Trout Are Biting!

[BrownTrout]

When the bass turn off or the wind blows you off the lake when the weather turns bad and you still have the itch to fish - run on down to the river for some trout. Those suckers never know when to quit. Forget the bluebird skies, high-pressure fronts, full moon or whatever other events turn the bass bite off. Just head on down to the river where the trout always bite come hell or high water.

Hooked a dozen or so yesterday in about an hour and a half on the White River. Wind was blowing pretty hard but it really wasn't that cold. Biggest fish I caught was a rainbow about 20 - 21 inches. Lost one fish that looked like a small brown trout. Still, lots of fun and something to do when you can't go to the lake

[thbass]

Count me in!!! I'm coming next month

[BrownTrout]

Next month? Like in Feb? Or, are you referring to the BBC Ranger Rally in April?

Feb is usually an awesome month on the White River. They open the river from the dam down to the State Park which is closed from Nov - Jan for the Brown Trout spawn. Also, this is about the time when the shad kill takes place and the fish go on a feeding frenzy eating the shredded shad coming from the lake through the dam into the river. Make sure you bring some white or silver jigs and spoons

Sure hope the weather holds and we get some rain. Otherwise, this might not be the best year for this unless you're a flyfisherman.

[Skeeter Jay]

Hey BT, what kind of tackle do you use to catch them there trout?? I've fished all my life but have never trout fished, would like to go do it sometime.

[BrownTrout]

When they've shut down most of the generators you can wade and flyfish with the right flyfishing gear.

When they are running a few generators you can wade and use use a light spinning rod with maybe 6# test and do really well. This is my favorite way to fish.

When they are running a lot of generators you have to fish out of a river boat and can use whichever tackle you want. At certain times, especially at night when they are generating, some folks fish out of a river boat and use baitcasters with Rogues tied on for the big Brown Trout!

All depends on how much water is coming out of the dam into the river.

Come early to the Rally (or stay late) and hit the river

[adchunts]

Jayson,

If you get a weekend free sometime, give me a holler. I usually go trout fishing a couple of times a year. Be glad to take you and show you the ropes. There's a couple of places within a few hours of my place. Below Tenkiller Lake (OK), below Broken Bow Lake (OK), Below Beaver Lake (AR), and Roaring River (MO). Of course, we could run up to Bull Shoals and get schooled by BT, too.

[Skeeter Jay]

Sounds like a plan Aaron I'm all for it... Was talking with a guy I know the other day that used to bass fish all the time, he said he got started trout fishing a few years ago and just completely gave up bass fishing, now he drives up to the little Red once a week or so and fishes. From what he was telling me it sounded like fun, but I dont think I could give up the green fish for it..

[BrownTrout]

Just checked the drive time to Heber Springs to fish the Little Red for trout. From Bull Shoals and Fort Smith, it's about a 3 hour drive. From Conway, a bit less than 1 1/2 hours. Once there, we'd have to figure out where the heck to fish.

From Conway to Bull Shoals to fish the White River is about 3 hours drive time. From Fort Smith about 3 3/4 hours drive. But, at least we'd know where to fish since I'm a little more familar with the White than the Little Red.

It's best to go during the week to avoid all the tourists. Same with the season. I hardly ever trout fish from April to October. Too many tourists. Nov through Feb is trout fishing season for me

If you guys want to line something up, let me know and I'll see if I can make it work.