Cotter, Arkansas -- The bite is on and the anglers on the White River in the Arkansas Ozarks are catching trout on the first cast of the day, on the last cast in the afternoon and on a whole lot of casts in between. Anglers of all ages and persuasions are catching trout downriver from Bull Shoals Dam in the Cotter neighborhood. The water is cold and clear, refreshing, and provides a cool updraft when you're moving downstream in a jon boat.
Bull Shoals Dam is continuing releases from the lake which are required to bring the lake down to desired power pool level. Four or more generators, 14,000 to 17,000 cfs all day has been the norm. The generation a little heavier in the afternoon than the morning. The lake has dropped three feet over the last couple of weeks and, at this writing, is at 685.55 feet msl and continuing to drop.
Plan your baits based on water conditions: Begin with the tried-and-true shrimp and egg pattern (orange and/or yellow and/or pink) for a swift catch of rainbows, move to worms or to drifting a pink or orange two-inch worm as the water rises later in the morning. Spinnerbaits are also good option in the morning before the higher releases.
Later in the day as the water rises, pull out the big baits: Look for the 4- to 5-inch Smithwicks, orange bellies, blue or black backs or a chrome and blue Husky Jerk. The brown trout X-Rap Rapala and the Elite Blue RPS-9 (Rapala’s size 9) are good baits to use as well. Brook trout Rapalas might be the secret this week.
A family fishing adventure offers time together in an outdoor arena, sharing quiet moments and watching nature "happen" in real time, in a digital-free environment (or as much as you desire it to be.) Go catching and enjoy Arkansas’s natural resources.