Spring Fishing
Don Schnable
May 27, 2014
White River - Freshwater Fishing Report
Gaston's White River Resort Monday, May 26th Gaston's Fishing Report
For daily water conditions and lake levels, call the Bull Shoals Powerhouse at (870)431-5311.
BULL SHOALS LAKE LEVEL
Lake Level: 661.04 msl
Last Report: 660.84 (Power Pool is 659 msl)
MSL is mean sea level. When we say that the lake level is 659
MSL, that means that the top of the lake is 659 feet above sea level.
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Minimum Flow
What was once an idea, is now a reality. In 1973 there was a mass fish kill along the White River that occured due to heat. Ever since then, the idea of minimum flow to help keep the water cool during the hot months of the year became a conversation peace.
The idea behind minimum flow is...more water, more fish, larger fish, healthier fish, and more people to fish. Simply put, means more people to the area to spend their tourism dollars in this predominately tourism community.
Dollars is not the main concern for the topic of minimum flow, although it helps. Conservation is the idea behind the words Minimum Flow.
Minimum Flow rates:
Bull Shoals is 800 cfs
North Fork is 415cfs.
The white river can be tricky for some customers that have never been here before. Even those that fish all the time. The water depth can change at any time and the fish change their feeding habits by the water flow. We definitely recommend a reserving one of our guides at least the first time here. No it's not necessary but it can make a noticable difference in the number of fish that you will catch.
Fly Fishermen
Early morning midge and nymph fishing has been outstanding, followed by a mid-morning/early afternoon caddis hatch.
Our flys of choice have been the ruby or pearl midge, copper john, and elk hair caddis.
If higher water is a factor, the sculpin patterns and pink jigs are catching many trout.
Spin Cast Fishing
The preferred rod and reel set up includes a 6'-6'6" light action rod with 4-6 pound test line.
Early morning sculpin fishing has been great over the past week even on low water. Many nice browns have been caught. Also on lower water, floating rapalas, blue fox spinners, and rooster tails.
On higher water levels, countdown rapalas, countdown scatter raps, smithwicks, Rick Clunn suspending rogues, and the flicker shad will hook a few bigger trout.
The "stand-by's" consist of the florescent yellow powerbait original or garlic scent, white eagle claw eggs, 3" pink berkley powerbait trout worms, pink gulp worms, little cleo spoons, and thomas buoyant spoons
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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 make memories for a lifetime.
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To view some memories click here....
Gaston's Winter Rates...Stay two nights or more...40% off lodging...December 2nd, 2013 to February 28, 2014.
For the entire month of March 2014, as long as you stay two nights or more you will receive 30% off lodging.
Clint & Logan
Target Species:
Trout
More Fishing Reports:
