Cranor's White River Spin Fishing Report
by Donald Cranor, Cranor's Guide Service

Current Report - February 1, 2012
Updated once a month unless fishing conditions change

Hey Guys!

February is finally here and it's time to think about catching that trophy brown of a lifetime!

The last few stragglers are wrapping up the spawn so pretty much every brown in the river will be on a feeding frenzy over the next couple months. The high water we have had over the last four years coupled with the one brown over 24" limit has assured us a lot of great fish for the 2012 season.

My suggestion for spin fishermen is over the next couple months is minnows and anything that looks like a minnow. White jigs 1/16 and 3/32 on 4lb. test line on lower river levels can be as effective as anything. When the water rises, a 4 1/2" Smithwick rogue jerked along rocky banks can produce some awesome days. Fish a blue back on sunny days and a black back on cloudy days.

The good thing about a rogue is that it causes a reaction bite (fish don't have to be feeding to bite it) that's why a lot of your less experienced fishermen rely on stick baits as their go to baits for trophy fish. For those of you that are waiting on a shad kill, there have been large numbers of small shad coming through Norfork dam for the last week or so. Norfork lake is much smaller than Bull Shoals lake so it will get colder quicker. Therefore driving the shad down to generator level earlier.

If your looking for a guide trip over the next couple months I would suggest calling your guide or outfitter early. It looks like its going to be a great year!

See you on the river!
Donald Cranor

About Donald Cranor Donald's father, also a trout guide, introduced Donald to White River trout fishing at an early age. In addition to learning how to trout fish in any water condition, Donald also learned how to safely pilot a river boat in any water level. He conducted his first paid guided trout fishing trip in 1982 at age 15. Over the years he has guided for several area outfitters and resorts. After 20 years of guiding for others, Donald decided it was time to start his own business. His guiding skills generated good word of mouth advertising for his new business. TV show producers and print media journalists approached Donald for White River guided trout fishing trips. Donald also received sponsorships from top brand name tackle manufacturers who want pros to use their gear. Yet Donald's true passion remains conducting trout fishing trips with anglers who also have a passion for trout fishing. It is their positive word of mouth which has most helped Donald's good reputation as a top trout guide. They enjoy his fishing and safe boating skills as well as his level of all-around good service.