Fishing Report

[Phil Lilley]

It's been awhile since my last report, mainly because very little has changed in the past few weeks. Generation is still at two units 24/7 ------ BUT------ checking out tomorrow's estimated flow on the Southwest Power Administration's site, there should be no generation tonight and fluctuating levels tomorrow from 1 to 2 units. That gives us a break from the two full-unit pattern we've been seeing and means we may see even less generation this weekend. Both Table Rock and Beaver lakes are down to power pool levels, as well as Bull Shoals, with little rain in the foreseeable future.

So, my fishing report is full of guesses. I know what has happened up to now, but with the change in generation, all I can do is guess . . . but they are good guesses.

Jigs are a surety regardless of what happens with the water. I boated down to the Gold Mine today after Guide Bill Babler fished it yesterday and did well. That's where a lot of anglers have been going to catch nicer rainbows -- just ask many of the top finishers from the R.A.W. and Masters Trout Tournaments. Bill caught some of the nicest rainbows he's caught outside the trophy area in a long time, he said -- fat 15- to 18- inchers and good fighters. He caught them fishing 3/32nd-ounce sculpin-colored jigs along the bluff bank -- and even caught a few nice largemouths, too. The water was moving very slowly, and he had some wind. I had no wind today but caught rainbows, too, but no bass. My rainbows were stocker size except for one nice 15-inch rainbow. I didn't try it, but I bet the trout would have taken a jig under a float six to seven-feet deep. I had several followers to the boat. I did try the next transition bank downstream on the opposite side across from the mouth of Bull Creek and caught a few, mainly in the middle of the lake though, not on the bank. The fish were taking it on the drop. Some anglers are faring well throwing cleos in this area and also trolling jigs and medium crank baits. I did see others drifting power bait and catching rainbows today.

I stopped at the Landing on the way back up lake and caught rainbows below Shorty Small's dock and then below the Fish House. I actually caught fish everyplace I tried -- all on either 1/8th or 3/32nd ounce sculpin-colored jigs. Tried a white with no luck.

Fishermen are catching rainbows off our dock and out in front of our place drifting Powerbait Gulp eggs - white/pink or white/orange. I'm sure the trout will hit a jig, as well. Nightcrawlers with a pinch of orange plastic worm used from Fall Creek to Short Creek are producing some nice rainbows.

As the current slows, anglers will need less weight. Use a split shot instead of a bell weight. Try a jig and float with the water slow or turned off, but best where the lake surface is choppy.

In Trophy Trout Release Area, the trout have seen a few shad but not many. I think the shad have drifted as far down as the first island below the dam and that's all. You can get a lot of hits on a white jig from the cable to the first island and then it's tough. An olive or sculpin-colored jig will get you hits from the cable clear down to Fall Creek. Drifting egg flies on the bottom have netted some bites, and that should get better since many males are milking right now. There should be females dropping eggs for the next few weeks. Also try #12 or #14 gray scuds and san juan worms.

[freelancer 11]

Thanks for all the info. See you next weekend.

[Gatorjet]

Great report Phil. The back isn't healing as fast as I had hoped, so I don't think Nick and I will make it for the Team tournament. Hope to get down there maybe later in March. Keep 'em biting!