Spring River Fishing Report
(Check back weekly for the latest fishing report, usually uploaded on Monday night)
(Check our face book page for reports during the week)
Hello and welcome to my weekly report.
July 26th-August 1st, 2010
Water levels are at 375 cfs and water clarity is clear. Low water levels have made for some great high stick nymphing conditions. The river is full of caddis and mayfly nymphs this time of year. A light rain followed by sunshine will make large hatches come off the water. With the hot temps outside the Spring River is the perfect place to be catching Rainbow Trout. Y2ks have been doing well along with mayfly imitations. With the heat like it is just make sure and get the fly down to the bottom.
375 cfs
Tight lines and good luck,
Mark Crawford
Spring River Fly Shop and Guide Service LLC
36 Hwy 63 North
Mammoth Spring, AR 72554
Phone:( 870) 277-4567
Toll Free: (877) 212-0465
July 19th-25th, 2010 Water levels are running at 400cfs and water clarity is clear. With this heat the fish are on the bottom in deeper pockets of water. Nymphs like Trick or Treats and Go-Go's are producing well and bigger fish are being caught on Cotton Candies and Grandma's Brownies. When all else fails try a Y2k.
400 cfs
July 12th-18th, 2010Heavy rains on Sunday have made the Warm Fork of the Spring River turn murky. The spring itself is still running clear and the Warm Fork usually clears up in a couple of days. Fishing has been good with Y2ks and Coachmans fished wet style, down deep. Keep up with current river conditions on my blog at www.springriverflyshop.com n/a cfs
July 4th-11th, 2010 The Spring River has been running very low and clear, making for some great pocket water conditions. The Rainbow Trout have been really down deep hugging the bottom of the river. Go-Go Nymphs and my Minnow pattern have been doing really well. When fishing a stretch of water fish the green areas. The green areas are a sign of deeper water and that's where the fish will be.
367 cfs
June 27th-July 4th, 2010
Water levels are 390 cfs and water clarity is clear. Fishing conditions are perfect right now for high stick nymphing and sight fishing; the water’s low and clear. Mayfly Nymphs (Go-Go nymphs), Grandma's Brownies and Peeping Caddis are hot right now. Go during the week for less pressure. We have perfect conditions get out and go nymphing.
June 20th-27th, 2010 Water levels are at 400cfs. That is the lowest of the year and water clarity is clear. The lower the water levels the better, because lower water levels equal easier wading and better opportunities for locating the fish. Mayfly and Caddis nymphs should be fished early and big stimulators during the day. Remember to keep that line tight and practice catch and release.
404 cfs
June 13th-20th, 2010
Water levels are at 430cfs (below average) and water clarity is clear. That makes for great wading conditions on the Spring River. The trout are biting well on Woolly Buggers and Emergers, but get them down deep. We have perfect conditions for fly fishing on the river.
428 cfs
June 6th-12th, 2010
Water levels are down to 440cfs and water clarity is clear. The river is looking great with early morning and late evening hatches of Caddis and Mayflies. During the Mayfly hatches emerging Mayfly patterns (Trick or Treats) have been hot. Conditions are perfect to get out and enjoy the river this week. Just remember to get your fly down deep and be ready for that big hit. Float trips have been very successful with Brownies and Cotton Candies.
448 cfs
May 31st-June 6th, 2010
Water levels are at 460cfs and water clarity is a little cloudy. Good hatches of Caddis flies and Mayflies are coming off the water during early hours of the day and just before sunset. Flourescent fly patterns like Cotton Candy and Y2k's have been doing well. At times black Woollies and Snails produce well also. Higher numbers of trout are stocked during this time of year so everyone can catch some trout and have a blast.
465 cfs
May 23rd-30th, 2010
This week water levels have come up due to the rain last week. Water levels are at 480cfs and water clarity is low. By Wednesday the river should be back to normal conditions. Check out my blog at springriverflyshop.com, Mark's Blog for daily reports. It will be a great weekend to get out and enjoy the river.
482 cfs
May 17th-23rd, 2010
The spring river has come up a little. It is running at 450cfs and the water clarity is cloudy. Fishing on the Spring River can be very good with cloudy water. Trout tend to feed heavier on imitations when water is not perfectly clear. Mayfly and Caddis hatches have been a daily occurrence. Flies imitating crayfish, minnows, snails and bugs hatching on the water will always produce fish. Just remember to get the fly down to the bottom where the big fish lay.
452 cfs
May 10th-16th, 2010
The water flows are down below 440cfs and water clarity is good with a little cloudiness. Mayflies are hatching out in large numbers every morning. Coachmans and Mayfly Emergers fished down deep have been doing very well. Pressure has been slow on the Spring River the last couple of weeks and the fishing shows it. It is still very important to get the fly down to the bottom and watch for green areas in the river. This is a good sign of deeper water and the seams that trout like to hold in.
May 3rd-9th, 2010 This week looks like a great time to get out and fish the Spring River. We did not have any flooding over the weekend here in Mammoth Spring. All of the bad weather went around this area. Water levels are at 450cfs and water clarity is good but off a little. The bugs are hatching out daily and include many varieties. If you are not familiar with the Spring River the trout do not rise to the bugs. The way to capitalize on the hatches is by fishing emergers down deep. My Trick-or-Treat is hot during these times. Grandma's Brownie is still the big fish fly with Y2k's and Cotton Candies coming in a close second.
452 cfs
April 26th-May 1st, 2010
We have had alot of rain over the weekend. The Warm Fork has become muddy but the Spring is still running clear. Water levels at the Spring are at 460 cfs. With clear weather in the forecast the water should clear up quickly and come back down. During murky water conditions black and flourescent colors work well. Black Woolies and red San Juan worms do well. Check out my blog at Mark's Blog for daily updates on river conditions and what they might be biting.
469 cfs
April 19-25th, 2010
Water flows are at 440cfs which is the perfect level for wading. Water clarity is good, and the weather forecast looks great. It is time to hit the river and fish hard. Over the weekend black flies were doing really well. Some stoneflies are coming out and may be the cause behind this. Float trips down the river have been very productive and have been producing some really nice fish. Just remember to get it down deep and keep that line tight.
440 cfs
56.6 F
April 12-18th, 2010 Water flows have been running at about 460cfs and water clarity is green tinted a little more than usual. Hot flies last week were Grandma's Brownie, Trick or Treats, Y2ks, and Coachman Wetflies. The weather forecast for next week looks really good. Maybe a little too warm but wading the river it will be perfect. It's time to put up those neoprene waders and get out the breathable waders. It's gonna get warm. Last week there were a lot of mayflies coming off the water and it made mayfly emergers really pay off.
459 cfs
56.6 F
Water flows have been running at about 450cfs which is up a little from the rain Friday night. Water clarity is green tinted a little more than usual. Hot flies last week were Grandma's Brownie, Prince Nymphs, Y2ks, and my new Mayfly Nymph. It is so important to get your flies down deep. When fish are biting hot it is not as important but on those days when the fish turn off it is so important. That is how to get after the big fish. As far as hatches go everything is coming off the water right now. Weather has just been too good.
469 cfs
56.6 F
March 29th-April 3rd, 2010
The Spring River is looking great. It did come up to about 440cfs over the weekend. Water clarity has a green tint but looking good. A beautiful week in the forecast. Daily hatches of caddis and mayflies. Brownies and Trick-or-Treats were hot this weekend. Still using Cotton Candies and huge Coachman's on float trips for bigger fish. Just get'em down deep.
448 cfs
56.9 F
March 22-28, 2010 Water levels are below 420cfs and water clarity is great with a green tint. Sunday had a lot of rain but didn't affect river conditions. Fishing has been really good on overcast days lately and ok on sunny days. Lots of Caddis and Mayflies coming off the water. During hatches emerger patterns have been very poductive. For big fish Grandma's Brownies and Cotton Candy have been very productive and for numbers Y2ks have been the ticket. Beautiful weather for fishing the Spring River this time of year. Just remember to get your fly down deep...
420 cfs
57.8 F
March 15th-21st, 2010
Water levels are below 440cfs and water clarity is good with a green tint. Fishing has been fantastic! Friday and Saturday fish were biting Y2ks and Brownies left and right. Sunday was a little slower with Y2ks catching most of the fish. On Monday we landed several big fish on a large Coachman pattern. All of these flies were fished down deep. On float trips we usually catch anywhere from 30 to 100 fish, a lot of stockers and every once in awhile a big one will hit and make sure you are ready for him. The fishing is great. Come down and have a great time.
428 cfs
56.8 F
March 8th-14th, 2010
Water levels are running at 440cfs and water clarity is clear. We had a beautiful weekend! On the main river Cotton Candies and Y2ks have been the ticket. To catch the bigger fish getting down to the bottom has been very productive. Mayflies and Caddis flies have been hatching out all through the day. Small Mayfly Emergers and Elk Hair Caddis flies sunk to the bottom can be hot during hatches. Overall it is a great time to come and fish the Spring River. Try to come up during the week and often times you can have the river all to yourself, or call me for a float trip and be prepared to catch a lot of fish and I will do all of the work.
440 cfs
56.9 F
March 1st-7h, 2010
Finally the weather has been perfect. The forecast for this week looks so good. It is time to get the waders out and head for the river. Water clarity is great and levels are down to normal. There have been a lot of mayfly and caddis coming off the water. Emergers and nymphs fished during hatches are very productive. When fishing the Spring River it is important to imitate natural food sources such as minnows, crayfish, snails, sculpins, and the different variety of insects. Trout on the Spring River have so many food sources to choose from they can get picky at times. When in doubt take some time to watch and listen and Mother Nature will let you know what to use. And it doesn't hurt to turn over some rocks and see what lies below.
456 cfs
56.5F
February 22nd-28th, 2010
The weather is finally starting to improve and we had some great fishing over the weekend using Grandma's Brownie and Cotton Candy. The warm spell brought on some great Caddis and Mayfly hatches. A new Mayfly emerger pattern that looks like a cross between a Prince Nymph and a dry fly has been great during hatches. I am going to call it a Flying Ace. Come by the shop and check it out. For daily updates check out my blog at www.springriverflyshop.com. The river is just looking fantastic. Flows are at 460cfs and clarity is great. Float trips have been the most productive on numbers and bigger fish but with the many access points available to us walkin trips can be a blast also. To book a trip call the shop and we will reserve your day for fly fishing adventure.
February 15th-21, 2010 Water levels are running at 470cfs. Water clarity is good with green tint. Fishing has been excellent on float trips and good on walk-ins when a person is able to get off the beaten path. Emerging Mayflies, Peeping Caddis, Brownies and basic Woollies have been doing well. Y2K's have been the hottest fly. Get it down deep and be ready for the strike. Rainbows on the Spring River are well known for biting and releasing the fly quickly, so get that rod tip up quickly.
477 cfs
56.5 F
February 8th-14th, 2010
With all the snow lately water levels have come up to about 480cfs. Water clarity has been good with a heavy green tint which is common this time of year. During sunny warm days (40 degrees) heavy hatches of caddis and mayflies are coming off the river. Grandma's Brownie's and Y2k's are heavy hitters lately. My Peeping Caddis and Emerging Nymphs have been producing well also. Make sure to dress warm and don't let the bad weather keep ya off the river. The trout love it.
486 cfs
56.6 F
We had a lot of snow last week but the roads are clear now and the river is looking good. Water levels are running around 460cfs and the water clarity is good with a green tint to it. This week a Peeping Caddis has been the most consistent fly. Grandma's Brownie and Y2K’s are doing well also. Winter months can offer some of the best fishing on the Spring River. Fishing pressure is always low. During float trips the only other company on the river will be deer, turkeys and a couple of bald eagles.
470 cfs
56.7 F
Heavy rains Saturday night has muddied up the Warm Fork that runs into the Spring River just below Dam 1. The Spring is still running clear and the Warm Fork should clear up quickly. The water has come up to near 480 cfs but should drop quickly. Fishing has been good with Y2ks and San Juan worms. A little extra weight may be needed to get the fly down. It has turned cold again. Remember to layer up and dress warmly. Check out my blog for daily updates.
477 cfs
56.9 F
Water is running low around 420cfs. Water clarity has a green tint to it but not too bad. Fishing on float trips has been excellent. Y2Ks and Brownies are the hottest flies last week. This week emerging San Juans (one of my crazy patterns) have been doing well. With warmer temps this week a lot of caddis and mayflies having been hatching out. Your typical nymphs and emergers are producing fish as well. For daily reports on fishing conditions check out my blog on www.springriverflyshop.com.
412 cfs
56.9 F
Water levels are below 440cfs which is perfect for wading. Water clarity is good but a little milky. I’ve been doing really well with Mayfly Nymphs, and Brownies and Cotton Candies have been working well also. Rod eyes have been freezing up this week but warmer air is in the forecast. Just remember to watch your step, always get it deep, and always keep that line tight.
432 cfs
56.8 F
January 3rd-9th, 2010
Water levels are down to 460cfs. Water clarity has a green tint but clear. Drift boat trips have produced good numbers when fishing Brownies, Y2Ks, and Cotton Candies. Nymphs are doing good since water has begun to clear up to normal. Hare's Ears, Pheasant Tail Nymphs, Prince Nymphs and Emergers are also working well. This is the time of year that the true die hard fly fishers hit the Spring. The conditions are cold but the fish just love it. Layer up good, bring matches and fish on!!!!!
465 cfs
56.9 F
December 27th, 2009-Jan 2nd, 2010
Water is running just below 500cfs and has cleared up really well. I’ve been catching fish on the Brownie, Y2K, and the Snail primarily, with Olive and Black Woolly Buggers coming in as runner ups. Haven't seen a lot of hatches coming off lately but then again it has been cold. Just remember to get the fly down deep.
486 cfs
57.0 F
Water clarity is good and water levels are low. Fishing has been really good. On a float trip Sunday the clients caught fish after fish. There are a lot of smaller stocker size fish in the river but there are also a lot of big fish out there. Y2ks have been catching a lot of fish. Brownies and Cotton Candies have been hot and tend to catch bigger fish. It’s a perfect time to hit the Spring River. 404 cfs
57.2 F
December 13th-19th, 2009 The river is looking really good. Water levels are at 430cfs and water clarity is good. When the weather is up around 40 degrees the caddis are coming off the banks. The Brownie, y2k, Snail, and Peeping Caddis are the flies that are hot right now. It is a great time to come fish the Spring. Call me to book a float trip and have the river all to yourself.
424 cfs
57.4 F
I know it has been cold but this is the perfect time to go fishing for big trout on the Spring River. Big fish are on the move this time of year going up and down the river. Water levels are at 450 cfs and water clarity is good with a green tint. Flies to use right now are Grandma's Brownie, Y2k's, Snails and Minnow patterns. Hare's Ears and Prince Nymph's in big sizes do well also. Just remember when fishing the Spring to get it down. I'm not saying they never rise but it is rare. And don't forget big flies catch big fish. Tight lines and good luck.
436 cfs
57.3 F water Temp
November 29th-December 5th, 2009
The last few weeks have been just beautiful. We’re catching really big fish, some 20 plus inches. The Grandma’s Brownie with a bead head is still very hot. Minnow patterns and emerger patterns replicating caddis and mayflies in sizes around 12 are producing well also. The river is running at about 450cfs which is its average flow. Water clarity is good with a green tint. The full day float trip is the best bet for catching a lot of fish. No one else is floating the river at this time of year and we have the river all to ourselves. It truly is a great time to fish the Spring River.
460 cfs
57.4 water temp
The fishing has just been fantastic this last week. Water has cleared up to its normal green color. Water levels are just below 500cfs. There is a chance of rain on Tuesday night, hopefully it will not rain much. Check our facebook page Wednesday for an update on river conditions. I have had the river all to myself on float trips. I feel winter is the best time to come to the Spring and catch big fish. Still using Grandma's Brownie and Minnow patterns for the bigger fish, but Pheasant Tail, and Hare's Ear Nymphs are a good way to catch numbers. 495cfs
58 water temp
November 14th-21st, 2009
Water flows this week have gotten down below 500 cfs and water clarity is fair. Sunday night brought some rain but it did not affect the water. This past weekend was pretty busy with other local rivers running high water. When coming to fish the Spring River if at all possible come up during the week. Many times the river is empty during the week. We offer full day float trips and during this time we are the only ones on the river. It really is a nice time to enjoy the river with this being the time when the really big fish are caught. Bead Head Woolly Buggers were the hot flies this weekend with some trout preferring olive and some black. Of course my Grandma's Brownie and Cotton Candy are still my heavy hitters. At times with all of the minnows in the river a White Woolly can be hard to beat. For the most current updates and reports become a fan on facebook. 504 cfs
57.5 water temp
The fishing is good on the Spring River. Water is back to normal levels and water clarity is not perfect but pretty good. Grandma's Brownie has been working great with a bead head. Cotton Candy has been coming in a close second. The fishing has truly been wonderful. There's no rain in the forecast so now is the time to hit the river. I've been guiding all week and the river and fishing has just been fantastic.
The water is back to normal levels but still cloudy. The forecast for this week has no rain in it so this weekend should be great for fishing. Water will begin to clear up this week and fishing this Monday morning was excellent. I tried several patterns but the only one the trout seemed to want was my Grandma's Brownie. I was using what I call a crawfish retrieve--slow evenly spaced strips. With all the rain last month fishing pressure has been minimal. There’s beautiful weather in the forecast so it’s time to fish the Spring River. Come by the shop for info on techniques and flies to use.
October 25th-November 1st 2009
Rain, rain go away. I went fishing this morning and had one of those mornings where you catch fish after fish. Recent rains have made the Spring River become muddy at times and the water levels have gone up. This has made fishing difficult in the last few weeks but it has also gave the fish a chance to increase in numbers in the river due to lack of fishing pressure. I caught so many nice fish this morning that I was just wishing I had a client with me. The water clarity is still poor and the water levels are up just a little. I had great success with a couple of wild looking Wooly Buggers that I will be tying all day today.
It has quit raining for awhile and water clarity is still poor but fishable. Water levels are at normal. I went fishing Saturday afternoon and used Cotton Candy and my huge Coachman and caught several fish within an hour. I have not noticed a lot of hatches coming off but the minnows are thick and the crawfish have a reddish color to them right now.
October 10th-17th, 2009
Consistent rains have brought river levels up and made water clarity poor, but the great thing about the Spring River is that it usually clears up quickly. Check out our Facebook page where I will keep river conditions posted thru the week.
October 3rd-10th, 2009
The water levels are slightly above average and a little green. Fishing has been great. We have been catching a lot of fish swinging Brownies, Cotton Candy and Coachman Streamers. Blue dun mayflies have been hatching daily in a size 20 but I have not noticed any fish rising to them. Remember to get it down deep because the fish are usually on the bottom.
September 26th-Oct 3r, 2009
Waters have cleared up well. Levels are back to normal with a green tint to the clarity. High sticking has been the ticket. Get it down deep to the fish. Hexagenia's are hatching during evening hours. But not a lot of risiers. I have had best luck lately with Brownie and big Coachman fished down deep wet style.
September 19th-26th, 2009
We had heavy rains last week. The water was muddied for one day but cleared up quickly. Big dark or bright patterns are working well. I haven’t noticed a lot of hatches lately except for caddis, and schools of minnows have been thick on the river. Imitations of these can really pay off.
September 12th-19th, 2009
The water is up just a little and it has a deep green tint to it. Bright patterns such as my Cotton Candy(a bright pink pattern) are doing well. Rain in the forecast this week may change things some. If it does not rain the water will clear up more and more daily. Black patterns like my Snail Pattern also work well in green water. I am experimenting with the Moffit Angling system on the Spring River. If you are unfamiliar with this technique feel free to stop by the shop and let me show you how it works.
Recents rains over the weekend brought water levels up a little. Water clarity is clear. There have been a lot of bugs hatching this last couple of weeks. Mayflies to Caddis flies and everything in between. There has not been a lot of fish rising except for the minnows but usually emergers and dry flies fished wet will catch trout during hatches. Brownie and minnow patterns are still doing well.
August 29th-Sept 5th, 2009 Water is low and clear. Fish have been easy to see but they also have been more selective. Minnow patterns and crawdad patterns have been doing well. Cloud cover can be very important during these times. With the water so clear direct sunlight can sometimes affect how the fish are biting. During sunny days I tend to look for green water that indicates deeper water and cooler temps. Water temps have been running around 62 degrees this week. The weather is perfect and it’s time to get out and go fishing.
August 22nd-29th, 2009
Water is running clear and at average flows. Fishing has been good with large Coachman and Minnow patterns fished deep. Great Mayfly hatches are coming off the water daily. Prince Nymphs produce well during these hatches. Favorite fishing spots are below and on shoals where oxygen content is high.
PS: Mark and I have been hearing reports from fisherman that fishing has been slow. Monday we did a float trip and had a 30+ fish day. The key was patterns with white and changing locations often. The boat allowed us to move to different locations. Dale Sorrell
August 15tt-22nd, 2009
The water has cleared up nicely and it’s a great time to get out and catch some smallmouth bass right now. The water is warm and we have been catching a lot of them down river. The trout have been hitting Egg Patterns and Cotton Candies really well. The school year starts this week and that will clear up weekends of canoe traffic. It’s a great time to be on the Spring River fly fishing!
August 8th-15th, 2009
Water levels are at normal and water clarity is stained green. Fishing has been best with dark and bright patterns like Black and White Woolly Buggers. Cotton Candy has been very productive also. Smallmouth bass have been hitting well on Minnow and Streamer Patterns. Watch for them chasing minnows.
August 1st-8th, 2009
We had some pretty hard rains Thursday of last week. The Warm Fork that runs into the Spring River just below Dam 1 was very muddy and stained the waters for a couple of days. As of Monday afternoon the river is fine. The water is stained but has cleared up well. Grandma's Brownie, a crawfish imitation is still working the best for me. The Snail Pattern works well also. Down the river around the resorts I have been using my minnow imitation I call a Minner. Its an adaptation of a Woolly Bugger. It has been very productive when the fish do not seem to want to bite. The great thing about this fly is that it is also great for smallmouth.
July 25th-August 1st, 2009
Water is running clear and a little low. White Ostrich Buggers seem to be producing better than other patterns. This week fishing can be good one day and slow the next. As a rule of thumb if the fishing is slow where you are, pick up and try another spot. They are always biting somewhere on the Spring River. Traditional Hare's Ears and Elk Hair Caddis patterns are working well. I know the Elk Hair Caddis is a dry fly but I still sink it.
July 18th-25th, 2009
This week we have had really nice weather on the Spring River. The water has been clear with a slight green tint to it. Right before dark mayfly and caddis hatches will begin to occur. Bead Head Hare's Ears have been great with Brownies and Snails being consistent producers. Wet wading has been the way to go with the weather being so warm. When fishing the Spring River get it down deep unless you see some rising and then it’s time for a dry.
We have had some rain this week and we really needed it. The Warm Fork River has murked up a little but the Spring is still running clear and greenish. Fishing has been more difficult the last couple of weeks but great fishing is still available if a person knows where the fish like to feed. The trick lately is to go where there are no people. I’m still fishing a large Coachman down deep. The Grandma's Brownie and Snail have been great producers also. On the tougher spots a small Hare's Ear can be the trick.
July 4th-11th, 2009
The weather has been perfect for trout fishing on the Spring River this week. Water levels are at average flows and the water is clear. This week fishing Coachman Dries (size 8) down deep have been working great and Brownies run a close second. Olive Woolly's and the Snail Pattern have been very productive also.
June 27th-July 4th, 2009
The weather has cooled off a little this week and really made the fishing nice. Water is clear and cold. Getting down deep is still the trick to catching large fish. On flies, the grandma's brownie is doing great as well as olive woolly buggers. This week I have had great success fishing a size 12 coachman on the bottom. A small split shot about 8 inches above the fly is the trick.
June 20th-27th, 2009
Water is running clear and at average flows; it’s not too high and not too low. The big factor this week is the heat. Fishing has been great and the cold water of the Spring River has made it the place to be during the heat of the day. During the middle of the day when it’s the hottest the fish have been down deep and below riffles and shoals where the oxygen content is higher. Brownies, Cotton Candy, and a variety of nymphs have been producing well.
June 13th-20th, 2009Flows this week have been around 420 cfps. which is about average. Water clarity has been good with occasional rains keeping it from being crystal clear. Fishing has been excellent with a variety of flies. Early morning hours are very productive with a variety of nymphs and during the heat of the day streamers produce well when getting them down deep.
June 6th-13th, 2009
Fishing has been very good. Water clarity is good and water levels are at their average flows. Fish are being caught on Brownies, nymphs of all kinds, and emergers are also working well. During the heat of the day fish seem to be going deeper with fishing during morning hours being more productive. We are still catching our bigger fish during the middle of the day when fishing has slowed. There are chances of rain all week. Brief rainshowers usually cause large hatches of midges, and caddis. Have some dries and zebra midges with you just in case.
May 30th-June 6th, 2009
This week water clarity remains low and water levels are running just a little above average. Fishing has been outstanding. Using a dropper rig with an indicator is just the trick early in the day when hatches are occuring. For a top fly I usually use a Gray Zebra Midge in a size 14-16 and below that a Prince Nymph, Hare's Ear, or a Pheasant Tail Nymph in about a size 12-16. When the fishing slows with this setup or if you just want to catch bigger fish the Grandma's Brownie (Super Bugger with white legs) is still the best setup. Fished down deep this fly resembles some of the big crawfish that call the Spring River home.
May 23th-30th, 2009
No report this week. Shop will be closed for our Canada fishing trip!! See you next week.
May 16th-23th, 2009
The forecast for this week shows clear skies ahead. Recent rains have made water clarity poor but it continues to clear up daily. Dark or bright-colored flies are still producing the best results.
May 9th-16th, 2009
Rains this week have muddied up the Warm Fork and raised water levels some but the Spring is still running clear. The Warm Fork is a small creek that runs into the Spring River at Dam 1. When it runs muddy and the Spring remains clear it usually takes about a day to clear up. Modified San Juan Worms did very well Sunday morning. Most of the patterns we use are unique designs that can only be found in our shop so come by and check them out.
May 2nd-9th, 2009
Fishing during the last week has been great. Rains Saturday night have made the water murky but it should clear up quickly. The consistent pattern for the week has been my Brownie. A lot of customers coming into the shop have been having great success with an Olive Wooly Bugger. Water levels are up but not too much.
April 18th-May 2nd, 2009
Rains are forecasted again for this week but the recent rains have not muddied up the river. Over the last couple of weeks the best fishing has been on the worst days. Sunny, warm days usually have slow fishing and on rainy days the fishing can be unbelievable. The Brownie has still been the top fly but Sunday morning was a day for traditional nymphs. Using the Beaded Pheasant Tail Nymphs and Copper Johns produced great results.
April 18th-25th, 2009
This last week has brought a lot of rain but the river has not turned muddy. The water is stained but the fishing has still been very good. My clients have been having hundred fish days with 18 inch plus fish. For the last two weeks the only fly that we’ve used is the Brownie. Other flies have been catching fish but the Brownie has been producing much larger fish. Along with rainbows, it has been responsible for catching brown trout, smallmouth bass and one really big rock bass this week. The forecast for this week shows beautiful weather ahead. It would be a great time to get out and enjoy the Spring River!
April 11th-18th, 2009
Water levels are up a little this week due to recent rains. Water clarity is down also but fishing has still been productive with dark patterns. The AGFC have been stocking high numbers of rainbow trout in the river in preparation for upcoming summer months. Stocking size is usually 12" to 14". Fish of this size can be extremely combative when landing and 3x to 4x flourocarbon tippet is recommended.
April 4th-11th, 2009
So far this month April showers have not been too bad. Water levels are low and water clarity is fair. Fishing has been most productive with Streamers and Nymphs. High stick nymphing on the bottom of the river is the key. Trout have so many food sources on the Spring River that they do not have to go far for food. Trout tend to stay on bottom and let the current bring the food to them.
March 28th-April 4th, 2009
Rains this week have brought water levels up a little but water clarity has gone down a bit. The heavy hitting flies this week have been Cotton Candy and White Woolybuggers. Up and down weather patterns can make fishing fantastic one day and the next day the fish will hardly bite. Warm weather is just around the corner.
March 21st-28th, 2009
Water levels are running low and clear and fishing has been great this week. It seems like the trick to catching nice trout is fishing off the beaten path. Hatches of mayflies and caddis flies have been very heavy lately. During heavy hatches fishing dry flies deep can be very productive. Bigger flies have been producing bigger fish but then again they usually do.
March 14th-21st, 2009
Water levels are perfect and water clarity is great. Fishing has been very good with a variety of flies. Snails, Go-Go’s, Brownies, and Cotton Candies have been producing great. Caddis, mayfly and midge hatches have been constant during early morning hours and during the evening.
March 7th-14th, 2009
This week the Spring River is running very clear. Water levels are perfect for wading and the fishing has been great. This week the Crackleback in a size 6 has been producing the bigger fish and the Brownie has been catching the most fish. As always, you need to get the fly deep. Saturday mornings we now have a fly fishing program on at 7:30 on K country 95. We talk about the Spring River and how we fish it. Please tune in and check it out.
February 28th-March 7th, 2009
Fishing has been very good through the week. Water has cleared up well with water flows just about perfect. Weekend fishing has produced large crowds due to high generations on other rivers but fishing has still been good off the beaten paths. Cotton candy was good all week. This is a pattern tied to imitate shrimp, a highly used bait on the river. This weekend Mayfly Emergers, Brownies and Brown Super Buggers were the ticket. Warm weather in the forecast promises excellent fishing this week.
February 21st-28th, 2009
Water levels are up a little and water clarity is off some but the fishing has been great. This week dark patterns such as the Black Wooly Bugger and my Snail Pattern and bright colors such as Egg Patterns, Y2K’s and my Cotton Candy have been very productive. Varying temps through the week can put fish off at times. If you’re fishing a spot where the fish are just not biting pick up and try another location. The fish are always biting somewhere on the spring.
February 14th-21st, 2009This week the water has come up and become murky due to recent rains. The river is still wadeable and we have been catching fish on dark and bright colors such as Black Wooly Buggers, Small Nymphs with bright orange bead heads and White Crawdads. The water will clear up quickly thanks to the spring. We are still fishing deep so get your fly down.
February 7th-14th, 2009
The power is back on in the area and the fallen trees have been cleared and the roads opened. The fishing has been excellent. The past storm has kept anglers off the water and now is the time to get out there and have some fun. The warmer weather has made for some great bug hatches coming out of the water in the early morning hours and just before dusk. My Go-Go Nymph has been the main fly for this week with my Snail Pattern coming in a close second. Water clarity has been great and the river is still running a little low.
January 31st-Febuary 7th, 2009
We had a bad ice storm last week, but water levels have come up a little and the water remains clear. A lot of tree tops fell into the river during the ice storm and caution should be used navigating around these obstacles. Waters are thick with caddis larves in a caddis green color, and mayflies at about a size 14. We have been having great success this week with Go Go Nymphs and Brown Super Buggers. There has not been much fishing pressure in the last couple of weeks and the numbers of fish caught have been great.
January 24th-31st, 2009
Water levels are running low with good clarity. This week go-go nymphs, bobcats and ostrich buggers have been very productive. Fish them deep. The trick is to keep the fly on bottom. On sunny days nice hatches of mayflies are coming out. The temps have been right around freezing lately. Watch out for your gear freezing up and try to keep from getting your hands wet.
January 17th-24th, 2009
Water levels are low. Fishing has been good with trustworthy flies like the crackle back and woolly buggers and at times egg patterns. On warm days hatches of mayflies and caddis are coming up. We just need more warmer weather. Spring is coming up and everyone should be getting their elk hair caddis and mayfly emergers ready for warm days ahead with rainy weather. After spring rain showers heavy hatches occur on the Spring River and we all know how much we love to match the hatch.
January 11th-17th, 2009
Although it hasn’t rained recently the water was a little murky this week. I’m more specific about fly selection under these conditions and often use either a snail or a San Juan worm. The black of the snail pattern really shows up well in the water. I also recommend a red or fluorescent orange San Juan worm. Fishing this weekend was very good with a snail fly and an ostrich bugger dropper. A brown super bugger with a dropper also worked well.
January 5th-11th, 2009
Water levels are still running low and clear. Fishing was a little slow last week, but a brown super bugger with a white ostrich bugger as a dropper kept the fish biting. Also had good luck running a peeping caddis as a dropper. Mayfly and caddis nymphs have been very plentiful. During warm days hatches of black caddis and light cahill mayflies are common. When fishing is slow on a stretch it is usually best to pick up and move. Trout are always biting somewhere on the Spring River.
December 29th-January 5th, 2009
The river is still running low with a little less clarity than last week. Weather patterns have been affecting hatches. During cold weather some midges hatch out during the day. But when a warm spell comes through the hatches really take off. Weather was close to 60 degrees today and hatches of caddis and mayflies were everywhere. And if there happens to be showers during a warm spell the hatches can be crazy. If your not familiar with Arkansas weather it can be pretty unpredictable. Fishing has slowed a little this week but I have still seen some huge fish come out. In the mornings bundle up but be prepared to shed some clothing as the day warms up.
Decmber 22nd-29th, 2008
The water is running clear and low on the Spring River. It has allowed for some great wade fishing this winter. On warm sunny days like Friday of last week caddis and mayfly hatches are common. There were a lot of black and tan caddis flies hatching. This last week the most dominate fly used was the snail pattern. The fish just seemed to gobble it up with no fuss. It is supposed to be cold the first part of the week and proper layering of clothes and good gloves(fleece or wool) and head gear can make this a great time to go fishing. The cold weather tends to keep traffic down on the river.