Cameron Gillespie

I live 45 mins from Greers, but I usually only fish it in winter and spring for crappie. I’ve fished it a long time and it’s just a tough, infertile lake. They quit stocking the hybrids a few years back, and that has helped with the Shad population, which has improved the condition of the bass and crappie. There are a lot of bass and crappie in the lake, but big ones are hard to come by for me. It’s a good place for eater crappie, but I’ve caught a few slabs over the years. As far as walleye, I think it has a decent population, but I do all of my walleye fishing on Bull Shoals. Your best bet for walleye is probably on lower lake. Greers drains the sandstone dominated Boston Mountains, which is not as fertile as the limestone dominated Salem and Springfield Plateau’s that are drained by the White River. It’s just hard to compare Greers to other Ozark lakes. Like I said, I live very close to it, yet I frequently make the drive to Bull Shoals and Norfork. These pics are from back in the spring. Walleye length limit there is 14”.

What’s wrong with walleye?

Tons of 17 9/10” Walleye in Bull Shoals too. Doesn’t bother me too much to throw them back knowing they are our future.

I know for a fact that the walleye fishing on Bull is excellent. I’m wondering if it’s all a product of the high water the last several years.

It doesn’t matter what regulations they put on the books if they don’t enforce them. Here in AR, I fish a stream that I won’t name that has special regulations, yet I’ve only been checked once since 2006. Luckily it doesn’t get a ton of pressure, but people are shocked when I throw a nice smallmouth back. Unfortunately the mentality in this area is to keep every fish that is caught and kill everything in the woods that moves. It’s no surprise that deer, turkey, and bear were nearly wiped out here in the early 20th century. AGFC has some good biologists, but it’s mired in politics and spends a lot of money tooting it’s own horn. I’ve always thought MDX did a better job than AGFC.

Pflueger President on 7’2” Loomis is my best jig setup.

I’ve been on the Norfork twice this week. They haven’t turned on water until midday, so there have been plenty of wading opportunities. I fish from a boat and it’s been pretty good.

Those are some beautiful fish! How have the crowds been up there? I’ve been wanting to fish the dam but I don’t feel like combat fishing.

Sunken boat. Bow is on the right.

This happened on Norfork River yesterday. One person dead apparently. Boat drifted into some trees right above the handicap access. They were fishing the motor out of the river when I went by there.

I live a mile away from Lock 2 at Bethesda and I’ve only fished here once in the year I’ve lived here. There are some big walleye that come out of the river here, but it’s been very high since I’ve been here.

I’d be interested in going. I’ve got a 20’ Topwater. I can take a couple of people.

I’d stick with carpet. Less chance of dumping one on the ramp.

Well that’s a shame.

I will do that next time. Years ago they brought in some wardens from other areas of the state, hired guides, and ran a sting operation. Lots of citations written. Probably time for another one of those.

Went to Norfork today. Caught some real nice fish, but saw people bait fishing in the C&R area and dragging a chain, which is illegal on the Norfork. I know the wardens work it because I’ve been checked there. I just wish they would write some tickets and make some examples.

Might try below dam at Pendleton on Arkansas River.

If it’s grennel (bowfin) you are after, the lower white river and it’s backwaters are full of the spinnerbait destroying fish.

Looks like a nice trip. I tried up at Peebles Bluff a few weeks back and caught a lot of little smallmouth and lost a real nice one. I figured out that a jet boat really wasn’t ideal for that stretch of river, but I didn’t do too much damage.

I take two 6 gallon tanks. I usually fish by myself so I’ve got plenty of room.

May just launch at Two Rivers then. Eleven Point has been high and off colored this year. I’ve caught some good ones lately but it’s been pretty tough fishing. Any recommendations on boat friendly lodging up there?

They must have stocked a ton of brookies lately, caught a lot of them. I’m pretty sure most of them end up as lunch for big browns. If we can keep the tiger trout from being kept, I think they will do well.

Thinking about making a smallmouth trip to the Current River. I’ve got 40 hp jet river boat so I’m open to trying anywhere with good fishing. I fish the Eleven Point in AR a lot, so I have an idea of what to look for. I’ve thought about the Eminence area since I can fish Jacks Fork as well. I’m a teacher so I can go during the week for a little bit longer and avoid the mass of drunks.

Fished up near the dam in the AM, pulled out when water started rising about noon and went to Rim. Bite was pretty good at the dam, caught a mixed bag of some very nice rainbows,a nice brown, a tiger trout, and a bunch of stocker brookies. Had a nice smallmouth as a bonus. That fish was long and skinny. I kinda wish I had put it in the live well and transferred him to the lake. Rim didn’t fish nearly as good as the Dam. Went up Crooked Creek to try for smallmouth, but water has dropped and was pretty nasty and stagnant.

Are you trolling the flicker shad?