The lakes are down below pool which means the COE have flood control issues under control, on the other hand SWP will continue to generate water for power demand. Which in turn means we are likely to see erratic generation schedules. There will be days with zero, other low water generations with possible high water released, you never know what to expect. To some extent it does make life difficult so far as determining the best options for fishing locations on the river for both wade and boat anglers. Any high water rise is likely to bring with it trash which will shut the fishing down. Lower flows of rise may be very good as often as not it will stimulate the fish to feed. Settled water at any given cfs is way better.

Once again this past month has seen for us spectacular days for trophy Browns, one of which Dr.Dan Duff nailed when fishing with me last week (see pic )

Dry fly fishing with hoppers has been one of the answers to get these big fish to bite, wet fly and nymph fishing also been good, along with days when streamers have done well, usually when we have seen high water generations.

Bull Shoals dam has continued to produce trophy Bows. October 31st will see the trophy zone at the dam close till next Feb. 1st, 2012. From my point of view l guess the fish do need a good rest and the Browns left to spawn in peace.

Other than that at this time water temperatures in the White river are warm, mainly due to the lake turning over and continued generations. Norfork may have issue with low DO levels which may well slow the bite down, all be it there are very good number of fish in the river at this time.

Fishing.

During low water then choices will include, sowbugs, scuds, prism, white tail, shimmer and zebra style midges in sizes 14/16. Generics such as hares ear, PTNs, caddis pupa also good bets.

For med flow rates 4 to 6000 cfs, then the above will work in the shallower zones, coupled with prism and San Juan worms and small eggs.

Dry fly fishing with hoppers, ants and other terrestrial style bugs well worth fishing at times if the fish are looking up, or couple dry/nymph rigs.

Wet fly and soft hackles a good bet when fishing riffle water zones, woolly bugger also well worth fishing.

High water then streamer fishing may be hit or miss at this time of the year. Female Browns are heavy with eggs and males are more interested in defending spawning territory and not so much to feed, either way you never know.

Daily temperatures may well influence the bite. Cold early mornings it may be slow as the day temps rise then odds are the fish will feed well.

Tight line all.