“Our rainbows are chasing shrimp, especially when paired with a small piece of PowerBait. A little piece of a red wiggler worm placed mid-depth in the main channel with green monofilament line (6- or 4-pound test) and a No. 8 hook might just attract those bigger rainbows you’re hearing about. It’s not uncommon to see 16- and 17-inch rainbows now. Berkley bubblegum Pink Mouse Tails are still a favorite when drifted from a boat, even in low water.

“As we move toward autumn and closer to the brown trout spawning season, change your bait color to orange or rainbow hues to attract them to your bait and distract them from nature’s call. The brown bite has slowed some in this lower water, but a sculpin drifted near the bottom might still ensure a good bite. Finding the deeper holes is your job in low-water years.

“Enjoy the cooler mornings on the river; they are so very refreshing. Then stop by and share your latest fish story.”

Calico Rock Area

(updated 9-3-2026) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said, “Fishing has been awesome on the days we see low and clear water. Those days, quarter-ounce Thomas Colorado nickel/gold spoons, Rapala Countdown CD7s in rainbow trout or brown trout colors, Panther Martin with a gold blade/black body/yellow spots and Dynamic HD Trout in brown trout worked well for rainbows, browns and smallmouth bass. There have been days with the low water that it seemed more like catching than fishing.

“During the days where we see water rising to 7-ish feet before cresting, we have done well with silver inline spinners with Uncommon Bait UV eggs and tipping the hook with raw shrimp. With the higher water, we see dingy water in the morning and then clearing up after the crest arrives around mid-morning.

“Stay safe during this Labor Day weekend.”