Unusual would be a good word to describe fishing on the White River in Arkansas.  Unusual in that twice this month flood gates were opened at Bull Shoals Dam.  The first time on April 10 with a full 8 units on along with an extra 5,670 cfs which brought the water up to the equivalent of 10 units and then again last thursday the 24th with an extra 13,270 cfs which was the equivalent of a little over 14 total units.  What this did however was to cover some grassy banks and other areas that normally do not see any water which flushed out the cane worm.  The fish we caught were full of them and had them puking up worms.  These fish were so fat they looked as though they had swallowed footballs.  These fish will grow rabidly.  As of yesterday the 29th april at 2:30 pm the flood gates were shut off.  Fishing this extra water was not hard to figure out (SJ Worms) and was quite fun as we were fishing areas that were normally never under the water.  It will be nice though to get back to some normal water (8 units) would be fine with me but I’m sure we’ll be seeing some lower water at times to help with the flooding 100 plus miles down stream.  May will bring some warmer temps (no rain we hope) and perhaps later in the month a sulpher hatch with some surface and dry action.  The norfork is also fishing well with the usual flies Scuds, sowbugs and san juan worms on it’s normal 1 to two units.  All is well with our rivers at this time so book your trip for the months of may and june now.  Weekends fill up fast (mine are all gone for may) and during the weeks is a little slower with fewer boats on the rivers. 

Tired of paying retail for tungsten beads.  How does below wholesale sound to you?.14 cents per bead in packages of 25 for $3.50 in nickel, black, silver, copper and gold.  Sizes 1/16th to 1/8th  Min order of 4 packages with shipping of $1.00 and 25 cents for each 4 packages after that.  Orders meeting $60.00 will be shipped free.  Contact Jim Traylor via e-mail to check availability wishfish@wholedamarea.com or call870-404-8906  or shop at 870-445-3848 10 am to 4:pm tuesday through Sat.Jim TraylorPO Box 751Bull Shoals, Ar 72619-0751 

So far this April has been good to fly fisherman with caddis hatches and some march brown action.  On the low 1/2 to one unit of generation we are getting into some dry and floating action on the upper end of the river from the state park hole down into the narrows.  A dry with a caddis larva dropper as well as a foam ant with midge dropper is good.  As for catching brown trout San Juan worms on a long leader shotted and with an indicator fished in the seams at the top of shoals has been working well and on one day produced 6 brown trout for us in two hours.  Yesterday it did produce one 3 lb 12 oz fish on the grass.  Soon we will be getting more generation as the lake is somewhat over normal pool elevation and streamer fishing for big fish will get good as will fishing the banks with nymphs or fishing the bottom using the water haul and enough weight to get the fly down. (an easy technique taught in 5 minutes or less).  It takes the duck out of chuck and duck and is a technique I use during the shad kill on 8 units of water.  Big Water = Big fish so book now for late april and may.  I will post a special for may that includes lodging so keep looking here.ThanksJimmy T.870-404-8906 

It’s funny how the news can affect an entire area or even an entire state even if only part of the news is correct.  Yes the white river did flood from rim shoals down, yes there was some damage, yes there was a house and dock that hit a bridge but none of that happend in the first 18 miles of the white river which is where a good majority of the fishing on the white river takes place.  In fact the house hitting the bridge was down at calico rock more than 60 miles down stream from the dam.  Our generation has been light because of the excess water down stream which has made for some perfect conditions for the fly fisher.  Take a look at my trip gallery to see how well we have been doing.   There is going to be more press about the white river as we will soon be generating a full 8 units of water.  Generating 8 units of water is normal and very fishable.  Especially for streamer fisher who like to go after big brown trout with sinking tip lines and 6 and 7 wt rods.  I have a 10 food rod just for this occasion.  At the end of February we were getting 8 units of water and shad were coming through which will likely happen again when we do get this big water.  When the big BULL SHOALS generates that much water there are always a few shad that will come through and that provides a fine opportunity to hook into a good fish and hook into numbers of fish.  Jimmy T. 

I realize that the White River is making national news in regards to flooding.  However the floods are not affecting the upper end of the white river near Bull Shoals Dam.  The flooding that is making national news is much further down stream (150) miles or more.The fishing from the Dam down to cotter is just fine which is the first 18 miles of river below the dam. ThanksJim 

A mix of both low and hi-water in february brought opportunities for wading and sight fishing.  When the water was down some BIG fish were caught.  I netted a 28 1/2 inch fish that weighed 17 1/2 lbs on a boga grip scale and was on a group with another guide who’s fisherman hooked a near 20 lb fish twice which got off once and the fisherman hooked it again and got it in.  Lots of brown trout in the 18 to 24 inch range were being caught on low water in the Catch and Release area up by the dam on various flies such as egg patterns, san juan worms, trout crack, olive z-lon sow bugs and zebra type thread midges.  Typically the long leader with a split shot and indicator were used with great success bouncing the fly on the bottom and putting it the face of a fish long enough to either get it to feed or piss it off.  On and around February monday 18th the first shad were spotted coming through the dam and on this past saturday I had a fisherman hook and land a 27 inch fish I guessed at 9 lbs.  Last saturday we were drifting a shad pattern deep on six units of water under a very big indicator with 1X 9lb CFC tippet.  We caught three brown trout that day with two others in the 20 inch class along with some nice bows.  It has been crowded up by the dam when generation occurs.  As of this past tuesday at 3:00 PM the water has been shut off and no one can figure out why.  Rumors of course abound from a a drowning to work being on the dam.  The lake is at normal pool of 645.00 ft above elevation and the weather has been cold enough in the hi 20 to produce some demand for power.  Next month the Nuclear power plant in Russelville Arkansas will go done around the 21st for annual maintenance which usually means lots of generation for the White River.  However if we do get some no generation days march will see the first caddis hatches down stream and they will quickly move upstream.  Some dry action can be had at this time.   The shad kill is really the news however and we are all hoping for some more generation so the shad will come through.  Not only is this fishing a heck of a lot of fun but it also brings some great protein for the fish and fattens them up.  If you are headed down this way to fish plan for generation and rent or aquire a boat to fish out of and you  will not be disappointed.  Try different depths and try on the top.  On the top of course is the most fun but sometimes the swim bladders of the shad burst and they will come out the the generators on or near the bottom and that is where you need to be.  If this is the case large or numerous indicators will be needed to suspend your weighted shad fly.  Commonly white jigs, clouser type flies, or anything white, white and grey or grey will work.  You just have to figure out how deep you need to be if not on the surface.    Temps have started to rise somewhat the last few days and this next week we are predicted to be in the 5O’s and near 60’s .  Always bring good rain gear as our thunderstorm season usually begins in march. Good fishingJim Traylor 

  On thursday morning Jan 31st I left the house at 6:00 am in some light snow to pick up my fisherman at The Fishermans Lodge near wildcat shoals.  I took my time as the roads were piling up with snow and arrived just before 7:00 am.  Matt and Jillian loaded up and we used the wildcat ramp and put in.  The wind was blowing pretty good and the snow was piling up on the boat at a rapid rate.  The visibility was low and it was tough to see but we fished and caught a few fish as the water was coming up.  It was one cold morning which we ended at 11:00 am.  By this time the snow had accumulated to 5 inches with more predicted that evening.  The next morning on the first I took Matt and Jillian to the C & R area below the dam.  The water was on but on our first drift generation ended and we dropped anchor on the gravel bar and began fishing the shoal. Matt soon had the first of many fish on the line using a veiled egg with a pink hue and a bead inside of it tied on a #12 hook.  I put Jillian in a spot further upstream and she also began getting strikes and landing fish.  After some casting lessons (women learn so fast) she began hooking, landing and releasing fish on her own.  Both fishers caught some good rainbows and both landed brown trout. On the 2nd (saturday) I picked up my fisherman at http://rivercliff.com and we used the old rivercliff ramp at the golf course.  Once again generation ended on the first drift and we set up at the gravel bar.  Ted began hooking and landing fish right away as did Brian who was set up 20 yards above Ted.  Later in the morning Ted hooked into a hawg but didn’t have it on for long.  In the afternoon Ted once again hooked into a hawg which he fought for 10 minutes but it turned and with one last spurt of energy took off down stream and broke off.  Later that afternoon another angler hooked a good fish which I netted for him.  I took two flies out of the fishes mouth one of which was the fly Ted was using earlier.  That fish went 17 1/2 lbs.   Oh! the luck.  The rest of the day went well with both fisherman hooking and landing several fish with the biggest at 22 inches and a total of 8 brown trout between them.   Good fishingJim Traylor870-404-8906 

For the serious die-hard fly fishing fan winter means BIG brown trout from November through February.  The crowds are gone during this time as thanksgiving weekend marks the end of the season for most fishers.  But for some it is just the start.  There are no crowds and boat traffic is at a minimal during this time.  January in particular is quiet and quite easy to find a stretch of water that no one else is fishing.  Yes it can be cold and if the wind isn’t blowing and the sun is shining it’s also a fine time to sight fish for either brown trout or rainbows.  Fast flowing shoal (riffle) water is the place to be and preferably in shallow gravel although the slower water can be productive further down stream at this time of year.  I prefer the upper end of the river for two reasons.  It is close to the house and the spawn has moved upstream and I have followed it since October and the month of January puts this action in the first 6 miles of river below the dam.  Fishing this water with various type of eggs on long leader is highly productive sight fishing to big fish.  Midges of various types including the dry version can also be very productive on rainbows at this time.  

At this time of year many anglers are looking to February and the opening day of the catch and release area by the dam.  Since November first this one mile area has been shut down to protect the spawning fish.  This area is extend an extra quarter of a mile down to the State Park trout dock break water.   On February 1st this coming friday at midnight this area will re-open to angling.  This area is not only a catch and release area but some special regulations apply here.  This area along with the the other C&R area Rim Shoals are the most patroled areas on the river by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AG&F) officers.  Remember to use single barbless hooks with out droppers.  However there does exist a particular quirk for this area by the dam in that a barbless treble hook can be used.   It’s a crazy regulation for most of us as fly anglers and I won’t go into it here.  Opening day at the dam is often very crowded wether generation occurs or not.  Lots of wade anglers if there is no generation and lots of boats if there is generation.

Speaking of generation I will make an educated forecast for the fishing and generation based on 13 years of experience.  The lake level is at 652.03 ft above mean sea level.  Normal elevation is 654.00 feet.  This past January has been cold and there hasn’t been  much generation other than peak power demand early am and late P.M which allows for plenty of wading time.  The surface temp of the lake is 45.4 f and apparently is consistently this temperature up to 80 feet down.  The reason I bring this up is for the angler wondering if there is going to be a shad kill this year.  The magic temperature for the shad kill seems to be around 42 f so based on this information along with the opinions of other guides on both the river and lake it dosn’t look good this year for a shad kill due to the temps and due to the generation pattern of the last few weeks.  Both the lake temps and heavy generation need to happen for a good shad kill.  I would be surprised if there was such an event this year unless we get some heavy rains.   However if we do happen to get some heavy generation a few could come through the dam an this is a prediction I hope I get wrong as the fish could really use this protein.  

When fishing heavy generation this winter shad patterns will still work well as they always do as will peach or apricot egg patterns.  On low or no generation times eggs, scud (trout crack), sow bugs, midges, san juan worms and soft hackles are the norm.  Other flies will also work as will variations of the above mentioned flies.  Stealth, long leaders, 6x or 7x cfc tippet and no or small indicators.  White palsa indicators are the norm however I often use grey McFly foam which believe it or not is easier to see and indicates a more subtle take but which ever type of indicator you use make your cast so that it does not splash the water and spook the fish.  The C&R area by the dam is a much harder spot to fish than most of the other areas of the river.  

Jim (Jimmy T.) Traylor

http://flyfisharkansas.com

870-404-8906 

Since the 10th of Jan there has been no generation on the White River.  The lake level has come up some since our last rain and both Table Rock and Beaver have come up some since there was more rain west and north of us.  There is some rain forcast for this coming thursday.  Temps in our area have been generally just below freezing and getting into the 40’s and 50’s.  Not bad for a January. This past saturday and sunday I fished with Malcomb and Dr Dan from the St. Louis area.  Dr. Dan is new to and I have fished with Malcomb a few times as he is addicted to flyfishing and the White River.  Dr. Dan also has been infected with the fever especially since he has hooked up with and landed a few brown trout.  Saturday we walked into a special spot on the river and began fishing.  I set Malcomb up with a nymph rig and the unreal egg and Dr. Dan with a midge rig and he instantly began hooking up.  Malcomb was sight fishing to the bigger boys and soon hooked up with a few fish that broke him off but did eventually bring a 22 incher to the net along with some other smaller browns in the 19 and 20 inch range.  After re-rigging Dan with the same rig he too hooked into a couple of brown trout that broke him off.   The next day we put the boat in  and went down stream with the same nymph rigs.  Dan got his first brown trout in and for the day ended up with three and malcomb finished up the day with 4 brown trout.  All in all 10 brown trout for two days.    Good fishingJimmy T.  

This past November marked my 12th year as a full time guide on the White River and I still remember that very first day.  I had a man and his young son the first time out for half a day and was nervous as heck.  I was afraid of not catching fish for my first two fishers of my new career but good fortune was with me and the fish bit well and my training from other guides  kicked in and that very first day turned out to be a good one.   Twelve years later with the experience of over 2500 days on the water I don’t worry so much about catching fish as much as I now strive to create a day on the water that is safe, fun, enjoyable, entertaining and above all educational.   Every fishing trip and every day on the water should contain the above ingredients and the educational part goes for both the fisherman and the guide.  For the fisher the skill level should be increased and for the guide the coaching or teaching skills should be enhanced.   The fisherman with any skill level from neophyte to highly skilled should come away learning something from the day either about the fishing, the fish, casting, rigging, sight fishing or other aspects of our passion of fly fishing.   For me as the “guide” there is not a day I do not learn something new be it a better way to explain a technique, inject more fun into the learning process or be more entertaining while teaching.  Each fisherman wants something out of a trip and it’s my job to find out what it is.  Sometime it is easy and sometimes it is not but every fisherman wants or needs something from the day and a lot of times the fisherman dosn’t know what it is.  Most of the time I can figure it out as the day moves along.  That in essence is the job of the “Guide”.  My commitment to you is to provide a day that is safe, enjoyable, entertaining and educational along with providing you with what you desire from the day.  Feel free to give me a call at 870-404-8906 to discuss a fishing trip and lodging for one person or larger groups up to 20 or more people.  Your safety, fun and enjoyment are my priority.  Call early for big groups as the better guides and lodging get booked up sooner.Thanks and good fishing.Jim (Jimmy T.) Traylor870-404-8906  PO Box 751Bull Shoals, Ar 72619