight tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake fell seven tenths of a foot to rest at two and five tenths feet above power pool or thirteen and five tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell five tenths of a foot to rest at six and eight tenths feet above power pool or two and eight tenths feet below the top of flood pool. The pattern on the White has been to run all eight generators around the clock with slightly higher flows in the afternoon. While these flows made for excellent boating, there have been few safe wading opportunities on the White. Norfork Lake has fallen one and four tenths of a foot to rest at sixteen and one tenths feet above power pool of 552.00 feet or eleven and nine tenths of a foot below the top of flood pool. The pattern has been to run two generators with occasional brief periods of no generation at night. This made for some limited wading conditions at night.

We have had some unseasonably cool temperatures this past week. On several occasions the cool temperatures have combined with high humidity to produce a dense fog on the river. In certain instances it lasted most of the day and severely limited visibility. If you encounter conditions like these, be sure and slow down and keep a look out for other boaters and navigational hazards.

During the heavy rain we received during the past week, the river got muddy from run-off coming in from side creeks and other tributaries. This adversely impacted fishing and washed a lot of trash that on occasion created navigation hazards. When this occurs, the best strategy is to move upstream until you encounter clear water. Sometimes this will necessitate going all the way to the dam.

The upper river from Bull Shoals Dam, through the State Park down to Cane Island Shoals has been a perpetual hot spot for months. The better fishing is in the morning when the water flows are generally a bit lower. The hot tactic for this area has been to bang the banks with streamers fished with sink tip or full sinking lines. Some guides recommend a fast retrieve while others suggest a slow one. The best bet is to vary your retrieve until you figure out what the trout want. Sculpin and baitfish patterns are the ticket for this technique. Fishing brightly colored San Juan worms under a strike indicator has also accounted for a lot of good fish.

The section from the Narrows down to Wildcat Shoals has been red hot during the past week. Anglers have reported success on a variety of nymphs. The key to success has been to fish a brightly colored San Juan worm with a nymph on a dropper. The color of choice for the worm has been hot pink. The most popular nymphs have been zebra midges, trout crack, sowbugs, scuds, and bead head hares ears. Remember if you move into a Catch and Release section it is illegal to fish droppers there.

Another hot spot has been the Rim Shoals Catch and Release section. The hot technique for this section has been to fish brightly colored San Juan worms on long leaders (twelve to fifteen feet) with a large strike indicator and a lot of lead. The top producing colors have been red, cerise and hot pink.

The Norfork is still not fishing as well as the White has recently. There has just been too much boat traffic. There has been some night fishing wading opportunities this past week. Be very careful and be ready to react to rising water. On high water the best strategy has been to fish brightly colored San Juan worms and egg patterns.

Dry Run Creek has looked abandoned. Kids are back in school and there is very little traffic there particularly during the week. Poaching continues to be a problem with adults frequently seen fishing there. If you see any illegal activity, call the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s poaching hotline 1 800-482-9262. If your cell phone cannot get a signal down on the creek (I know mine cannot), go over to the adjacent Federal trout hatchery and they will gladly let you use their land line.

There are a bunch of nice browns, and some fat rainbows in the 16-19″ class up and down the White. These fish have been very catchable. They aren’t White River monsters, but are carrying plenty of heft, pull some string and fight tough to the boat.

You will connect to some of the better fish if you work at it too, but it can be a little tough at time differentiating between the big browns and a stump on the bottom.

Depth and weight is key, balancing the two to get your fly close to the bottom but not being dragged along it where it can’t be found and not sailing along midwater. We can give you some guidance in the store, but when the water is fluctuating like the graph below shows, success is a matter or trial and error and adjustments.

Catfish No Report

Crappie No Report

Stripers No Report

Largemouth Bass No Report

White Bass No Report

Bull Shoals Lake Fishing Report - Monday August 11, 2008

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Hello everybody. Its been a few weeks since our last report. The fishing hasn't changed much at all. The lake level is around 685 and still dropping. The lake is starting to drop a few inches a day. New projections from the corp show back to normal level around October 15th. The water temperature continues to rise and is up in the mid 80's on the surface. There is a major thermo cline around 30 foot level with a minor one around 20. .see Water temp/ oxygen level link. Visibility continues to be poor from the surface to 25 feet due to all the brush in the water, then it clears up to the average visibility at 15 to 20 feet depending on where you are in the lake. The bluffs should be the best. Have some new fish pictures. SEE fish picture page.

Spear fishing season has been open a few weeks. Not much being brought in now that the catfish have finished spawning. There has been a few walleye. The divers are reporting them in the 25 to 35 foot level around the bluff ends and single trees out from the bank.

We are into the summer patterns now that the water temp has risen above 80. Haven't had much activity reported but was has is below.

BASS-

NEW PATTERN- SPOONING 1/2 OZ IN 28 TO 32 FEET OF WATER IS PRODUCING ALL SPECIES OF FISH. MOSTLY WALLEYE AND BASS. Around the standing tree out from the back, bluff ends, and standing timber in the bluff ends.

1. Top water-- Flukes, spooks, and any other top water baits are working. This pattern is mostly in the early morning and late afternoon before the sun gets up and after it gets low in the sky. This patterns should start to slow down as the water temp warms up. However, with all the brush and trees in the lake, the fish have a place to hide from the sun and this pattern should continue.

2. night crawlers - with a small split shot worked over the top the brush, bluff ends and around the standing trees. Also, dragging them with a heavier weight in the 35 to 55 foot range in the old shoreline.

3. Minnows-- we are selling lots of minnows so somebody is catching fish on them.

4. 1/4 oz white road runners in 25 to 35 feet of water worked over the top of the brush.

5. Drop shot a small plastic worm or night crawler in 25 to 35 feet of water around the standing trees out from the bank. Use a weedless hook, leave a 12-14 inch tail of line after you tie the hook. Put a drop shot weight, swivel sinker or split shot on the end of the tail. Fish this straight down on the bottom, jigging it up and down off the bottom around the trees.

NIGHT FISHING- Night fishing under lights has slowed down almost to a halt. Regular bass fishing is also slow at night. Too much brush for the average fisherman to deal with.

White bass - . Day fishing has changed to trolling shad raps or other types on minnow stick baits-hard baits. 25 to 35 feet seems to be the depth to keep your bait in. Spooning is also producing some fish.

Walleye - The walleye have moved down into the colder thermo cline water this week. They always go to this level when the surface temp warms up. They seem to be running in the 25 to 32 foot range. Spooning is the most productive this week around the trees out from the shoreline. Also try : split shoting a night crawler in on the old shoreline and ends of the timber bluffs. - trolling shallow to medium running reef runners and walleye divers along the shoreline above the brush in the 25 to 32 foot range. - Bottom bouncers with night crawlers on the old shoreline in 25 to 32 feet of water. - lindy rigs with night crawlers in that 25 to 35 foot range.

Crappie - Still haven't seen many crappie. One or two here or there. I would like with the lake level and all the brush in the lake that they would be hard to target. As the lake drops and there is less brush in the lake I would think we should start to catch some. The night fishing under lights has produced some fish.

Catfish- The catfish have moved up shallower. We have seen several BIG blue cats caught on limb lines this week. Trot lines and jug lines are producing some fish, it seems the limb line thing is working well. Just about any type of stink bait, liver, shrimp, blue gills, ect is working. I have been told anywhere from a 5 foot drop to a 35 foot drop.

White River:

The river fishing has been great!! Check out the picture page for photos of some big ones caught over the last couple of weeks. Nothing new on the patterns. --- Worms, night crawlers, power baits, salmon eggs, Count down Rapalas, spoons, rooster tails, jigs and just about any other type of trout bait or pattern you have heard of.

Come visit our expanded bait and Tackle department and good luck and good fishing to you all. For current fish pictures - see our picture page.

Check out our newer and expanded tackle selection!

Good luck and good fishing, and please come and see us at Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock for all your fishing needs…Thank you!

}><(((º> Millwood Lake Fishing Report 18 August 2008 <º)))><{

The Overall Picture:

Navigation conditions in Little River are near normal.

As of Monday 18 August, the dog days of summer are here, and Largemouth Bass remain best early and late or lowest light and heat. The bass activity and bite continues to improve from 2pm-6pm as long as the clouds and rain persist, and keeps the heat at bay. Increased current in Little River from last week. Millwood is 6" above normal and slowly rising, as of Monday. Water's surface temps fell considerably from last week. Top Water Toads and plugs, Bass Assassin Shads, 10-12" worms, and swim baits, all continue working well for Bass.

Largemouth Bass from 2, up to 8 pounds, remain good, w/ best bite remaining early. Typical routine summer patterns. Mayfly hatch is over. The high wind, rough chop water, thunderstorms and rain drastically worsened water clarity along the main lake and also in Little River again this week. Main lake's clarity approx 2-5". Some high density broken, vegetation and floating mats remain in Little River, due to recent pool fluctuations and discharge over past many weeks, and is still present. USACE crews have replaced many damaged and/or missing river buoys in Little River from the clear cut main lake area, and up river.

As of Monday, 18 August, the main lake and Little River's water surface temperatures dropped, currently range approx 77º to 82ºF, depending of course, on location and time of day. Lake level on Millwood as of Monday 18 August, is approx 6" above normal, and slowly rising, at 259.70 feet. Normal pool is 259.2 feet. Little River's clarity as of Monday, is approx 5-8" visibility. Main lake clarity / visibility approx 2-5" away from current due to recent high wind, lake chop, and thunderstorms. Wind can have a drastic effect on main lake clarity merely in a matter of hours. Current in Little River and discharge at the dam is 3,194 CFS as of Monday. Many river buoys have already been replaced. All USACE boat ramps and campgrounds are open, as of Monday. State Park has one boat ramp still under repair with the other ramp closer to campgrounds, open.

Upriver oxbow's clarity continues to be very good and is ranging approx 15-18". The tailwater elevation was unavailable, on Monday, 18 Aug. Discharge/ Release Rate at the spillway of 3,194 CFS is with 8 tainer gates open at 1 foot each. Use caution in navigation on Little River during low light conditions due to debris and broken vegetation still present and floating downstream in the increased current.

The Details:

Largemouth Bass: What a difference 2 weeks of rain, cloud cover, and wind can have during the dog days of summer in sw Arkansas! Fall has to be just around the corner, folks!! The Bass continue to bite very good, definitely the best during early and late hours, over the past few weeks and have been caught and released, up to 9.5 pounds each. Chunky Bass from 3-5 pounds remain consistent over the past week early and late, improving during noon hours, but overall are slow until just before dark. Most consistent reaction bite is on Toads, Bass Assassin Shads, white jigs w/ white chunk trailers, and 10 or 12" worms. Top water action is the best right at daylight and dusk, using Jitterbugs (Frog and Perch colors), Spit'n Images, buzzin toads, and buzz baits.

Crank bait bite for bass has improved again, over the past week or so. Fat Free Shads and Cordell Big O's are working in various shad colors and patterns like silver cream, or citrus around flooded timber and letdown timber. Bass Assassin Shads in blue glimmer or baby bass are best colors for a reaction bite in heavy lily pad stands. Wacky Worms, Salty Rat Tails and trick worms in watermelon-red, kiwi, or peanut butter & jelly colors, continue working. Not a lot of change in overall Largemouth bite patterns, over the past couple weeks, full blown summer routines with best bite most aggressive shallow early, then switching to 10 and 12" worms once the sun gets high and the heat bears down.

Siefert's Buzz Baits continue to draw good bites around pads and Primrose grass from 1-6 foot depth areas. Best reaction bite on buzz baits for last week has been in Black Shadow, Bleeding Avocado, or Cole Slaw, in the clearest water you can find. Most early buzz bait fish are ranging from 15-19" in length.

War Eagle spinnerbait, in Firecracker, Hot Mouse, or Aurora colors, are still working for 15" to 19" sized Largemouth's around flooded vegetation and cypress trees, close to deep water. Rat-L-Traps in Sexy Shad, Shad Daddy, and Silver colors seem to remain the hot lipless crank bait bites again over the past week. The large 10-12" worms remain finding 14-17" bass, and best colors working over the past few weeks are Peaunut Butter 'n Jelly, black-grape, plum or redbug once the sun gets up and the bass retreat to the high density grass and cover.

White Bass: No report this week.

Crappie: Crappie bite, diminished this week with the reduction in water clarity. Little River clarity not as good as the past 2 weeks, and the increased stain, over the past 2 weeks has slowed the Crappie bite. The most consistent bite remains on live shiners, grubs on light wire jig heads, and white with chartreuse, hair jigs.

Channel Cats: Blues and Channel Cats improved this week on trotlines, with the increase of current in Little River, and remains best for 3-7 pounders using cut shad or Charlie, chicken livers. Yo-yo's hung from cypress trees in approx 8-10 feet water depth, near any current are picking up some decent 2-4 pound cats.

Bream: Continue to bite well again along the banks on crickets and red worms around docks and cypress trees at Yarborough Landing, Jack's Isle, and Millwood State Park.

}><(((º> Millwood Lake & Little River Conditions Report <º)))><{

Navigation conditions in Little River are near normal.

As of Monday, 18 August, the main lake and Little River's water surface temperatures dropped, currently range approx 77º to 82ºF, depending of course, on location and time of day. Lake level on Millwood as of Monday 18 August, is approx 6" above normal, and slowly rising, at 259.70 feet. Normal pool is 259.2 feet. Little River's clarity as of Monday, is approx 5-8" visibility. Main lake clarity / visibility approx 2-5" away from current due to recent high wind, lake chop, and thunderstorms. Wind can have a drastic effect on main lake clarity merely in a matter of hours. Current in Little River and discharge at the dam is 3,194 CFS as of Monday. Many river buoys have already been replaced. All USACE boat ramps and campgrounds are open, as of Monday. State Park has one boat ramp still under repair with the other ramp closer to campgrounds, open.

Upriver oxbow's clarity continues to be very good and is ranging approx 15-18". The tailwater elevation was unavailable, on Monday, 18 Aug. Discharge/ Release Rate at the spillway of 3,194 CFS is with 8 tainer gates open at 1 foot each. Use caution in navigation on Little River during low light conditions due to debris and broken vegetation still present and floating downstream in the increased current.

Wear your Life Jacket!! If you are suddenly or unexpectedly thrown from your boat, it could be your only chance of survival. Use caution navigating Little River in low light conditions, SLOW DOWN, and pass friendly to other boaters! As always, careful watch for any random floaters and debris in Little River's current, and wearing your PFD and kill switch is a requirement!!

Don't forget, be courteous, and respect the other guy's right to use the lake too. Release those big bass to spawn and fight again, and take home those little 16"ers to fry up! Use caution in low light conditions, and wear your flotation device! If you are suddenly thrown from your boat, or knocked unconscious, your life preserver can potentially be your only hope to survive.

And As Always,

"""""<º)))><{"""""GOOD FISHIN' !"""""<º)))><{"""""""

Mike

Report by Tim Partin of 101 Grocery and Bait

08/12/08 Norfork Lake water level 569.9 Visibility is good and the water temperature. is in the mid to high 80 degrees. Norfork Striped Bass fishing is good. Walleye fishing has been fair. Bluegill fishing is good. White Bass fishing is fair. Large Mouth Bass fishing has been good using top water lures in the evenings. Small Mouth Bass fishing is fair. Cat fishing is fair. Crappie fishing is fair.

Have Fun Go Fishing