White River/twin Bridges Report 3/1/2010

[Zack Hoyt]

Reports of male walleyes starting to be caught. As water temperatures increase, expect more and larger fish to start coming up to spawn. Fish with sink-tips and minnow imitating streamers. Fly selection includes; Clouser Minnows, Bunny flies, Jiggies, KC's Creek Chub and Woolly Buggers. Also, try crawling crayfish imitations along the bottom. Flies; Crazy Dads, Meat Whistles and Lead-eyed Woolly Buggers (olive, rust brown)

[Jason R.]

I went out there a couple times this weekend and saw some boats catch some nice keepers but I couldn't really make it happen on the fly rod. Do the walleye tend to stick to the deeper cuts?- because I felt like I wasn't getting down to them despite a sinking line and weighted flies. It also didn't help that I discovered my waders had sprung a sizable leak over the winter.

[Zack Hoyt]

Well the fish will key in on leaky waders and laugh at you instead of taking the fly...........just kidding.

Definitely need to get deep. What type of sinking line are you using? With the temp the way it is right now, the fish will be very deeep. If you arent ticking the bottom your probably not deep enough. We use a type 6 full sinking line. Usually white/grey or white black clousers sz 4. Also a white crystla flash woolie will do the trick.

[nwaoutdoorsman]

Reports of male walleyes starting to be caught. As water temperatures increase, expect more and larger fish to start coming up to spawn. Fish with sink-tips and minnow imitating streamers. Fly selection includes; Clouser Minnows, Bunny flies, Jiggies, KC's Creek Chub and Woolly Buggers. Also, try crawling crayfish imitations along the bottom. Flies; Crazy Dads, Meat Whistles and Lead-eyed Woolly Buggers (olive, rust brown)

What are the water temps in the river? I haven't fished that far up river in years, but was thinking about it since they've put in the new ramp there at the bridge. Can a guy launch a bass boat there or is a flatbottom better? I have both but sure prefer my big boat. My jon boat gets awful small with a couple guys in it. I've never walleye fished before other than catching a few while bass fishing. What types of things work for the non fly fisherman? Thanks for the report!

[Jason R.]

Well, i was using a 1 ips 7 weight and letting it sink as far as the current would allow. I lost a bunch of flies so I think I was pretty deep... probably just generally inept at the walleye game.

[Zack Hoyt]

NWA - one can launch a bass boat there, but I would do a trip or two with the jon to learn the river bed. I saw a guy all but burry up the motor of an awful new Ranger last year. It definitely shallows up the further upstream you go. Alot of guys will hit it now and head down stream towards the lake. This is a little easier in a larger boat. Alot comes down to how good you are with the boat. Motored boats aren't my strong suite, so I err on the side of caution.

I was not aware there was any other type of fishing besides fly fishing.........

Kidding. I haven't spent a ton of time on Walleye, but can pass along the things that have worked for me. These fish are mainly feeding on the baitfish that come up the river to spawn as well. About anything in an white/silver/shiney color seem to work. The walleye are pretty aggressive, so the more movement the better. I often go to a Smithwick Rogue style or the rapala in a jointed style. Most these baitfish are very thin, so get the slender hard baits. YUM makes a Walleye grub that is supposed to be very good. The thing is these fish are schooling, so the trick is finding where they are at the certain moment. Alot of trial and error. Again, I am pretty new to Walleye, so take it with a grain of salt. Of course the best bet is to hit Chris or Aaron up at Hook,Line, and Sinker for ideas/updates. Those guys are awesome and for sure know where the fish are biting. Stop by some day around lunch time and you can pick up some pretty up-to-the-minute reports.

Edit: That long dissertation and I forgot temps. From what I remember hearing they are still in the high 40's. We are having warmer days, but these 20 degree nights aren't helping.

[Zack Hoyt]

Jason - As I said above, Walleye are alot of trial and error. Just like the whites, it will take quite a few afternoons on the water to get an idea of what they are doing and their movements. The only difference between conventional fishing and fly fishing is how we rig up. The fish still hold in the same spots. Ask around and see if you can find some reports. It is still a tad cool, so don't be disheartened yet. Twin Bridges has some good wade fishing, but early season tactics are really helped along with a boat. Also dont be afraid to jump tippet size. These guys aren't like fishing for trout. 2x or 1x tippet is not unheard of. Also it is still a bit cold, so a slower retrieval is a good idea. Dont get locked into casting in one spot. Move around.

[nwaoutdoorsman]

NWA - one can launch a bass boat there, but I would do a trip or two with the jon to learn the river bed. I saw a guy all but burry up the motor of an awful new Ranger last year. It definitely shallows up the further upstream you go. Alot of guys will hit it now and head down stream towards the lake. This is a little easier in a larger boat. Alot comes down to how good you are with the boat. Motored boats aren't my strong suite, so I err on the side of caution.

I was not aware there was any other type of fishing besides fly fishing.........

Kidding. I haven't spent a ton of time on Walleye, but can pass along the things that have worked for me. These fish are mainly feeding on the baitfish that come up the river to spawn as well. About anything in an white/silver/shiney color seem to work. The walleye are pretty aggressive, so the more movement the better. I often go to a Smithwick Rogue style or the rapala in a jointed style. Most these baitfish are very thin, so get the slender hard baits. YUM makes a Walleye grub that is supposed to be very good. The thing is these fish are schooling, so the trick is finding where they are at the certain moment. Alot of trial and error. Again, I am pretty new to Walleye, so take it with a grain of salt. Of course the best bet is to hit Chris or Aaron up at Hook,Line, and Sinker for ideas/updates. Those guys are awesome and for sure know where the fish are biting. Stop by some day around lunch time and you can pick up some pretty up-to-the-minute reports.

Edit: That long dissertation and I forgot temps. From what I remember hearing they are still in the high 40's. We are having warmer days, but these 20 degree nights aren't helping.

Thanks! I may give it a try.

[Ron Burgundy]

Fly fishing for walleye's??....What the??

[Jason R.]

Haha- I'll try to fly fish for anything- I once sat out at my buddies pond trying to catch catfish on a fly for several hours- turns out they will take a fly- if you strip it really, really slow. Haven't figured out the walleye yet though.