Col Ron

Well, I think we can all agree that "the jury is still out" on this one. We have not seen the 590 cfs, the flow has been significantly higher. As the Corp explained to me, the more water you have in the lake, the higher the MF will be simply due to the mass weight of the high water. Now, with all this dang rain which started when the lake was at about 661, there is little or no room for the flood water, except on the raised parking lots and ramps. On the lake side, the positive thing I can see is future good hatches with the higher water. On the river, the Rainbows we are catching are chunkie, happy fish, but the weather this August is not normal as we all know. With the MF, the horn does not go off. I saw one man get wet towards the golf course ramp yesterday when the water was released. Since we haven't seen the targeted 590cfs water, we just don't know.

CF: I really don't know what your past credentials are, I do know mine, which I will not share with this forum. I simply do not buy into the conspiracy theory with the people selling boats, guides, and beating up on the little guy. You mentioned "they" many, many times in your first post. Exactly who are "they"? Big Brother? ACE? Dept. of Conservation? Democrats? Republicans? Anyone not agreeing with you? Like Phil said, you have the right to express yourself, so do it, but don't get too disappointed if everyone does not fall is step with you. Hey, that's why they make chocolate and vanilla.

Nice fishing with you today, although it was slow. For some reason it picked up after you left??? Tim and I walked out at 2:55pm. Good thing, they kicked it on, at about 2:59, no horn. It is really important to watch your favorite rock out there and keep an eye on it.

"When it's all said and done, you guys up in MO might have the only wadeable water left. Enjoy it. As it stands I'm planning a trip over to the Norfork this weekend to fish some of the last wadeable water we'll see in AR." Wow. CFowler, I don't know where all this is coming from. The ONLY thing I will agree with you is you have to be on your toes if you are not by the dam because the water is already higher than what we are use to. After two weeks of off and on minimum flow, I and most experienced fisher-people agree, this is a good thing. The fish are fat, happy and stressless. I really don't know where you are wading. Up by the dam, I wade right directly in front of the second window on the dam, about 50 down river of the restricted signs and the water is below my knees. Yes, there are holes, I have not found one spot up to my hips, I am 5'10" tall. The fishing has been well above average. You have to change your presentation and adjust. Politics is not an issue, the reason ACE wanted to do this is to get more colder water into the system. It is up to you to figure it out after that. As far as hurting the little guy without a boat, No. A pair of waders is all you need, you don't need a boat. Nighthawk: Forget all the stuff we use to due in zero generation until we return to zero generation after the fall. I don't mind sharing my and other guides success in MF. Use 6X, instead of small, 24 or 26 midges, use 18 or 20. The best results have been on Anna K's tied by Ron Mcquay, available at Copper John's and Jimmy T's, and Cotter fly shop. Green, purple, blue and red are working the best in that order. The long swing is when you will get most of your strikes. After you cast, keep a tight line all the way through your swing, throw it 90 degrees across the flow. Ron also ties a smaller White River Special which also works good. Surprised a small W.B. didn't work, they have been producing nice fish, fished the same way as the Anna K's. Take advantage of the MF, don't stand in pockets with no or little current. Just my two cents worth. Col Ron

Up in the catch and release area by B.S. dam, the MF has mixed reviews. On the real MF mornings, the latest being 690cf, the wading is no problem, the catching is a new learning experience. A group of us meets normally in the golf course parking lot or the gravel lot up close to the dam. Must be honest, most of us are definitely learning to adjusting to the change of the flow. It is totally different, the dead slow water previously, now has a good drift, the "kiddy pool" on the Lakeview side is now basically gone, where we weren't catching fish before, we are now. There is the feeling you no longer need 6X on minimum flow, don't buy it, stick with the 6X, it really helps the bite, unless you are in fast water. It is good for the fish, with the colder water. Going into August, hopefully the fish will not be as stressed after catching.

http://www.swl-wc.usace.army.mil/pages/data/tabular/htm/bulsdam.htm Here is the site.

Interesting today, had 6,7, and 8 mwh running and had the cfs in the 700 to 800's. I believe like the Army Corp gentleman told me over the phone, they will be experimenting to get the outcome they want. Haven't seen the 590cfs yet.

Ham is correct, minimum flow is zero MW, under 800cfs released water. Jimmy "T", and his website had a good suggestion. Minimum flow can get dangerous, especially if you are in the middle of the river in the catch and release area. The flow will increase without the siren or horn going off. Since the water level is higher because of the minimum flow, it maybe wise to invest in an inflatable life preserver. When the water is 700 to 800 cfs, there are a lot more holes out there that surprise you. Be safe Col Ron

I agree. Catch and release in July and August will be much easier on the fish. Too often during hot summer days they get too stressed. Catching techniques will change and we have to adjust. If I can put my 6X in my back pocket for awhile, that won't bother me a pit.

I talked to a representative of the Army Corp two days ago. He had some interesting information which I will pass along. I had several questions about the Power Pool and Minimum Flow, also the warning system when the dam releases more water. First, the power pool is now called "Seasonal". The pool will now vary one or two feet, depending on the time of year. It has already changed a couple of tenths. It will be around the 661 or 662 range. Second, we are now in the "Minimum Flow". It started on July 4th. I was wading on the 5th of July, with no generation and the cubic foot release was between 700 ft. and 850 ft near the dam. I must say, the flow was fast and you really had to watch for the holes and trenches. ACE told me, they believe the ideal minimum flow will be 590cf. As the lake volume decreases, the flow will also decrease. Something I never thought about, the gentleman told me the added weight from the added water will increase the flow during minimum flow. From what I experienced in two days, 590cf should be pretty good. According to the Corp, all this does not apply when they recieve a request for power, or if the pool is above or below normal. Third, the warning system was tested and is loud as necessary and now works adequately, after last years failures to go off. There are no plans for a phone app to notify or warn the angler when the flow will increase or generation is started. He did mention that during minimum flow, if the water level increases, the siren or horn probably will not go off. The siren is set to go off when generation begins. Good Luck, Col Ron www.colonelronguide.com

It is a major lake point that is long, rounded or flat for several hundred yards, and has a gradual slope.

This was one of those days you could have had three people fishing in the boat and had your twelve fish in two hours. Unbelievable bite with the south breeze we had up until noon. Crawlers, two ways: bouncing and finessing (spinning rod, 8 pound leader, 6 foot leader, bullet or egg sinker going freaking SLOW). 9 am fish caught in 26 to 28 feet of water, after that, until 11, 31 to 33 FOW. With the south breeze, put yourself on a blunt point with the wind blowing directly into the point. I would also suggest varying the speeds, caught them at 1.2 mph (bouncing) and with the finesse .3 or .4 mph. Good Luck, Col Ron

Nice job and good eating!!!

The walleye bite is finally on. Limits are being taken at 30 feet of water. The water temperature has finally reached 75 degrees, which is late according to normal. Since the lake is so high, be particularly careful if you are boating in low light conditions. I saw a full size, 30 foot pine tree floating in the water near point one. The bite seems to be the best around the early afternoon. 90% of the fish I have cleaned are completely empty in their stomachs. Most of the regular main lake points and small cup bays are producing. Attached is a client with three nice fish.

We need ten more degrees on the water temperature, then it will even out. What a difference a year makes!!!!

Ed, To be totally honest with you, now is not a good time, unless you want to night fish. Walleyes are biting at night pounding the banks and points with stick baits. The water is 60 degrees, after this cold front, it will probably go down a few more degrees. We need the water to approach at least 65 to 70 degrees. Last year at this time, we were doing real well, this year, is difficult because of the water conditions. Bull is Gin clear. You can see the bottom at 20 feet which isn't helping either. We are about 3 weeks behind. If I were you, I would consider coming down in late May, June would even be better. Walleye like consistant weather, something we haven't seen this spring. Basically four ways to fish Bull for walleye. Stick baits at night on the banks and points, during the day-trolling crank baits deep (leadcore), Jigs/ jigs & minnows, and bottom bouncing. It is a great lake, we just need more sunshine and warmer temperatures. Good luck

I would suggest coming back a month later. After the spring rains, and after the water gets into the 70's.

Thank you.

Has anyone found any TV coverage of the tournament?

Need some help, I thought the tournament was going to be broadcasted on ESPN 2, like the trailer says at the weigh-in, but I can't find it. I have several people in the midwest asking when and on what channel it will be on. Does anyone have the network and the time for the tournament on TV? Appreciate your help, Col Ron

Great job, gorgeous fish.... Ron

All good information. When the hatch is on, don't overlook a parachute, size 22 in the early afternoon. Right now and for the next few weeks, any color is good as long as it is green!!!!

I was out there yesterday also with two clients, yes, it was cold with that dang wind. After two hours and spotting my targeted fish at 52 feet, we hauled our butts out of their and went fly fishing. Had a great late morning/ afternoon on the river with 5 Browns, many spawning large Rainbows. My hat is off to you for putting up with the windy, cold conditions. They had a few bites down deep, too be honest with you, their hands were to numb to feel the slow pull.

Dave, The boat ride on a calm day running at about 40 to 45mph will take you about 50 minutes. Col Ron

I fish Diamond CIty/ Lead Hill all the time. I agree, good fishing, but in the spring the lake is alive all over. I must disagree with one comment. Diamond City is NOT a "short drive" away from tournament headquarters, Bull Shoals dam. It is an hour away over our usual Ozark hill roads. Col Ron