Below Rim Shoals

[Yakfly]

I notice most reports of the White, on this forum and otherwise, tend to focus on the fishing immedeatley below the dam and water down to Rim or so. Only occasionally do we here reports relating to the Buffalo Shoals area or further down to Buffalo City, Cartney access, Ships Ferry Access, etc. Is there a reason for this? Do guides generally not cover this water, is it not as good water to fish? Or is it just an acceability issue?

Is the water quality appreciably different below Rim? That is, that far down from the dam, does the temp and dissolved oxygen get worse, worse enough to alter the fish activity? And how does Crooked Creek and Buffalo River factor in, below where they feeds into the White. Too much warm water?

I myself like these down river spots primarily due to less people fishing there. I never catch many or large fish there, but that's probably due to me being still in the beginner stages of fly fishing.

Any thoughts appreciated.

[Danoinark]

I think you nailed it when you said an accessability issue. There just aren't that many walk in areas in those places and your best bet is by boat. I understand the flats at Cartney do not hold many fish either. I have guide friends that do take trips further down and do well.

[brownieman]

Same holds true on the Current.

Browns are stocked down to cedar grove, bows to akers ferry but there are many nice bows and brownies caught all the way down to pulltight and round springs.

The water is just much larger than the upper sections making it hard to wade fish...doesn't mean there not in there, just not quite as accessable.

bm

[John Berry]

There is really a variety of reasons. The upper river, Bullshoals Dam to the Buffalo has better access, More walk-in access and more boat ramps. Most guides live in Bull Shoals or Cotter. They are closer to home. The AG&F studies show there are more large fish in the upper river. Then there is the generation thing. The water falls out slower than it rises. Therefore given a set generation pattern, the nearer you are to the dam the more wadable water you will have. In the summer when heat is a problem, the nearer you are to the dam the colder the water is. As it goes down stream it gets warmer the water from Crooked Creek and the Buffalo are warm water streams and their water will warm the river even more. These streams are also subject to flooding (no dams). You put all of this together and you generally get better fishing on the upper river.

[Terry Beeson]

Good points, JB...