July 21st Report And August Forecast

[Cody Smith]

Hello there ladies and gentleman, Greers Ferry is currently slightly above normal pool at the time of this report. We had heavy rains and cooler weather move into the area over the last couple of weeks of July. This was welcomed by fish and fisherman alike. We had really high water temperatures up into the low 90's the second week of July and they have now retreated back into the middle 80's. Look for temperatures to rise again if we have a string of warmer (hot) days. August marks the beginning of the end for our warming weather. Almanac's point to August the 16th as the time as temperature reversal. We will hit our peak average temperature by this date and then it's on to cooling weather and water and on to better fishing. However, I can't complain as this summer has fished as good or better than any other for myself on this body of water.

The walleye bite is on and off with the weather. Some days are producing decent numbers while others not so much. Most of the walleye population is holding in 28 - 36 feet of water. The actively feeding eyes are coming out of 18 - 24 feet of water before they retreat back out to greater depths. Small thread fin shad and some larger gizzard shad are number one on there diet right now, in turn the fish are moving around a lot. We have been connecting with them while dragging bottom bouncer style rigs and the trusty lead head jig and crawler set up. Look for the bite to get better as we get deeper into the fall season. When the bait starts moving to the back's of the pockets and creeks look for these fish to move with them. During this month focus on select main lake points with good structure that holds bait along with main lake humps, islands and rock piles to hold the majority of fish.

Our hybrid population is so disorganized this year, really it's kind of strange them not all working together like they typically do this time of year. Instead of having 2 or 3 large wads of fish....we are dealing with 8 - 12 smaller schools and they are constantly on the move. Once they come up you have to get on them fast in order to boat some active fish and then keep moving and try to stay with them while they cruise. We have had the best luck casting big in-line spinners (custom made local baits) and covering Masses of water to stay in the action. Check out Golden Outdoors (www.goldenoutdoors.net) in Heber Springs for the best selection of this type of tackle.

During this month the old bucket mouth's are feeding at opportune time's throughout the day and should continue. They have been providing some decent action in depth's of 26 - 34 feet on slow roll off style point's and ledges that are really close to flat's that top out in 6- 12 feet of water. With cooler night's like we have had the last week of July look for them to get shallow in a hurry if the water starts going the other way. We are still sometime from them pushing in the creeks and pockets but they will get up in that thermocline and feed heavy if and when the bait is there. C-Rigs, Shakey Heads, Jigs and cranks will all produce this month along with live bait option's. The live bait will out produce artificial until we get closer to fall.

Our smallies have been and will continue to be scattered this month. Some of the fish are and will be on big rock location's adjacent to the channel and main lake point's while others are settled and staged along steeper bluffs and really free ranging along with the bait. We have caught our bronze backs in 80 feet of water and 8 feet of water. Look for September and October to come on fire if you want to catch a trophy smallie.

Kentucky (spotted) bass are a guide's dream fish. They bite hard, feed aggressively and are almost always willing to bite. We have done really well this past month with the spot's and I look to continue into August with a dependable bite from my most dependable game fish. Drop Shot rigs with a whole night crawler or a light lead head and crawler set-up will almost always guarantee you some fish in the boat. Timber lines located along deeper breaks and ledges are holding the majority of these fish with main lake humps and rocks coming in a near second place. Look at depths of 18 - 32 feet deep in the water column and let light penetration and current condition's dictate where you start.

Good Luck out there this August and Get ready because fall is right around the corner and it's going to be a great bite~

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