FISHING REPORT
02-05-12 WOW!! That word doesn't begin to describe the brown trout fishing on the white river right now!! The opening day of the catch and release was warm with temps in the mid forties at the start and warming up to 64 by mid afternoon. To say that the browns were biting doesn't due it justice. Mike Bryant and Dave caught and released 53 the first day alone. Jim and Tom from Nashville Tennessee fished with me and Greg Mork and had a tremendous three days. We boated well over a hundred browns per boat and Mike also caught a 10 lb. 15 oz. Walleye!! Yes I said Walleye!! It was one of the leftovers from the flood gates being run last year. The lake level is 654.54 with 2-6 generators running around the clock. The best baits on the river are egg patterns and minnows. The lake has been hit or miss with crankbaits and grubs and yes Alabama rigs working in 10-20 feet of water watch for shad jumping and throw around where you see them. Also some fish are being caught deep on spoons and some crappie on brushpiles. Not consistent yet but beats staying at home wishing you were fishing. GOD Bless and Good luck Hotdawg!!


01-29-12 Man-o-man!! It is so good to be home and also to have been able to see some of this great nation while on a second honeymoon with my wife Pat!! The lake level is 654.65 and slowly rising despite having 5-8 generators running around the clock. We had a rain this week of almost three inches here at my house and even more south of here. The surface temps on the lake vary from 46.1- 48.5 depending on where you are fishing. Some fish are being caught on worms dragging in 25-30 feet of water and soft plastics such as mann's grubs in silver-smoke and fire-cracker fished slowly in the 10-30 foot range. The hot new bait is the Alabama rig and the last winter-bass-o-thon was one with it with 5 fish of 18+ pounds in five fish. The White river is red hot right now with sculpins minnows and eggs all working Great!! The catch and release opens on February first and the second mile opens to bait fishing again this is probably the best time to get a brown over 10 pounds or a rainbow over 5 of the whole year. The browns are spawning still so release them as fast as you can and fight them quickly so they don't build up lactic acid and die. You can still book for this year at last years prices if you call Pat or me before February 1st with a deposit. See-ya out there and GOD Bless Hotdawg!!


01-01-12 Wow!! Another year starting already. First of all I want to thank everyone who fished with us last year and made our business a success in the last four years. I have made some wonderful friends and have enjoyed being a guide more so than in the 33 years before that put together!! Due to rising costs I had to increase my rates slightly this year on all full day trips, but if you book with a deposit before February I will give you 2011 rates so book early, also I am getting lots of bookings so if you want to fish with Hotdawg book as soon as you know when you are coming. The fishing on both the river and lake are looking to be some of the best in years. The high water is responsible for that and is a good thing for the fish. The lake level is 653.48 and slowly dropping with water running around the clock. I had several boats out over the holidays and the browns and rainbows were exceptional for numbers and size. Several browns were in the 20-24 inch range and rainbows at 14-19 inches long. Also the smallmouth's were biting well with bluegills and kentuckies eating nightcrawlers in the 25-30 foot range all in the back halves of creeks and main lake points in the 30-50 foot range on spoons. The surface temp is 50-54 degrees with it being around 50-51 degrees all the way down to 180 feet according to the walleye club. Remember book early save some dough and also ladies a guide trip makes a good birthday or holiday gift. GOD Bless see-ya in a couple weeks Hotdawg!!


12-18-11 The lake now sits at 654.85 feet and is holding steady. We are having cold nights with high in the daytime of 40 - 55 degrees. Heavy rain is predicted for the week with colder temps all next week. The fishing on the river for numbers is phenomenal right now with some browns showing up also. The best baits are eggs sculpins shrimp and minnow lures. The best flies are egg patterns and san-juan worms with a hares-ear dropper. The lake has cooled with surface temps in the low 50's.Crank-baits and spoons are working in the backs of the creeks and Gary Stubenfoll of Bull Shoals caught a 40 pound Striper. Remember folks to book early for next year and get 2011 prices. If you book with a deposit before February 1 you will get 2011 prices. I will not be reporting over the Christmas Holidays so Pat and I would like to wish you all a Merry CHRISTmas and a Happy New Year. See-ya in 2012 GOD Bless Hotdawg!!


11-21-11 WOW!! Another year in Whitetail Heaven!! 305 pound 148 inch  Pope & Young Buck. I got back just in time to fish several days on the river and one on the lake. The river fished real well for #'s and some small browns also. Most Browns are in the shoals and shallows with eggs and sculpins your best baits. The lake level has rose to sit at 653.90 with heavy rains and lots of runoff. The bass are the most active fish on the lake with crankbaits and soft plastics working in the backs of the creeks and spoons and nightcrawlers working in the main lake for deeper fish. Water temps are at about 60 degrees with the lake still not totally turned over yet. Now for some news about next year, do to the rising cost of bait, gas, tackle, insurance, and food I will be having to raise prices for the coming season. The good news if you book a trip with a deposit before February 1 you will get 2011 prices. So make your reservation early for this discount! Also we have gift certificates available for Christmas or birthdays and you can set the date after you pay for the gift certificate up to a year away from the date you purchase it. I am getting lots of reservations for next year and have even got some in 2013 so book early and save some $$ and also be assured of getting me for your next catching trip!! GOD Bless and Happy Thanksgiving Tim & Pat Curtis!! 


10-30-11 The lake has dropped another .5 foot to sit at 651.39 and the corps is running any where from no units up to six generators. The lake is still rolling over and I personally have never seen it take this long. The weather is going to turn colder this next week so we should start to see some better action for the walleyes and keepers. The high levels for the past three years have given us a huge population of shad and all species don't have to go far to find all they want to eat. The bass are biting soft plastics and crankbaits with a few walleyes being caught on nightcrawlers and bottom-bouncers. The river is really fishing well with the browns biting nightcrawlers, sculpins and eggs. They have started the fall migration up the river and remember that the upper catch and release closes on November first and the next mile is all catch and release on Browns and no bait artificial only with barbless hooks. God Bless and I will be hunting in Kansas for the next two weeks and their will be no fishing report till later in the month.   


10-23-11 The lake is now at 651.95 and dropping slowly it is now 2 feet below normal with surface temps running 66 to 69 degrees depending where you are. The lake is still rolling over and walleyes are still slow with 1-4 normal for a days fishing. Spoons and bottom-bouncers are the best baits so far with lead core trolling also working. The lake is the same temp from the surface all the way to 65 feet. with another huge band all the way to 140 feet. The water is warm on the river also. The small bass are all over in the back half of the major creek arms hitting soft plastics , spinner baits and small shad crankbaits or swimbaits. The river is still producing lots of fish on worms and egg patterns with sowbugs and san-juan worms the best flies. We need some cold weather to get the lake rolled over and for some better action shallow for the walleyes. GOD Bless and Good luck Hotdawg!!



10-16-11 The lake has continued to drop and is now 652..56 or 1.5 feet below power pool. There is rain and cooler temps forcast all this week and that will really help the lake fishing. The temperature is 70-72 all the way down to 60 feet making tough to pattern the fish. The best baits are still soft plastics and nightcrawlers and spoons. The best depth for walleyes has been 30-40 feet. The shad are absolutely incredible right now with schools everywhere with not many predators around. I feel they are still down deep and with the cooler temps this week the lake will finish rolling over and then we can start catching again. Congratulations to Micah Vaught of Dana Point Ca. for catching a 4.1 pound smallmouth!! The river has been fishing great for numbers with lots of fish in the 10 16 inch range. The corps is running 1-3 units around the clock with the browns moving up the river to spawn. Worms eggs and shrimp are working well with sculpins and rogues for the bigger ones. GOD Bless and Good luck Hotdawg!!


10-09-11 The lake level is 653.95 and falling still the corps is running 1-3 units around the clock. The best fishing on the river is still below White hole. The best baits are worms and shrimp. Sowbugs and san-juan worms for the flyfishers. The lake is still tough for keepers with very few walleyes being caught the best baits are spoons and nightcrawlers in 30- 40 feet of water. The bass are moving into the creek arms with soft plastics in green pumpkin color best. Not many keepers. Fish on the bank out to 25 feet of water. GOD Bless Hotdawg!


10-2-11 The lake level is now 654.85 and dropping slowly. That is only 3/4 foot above power pool. The corps has slowed generation to 2-5 generators around the clock. The fishing for 3's on the river has been incredible! The best bait has been shrimp and worms. The best fishing is from White hole to Cotter. The browns are starting to move up the river getting ready to spawn and are becoming easier to target. The lake has been a hit and miss sort of bite. The thermocline is anywhere from 40 to 60 feet and the lake is rolling over. I caught fish on nightcrawlers, razor minnows, bottom bouncers, lucky crafts, swimming images, hula grubs, gitzits, lizards but not a lot of keepers. The fish are starting to move into the creek arms just mostly small ones the big fall feedbag is still a week or two away. Walleye are still deep at 30-45 feet down but starting to show up more. GOD Bless and good luck catching Hotdawg!! 


09-25-11 The lake has fallen to 656.55 or 1.5 feet above power pool. The river has been generating 7 units around the clock. The surface temps on the lake are at 72-78 degrees depending where you are at on the lake. Some surface activity is starting on the upper end of the lake with jigs and spoons and nightcrawlers working on the lower end. The river has been fishing real well for numbers below white hole and browns in the 14 inch to 22 inch range biting worms well. I will be out on the lake and river all next week and will have a more detailed report then GOD Bless and good luck Hotdawg!!


09-19-11 The lake level is slowly dropping and now sits at 658.19 and the corps has cut back to four units around the clock. Recent heavy rains and low oxygen levels because of all the high water and extreme heat has led to the slow down of generation. The corps is venting the water to add oxygen also. The best fishing on the river has been from White hole down as a result of the low oxygen. The lake is also having the thermocline drop to 40-45 feet now and so you must fish deeper for the walleye and kentuckies. The best baits are spoons and nightcrawlers. The smallies are moving up on the banks into the 15-30 foot range orange and brown jigs and spinnerbaits are catching them in the late afternoon and evening. GOD Bless and good luck Hotdawg!!


09-12-11 The lake level is 659.74 but we are getting heavy rains now over the entire watershed. We have had almost three inches today. The corps is still running seven units around the clock and the fishing on the river has been excellent. Jack Byrd caught a 27 inch 9 pound rainbow with me on Thursday!1 Many browns in the 14 to 20 inch range are being caught on worms and minnows. The lake is also getting going for smallies with orange and black jigs working well and nightcrawlersd for the walleyes. We have had reports of some floating fish due to the oxygen levels around the Lead hill and Protem area on the lake. This happens every year and especially during high water years. It is not I repeat not a massive kill just a couple hundred fish in miles of lake. GOD Bless and thank everyone who came to the celebration of life for my father. Hotdawg!!


09-08-11 The lake level is now at 664.96 or 11 feet above normal. With the cooler weather the surface temperature has dropped into the low 80's and high 70's. The fish are just now starting to put on the fall feedbag and should really pick up in the next two weeks. Most fish are being caught in the 25-35 foot range on nightcrawlers and spoons. The river has been fishing great for numbers with shrimp and worms the best baits. San-juan worms and scuds are working for the fly fishermen. The corps is running 7 generators around the clock so we should have some low water by the end of the month. GOD Bless Hotdawg!!


8-28-11 Due to the loss of my Beloved Father Leonard Earl Curtis there will be no fishing report this week. To all that knew and loved him also there will be a Celebration of Life for him on Saturday September 10 from 4:00p.m. till 6:00 p.m. at Anglers Resort in Bull Shoals. We LOVE and Miss you Dad, Tim and Pat!! 


08-21-11 The lake is steady dropping still despite some rain in the area. We had several thunderstorms roll through last week with locally heavy rain up to 2 inches with several microburst's with heavy wind damage but no serious injuries. The lake level is now at 673.70 or 19.75 feet above normal. I fished a couple days last week and found most of the fish are holding in 20feet to thirty feet of water. Some walleyes are being caught on nightcrawlers and bottom bouncing with chartreuse blades or rainbow blades. The middle of the day seems to be the best and that is also the toughest time to be out because of the heat. The surface temp. on the main lake yesterday was 84.6 degrees in the morning and higher in the backs of the creeks. The fish should start to gather up at the mouths of the main creeks in the coming weeks preparing for the fall feeding spree. The White hasn't changed much as of late with constant generation and same baits as last week still producing. GOD Bless and good luck catching Hotdawg Curtis!


08-14-11 The lake now sits at 676.67 feet or 22 and three quarter feet above normal and falling steadily. We have had some rain the last week and the temperature has fallen into the high eighties which is great!! The temps at night are in the high 60's and low 70's so it is real pleasant fishing again. Hopefully we are done with the 100's. The lake is starting to pick up for bass and walleye with nightcrawlers and minnow baits working. Also night fishing is getting better with spinnerbaits and crankbaits in crawdad colors the best. The river has been great with nice size rainbows being caught on eggs and shrimp and worms with rogues and sculpins working on the browns. The browns are starting to move up the river for spawning and are becoming more frequent. The corps is running lots of water  with no low water at all. Be careful wading as the drop-offs are treacherous on the gravel bars. GOD Bless and good luck catching Hotdawg!


08-07-11 The lake is still dropping and now sits at 679.90 or 26 feet above normal. The lake is starting to produce in the 20 30 foot range on nightcrawlers and spoons. The fish have so much shad to eat that it is making it hard to get them to eat artificial. There are white bass chasing shad in the Theodosia arm and biting crankbaits and spoons. The river has been fishing excellent with shrimp and worms working great with rogues and lucky krafts working also. The bite for numbers is fantastic with hundred fish days common. The corps is now running 6 units all night and eight hard generators most of the day dropping the lake almost 6 inches every 24 hours. Good luck and GOD Bless Hotdawg!!


07-31-11 Finally the lake is dropping faster!! The lake level is 682.88 and falling daily! That is over a two foot drop in seven days. The corps is now running all eight generators for most other day and only dropping it to about 3-5 units from midnight to six a.m. in the morning and having all eight units on by 9:00 a.m. That said their is no opportunities for safe  wading and drift fishing is the best. The browns are eating red-worms and shrimp with several customers boating browns in the 3-5 pound range this week. Most notably Jean Schmidt from Glasco Ks. caught and released a 27 inch 5 pound brown and showed her husband how to do it!! Several cutthroat trout were also caught on worms by my customers with the largest at 18 inches and brilliantly colored! The lake is really starting to produce when the corps gets 8 units running with night crawlers and spoons working also long line trolling crankbaits is producing 20-35 feet is the best depths. If you are planning a fall trip be sure and call for your reservations as soon as you know your dates as I am booking up fast for September and October. GOD Bless and good luck Hotdawg!!


07-24-11 Wow Record Heat!! That is what has been all this month with no end in sight! The fishing has been great on the river and not bad on the lake . The secret is to go early and then call it a day about noon if at all possible. The lake is still dropping and now is 684.89 or 30 feet and change above normal. I fished a couple of days and caught fish spooning and dragging crawlers with Ed Goodman catching a 3.1 pound smallie. The walleyes are holding at 20-25 feet of water and can be caught pitching a spoon from 25 feet all the way out to 80 feet of water. Dragging crawlers bottom bouncers is working also. Topwater early and late is working for bass also. The river has been great with drifting the norm with 2 units early and 8 full by noon each day. The secret is to stay ahead of the big water riding the rise and then go all the way back to clean water close to the dam to finish your day. The best bait is worms and sculpins for the browns with Kelsey Carter of Harrison catching a 23 inch 7 .5 pound brown on Monday and both her and her Dad Tony landing 16 browns on worms and shrimp!! Happy B-day Kelsey!! Well GOD Bless and Great catching to you all Hotdawg!!

07-15-11 The Heat is still with us and high humidity has made it tough to fish in the afternoons. The lake is dropping about 3-4 inches a day with heavy generation in the afternoon hours and shutting it off about 10:00 p.m. to midnight and starting generation about 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Lake level is 687.00 or 33 feet above normal. The corps prediction for normal pool is November!! Fish are starting to move a little deeper during the day with most fish in the 24-35 foot range. Surface activity early morning and late evening has been reported on topwater. The most consistent bait is dragging nightcrawlers and bottom-bouncing also spoons and crankbaits are producing some fish. The river is fishing real good for browns in the mornings and riding the rise when the generators start. Worms are the ticket right now with san-Juan worms and midges the hot flies. God Bless and good luck Hotdawg!! 


07-10-11 Wow! The HEAT has been almost unbearable in the afternoons here! The humidity has been in the nineties with temps in the high nineties to over 100 degrees Saturday and the heat indexes over 105 almost everyday. Chance of rain mid-week will cool us down a little. The lake has fallen almost another foot to rest at 687.69 or about 34 feet above normal. The lake has been spotty with fish being caught in a number of ways with nightcrawlers working the best in20-40 feet of water. I have been catching some big bluegills of late and also some yellow perch. Bottom bouncing and spoons and stickbaits are working for the walleyes also. The river has been fishing well as long as they are running only 3-7 generators when they crank up the full 8 generators the moss gets real heavy and then you have to fish the banks and pick it off your line alot. The best baits are worms ,corn, and salmon eggs. Flies are  san-juan worms scuds and egg-patterns. With the heat and moss I would strongly suggest half days of fishing to enjoy it more. GOD Bless and good luck catching Hotdawg!!


07-03-11 The lake is steady dropping and now sits at 688.49.The corps is running 8 units from about 9:00 a.m. until about 10:00p.m. and then dropping back to 3- 4 units at night. The water gets mossy when they really crank the generators up and you must either run in front of it or go towards the dam and find clearer water. The best baits are still worms and egg imitations with minnows also working. The best is Red-worms for the browns right now. I fished the lake several days and did well on nightcrawlers and spoons. Most fish were in the 18-25 foot range. Their are some reports of bottom bouncers doing well in 30-40 feet also. Worm with a spinner in chartreuse is the best. Also smallies are starting to bite in the 15 25 foot range on anything that looks like a crawdad. I am getting really booked for the fall so if you are planning a fall trip please call to make your reservation early to get to fish with me. Thanks and see-ya on the water GOD Bless Hotdawg!!


06-26-11 The lake is still dropping and now sits at 689.36 and the corps is starting to run 8 units around the clock with some slightly lower rates during the day but still at least 6units. There is no wadeable water at all. The fishing for #'s is really good with most rainbows in the 12 to 18 inch range and the browns in the 16 24 inch range on worms and minnows. The lake is starting to set up a large thermocline in the 25 -30 foot range. Surfacing fish are being caught on top-water with bottom bouncing or dragging worms working on the walleyes. Spooning is starting to come on well in the 30-40 foot range. Smallies are on the banks anywhere from 15 -30 feet and biting soft plastics so whatever you like to use can probably catch fish now. GOD Bless and till next week Hotdawg!!


06-19-11 The lake has continued to drop and now sits at 690.75 and the corps is running six generators around the clock. The fishing for browns and big rainbows has been good with worms the top bait. Also working is shad and sculpins. The secret is to get your bait on the bottom use #8 sinkers most of the time and that has been working. 4 pound line is better with 6pound on your sculpins and shad. Also working are anything that looks like and egg. The best flies has been san-juan worms and midges. The lake is getting better with nightcrawlers the best bait and razor minnows the best lure for me this last week. I had a good day with Wayne Buck and John Schneider with seven species on stickbaits. On cloudy days the bite on artificials has been best with slow rolling the baits the best. The fish are also eating on soft plastics with spooning in 30-40 feet of water starting to come on. That should start to get really good in the next few weeks. GOD bless and Good Luck Hotdawg!!


06-12-11 The lake has fallen now to 691.90 and the corps has stopped running the flood gates and is shutting the dam off at night anywhere from 9:00 p.m. to midnight and not turning it back on till about 9:00a.m. The river is just beautiful after all the scouring from the high water has the limestone rock polished smooth and the didyimo moss all gone for now. The sowbugs and fresh water shrimp have exploded. The browns are feeding well on worms,sculpins and egg patterns. The rainbows are feeding on the same also. For you flyfishers their is wading water in the mornings and down the river all the way until about noon. The lake has been starting to do well with White Bass and smallmouth's feeding on shad and walleye on crankbaits and nightcrawlers. I caught 7 different species with Ed Goodman and Fred Mahloch in 20-24 feet of water on nightcrawlers. Stickbaits and any shad looking artificial are working also. GOD Bless and Good luck Hotdawg!!


06-05-11 Finally the lake is starting to drop significantly! The corps has been running all 6 generators and 17 floodgates 24 hours a day and the lake level is now 692.77 which is down four feet down from last week but still 37 feet above normal pool!! It will be late fall before we see normal levels. The river is still running 6 units and seventeen floodgates open 6 inches for a total of ten generators of water. The Browns are still biting well on worms and egg patterns and on the lake most fish are in the 15-25 foot range and are biting a number of baits such as worms, gitzits, flukes, swimbaits, rogues, Lucky-crafts, razor minnows. The surface temps are now in the high 70's and low 80's and a good thermocline is setting up at 20-25 feet. Remember be safe and take a kid fishing pay it forward GOD Bless Hotdawg!! 


05-29-11 Well folks we did it again after 3 more inches of rain the lake has crested at it's highest level ever since they built the dam. We are now at 696.97 or two feet above the top of flood pool. That said the fishing on the river is red-hot despite the running of all the flood gates open 2.5 feet and six generators for the equivalent of 18 generators running!! Now is not the time for amateurs on the river this is the 4th time I have seen this high water and the fishing for Browns is incredible right now on worms and eggs. Steve and Kim Broussard from Lake Charles Louisiana caught 19 browns up to 24 inches in length and weighing 5 pounds! Wear life jackets and go with a old time guide and you will have the best time catching big browns you have ever seen! The only time it is better is if we have a shad kill I really think that this super high water is even better!! We have a lot of people saying that it is not safe to go but these people haven't been guiding more than 2 years and haven't seen this as many times as I have. Go with a true professional guide who has had a guide license for 30 or more years not just fished a few times a year and then move here and say I now have 25 years experience and you will be absolutely amazed at what you catch!! I also fished the Lake alot this week and had numerous catches over 20 pounds up to a best of 39 pounds with Jim Porter of Glasco Kansas!! Up to 7 different species were caught in one day dragging my special nightcrawler rig in 15-25 feet of water. Also a great catch by Jeff Hill of Beaver Creek Kansas of 6 Bass at 24.5 pounds on Gitzits and Hula grubs in 8 -15 feet of water. I also had some fish on Lucky-krafts and rogues when the wind got up later in the week. Remember be careful on the river and get a guide who has been here with a license and has made his living being a guide for more than twenty years and you will be astounded at what you can catch! GOD Bless Hotdawg!! 


05-22-11 More rain hit the area again this week and the lake went back up to rest at 692.92 feet above normal which has it at 2 feet from the top of the flood pool. All lakes above us are at their maximum. We do not need anymore rain for a while. I had a conversation with a gentleman and he told me that he did not know that I was guiding large trips with multiple boats  I want to let everyone know that yes I do!! I just finished a 8 boat trip for a church group from Indiana for two days with a shore lunch and three boats on the lake the second day. All the guides that I use have at least twenty years fishing the area waters and are the top of the line professional guides. If you want to fish with me please try to book way in advance as I already have bookings in 2012. That said now about the fishing. The White has been running flood gates all week up until yesterday when they shut it down to 1 unit. The fish were really getting to like the high water with minnows eggs and shrimp catching lots of fish and big browns also. Mike Bryant and party caught numerous Browns on Friday and Saturday with the largest at 25 inches. Lots of rainbows in the 14- 19 inch class were also caught. Don Shnell party of Bull shoals caught a 36 pound stringer of bass and walleye on the lake on Wednesday with nightcrawlers trolled in 18-24 feet of water the best baits. Surface temps were at 66 degrees with some surface activity taking place also. I will be fishing the lake all week and will have a much more detailed report next Sunday. GOD Bless Hotdawg!!


05-15-11 Boy another crazy weather week!! We had extreme heat early then more rain then cold!! The fish on the lake have really started to bite with Tim Walker and John Prentiss being with me for an incredible half day of catching with six species caught and a 54 pound stringer of walleyes and bass!! All were caught on nightcrawlers and Chartreuse Shad Lucky Crafts. Most fish were holding in 20-25 feet of water and chasing shad in and out of the trees. The river has been fishing great for the Browns and big Rainbows are starting to show up also. The river is really high now with 6 generators and six flood gates open 1/2 foot each. The flow is equivalent to almost 8 generators. Best baits are minnows and egg patterns for the fly fishers san-juan worms caddis and streamers with heavy splitshot to reach the bottom. The fishing on the lake is improving daily with the warmer weather and will be red-hot by June. I am getting booked way out so if you want to reserve a date please call and book ahead as my next day open is June 10. Also for all you fall fishermen September and October is filling fast so please if you want to fish with me call early and book now. Ed Goodman of Fairview caught 16 browns on Saturday with me and the largest was 31 inches and 9.8 pounds!! All were caught on river slicks and released after photos. GOD Bless and Good luck Hotdawg!!


05-08-11 WOW!! That is all I can say about what has happened in the area in the last three weeks. I would guess you could say the perfect storm hit the area. We have had 21.25 inches of rain in the area after three weeks of soaking rain that had the ground saturated and so all that massive rain amounts ran off and filled all our lakes to their absolute maximum. We are the only lake of five that has any storage left and we are at 691.69 as of 6:00 a.m. this morning. That leaves just 3.5 feet left before we are at our maximum. The lake is still rising at 3-6 inches a day. When we hit the top of our flood pool the corps will be forced to open the flood gates and then the big bite will start on the river. Anyone who fished with me in 2008 can attest to that. Now for the fish report, I was on the lake 5 days this week and managed to catch anywhere from 12 fish too 21 a day with Smallmouth being the dominate fish caught. I had 2 to 9 keepers everyday and one or two walleyes thrown in also. Soft plastics fished in 15-25 feet of water was the best bait. The surface temp was 59-64 degrees most places. Use light jigheads and float your bait in the trees and be prepared to lose a lot of tackle. The river is still only running 2-3 units around the clock and worms minnows and eggs and shrimp are the best baits. San-juan worms caddis and streamers in white the best flies. The bite on the lake should improve as the lake stabilizes and the thermoclines start to set up. GOD Bless and pray for No More Rain Hotdawg!!


05-01-11 RAIN,RAIN, &MORE RAIN!! We have had a total of 17.25 inches of rain in six days with 3-5 more predicted in the next three days. The lake has risen 30 FEET in just five days. The other lakes above us Beaver, Table Rock and Taneycomo are all above their records set in 2008. We will probably be at the top of our flood pool by Friday. The corps has been operating the other lakes flood gates and ours will most likely be opened up by this next weekend. But the fishing on the river has been great and the lake is also fishing good! The Tyson tournament this weekend took 19 pounds in five fish to win and the biggest bass was an 8 pound Largemouth. Also the walleyes are starting to bite in 25- 30 feet of water on the main lake points, trolling crankbaits and bottom bouncing worms also. The smallmouth are also getting aggressive on soft plastics. The Browns on the river are still biting worms shrimp minnows and sculpins well with the fly fishers using egg patterns caddis and san-juan works. The surface temps on the lake are 59-62 degrees. Be careful of all the debris floating and watch for submerged trees. GOD Bless and good luck Hotdawg!


04-24-11 Does anyone have plan's for Noah's Ark?? We have had an unbelievable rainfall and severe storms starting on Friday night and still going as I write this. We have had 6.75 inches of rain so far and 5-8 inches predicted in the next 3 days!! The lake level is now 664.23 and rising 3 inches an hour!! That puts us at 10.5 feet above power pool and still rising. The corps predicts we will come up at least 10 more feet this week with no more rain and with the storms lined up for the next three days it looks like another HIGH water year. This does benefit the fish in the lake and also the river. Before the rain the lake was getting really good on lizards and swim baits and stickbaits. The walleye were starting to show for the trollers and also before dark and just after on stickbaits. The river produced some awesome fish with Ed Carnes of Midland Texas fishing with me all weekend in the storms but being rewarded wit h numerous Browns in the 18-26 inch range and one at 8 pounds! Be careful of all the debris in the lake and also on the river and Good Luck And GOD Bless Hotdawg!!


04-17-11 The lake continues to rise and now sits at 653.92 and the bite for big bass is starting. The best baits are still crankbaits stickbaits and soft plastics with lizards coming on strong. The river is still hot for big browns with minnows and worms starting to work. Caddis patterns for the fly fishers. The weather forecast is for heavy rains severe wind and lots of hail for the weekend. The prediction is for at least 4-6 inches of rain if we get that much the lake will rise at least 8-10 feet or more which would get it up into the trees making for great fishing the rest of the year also high water on the river which helps the trout to grow also. I will keep you posted with next weeks report GOD Bless Hotdawg!!


04-10-11 Wow what a difference a week can make!! The lake level is 652.05 and more rain predicted today and tonight. Lots of wind advisories all week and warm almost hot weather has brought the surface temps up to 61.8 degrees and the Bass  are on the banks and biting. I had a great stringer on Friday with Ed Goodman that weighed 44 pounds with Largemouth's , Kentuckies and White Bass caught up to 4 pounds. The best baits were stickbaits, chartreuse Lucky Crafts, Clown Rogues and Blue back Megabass. Also working was gitzits, and Hulagrubs in green pumpkin. The White is still fishing great for browns with Bob Dunford on Saturday catching 16 browns up to 22 inches in length on River minnows and sculpins. Caddis hatch for you Flyfishers. I am getting booked way out and if you want to get me for walleyes on the lake they are on the banks and almost done spawning but not biting yet. I look for May and June to be red-hot for them so book now for the best times. GOD Bless Hotdawg!!   


04-03-11 Holy Cow!! What a week for Bad Cold Rainy weather!! We had over 2 inches of sleet on Monday with the temps in the low 20's all day. All week long highs for the day was where the lows normally are this time of year. The lake level is 651.70 and the surface temp has dropped almost 9 degrees!! The fish have pulled off the banks and suspended. We are due to warm up again about midweek. Bets baits are stickbaits and minnows for crappie. The walleye are up on the banks but not feeding yet. Look for the bite to start improving about midmonth. The White is still hot for browns with minnows and sculpins your best bet. Generation levels have been 2 units all night with up to six units during the day. GOD Bless Hotdawg!!


03-27-11 The fishing on the White River is still hot for Big Browns on minnows and sculpins. This has been one of the best bites I have seen in a long time. I have had clients every day catching from 9-45 browns a day all in the 18 inch to 25 inch range with several over 30 inches long!! The lake has been good for Largemouths and Kentuckies with the white bass also running. The lake level is 651.5 and the problem coming is a cold front with cold weather predicted all next week. Good luck and GOD Bless Hotdawg!


03-20-11The lake now sits at 650.98 and is holding steady. The bite has been good most of this week with most bass biting stickbaits in green and purple back the best. Land it up on the bank and slow reel or jerk it a few times and they will hit it. The white bass are starting to show up when the wind is blowing. I guided three days and caught fish every day and had some really good bass. The walleyes are up on the banks at night but haven't started to bite yet we are going to get a cold spell late in the week and that will probably slow it up some more. I look for the catching to begin the first of April. The bite for the big browns on the river is still going strong with my clients boating numerous browns up to 29 inches in length this week, also Jeff Moore and one of his customers landed a 32 inch Brown and released it after photos. The best bait is Minnows. GOD Bless and good luck Hotdawg!! 


03-13-11 The Lake has continued to rise and now is at 650.22 and will probably rise some more in the next two or three days. The surface temp. has dropped again due to the cooler temps during the day and cold at night. The temp at point 5 on the lake is 45 at the surface and 44 all the way to 128 feet. It is going to take some time to warm up this year. I look for the bite to start getting better around the first of April. White bass are starting their spawning run and the walleye's are done in spots and spawning in others. Crankbaits still the best artificial and minnows and nightcrawlers for bait. The White River is RED_HOT right now with Jim Foppe and his grandfather catching two browns with me 29 inches long and 27 with 21 others in one day on minnows. Sculpins are working well also. Caddis patterns and midges for the fly fishermen. GOD Bless and remember to book early as this the best year I have ever had for reservations and numbers as well GOD Bless Hotdawg!!


03-06-11 More rain has brought the lake up to 649.38 feet above power pool and the surface temp has warmed enough to get the white bass starting to run to the backs of the creeks to get ready to spawn. The lake is still 5.5 feet below normal and with more rain predicted for next week should continue to rise. You either have a good day out there now or the view is really good. Nothing consistent yet look for the first of April for the lake to start getting good on most days. The river has still been red-hot for browns and better rainbows with lots of 16 -22 inch fish being caught on sculpins and minnows. Water has been up and down with lots of low water. GOD Bless and good catchin Hotdawg!!



02-27-11 We have had some significant rains since the middle of the month with the lake up almost 2.5 feet and sitting at 648.20 which is still almost 6 feet below normal. Browns are still biting well on the river with shad and sculpins the best bait and egg pattern flies and san-juan worms the best for fly fishermen. The lake temps have risen to between 46- 50 degrees in the backs of the creeks and the northwest banks with soft plastic and crankbaits your best bet to catch a few fish. White bass are starting to be caught in the backs of creeks with shad patterns your best bet. Warm days and nights will start to turn things on soon. GOD Bless and good luck fishing Hotdawg!!

02-13-11 Wow from -3 degrees on Friday morning to 68 degrees as I write this report. The fishing on the white is still red-hot with Kent Smith and Gary Lange fishing with me this weekend with 27 browns caught on Friday from 18 -27 inches long and several rainbows 22 inches long on shad and sculpins with the water low and anchor fishing all day. The lake is real cold with all the snow melt and the weather is supposed to be in the fifties and sixties all week with possible 70 degrees on Thursday and Friday. That should bring a lot more fish to the backs of the creeks and what we could really use is some substantial rains. After fishing in the snow and bitter cold I won't complain about having to fish in the rain at all!! The best baits are still the same on the lake as last week.  The game and fish is predicting a great year for keepers of all species on Bull Shoals and Norfork for keeper fish. Make your reservation early as the local chamber of commerce is seeing lots of tourism activity already this year., GOD Bless Hotdawg!! 


02-06-11 UNBIELIVABLE!! That would describe the catching on the White River right now and also the weather!! We are trying to dig out from about the worse snows in about ten years! The weather has been absolutely brutal but the catching has made up for the weather for the brave few who have gone out with me! On Friday while guiding Mike Bryant of Nashville Tn. along with Dave Madsen, Tom Laffey, and Jim Covey we had two great days on the White. The catch and Release area on Friday with the dam running one to six units of water was red-hot with egg patterns the top bait to use. Mike caught a 24 inch Rainbow and Tom caught a 26 inch brown with 22 other browns caught and released from 14 to 22 inches in length. Then on Saturday with the water off shad produced 19 browns from 12 inches to 22 inches long for Dave and Jim. The lake level is now 646.89 with a slight rise expected from all the snow. If you can get here the fishing on the White is great right now you just have to dress for it. The lake is about 40 degrees on the surface all the way to 128 feet. Most people are fishing from late morning to early evening with some success on stickbaits crankbaits and soft plastics the key is to fish around brush and slowww!!! God Bless and check out W& f Flyshop in Bull Shoals now carrying Maxima line. Hotdawg!!


01-23-11 The lake level is 647.70 and slowly falling. They are running two units most days and shutting the water off at night and starting early in the morning. The same baits as last week are working well with the upper end fishing the best. The dam catch and release and the state park will be opening on the 1st of February after being closed since November1st. This is one of the best days of the year fo a big brown or rainbow as these fish are not used to seeing bait of flies. The weather has been still cold and is not going to be much better for the next week or more with no rain insight. We are 4 inches below normal for our rainfall already and need a good toad strangler. The lake temps are 42-44 degrees depending on where you are with it being that cold all the way down to 125 feet. If it stays cold for a few more weeks we might start to see a shad kill. I really feel that this will be the best fishing that Bull Shoals Lake has seen in years. Book now and get ready for some hot action in the spring. Wishes and Fishes Fly shop in Bull Shoals is now an authorized Maxima dealer. Go see Jimmy T. and tell him Hotdawg sent ya. GOD Bless and see-ya on the water Hotdawg!


01-16-11 WOW!! I sure would like to talk to Al Gore about this so called Global Warming! Bitter cold, wind, and more snow predicted this next week. Lake level is 647.97 and slowly falling. As I predicted the lake fishing is going to be great this spring if the Winter Bass-o-thon is any indication. The team of Fred Hale and Waco Johnson brought in a record string of bass at 29.19 pounds using only FIVE FISH that stringer would put you in the top ten in most tournaments anywhere in the country!! Top baits were stickbaits and jigs and grubs. Big bass was 6.42 pounds. The tournament was out of Buck Creek marina which is up the lake. The White is fishing well with eggs and shrimp top baits and egg patterns for the fly fisherman. I am still predicted the best fishing on the lake in years so if you want to book a trip in the prime time months of April, May, and June book early to get me as I am having the best year for reservations I have had since I became a Guide 36 years ago. Also if you book before February with a deposit you get 2010 prices. GOD Bless and Good luck Hotdawg!!


01-09-11 Another crazy week of winter weather!! Severe winds, snow, and extreme cold has all hit this last week. Lake level is falling again and is now 648.59 and falling. Generation is 1-5 units each day with low water in between. The lake temperature is now down to 44 degrees and is getting close to where shad will start to die. That would be just great for the river and for the lake as the fish on the lake will bite artificial better. The Browns are still spawning on the river and egg patterns are the best baits right now. The lake is slow but try jigs in the backs of the creeks and stickbaits fished slowwww  and you might pick up somw fish. GOD Bless and talk next week Hotdawg!! 


01-02-11Boy has 2011 started with a ROAR!! Severe weather hit on Friday and Saturday with heavy rains and high winds and tornadoes. Several people lost their lives and we pray for their families in this time of loss. The fishing on the White is RED HOT for numbers and also for Browns. I guided Johnny Gabbard and Steve his fishing mentor on Saturday and they caught over one hundred trout for the day even with time out for a severe thunderstorm to pass through. The best brown was caught by Steve at 20 inches. All browns were released alive. The best bait was redworm and shrimp and corn. The browns are spawning now so anything that looks like an egg sack is getting creamed! The lake is slow right now because the front came in and the temps for a high went from 69 degrees to 34!! With lower temps at night. Generation is still sporadic with three days off and today 5 units in operation. The lake level is 649.21 so it did come upup almost 3/4 of a foot. Remember make your reservation early as this is going to be the best fishing on the Lake I believe in a long while and reservations are the best I have ever had at this time of year. God Bless and seeya soon Hotdawg!!

12-26-10 Wow!! Finally back at the homefront long enough to get out a report. Deer season was awesome with  numerous deer taken and also my fourth Triple-trophy here in Arkansas. That is one with a bow one with a muzzleloader and one with a modern gun. I fished 8 days in November and 6 in December with two more on Thurs. and Friday. The lake level is at 648.65 feet making it four feet below power pool and they are running 1-3 generators early then shutting them off. The browns are spawning on the river so anything that looks like an egg is getting hammered. The fish on the lake are in their winter pattern and I will know more on Sunday as I am fishing Thurs. and Saturday. For next year if you want to fish with me you need to call and book as soon as you know the days you are coming as early reservations are coming in already. Also if you book before February 1st with a deposit you will get 2010 prices due to gas costs and food prices I am having to increase my rates for 2011. Happy New Year to all and GOD Bless Tim & Pat!!


10-31-10 The lake is still not completely turned over but we are going to have cold weather all next week and should be done by next week bringing the fish up in the 15-25 foot zone making them easier to catch. I had a great day with Hank and Shirley Delviney on Saturday catching 6 different species on nightcrawlers and spoons. The fish are starting to move half way back into the creeks and are starting to feed in the afternoons. Find the shad and they will be predators close by Lake level is 652.05. Generation on the dam has been constant all week with 1-3 units at night and up to 5 during the day. Drifting with worms and shrimp has bean awesome with over one hundred fish days all week. Kirk Primas party caught several rainbows at 20-21 inches long all released alive after pictures. As most of you know I leave on my annual Deer hunting expeditions this week and am going to four states in thirty days so their will not be a report till I get back. GOD Bless and good fishing Hotdawg!!


10-24-10 The lake is still trying to turn over with the water the same temp from the top to 44 feet making the fish scatter after the shad. Lake level is 652.01 and still dropping. Rainbows are eating up worms egg pattern flies and shrimp. The upper catch and release closes on the fist of November and doesn't open till February 1 so watch where you are on the river. Lake report still the same find the shad and use spoons or nightcrawlers to catch fish.


10-17-10 The lake continues to fall and is at 652.56 generation has been on and off with 3-5 units when on. The best bait is red worms and shrimp. The best bait on the lake is still nightcrawlers and spoons. Till next week...


10-10-10 The lake has fallen to 653.01 and  is starting to turn over. The fish are scattered as a result but if you find the shad then you can catch some fish. You have to have real good electronics for this kind of fishing a coler graph is a must. The river has been great same baits as last week. GOD Bless Hotdawg!!


10-3-10- We had lots of low water this past week for the sowbug roundup for the flyfishers. The water was run at night though so there was a little tailwater in the mornings. The best baits are worms, red or nightcrawlers, sculpins, corn and salmon eggs. The best flies have been san-juan worms and woolybuggers followed by midges and sowbugs. The lake has been hit or miss with one day good and the next slow. We have had nothing but nice weather with bluebird skies all week. The lake level is 653.56 which is 1/2 foot below power pool. Best baits are nightcrawlers and crawdads. Spoons rattletraps and stickbaits on surfacing fish. Find the shad and there are fish close. It pays to have a good graph. Till next week HOTDAWG!!


09-26-10 WOW!! The lake has been the best I have seen all year this last week. I fished with Jack,Jean,and Larry Byrd and had the best stringers of fish for total weight and numbers of the year. The fishing was just unbelievable on spoons for us. The fish were holding in 30-70 feet of water just off the main lake we had stringer of 55,60 and 75 pounds with up to Nine species caught in one day!! The secret was to find the shad and then stay with them. We also took a couple of days on the river and went from the Dam to Buffalo City access in a half a day and caught numerous browns up to 4 pounds all on worms shrimp and sculpins. Hot flies are San-Juan worms and wooly buggers. Good Luck and GOD Bless Hotdawg! 


09-19-10 Well the lake has leveled off at 655.15 and they are running one to four units around the clock. The river is red hot on worms and sculpins and shrimp. Hot flies are olive wooly buggers midges and egg patterns along with san-juan worms. The lake is starting to do well also. spoons ,top-water and jigs are the best artificial, with nightcrawlers and minnows next for bait. Surface temps are in the low 80's to high 70's. Good luck and GOD Bless Hotdawg!!


09-12-10 Sorry I missed last week folks I have been on a roll guiding! The lake level is 654.15 and rising we had heavy rains last week and more predicted this week. The fishing on the lake has gotten real good if you can find the shad. I had three customers today and we caught 7 species and had a 55 pound stringer of keepers all on spoons in 40-70 feet of water. The river has been producing some big browns on sculpins and nightcrawlers. The browns are starting to move up the river preparing to spawn. The lake surface temps have fallen into the 79 to 80 degree range. According to the game and fish commission Bull Shoals surpassed Greers Ferry Lake for the most walleyes per acre and the most over 26 inches in length. I personally have caught more walleyes this year than ever before in my 35 year career with to many to count in the 16-17 inch zone that will all be keepers next year!! GOD Bless and hope to see you on the water Hotdawg!!


08-29-10 The Lake has continued to drop and is now 1 foot below normal at 652.90. We are supposed to get rain this next week and can really use it. The forest is dry and burn bans are in effect now. The river has been low in the mornings with high water in the afternoons. Some generation has been all night. Same baits and flies are working. The lake is starting to cool down with over 6 degree drop on the main lake surface temps to 85 degrees. The best baits are nightcrawlers. Long line trolling and bottom bouncers are working in 25 -35 feet of water. The White lost a long time guide this week with the passing of White River Slim his name was Robert Sleidel and was quite the character. GOD Bless him and his family.


08-22-10 The lake is now .5 feet below power pool and is at 653.51 and still dropping. I have been at a sportshow most of the weekend and only fished two days last week with one on the Lake and one on the river. The lake is still fishing great with the same baits as last week. The best baits on the river are also the same. Lots of bass being caught by working plastics and jigs in the 15-30 foot range. I am starting my fall run and will be fishing almost every day from now until deer season and if not guiding will probably be out looking for fish for the next trip. Sculpins are the best big bait on the river right now and also big stickbaits. GOD Bless and good luck Hotdawg!!


08-15-10 The Lake is finally back to power pool!! Level is 654.12 as I write this. Chance of rain possible next week and we could use some. The fishing on the river has been great with low levels of water in the morning with high water in the afternoon. The best baits are worms and shrimp with lots of flies working for the fly fisherman scuds san-juan worms and caddis the best. The lake is in its summer mode with most fish being caught at 25-35 feet down. Reef-runners and nightcrawlers are the best baits with crawdads coming on strong. Also spoons and soft plastics for the bass. God bless and see-ya on the water Hotdawg!!


08-08-10 Wow!! Back HOT again!! And the Lake is dropping with the level at 655.01 and falling. The corps is running water around the clock with at least one unit or two all night then a quick rise up to all eight generators running full max output. The bite has been incredible for numbers when you stay ahead of the high water and drift fish using shrimp,worms,and egg patterns. Sculpins are also working well. The lake is fishing well with most fish being caught on nightcrawlers and spoons with some soft plastics working for bass. They are in the 25 -35 foot range with the major thermocline at 30 -35 feet. Surface temps are in the 90 degree range. Some cooler temps are expected this weekend and I am ready for that!! GOD Bless and good fishing Hotdawg!!


08-01-10 Sorry I missed a week of reporting folks. The heat has been brutal with extremely high humidity and temps.It hasn't slowed the fishing on the river though with numerous fish being caught and browns also. The best baits are worms, sculpins, and power eggs. Also shrimp is hot for better rainbows. The corps is running water around the clock with the lake level at 655.48. I also fished the lake with six different species caught all on nightcrawlers both days and most fish in the 28-32 foot range. The surface temp is at 90 degrees and higher in the backs of the creeks. Come on fall!! GOD Bless and make your reservation for this fall and winter soon as I am getting booked up fast Good Luck Hotdawg!!


07-18-10 The lake has risen three more feet this week and stands at 658.10 and should stabilize as they are running the water around the clock. High temps are making it hard to fish in the afternoon with high heat indexes. The river is the way to go with a half day fishing preferred. The best baits are worms, shrimp, and sculpins. The best flies are br-549, sulfers, and san-juan worms. The lake is fishing okay for numbers with lots of short fish being caught. Bets baits are nightcrawlers and soft-plastics. I am getting extremely booked up for this fall so if you are planning a trip please call and make your reservations early. GOD Bless Hotdawg!!


07-11-10 Wow what a crazy week for the water and the weather!! Lots of low water then non stop eight generators then 2 units around the clock today. The weather has been extremely warm with high humidity and lots of locally heavy thunderstorms. We had 3 + inches of rain on Friday and Saturday. The lake level is at 655.80 which is 2.80 feet above normal for this time of year. The fish are biting extremely well on the river with the browns biting sculpins and nightcrawlers. The best flies are midges and san- juan worms. The lake has yielded another record striper for Missouri 58 pounds and beats the old record by 2 pounds it was caught on a big swim bait! The best live bait is still crawlers in 24-32 feet of water. Good luck and GOD Bless Hotdawg!!


07-04-10 The lake has stabilized at 656.55 with little generation during the day and 1-4 generators most of the late afternoon and evening with it shut off by midnight most evenings. The river fishing is Red-hot with all bait working well. The best big fish baits are sculpins and nightcrawlers. The hot flies are midges and san-juan worms. The lake has been fishing well for #'s and keepers being about 1 for every 6 fish caught. I guided on Monday and had seven species all on nightcrawlers in the 26-32 foot range. Good luck and GOD Bless Hotdawg!!


06-27-10 Wow what a week. My grandkids wore me out fishing, swimming and yes CLIFF Diving. The lake has continued dropping fast and now sits at 657.72 which is only 3 feet above normal and dropping fast! The corps is running heavy 8 generators most of the day so be careful. You have to use a big weight to get your bait to the bottom. Shrimp red worms and corn are working well. Also puff ball flies on a spinning rig. Fly fishing has been tough with all the super high water. The lake has been fishing well with most fish holding in the 23-30 foot range. Nightcrawlers and bottom bouncing crankbaits has been the most effective on the walleyes. Gitzits and lizards for the bass. I must say that nothing beats having your Grandkids say Pepaw please take us fishing even when it is 95 and a heat index over 100. Lots of sunscreen and lets GO!! GOD Bless and if you are thinking about a fall trip with the Dawg call and book early as my calendar is filling up fast!! GOD Bless and take a child fishing you won't regret it !! Hotdawg!


06-20-10 The lake has continued to drop and now sits at 660.12. Same baits are working with 6-8 units running on the river round the clock. My grandkids are coming so this will be short GOD Bless Hotdawg!!


06-13-10 Lake level is still dropping and is at 663.68 today with all eight units running around the clock. Trout are biting well on the river with some browns being caught on eggs and sculpins. The Lake is fishing well with most walleye holding at 22 feet to 26 feet on the main lake points and some starting to hit the flats as well. Soft plastics are still working for bass and the surface temps are in the low 80'S GOD Bless and good luck Hotdawg!!


06-06-10 Well the corps is finally dropping they are running 6 generators around the clock. The first two days of that made it tough on the river because of the moss but yesterday it cleaned up and the fishing was much better. The best baits are red-worms, shad, shrimp, sculpins, corn and crawdads. The best flies are scuds, glo-balls, and wooly buggers. The lake level is 666.12 and falling. The bite on the lake is still good with a thermocline setting up at 20-26 feet with most fish hanging at that level. I am still getting about 15% keepers to shorts but I am catching over forty fish a day so winding up with anywhere from 20 to 40 pounds of keepers all on nightcrawlers. The secret for me is to keep it moving. I am catching up to 9 species a day with 6 different species the average. There is also a bite at dark on stickbaits. GOD Bless Hotdawg!!


05-30-10 UNBEILIEVABLE!! That is the only way to describe the numbers of fish being caught on the River and the Lake . I had three people catch 182 fish on Saturday on the White with a lot of Browns in the 18 inch to 25 inch class also. Ever bait normally used is working well now with puff ball flies and scuds working well. The generation is low with it off in the morning and only two units most of the day. They will surely start heavy generation soon as the lake is at 666.96 or 13 feet above normal. The Lake is also fishing well with nightcrawlers and soft plastics catching huge numbers with up to 9 species in a day in my boat. Keepers are still running about 1 keeper to every ten fish caught. GOD Bless Hotdawg!

05-23-10 HEAVY HEAVY RAIN!! That is the story but the Great news the fish don't care!! The lake fishing has just exploded with INCREDIBLE numbers being caught and up to eight species a day for me!! The best bait is live night crawlers trolled at .85 to 1.1 miles an hour and also plastics in 5-15 feet of water on the old brushline. The lake level is 664.65 which makes it almost eleven feet above normal. They are running three generators around the clock with lake still rising and expected to crest at 658 feet with no more rain not likely with the weather patterns we are seeing but it hasn't diminished the fish from cooperating  we are seeing fifty fish days common on the lake with 20 to 40 pound stringers of up to eight species in one day GOD Bless Hotdawg!!


05-16-10 Rain, Rain, and more Rain!! The Lake has risen to 658.95 and is still rising . The lower river is flooded so they are shutting off the generators every night and not turning them on till later in the day. The lakes above us saw significant rains and are way up. The bite on both the river and lake for numbers is PHENOMINAL!! I caught 31 Walleyes on Saturday with three keepers and six species caught. The smallies are spawning on the main Lake with all fish chasing shad and crawdads. Best baits are soft plastic .stickbaits, crankbaits nightcrawlers, flukes, spoons in other words whatever you like to throw will probably catch fish. The river is fishing great with browns eating shad and minnows and all kinds of flies with several hatches going on. This is going to be some great fishing for the next several weeks on both waters. I personally am having a blast fishing the lake with twenty to thirty fish days common book now for some great summer fishing Hotdawg!!


05-09-10 HOLY COW!!!! I caught my largest walleye this year on the lake this Sunday while on a half-day lake trip. It weighed 7lb 15 oz. and we also caught 17 more with five keepers. We were dragging nightcrawlers on my special rig with 8 pound main line and 6 pound drop. All flourocarbon. We were in 22-28 feet of water around the brushpiles.We had 6 species also as a bonus with numerous kentuckies all the way to 4 pounds. The lizard and gitzit bite for smallies is real strong with spoons bringing in the numbers also. There really isn't a type of fishing on the lake that you can't use and not catch something. This is some of the best fishing for numbers and size I have ever experienced!!The river is also fishing well with shad and sculpins catching the big ones and numerous heavy hatches going on right now for the fly fishermen. GOD Bless and book now for some fantastic summer fishing!! Hotdawg! 


05-02-10 WOW!! The daytime bite for walleye has finally started! I was guiding two days on the lake this week and have caught a number of walleye during the day on stickbaits and on nightcrawlers dragging them in anywhere from 18 -26 feet of water with the best action on steeper banks or right on top of brushpiles. The keepers are starting to come up on the shoreline and also we are catching up to 5 different species of fish. Also working is spooning in 30 feet of water throwing up to 15 feet and working it back to the boat. The longline trollers are starting to catch fish also. The bass are working great on soft plastics with the smallies and kentuckies on spawn beds on the main lake and chasing shad schools so it is a great time of year to do lots of different types of fishing and all being productive. I feel the some of the best catching in years will be seen in the next three months. The river is fishing the same as last week except low water in the mornings with three to five generators in the afternoon. Same baits are producing as last week. GOD Bless Hotdawg!!


04-25-10 The weather took a turn for the worse on Friday and Saturday with heavy rains and thunderstorms and also tornadoes. Luckily most of the worst weather was east of us. The lake level 656.75 with three units around the clock. The river is fishing well with the worm bite and shrimp coming on real strong. The surface activity on the lake has picked up also with the nighttime bite slowly starting to pick up. The surface temps on the lake are 68- 69 degrees in the backs of the creeks and 60 on the main lake. The fish still are not vary predictable from one day to the next. Just keep looking from about half way back in the creek arms to all the way back and when you catch one work that area over thoroughly with several different baits then go to the next creek arm. Walleye are still slow with a narrow window of catching. GOD Bless and good luck Hotdawg! 


04-18-10 Man oh Man What a difference a week can make!! The River and lake are both RED HOT right now!! The Lake level is 658.66 which is just 3.5 feet above power pool. And the Bass are biting!! The surface bite has come on strong along with soft plastic working well on Smallies and Kentuckies. The average day has been at least forty fish!! The nightime Walleye bite is starting as well. The best baits are Rogues and X-raps. The Browns are eating a number of baits, worms and shrimp minnows and white worms also the rainbows are hitting well on corn and power eggs and worms. I had a customer catch a21 inch Cutthroat and released it after pictures it was in the 5-6 pound range!! Now is the time for some GREAT action on the Lake and River. GOD Bless and see ya on the water Hotdawg!


04-11-10 YAHOO!! The Smallies are a biting on Bull Shoals!! The smallies have moved up on the banks in the area of yocum bend to the music creek area. Top baits are Green pumnkin lizards and hula grubs fished on a 1/4 ounce jighead on 8 pound flourocarbon line. Also Lucky crafts in chartruese shad and american shad color. The river has been fishing well with corn worms and minnows working for numbers as well as browns. I had a 42 pound stringer of white bass and largemouths and kentuckies on Wed. in the wind on stickbaits and caught 41 smallies on friday with several in the 3 pound range on soft plastics. The bite is going to get better and better from now on. I know it will be some of the best fishing in years on Bull Shoals. The walleye bite is picking up at night way up the lake but is still slow down here should pick up in the next two weeks GOD Bless and book now for May and June Catchin!!! Hotdawg! 

04-04-10 WOW!! The weather has finally got a little more normal with nights above fifty and daytime temps in the low to upper 80"s. Consequently the fishing on the Lake has started to heat up drastically. In the last two nights there have been 5 stripers over 40 Pounds caught on Rogues with the biggest at 47 pounds!! The smallies are starting to move up on the banks along with the Kentuckies getting ready to spawn. I have caught them on soft plastics, Lucky Crafts, and Rogues. Half way back in the creeks to all the way back. Lake level is 661.71 which makes it 8 feet above normal. The river has been fishing excellent with numerous Browns being caught on minnows, sculpins and nightcrawlers. Best flies are midges and scuds along with bright san-Juan worms. The best Lake fishing is going to be starting in about two weeks with the walleye's starting to hit the banks. If you want to go in May now is the time to book. GOD Bless and good luck fishing Hotdawg!!    


03-28-10 Wow another crazy week of weather! Cold and wind then rain then warm and lots of sunshine. Bull Shoals lake has risen 6 feet to rest at 659.84 feet above sea-level. The water is just into the first line of trees and the temps have risen a little to 54 degrees in the backs of the creeks and a little colder on the main Lake. Best baits are still crankbaits and stickbaits and soft plastics. The weather is supposed to warm a lot all next week and the bite should get better and better from now on. The River has been red hot all week with numerous browns being caught on minnows and sculpins and shad. Hot flies are woolly buggers and san-juan worms with no wadable water due to round the clock generation of five to seven units. The night bite for Bass is starting with the walleye to follow in the next couple of weeks. Good Luck and GOD Bless Hotdawg!!


 03-21-10 What a CRAZY weather week. First high winds lake and river advisories then warm and finally yes Rain and snow to end the week! The River has been fishing extremely well with lots of big browns being taken on river minnows and shad and sculpins. With the sowbug roundup going on we have had lots of low water which has been good for wading and anchor fishing for the big browns. The best flies are caddis hatch flies, midges and san-juan worms also scuds. The best baits are minnows and worms with the rain also shrimp has been producing. The lake was 50.9 degrees on Saturday and I caught 9 fish in a half day before the rain on soft plastics hula grubs and critter craws fished on the steep banks half way back in the creek arms in five to fifteen feet of water holding the boat in 20-25 feet of water. Also caught two on a wiggle wart crankbait. The bad news is we have had 39 to 34 degree rain and snow coming in since 6:00 p.m. Saturday night all day so far this Sunday and continuing into the early morning on Monday. I am sure that this will drop our surface temps back to at least the low forties and maybe 39 in some places. We have to stay above 50 at night with warm days in the 65-75 degree range before the catching will pick up. We are over 15 degrees behind last year on our surface temps. Thank Al for all this global warming. GOD Bless and Take a child fishing it pays in the years to come Hotdawg! 


03-14-10 Well back to cool weather and a little rain. Lake level is 653.74 and remains steady with one to three generators running. The fishing on the White is incredible for numbers with some browns in the 14-20 inch range being caught. The best baits are still shad, sculpins, worms, and egg imitations. With scuds, midges, and san-juan worms thee hot flies. The lake has been slow with crankbaits and soft plastic still producing some keepers in 5-15 feet of water in the middle to the backs of the creeks where there is some cover by deep water. It is supposed to warm up more this week with possible cold weather coming I  again this weekend so I think the best lake fishing is still a couple of weeks off. Norfork has been having some action starting up lake and we are usually a couple of weeks behind them. Congratulations to Ed Druml and his wife to two 25 pound stripers last week on Bull Shoals!! There will be some big ones caught this year I am sure of it. GOD Bless Hotdawg!      


03-07-10 Yahoo!! Warmer weather finally!! The daytime temps have been in the 60's the past three days and nighttime temps have been 48 to 49 degrees, which is where we should have been a month ago. The lake level is 654.19 and they are starting to shut the dam down between 10:00 p.m. and midnight and turning it back on at 4:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. every day. They are running between 2-5 units and the fishing has been Red Hot on the river. Best baits are shad,sculpins,and shrimp for the Browns with eggs,corn and shad working for the rainbows. The best flies are san-juan worms egg patterns, shad imitations, and scuds or midges. The lake is starting to warm slowly with the best baits being soft plastics and stickbaits with some crankbait action. Hula grubs, gitzits and lizards are working. Some of the backs of the creeks are at 52 degrees with a warm rain expected Monday night and Tuesday. That is what we really need is for it to be 60-65 and rain about an inch or two. Although we have to watch what we ask for as to what happened the last two years of HIGH water. I believe that it will be the end of March before we start to see any consistent action. Most fish are in 5-15 feet of water. located near some structure with the bite being real light. Good luck and GOD Bless Hotdawg!!  


02-28-10 Wow back in town finally!! I have been gone to some sportshows and finally am home and I got to fish on the lake and the river so here goes... The Lake level is at 653.91 and slowly falling. They have been running anywhere from 2- 7 units around the clock. Not much shad coming through at all but still are working in the first three or four miles of the river. I was on the lake for a half day on Saturday and we caught 5 fish that weighed 12.5 pounds and lost three others all were Largemouth's and were caught on Hula Grubs on a 3/8 ounce jighead and on American Shad Lucky Crafts. All fish were in 5-ten feet of water. Surface temperature was 42.8 degrees and I also used a drop thermometer and it was the same temp all the way to 40 feet. The river is still fishing well with egg patterns and san-juan worms also olive wooly buggers. Countdowns and Rapala's are also catching some nice fish. GOD Bless and Good luck fishing Hotdawg!!


02-15-10The White River is RED HOT right now with shad coming through the dam. The lake level is 656.31 with seven units around the clock. The best bait is of course shad! Any artificial bait that imitates shad is also working . The browns are almost done spawning and the rainbows are spawning on some of the gravel bars and in the shoals. The shad kill is still sporadic and not real heavy yet. The best flies are shad pattern and San-Juan worms in bright colors. Bull Shoals lake is fishing ok with the cold temps. Most surface temps are in the 39-45 degree range. When you find fish they are usually three or more in a small area. The best baits are wiggle wart crankbaits, rogues, luckycraft , and soft plastic or spoons. Depth is varied from 5-15 feet on the banks to 40-60-feet on the bluff ends. GOD Bless Hotdawg!  


02-08-10 WOW!! I just received the results of the third leg of the winter bass-o-thon and what an unbelievable result!! The team of Lynn Luther & Anthony Gates had a five fish limit of 25.59 pounds to win!! That is a 5.2 pound average!! That would win most major tournaments all across the U.S. or at least have you in the top ten!! The most amazing thing was with all the snow the surface temps were 37-42 Degrees!!! The top 15 places were all at or above 15 pounds! Big Bass was 5.92 pounds caught by Jim Byler & James Southard. I truly believe this will be the year that the Big Bull will be the talk of fishermen all over the country and that a five fish limit of over 30 pounds will be brought to the scales! The walleye and crappie and all species have had tremendous spawns and growth in the last three years so make your reservation early for the hot months of April, May 7 June. GOD Bless Hotdawg!


02-07-10 Well on Saturday we finally had two spurts of shad come through though they were not heavy. Most were ate up by the gulls and trout by the end of the state park. The snow really lowered the temp on the lake down now to between 37-42 degrees depending where you are on the lake. The lake rose slightly to rest at 655.45 which is almost 1.5 feet above normal. We are supposed to have another big snow event tonight and tomorrow with bitter cold the rest of the week and snow on the weekend. If we do the shad should start coming through heavy I will keep everyone posted. Hot baits are still egg imitations shad and pink worms. San-juan worms shad and midges for the Fly fishermen. The lake is still producing some fish on spoons stickbaits and some spinnerbaits. GOD Bless and good luck Hotdawg!  



01-31-10 Boy oh boy if this is global warming somebody forgot to tell Mother Nature! We had a giant snow storm this week starting on Thursday night and ending on Saturday. We had almost eleven inches of snow!!!! Thank goodness it wasn't ice like last year at the same time. I fished early in the week on the river and lake with excellent fishing on the river being had. Numerous rainbows and browns were caught on shad and egg patterns. Still no shad coming through the dam but with all the snow and melting it could happen any day. The lake has been sporadic but some big bass are already being caught. 8.5 pound Largemouth being the biggest I have seen. Lots of Kentuckies in the three and four pound range and smallies also. Most on stickbaits and rogues and spoons and some plastic worms and grubs. We all get antsy with the warm weather and start to think about it being an everyday affair but we are still some weeks away from consistent fishing patterns on the lake. I will be on the river tomorrow when the fishing opens up at the dam and state park so I will have a extra report on that on Tuesday. GOD Bless and make your reservation early as I believe this will be one of the best years on the lake and river in some time due to all the high water from the last three years. Hotdawg!! 

01-24-10 We had some significant rains this week although the lake did drop all the way to power pool but rose one foot to settle at 655.01 this week. The fishing on the river continues to be above average with generation fluctuating between 4 generators around the clock up to seven units. I predict continued generation around the clock so they can get the lake level below normal before the spring rains. San-juan worms and midges have been producing well for the fly-fisherman in bright colors with corn, white worms, sculpins and rogues working for the bait fisherman. The lake has been hit or miss with the temps holding in the 41-46 degree range depending on where you are. Best baits are stick baits, spinner-baits, and shaky head worms. Also some spoon action on the bluff ends. As the weather gets nice everybody thinks that the fish go crazy just because it is 60 degrees but the water is still COLD! and that is what gets the fish active it has to get to 50 degrees down at the 1-5 foot level in the back of the creeks for some significant action to get going. We are supposed to have cold temps again all week with some snow possible. The upper river opens again on February 1 to fishing and that is a good day and week to catch some really big fish. Once again book early for the best dates this spring and GOD Bless Hotdawg!  


01-17-10 Bull Shoals Lake continues to drop rapidly and now stands at 655.99 which means it is two feet above normal and dropping almost one foot a day now. The river is fishing very well with 7 units operating around the clock. I guided several days this last week with Browns caught every day mostly on egg patterns and white worms the best baits.I also had my first legal length browns caught by Chuck O'brien and his son Royce with both over the 24 inch minimum the best one 25.5 inches long. Both released alive after pictures. The browns and rainbows are still spawning in certain sections of the upper river.   The lake temperature is Anywhere from 41 degrees to 45 depending where you are. Most action is in the backs of North creek arms on Rogues or shaky head worms. Some spooning on submerged timber in 45 to 75 feet is working also. For all your fly-fishing needs see Jimmy T at W&F flyshop in Bull Shoals next to the Texacoe station. He now has Hardy & Grey's Flyrods and tungsten beads, fly tying material,and hooks .Remember to book your trip early as I am getting booked up for the prime time this spring. No shad on the river as yet but still hoping. GOD Bless and good fishing Hotdawg!!  


01-10-10 Bull Shoals is now at 661.10 which makes it only 7 feet above normal with around the clock generation of seven units. The weather has been bitterly cold all week with highs in the teens and lows around zero to -4 below. The lake temp. has dropped to 45 degrees now and is probably going to continue to drop in the next few days. The temps are going to rise a little with highs in the mid forties and lows in the 20's. Egg patterns and white worms grubs and shad are working well on the river and with continued low temps I feel a shad kill is going to start soon. I am fishing a lot next week so will have a better forecast next week. Not much action on the lake with all the cold try spooning in 75 to 100 feet is my best guess. GOD Bless and take a child fishing it pays off later in life !!!!Hotdawg!


01-03-10 Happy New Year Everyone!!! Well Bull Shoals now is at 655.45 this morning with round the clock generation of 5 units. Still high down south or they would be generating all 8 units. The lake is now 11.5 feet above normal. We have 4 inches of snow on the ground with more forecast on Wednesday. Also daytime highs below freezing for the next week and lows in the single digit range with wind chills around -18 below. BRRRR! The fishing on the river has been good with sculpins,rogues, and egg-patterns working. The lake temperature is at 48 degrees and still dropping. If it gets below 44 degrees the shad will start dying and the fishing on the river will explode. I hope it gets their soon and if they start to run maximum water they will start to have bursts come through then also. If you haven't fished during or after a shad kill it is the best time to catch big fish and lots of them as all the fish in the river want one thing SHAD!! The lake fishing has slowed with the cold and bad weather so no report there. GOD Bless and remember to book early to get your dates with me for the lake or river. 


12-20-09 Bull Shoals is still rapidly dropping this week and now sits at 668.24 feet above sea-level which is 14 feet above normal. We still have a long way to go and need to avoid a rain like Florida has got all week 14 inches in spots. That would be a disaster. The lake has a great report from Ken Shirley on all species from the high water from the last two years with a great forecast on next years Walleye fishing especially. The river has been extremely high with up to  17 flood gates running with 7 generators around the clock. Fishing has been good to excellent with egg patterns still the best. No word of any shad yet but I am hoping the continued cold weather will get them to start. GOD Bless all and Merry CHRISTmas to all HOTDawg!!

12-14-09 What a difference a week can make Bull Shoals lake level is now down8 feet in a week. It is now at 672.79 or 19 feet above normal. 7 units are running with an additional 5 flood gates open. That puts it at almost 9 generators. Do not go out unless with an experienced boat driver! Do not try to anchor or drag a chain in this kind of water. The bait of choice is any egg pattern and flies of that nature. Lots of weight to get it to the bottom. The lake has been producing some fish on spoons. Use your graph to find the baitfish then jig under them. Be careful and GOD Bless Hotdawg!!


12-07-09 Well I am Back!! I must apologize for not writing this weekly report as I have been really busy Hunting and guiding when I have been back in town so here goes. The lake finally crested a week ago at 680.89 feet above power pool. That was almost 27 feet above normal at the absolute wrong time of year for it! The corps finally on December first announced that they were opening spill gates to get it back to power pool by January 30 with no more heavy rains Good luck on that with El Niño in effect. Bull Shoals has been running 6-8 generators around the clock with 2 to five flood gates open 1 foot each for the equivalent of 8 to 9 units. BIG Water. Folks be extremely careful out there!!! The fish are starting to settle down and the catching is Good! The best baits are some kind of egg imitation. Their hasn't been any shad yet but I think that might start soon as the shad on the lake are at 40 to ninety feet deep on the lake depending on where you are. Norfork is also running additional flood gate for the equivalent of 3 or 4 units of water Be CAREFUL!!! Don't go out with out having your motor running good and at least two paddles in your boat! And wearing a life jacket all the time is recommended. The lake fishing as I have heard is mostly spooning in 30 to 45 feet for Bass and 60- 90- feet for walleye. If it warms up next week I will be going out some. If you book now with a deposit for next year you will get 2009 prices. Must have deposit before January 1. As for my deer hunting 328 pound 10 point buck 163 Pope & young gross in Kansas my personal Best Ever. GOD Bless and Merry Christmas Hotdawg!!!


10-13-09 I know this has got to sound repetitive but the weatherman was wrong again we had more rain this week and the Lake is at 665.15 and still rising with more rain in the forecast. The bite for the walleye has slowed way down with only a few being caught in a day and only one or two keepers. The bass have picked up though with spoons jig&pig and hulagrubs working. The best bait is nightcrawlers and crawdads. Best depths are 25 -45 feet for live bait and 15-35 feet for soft baits. The water has been fairly consistent on the river with three units around the clock. Shrimp pink-worms and corn working. San-Juan worms, scuds and woolyboogers are the best flies. I will be out all week on the lake and river so I will have more on next weeks report. GOD Bless Hotdawg!    


10-11-09 Well the weatherman was wrong again we had a much higher rain event with 6.75 inches here in Bull Shoals with higher totals on the upper lake up to 11.5 inches in Nixa Missouri. The lake has had a large rise and now stands at 660.05 which makes it 6 feet above normal and rising almost 1 foot per day. The lakes above us are significantly up in their flood pools also so here we go again.
We are just now starting our fall rainy season and the lake is way to high already. The lake has begun it's rollover for the winter and the water is the same temp from 25 feet to about 50 feet. The fish are scattered in this range so adjust your fishing accordingly. I was able to take my Grandson and Granddaughter fishing this past week and Matt put it on Pepaw. He caught the first biggest and most with his sister taking second Dad was third and me last!! I wouldn't have it any other way. The river fishing is still the best I have seen in 20 years for numbers and a few large fish being caught. The rainbows are spawning in some sections and the browns are moving up with an early spawn going to probably start in December. The best fishing on the river and lake is coming in the next few months as the pressure slows and the weather becomes an issue for some fisherman.Nightcrawlers are still the best bait on the lake 25 to 45 feet deep with minnows coming on. Also minnow lures and spoons. The best baits on the river imitate an egg sac or sculpin for the big ones. Best flies scuds san-juan worms and wool-buggers, br-549's. Get yours at W&F flyshop in Bull Shoals across from the gas station. GOD Bless and see ya on the water!! Hotdawg   

10-04-09The lake is still rising and they are predicting severe rain with accumulations of up to 5 inches or more next week. The brown trout catching has slowed on the White with big fish coming only sporadically. The lake is starting to roll over which means that the lake is also becoming more sporadic also. Same baits are working as last week. GOD Bless Hotdawg!


09-27-09 Rain, rain, and more rain. All week long we have had it off and on with the lake rising up to 657.89 or about 3.5 feet above normal. The rain has made the worm bite on the river pick up along with shrimp or crawdad tails. The generation has been around the clock with at least two units increasing sometimes to 5 units. Best flies are san-juan worms in red or charisse and scuds along with wooly boogers. Br-549 is working also, get them at W&F Flyshop in Bull Shoals next to the Gas station. The lake has been producing well with lots of short fish being caught on nightcrawlers and crawdads and any type of shad bait you like to throw. Schooling fish are starting to show up more. The surface temp is running 71 to 79 degrees depending where you are and what time of day. The bite is getting better and better I cannot wait till next spring as all these short fish will be keepers by then. GOD Bless and good luck fishing Hotdawg!!  

09-20-09 The rain is coming back!! It has started again the lake is now rising and is about 2 feet above normal with heavy rains predicted for tommorow and thru next weekend. I have to fish every day and am getting a little tired of that! The same baits are working as last week with sculpins continueing to slow down but still producing a few browns. Long line trollers are starting to catch fish on the lake with Hot-n-tots and rebels and rogues working. Also bottom-bounceing in the 27-35 foot range with nightcrawlers and minnows working. Smallies are starting to move up into th 20-25 foot range . GOD bless and be careful Hotdawg!!



09-13-09 The fishing on the White has still been great for numbers with round the clock generation of one to two generators and highs of five units during the day. The sculpin bite has slowed a little with shrimp being the best bait for drift-fishing. Same flies as last week. The bite also has slowed a little on the lake but still good stringers on crawdads and nightcrawlers. Surface lures in the morning are catching some nice fish as well as trolling in the 20-25 foot level with minnow like lures. The lake is still a little above normal at 654.48. The weather is supposed to be calling for lots of rain all next week so we will see what that does to the level and generation patterns GOD Bless and take a child with you it pays off well!! Hotdawg! 


09-06-09Well folks the bite on both the lake and river is still Phenomenal!! I had trips on both the river and the lake with large stringers of multiple species everyday on the lake and great strings of rainbows and browns in the 2-6 pound category caught and released! The bite on the lake for me is still all on nightcrawlers in the 27-36 foot range on main lake points. I am dragging a modified Carolina rig with 6 pound mono or fluorocarbon drop  with 8 -10 pound main line, 1/4 ounce egg-sinker red or orange glass bead with a three foot drop and a #1 Aberdeen hook.  Crawdads are also starting to work well. The best baits on the river are still sculpins for the big browns and egg imitation and shrimp. Remember folks that I will guide you in your boat on the lake for a half or full day for a fee and teach you how to catch fish in your boat. Check out my rates and give me a call Good luck fishing Hotdawg!! 


08-30-09 WOW!!! Unbelievable fishing this past week on the River and the Lake The river is still red-hot with sculpins and large nightcrawlers the preferred bait of the big browns. I had numerous browns in the 2-5 pound category with one bruiser of 31 inches and about 11 pounds by a customer. The hot flies are sculpin imitation and br-549 and scuds. See Jimmy T at W&S flyshop in Bull Shoals for your fly tackle and further info. Now the Lake it is just unbelievable the number and variety of fish that we are catching!! I was out two days with at least 50 fish caught both days and 6 different species each day. The best days catch weighed 33 pounds of kentuckies and walleyes with the largest at 4.25 pounds. We caught most of them on nightcrawlers at 27-36 feet on the main lake points using my modified Carolina rig. Also some on rattletraps and rogues the bite is just Incredible we also caught some nice smallies but turned them all lose. GOD Bless and I can't wait till this week!!!


08-23-09The Lake has risen slightly to 654.80 do to the continued work on the catch & release area at the dam. The schedule has been to hold the water off to between 12 noon and 4:00 p.m. then to turn on 2 -5 generators and run them till 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 am the next day. Then the workers start , the water tends to color up a bit at the state park hole and newlands but is still fishable. Same baits are working on the Lake and River as last week. I have lots of trips on the lake as well as the river and will give a more detailed report next week. GOD Bless Hotdawg!


08-16-09 The lake is finally at power pool!! It is now at 645.25,but with the lower water levels predicted next week for the work at the dam look for it to rise again. The fishing on both the Lake and River are EXCELLENT!! I took my wife out today for two hours and caught 26 pounds of catfish and about twenty other short fish which were Largemouth,smallmouth,kentuckies and bluegills all on nightcrawlers in 20 feet of water. Walleye are biting real well up the lake on bottom-bouncers and nightcrawlers in 28 -36 feet of water on the main lake flats. Also spooning in 30-38 feet around brushpiles. The river has been beyond belief this week for big browns. I have had as many as 13 browns caught by one man in a day with his daughter getting 9. All over 20 inches up to 29 inches long. Also some walleye on nightcrawlers. Keep all of them on the river as their is no length limit. Most of the browns are coming on sculpins. The best flies are egg-patterns,BR549, San-juan worms and scuds. The water is scheduled to be off in the morning for the work at the dam so be careful if wading after noon as they will probably turn on a lot of generators at once. Remember to pay it forward and take a child fishing GOD Bless Hotdawg!!


08-09-09
The lake has continued to drop and now sits at 655.15 with five units at least running around the clock. The corps and the game and fish are going to start on Monday the 17th to begin their "Habitat Improvement" at the dam catch and release area. Look for low water until noon with generation beginning then and continuing until midnight. The fishing for bog browns has been excellent with sculpins and shrimp the best baits. Wooly buggers and San-juan worms the best flies. The lake has been incredible for numbers with some limits of walleye being caught up the lake in 28-38 feet of water on the flats. Best baits still spoons and nightcrawlers.  GOD Bless Hotdawg!!

08-02-09
The lake has really dropped this last week and now is only two feet above normal at 656.01 with seven or eight units running around the clock. The plan is to stop the running of water as soon as it gets to normal pool so they can start the trout habitat improvement project at the Dam catch and release area. I personally think that this will cause some major changes to the river in the state park hole as well as Newlands hole. But only time will tell. The fishing on the river has been great with the same baits producing well. The lake fishing is getting better also with the fish holding in 30 to 38 feet of water on the main lake points with some top-water action early and late. Good fishing and GOD Bless Hotdawg!!

07-26-09
Well folks once again we have had some significant rain with almost 7 inches on Monday and Tuesday of this week. The lake has still dropped to rest at 660.05 which is 6 feet above normal. We had an excellent spawn again and the next couple of years are going to be fantastic!! I will be out on the lake three days this week so I should have a good report next week. The bite as of late has been better in the afternoon due to increased water flows on the White. The bite is still good for bigger fish on egg pattern flies and worms with a crawdad or shrimp trailer. They corps and game and fish will be starting there "Habitat improvement" on the catch and release area at the Dam next month so look for lower water flows.
Take a child fishing it brings great rewards!! Hotdawg!

07-19-09
The lake has continued to drop with the level at 661.42 The fish are still on the same patterns as last week with some night time action starting to be reported. Strawberry worms and spinner-baits being helicoptered down the bluff walls working. Black single-spins with a green frog or tandem spinnerbaits in white and chartreuse. The river patterns are the same also with round the clock generation. Good luck and GOD Bless Hotdawg! 

07-12-09
The lake really is dropping now with the level at 662.80 as of 5:15 this afternoon with eight units in operation. The fishing on the river is still REDHOT and the best baits are egg patterns, worms and crawdads or shrimp, and sculpins. The best flies are as follows grasshopper imitations, San-juan worms,or egg patterns.  The flows on the rivers are very high and extra caution is needed to prevent an accident or worse please be careful on both the White and the Norfork. The lake is still fishing well with the fish starting to go deeper at 30-35 feet on the main lake and the center of the main lake cuts. The smallmouth are fishing well in 15- 30 feet on crawdads and gitzits with some lizard action. The early morning surface activity is spotty with white bass and some kentucky and largemouth action on rattle-traps and zera-spooks. The best baits are live nightcrawlers and live crawdads fished on the bottom in 25-35 feet of water on the main lake points with brush piles starting to hold fish. Good Luck and GOD Bless Hotdawg!! If you want to talk fishing just call me at 870-445-4175 between 6:00 and 8:00p.m. Mon.-tru Sat.  

07-05-09
Absolutely REDHOT is the word for the fishing on both the Lake and the White river this week! The hot baits on the river has been egg patterns and sculpins. On Sunday I had the best day of sculpins fishing I have ever had with over thirty browns landed with the biggest at 27 inches long and numerous fish from 18-24 inches!! The pattern has been for about 4-5 generators at night with up to all eight during the day the Lake level is now 665.61 and dropping fast. The bite on the Lake for short fish has been the best in years. The best baits are nightcrawlers and crawdads with spoons, gitzits, topwater, and crankbaits all working. the best depths are 21-30 feet on the main Lake points and in the center of the cuts. Long-line trolling is also working as well with bottom bouncers. Good luck and GOD Bless Hotdawg!! 

06-28-09
The lake has finally started to drop significantly this week with the level at 668.48 with eight units in operation as of 7:45 this evening.That means it is 14.5 feet above normal now. The lake was red-hot for me this week with several stringers of fish in the twenty-five pound range and on Thursday with the Becker party of Texas tops with 33 pounds of bass and walleye. The best bait was nightcrawlers and crawdads. Also working has been topwater baits and spoons. The best depth has been 21- 30 feet deep on main lake points. With the high water on the river the fishing should really turn on in the next two weeks. The river has been fishing well with lots of browns being caught on egg imitations and sculpins also a new fly called the BR-549 is working. To get them check out the new fly shop in Bull Shoals at W&S Flyshop across the street from Snappy-Mart in the wishes and fishes building. Be careful on the high water and GOD Bless Hotdawg!!


06-21-09
The lake has only dropped a little this week as it is at 670.28 due to some heavy rains early in the week that had the corps shut down the river for two days. The fishing on the river is still red-hot same baits as last week are still working well. The fishing on the lake has been incredible for numbers but still keepers are hard to come by the action is the best I have seen in years for small fish though. Long-line trolling is working with nightcrawlers still the best bait. Topwater early and late is also working well. We have had two drownings recently so PLEASE PLEASE be careful and respect the water. If wading it would be a good idea to look at the new co2 life vests it could save your life!!GOD Bless and Happy Father's Day.Hotdawg!

06-14-09
The lake is still going down slowly and is now at 670.28 feet above sea-level. That will probably start to change as the Corps is scheduled to start running all 8 generators tomorrow morning. They have been running3 to 5 units around the clock all week. The fishing has been fantastic on the White all week. I have now upped my total of keeper browns to 36!! The bite was incredible on sculpins with two of my clients catching 32 inch and 30.5 inch browns on consecutive days. I was also on the lake several days with numbers being caught all days and one day with 11 keepers. Hot baits have been 1/2 ounce spoons and gitzits and lizards. Nightcrawlers have been the most productive with numerous species being caught on them. Depth is key with 20 to 25 feet of water holding the most fish. Remember to be safe on the high water on the river and DO NOT ANCHOR on all 8 units. GOD Bless and have a Great week Hotdawg!!

06-07-09
Finally the lake is starting to drop! The lake level is at 671.66 and dropping slowly. The corps is now running 5 generators after having it shut off for 7 hours this morning. The river has been red-hot this week for Large browns. I have now caught 21 legal browns this year with all returned to the White after pictures and measurements taken. The hot baits this week were sculpins and orange eggs on spinning rods with some nice fish being taken on midges and streamers as well! The lake has been very inconsistant with lots of small fish being caught but not very many keepers. Best baits are rogues,spoons,gitzits,lizards and shad-raps. The hot baits are nightcrawlers and minnows. The generation should ramp up to 8 generators before too long so be careful and GOD Bless Hotdawg!!  

O5-31-09
Once again the lake has risen to 672.02 which means it is 18 feet above normal with more rain predicted for tuesday and wednesday.The keepers on the lake are still being stubborn with lots of short smallies and walleyes being caught on soft baits and stickbaits.Minnows are starting to work with nightcrawlers coming on also.The White has been red-hot for several weeks now with numerous browns being caught on sculpins, worms, rogues, jigs and corn. The best flies are midges and scuds.The full moon next week should start some better night fishing on the lake. Surface temps are are in the mid seventies depending on where you are at on the lake GOD Bless and have a Great Day Hotdawg!!


05-24-09
I know this sounds like last year but the lake is still rising and now sits at 16feet above normal and the fish are starting to hide in all the brush making it difficult to fish for them.The best fish are on the old shoreline with lots of small fish up shallow.The best bite for walleye is a small window of one hour before dark and one hour after with x-raps, rogues and lucky kraft lures all working. Their also is a good bite starting on spoons and shad-raps in the daytime still not real consistant though.The White river is still providing non stop action on corn,sculpins, crawdadand red worms working well.Hot flies are y2k, scuds, midges,and streamers.Generation is steady at 2-3 generators around the clock.Remember to take a child fishing and make a friend for life!! GOD Bless Hotdawg!!




05-17-09
The lake is still rising and now stands at 13feet above normal and still rising.The same baits as last week are working with some surface activity taking place in the early morning. Lots of short fish being caught with not a lot of keepers.The White river is still hot with sculpins and eggs working.Best flies are san-juan worms, scuds and streamer flies. GOD Bless Hotdawg!



05-10-09
Well folks more rain and the lake is now 10.5 feet above normal and still rising.The temperature has risen by about three degrees to rest at about 62-64 degrees depending on where you are fishing.The hot baits are gitzits,french-fry worms, and lizards.Dark green colors are the best with various color of flakes in them. Also rogues,x-raps and spinnerbaits are working too! The same baits are working on the river and flies as last week with water being run around the clock. Walleyes are being caught early and late at night with most being caught with a slow retrieve technique. GOD Bless and take a child with you next time!!   




05-03-09
Rain,rain,rain and more rain is the word for the last ten days! The lake is now 6.5 feet above normal and still rising.The temperature has actually fallen since friday by about four degress to rest at 58 degrees. The fish are getting ready to spawn and the hot baits have been rogues, gitzits, and lizards. The River has been red-hot with eggs, corn ,worms, and sculpins all working well. Hot flies are still scuds and sanjuan worms. GOD Bless and good luck fishing Hotdawg!!




03/30/2009
Well folks we have had some rain this past week and the lake is back up about one foot above normal. Generation on the White has been high with four to eight generators daily. Hot baits are scuylpins, redworms, shad and corn. Lots of browns in the 18 inch to 23 inch range being caught. Hot flies are zebra midge and san-juan worms. The lake is getting better with crappie, bass, and a few walleyes being caught on minnows, crankbaits and hula grubs. Norfork has been real good with crappie ,stripers and bass all being caught. Have fun and GOD Bless Hotdawg!! 

03/21/2009
The river is red hot right now with lots of browns being caught and the numbers of rainbows being caught is incredible. I have had eight legal browns caught so far this year with a 29 inch 10.5 pound brown the largest. With the new length limit it is going to be hard to catch many keepers this year but in the next two or three years it will be some of the best fishing ever on the White. All the fish were caught photo's taken and released alive. The best baits are shad and sculpins. The lake is steadily getting better with crappie, white bass, and kentuckies, and largemouths being caught. Minnows, rapala's ,rogues ,and crankbaits the best baits. Good luck and GOD Bless Hotdawg!! 

03/16/2009
The White has been hot! The White River is fishing very well. I have had six customers catch a legal brown this year with the largest this Saturday at 29 inches and a weight of 9.11 pounds! It was caught on a shad out of Sportsman hole on the White. Shad, eggs and sculpins have been the best baits for the big ones with zebra midges, san-juan worms, and scuds the best flies. The Sowbug round-up is all this week so enjoy and be careful. Both lakes are starting to fish well with crappies, and bass starting to bite well on minnows, crankbaits and plastics all working what ever is your favorite. GOD Bless and take a child with you and make a fishing partner for Life !! Hotdawg!! 

01-10-2009
The story this week is WIND,WIND, WIND!!All this week we have been having 15 to 30 mile an hour winds from the south and even higher gusts. The river fished real well with shad and egg patterns the big producers. The river was low Saturday and Sunday with great numbers and some big browns being caught on shad. The lake cooled back to 45-48 degrees on Wednesday I fished and caught several bass and white bass on hula grubs and lucky crafts. The warm weather all weekend and wind should really jump the temps in the backs of the creeks with the white bass and walleye sure to follow. GOD Bless and take a child fishing Hotdawg!  

01/01/2009
Well folks its been a while since I last reported as you might have seen we had a terrible ice storm and have been very busy with storm damage cleanup and fishing. The lake actually has been fishing quite well despite a surface temp in 45-49 degree range. The walleye are spawning and not biting well though I managed to catch some last week all on jigs. The bass are being caught on soft plastic and stick-baits with half ounce jigs working well too! Now for the White... SHAD KILL SHADKILL SHADKILL< this is the biggest shad kill in about 10 years at least. The shad are all the way to Cotter and below . The upper river is fishing well early then you have to go down the river and get where the shad are thinner. Any bait that imitates a shad is working and the fish are really growing. The generation has been heavy with 8 generators 24 hour operation schedule. The fishing is going to be red-hot on the lake this spring so book early and have a great day, GOD Bless Hotdawg!!

01/18/2009
Well good news folks, with the cold weather the SHAD have started coming through the dam when they are generating. The river is fishing very well with egg patterns working well and shad patterns. Live shad is working along with white jigs and rapala countdowns. The lake is currently two feet below normal power pool and is slow with some fish being caught on spinner-baits and football jigs on the steeper banks. Good luck and GOD Bless Hotdawg!!

12/11/2008
Well folks finally back in town from my annual deer hunting trips. What a great year for deer hunting. Two Pope and Young deer and the biggest deer I have ever harvested in Arkansas 218 pound field dressed!! Well finally the lake level is back to normal and they are starting to shut the water level off for some good wading opportunities. I fished last Saturday with a great day of bait fishing with numerous rainbows and a few browns caught all on power-bait and corn. The local fly fishers are doing well on y2k's and any egg pattern flies. The lake is producing some fish on spinner-baits and crank baits in the backs of the creeks. Good luck and GOD Bless Hotdawg!! 

11/03/2008
Well folks the lake is steady dropping and now is only 16 feet above normal. The fish are moving into the backs of the creek arms chasing shad. The lake is beginning its fall rollover and is going to get better in the next few weeks. The river is still fishing well below White hole due to the low oxygen content on the upper end. When the lake gets done turning over the bite will get better. Same baits as last week are working. As most of you know I am leaving on my annual Deer hunting trips to other states so The report will be absent for about two weeks while I am away. Good luck and GOD Bless ! Hotdawg!

10/26/2008
Well folks the lake is steadily falling and is now at 674.62 which is now 20 feet above normal pool. I have been out a lot lately and have been catching lots of fish in the 20 to 28 feet of water on night-crawlers and crawdads. Some surface activity is also going on with a lot of small fish being caught on white roadrunners and spinnerbaits. The river is still fishing great below White hole all the way to Norfork river with redworms and corn best baits and san-juan worms and sowbugs the best flies. Good luck and GOD Bless Hotdawg!!

10/12/2008
The white river is experiencing dissolved oxygen problems and the fishing has slowed down somewhat above the white hole to the dam. The fishing is still excellent below all the way to the mouth of the Buffalo. Best baits are red worms and shrimp or crawdads. Hot flies are san-juan worms and sowbugs. The lake is starting to get better with fish holding in 25-30 feet of water. Best baits are night crawlers and crawdads with spinner-baits and flukes also working. The lake level is 680.15 or 26 feet above normal Good luck and GOD Bless Hotdawg!!

10/06/2008
Well folks the lake is once again coming down and the catching is slowly starting to improve best baits are nightcrawlers, crawdads, and spoons fished in 24 to 34 feet of water. Early and late in the day is best the lake level is 683.17 or 29 feet above normal the White River is still red hot for catching with the same baits as last week working well. GOD Bless and Great fishing Hotdawg!  

09/28/2008
Well everyone the lake is finally starting to fall. As of this evening the lake is at 685.83 which is 31.85 feet above normal. They are running at least 7 generators around the clock now. The fishing is still fantastic on the White with red worms, sculpins, corn and eggs all working well. The lake is still kind of hit or miss I fished it two days last week with one day catching lots of short fish and the next nothing but keepers. We were using spoons and night crawler both days with each catching about half the fish. The magic depth seems to be 30 - 36 feet down on main lake points. The reports from Norfork is that most fish are at 75-80 feet deep. Well good luck and GOD Bless Hotdawg!!

09/21/2008
Well folks the lake is back on the rise again! We got about 6 inches of rain from Hurricane Ike and extreme wind with lots of power outages. The lake is back up to 685.46 which is 31.5 feet above normal!! It has never been this high this long or late in the year ever!! The white river fishing is excellent with seven generators around the clock. Red worms, sculpin, eggs being the best baits. Hot flies are san-juan worms and scud patterns. Lake fishing is starting to pick up with spoons night crawlers and crawdads in 24-28 feet of water the best. GOD Bless and good fishing Hotdawg!! 

08/24/2008
Well folks the lakes are finally starting to come down. Bull Shoals is at 682.44 and dropping about 4 inches a day. The river fishing is still great with the high water. Same baits are working good, worms, egg patterns and sculpins . Fly fisherman are using san juan worms, streamers and egg patterns. Lake fishing is slow with most of the fish being caught 35 to 45 feet deep. Good luck and GOD Bless. Hotdawg!

08/18/2008
Well folks another rain event 5 inches but the lake held steady at 654.28 feet above sea-level so we are at 30.3 feet above normal. The river is still generating at all eight units. Same baits and flies are working lake fishing is slow. GOD Bless and good luck fishing.

08/10/2008
Well folks more rain in the area but the lake level is holding steady at 32 feet above power pool. The fishing has been excellent on the white with worms the hot bait and san-juan worms the hot flies. Lake fishing has slowed with the hot weather and is real deep at about thirty to 50 feet. Stripers are being caught on Norfork at these depths trolling down-riggers and spooning. GOD Bless and good fishing Hotdawg!! 

08/01/2008
Jim Hilton -right- recently caught this 15-pound, 3 ounce brown trout while fishing on the White River with Tim Curtis. The fish was released back into the river.
Big Brown

07/28/2008
Well folks good news the lake is finally coming down. We are at 688.70. Norfork is at 573.28.They are bringing the lake down about a third of a foot a day now. Might be back to normal by October. The river is still red hot for bait and fly fishing with the fish eating uo red worms and san-juan worm the best. Sculpins and shad have been catching some big browns also. The lake fish are starting to go deeper with surface temps in the high eighty degree range.I have been catching some yellow perch on night crawlers. Spooning and drop-shot for bass is the best on the bluff ends. GOD Bless and good fishing Hotdawg!  

07/20/2008
Hey everybody the lake is finally starting to come down!!Lake level is at 690.38 with eight units in operation around the clock! I guided on the lake on Saturday and we caught three yellow perch! The first time in years. They used to be common twenty to thirty years ago. Great eating! The river is still fishing great with numerous large browns and even a 13.3 pound rainbow was caught by guide Rick O'Neil. Worms and eggs sculpins and shad are best baits and sanjuan worms midges, and woolly buggers for flies. Great fishing and GOD Bless, Hotdawg!! 

06/08/2008
Well folks the fishing is doing just great on the white and the lakes are also starting to heat up!! The best baits on the white are RED WORMS, sculpins and eggs. The bets flies are bright san-juan worms and egg patterns. The lakes are starting to produce well on gitzits, rogues and live nightcrawlers and shad. Be safe and GOD Bless Hotdawg!

05/18/2008
Well good news for a change!! The fishing on the White river and Norfork is HOT!! Lots of large browns and healthy rainbows are being caught, mostly on red worms and shad.   My customers have been getting a lot of browns in the three to five pound category with two fish in the last week of 29 inches 9 pound range and my second customer fish this year over thirty inches of a 30.5 inch brown 12+ pounds
all released. The lake is also heating up with the smallmouths and walleyes starting to bite on gitzits and rogues. Hot flies are san-juan worms and egg patterns. Be careful of the ticks this year as lyme disease is being reported in the area. GOD Bless Hotdawg!

05/04/2008
Well folks they finally shut down the flood gates at Bull Shoals and at Norfork. Lake level at Bull Shoals is 693.65 and 598.75 at Norfork. I fished Bull Shoal 5 days last week and did great two days and not very good the last three. We had two nights in the high thirty degree range and that really lowered the water temp. The highest I could find on Saturday was 61.4 degrees. We caught almost all our fish on Rogues and Lucky Craft stick baits throwing at the tree lines where the wind was blowing. The White river and Norfork are fishing extremely well despite the high water. The bait of choice is REDWORMS. Fly fishers are using lots of different colored San-Juan worms. Remember be safe on the high water and make sure your motor will always start and wear a life jacket just to be safe. GOD Bless Hotdawg Curtis! 


04/08/2008
Well folks the lakes of Beaver, Table Rock, Taneycome, and Norfork are all at record levels. Bull shoals today is at 686.86 feet above sea-level and that is 32 feet above normal!! The forecast is for more rain today, tomorrow and Thursday. The river is still fishing well with only two units running around the clock. Soon they will pull the cork out of the dam and will start to dump massive amounts water .Be safe and GOD Bless. Hotdawg!! 

03/23/2008
Well folks, sorry I missed last week. The word now is be careful what ask for! We have had an unbelievable amount of RAIN!!! In just two days we had 12.5 inches of rain The lower White is way above flood stage. The old-timers say it is record level flooding. The lake has risen to 16 FEET above power pool and is expected to crest at 21 feet above normal, that is with no more rain. The upper white is fishing well above cotter. Worms, shad, and power-bait is the best baits. San Jaun worms, olive-wooly buggers and midges on flies. They are now running two units around the clock. Soon we will be back to 8 units so be CAREFUL!! The lake is starting to produce white bass and walleye in the back of the creeks we are still about two weeks out for some good action. Lots of debris in the lakes and rivers so watch out and SLOW DOWN. Wear your life jackets and check all your safety equipment. GOD Bless and good luck Hotdawg Curtis!

03/10/2008
Well folks the report for the weather is about the same. rain, sleet, SNOW, and then a day of 60 degree and sun. The fishing on the river has been excellent though! Their has been small amounts of shad coming through with about 6 units of generation in operation. The best fishing though is to get ahead of the big water and ride the rise using artificial bait and river minnows. Robbie Dodson of Harrison won the FLW tournament on Norfork Lake with a three day total of 28 pounds 9 ounces. Preston Havens of Mt. Home was second Congratulations Guys!! Bull Shoals has cooled again to 43 degrees on the surface and the bite is awful slow. We had six inches of snow and that didn't help. Well enjoy the coming warm trend and GOD Bless HotDawg!!  

03/04/2008
Well Folks the weather pattern has been holding at CRAZY for the past month. As I sit here it is now snowing after being 70 degrees on Saturday and Sunday. The fishing on the White is very very good right now. There has been some small amounts of shad coming through the dam and that is triggering some good action in the catch and release area of the river. Also, minnows are working well on low water. The lake has risen almost 5 feet to 658.78 feet above sea-level. That is 4 feet above power-pool and their is still more run-off to come. That is great for both the river and lake. The lake fishing on Bull Shoals is still hit and miss. Norfork is starting to turn on so that means that we are about three to four weeks away. Well good fishing and GOD Bless Hotdawg!!!


02/25/2008
Well folks we have had the same weather pattern going now for the last month. In any given week we will have rain, sleet, snow, ice, sun, and thundershowers! The lake has rose by about three feet to rest at 654.07.Generation has been extremely high with most days 6-7 generators running. The fishing has been fantastic on the river in spite of the weather and the water conditions. I guided all last week and the size and numbers in my boat were great!! I had several browns from 3-5 pounds and some rainbows in the 2-3 pound category. The catch and release area at the dam is fishing particularly well, with shad imitation working the best! The tournament guys on the lake are reporting that they are catching walleye way up the lake on stickbaits in 8-10 feet of water. That usually means that the bite on the lower-end of the lake is about three weeks off. Well good luck fishing and GOD Bless Hotdawg! 

02/18/2008
Well folks we have a pattern on our weather it could only be classified in one word CRAZY!! Once again record warmth  then severe storms followed by bitter cold sleet hail heavy rain and high winds. The fishing has been excellent on the river and the tournament guys have been doing well on the area lakes. The trout have just about stopped spawning and are starting to put on the feed bag. The lake has risen to 642.25 feet above sea-level and is still rising. We could use a lot more rain without the storms and cold. You all may have heard about the devastating and deadly tornado that struck Gassville AR. Pray for everyone and their families in their time of need. GOD Bless and great catching to you all Tim Hotdawg Curtis!

02/04/2008
CRAZY,CRAZY,CRAZY that is the kind of weather we are having! Six inches of snow on Wed. & Thurs. cold with highs around 20 degrees and now on Monday morning the low last night was only 59 degrees! The high for today is going to be in the low 70's!! Fishing on the white has been excellent! I guided on the opening day of the catch and release area up by the dam and tore them up on egg-pattern flies and steamers! Also did extremely well all the way to white hole! The lake is the same temperature from 0 to 68 feet so the fish could be anywhere. Your best bet for catching is the White or Norfork. Have a great week GOD Bless, Hotdawg!!

01/27/2008
Whew!! The deep freeze is finally ending!! Well all week the temps have stayed below thirty-five for the highs with the lows anywhere from 20 to 8 degrees with wind chills well below zero on a few days!! Lake level at Bull shoals is now 652.01 still 2 feet below power-pool. Lake Norfork is at 547.55. Generation at Bull Shoals has been one to four generators with some water running for a little while each day. Same patterns for fly fishing are working with wooly-bugger, San-juan worm, and scud-imitations. Bait is sculpins, eggs, worms, and power-bait. We need more rain!! Lake fishing is slow, slow, slow. Most fish are deep and very sluggish, spooning off the points in 50-60 feet of water is catching a few. It's the time of year where the fishing is great on the lake but the catching is slow!! The fish on the river are still biting well. God bless and remember take a child fishing you won't regret it!! Hotdawg Curtis!  

01/20/2008
Well folks we are back in the DEEP FREEZE again!! The temperature in the last few days hasn't made it above thirty degrees for the highs with the lows at night in the low teens to last night 11 degrees with even lower wind chills! I took a friend out for a few hours on wed. before the bad cold hit, we caught some nice trout and enjoyed the sunshine. The lake level at Bull Shoals is 651.75 feet above sea-level with some generation everyday but not usually all day. River is fishing well with bait with salmon eggs and roe doing the best! Scud imitations and wolly-buggers the best fly's. The lakes are in the winter time patterns with most fish going deep and the bite being almost nonexistent. So if you want to catch some fish go to the river for trout. I am putting on a walleye seminar at the walleye club meeting on the regular meeting Tuesday night January at the Eastside Baptist Church in Mt. Home Ar. I if you would like to talk or learn something about the way I catch lot's of walleye on the big Bull come see me on tues. at 7:00p.m. GOD Bless Hotdawg!!


01/13/2008
Well talk about crazy weather we have had it! Record warmth, tornadoes, high winds, hail, rain, and now back cold again. The lake is in its winter patterns the winter bass-a-thon was won slow rolling spinnerbaits in 15-25 feet of water. The white is fishing excellent for numbers of trout with the big ones being kinda finicky but still biting sculpins fairly well. Fly fishing at wildcat and rim shoals is very good. Have a great day and GOD Bless, Hotdawg!


12/30/2007

Bull Shoals Lake level is at 650.58 to rest at 3.5 feet below power pool. Table Rock is 4.6 below pool, Norfork is 4.8 feet below pool, and Beaver is 7 feet below pool. We need some RAIN! I guided on the White Saturday and had a great day despite the low low low water level. The dam has been shut down for Six Days Straight creating some great wading opportunities but tough boating! Mike Worley of Flippin landed a monster striper on Bull Shoals of 39 Pounds. His partner also caught one too! He was using a 5 inch Rainbow trout stickbait at night! Bill Funk of Lakeview caught a 3.9 pound smallmouth using plum gitzit. Fly fisherman have been having excellent wading all up and down the White and Norfork, nymphs in zebra, y2k's, egg patterns have been best also sculpin imitations, olive wooly-buggers. Best baits have been salmon eggs, sculpins, crawdad tails, and the old stand-by corn. Remember take a kid fishing it will make him or her smile and you too!! GOD Bless and Happy New Year from the Fish Acquisition Specialist Tim Hotdawg Curtis!!  

12/19/2007

Today is December 19 2007 Bull Shoals lake has risen to 651.47 feet above sea level. the temperature has leveled off at mid to low 50's in the back of the creeks to around fifty degrees on the main lake. Shane Porter & Rob Williams won the Mid-Central Buddy Bass tournament with catch of 15.02 pounds. The duo caught most of them in 5-10 feet of water. Robert Tilley and Josh Bradford caught the big bass of the tournament and it weighed 6.1 pounds. Fishing on the White River  has been excellent for both fly-fishing and bait fishing the numbers while drifting with bait has been way above average. Best baits have been power eggs in yellow and orange with corn being very deadly also. Fly patterns have changed very little with midges and san-juan worms and wooly buggers doing nicely. I will try to find out what types of lures and how to fish them on the lake next week so don't forget Take a child fishing and get them hooked on fish not on drugs!! God bless to all and Merry Christmas from the "Fish Acquisition Specialist" Tim Hotdawg Curtis  


12/13/2007

The weather for the past three days has been rain with very cool temperatures in the low 40's to high 30's at night. The lake temperature has really dropped with all the cold water runoff into the lake. Surface temperatures are 50-52 degrees in the backs of the creeks to the high 40's on the main lake. All fish on the lake are in their winter time patterns. The lake has rose almost two feet to 649.77 feet above sea-level. It is still about four feet below power-pool but coming up. The forecast is for more rain and on Saturday and Sunday possibly three to six inches of SNOW!!! The White River at this time is running four generators of water. It has been a long time since they have run this much water, but it will help the brown trout spawn. The best fly patterns have been zebra-midge, olive wooly-bugger, san-juan worm, and sculpin imitation. Hot baits have been salmon eggs, shrimp, sculpins, slick minnows. Remember to dress warm and to tell someone where you are going and what time you plan on returning, and watch for rising water levels as the corps could get very unpredictable with generation. Have a great day and take a kid with you!! GOD Bless, Hotdawg Curtis

 

12/02/2007

Hello, Bull shoals lake level is 648.44 feet above sea- level which puts the lake 6.5 feet below power pool all the lakes Bull Shoals, Beaver, Taneycomo, and Table Rock are below their respective power pools which is where the corps likes to keep them. This is a little low for this time of year. Today Dec2 we have had rain off and on all day with at least 1 inch here in Bull Shoals. Water temp on the surface of the lake is about 55 degrees . As of 2:45 p.m. though we have had almost a 20 degree temperature drop. The lake has been slow with most of the fish in their winter time patterns more on the lake next week. The White river and Norfork have been experiencing lots of low water conditions with little or no generation. Fly-fishing patterns have been the zebra midge, [particularly black with silver wire and silver bead] sowbugs, scuds, San Juan worms, and y2k's. Best baits have been salmon roe, worms, crawdad tails, shrimp, and sculpins. With little generation the only way to fish artificial is jigs in green or brown. The Norfork has been experiencing low oxygen content so be careful to not stress the fish by fighting it to long before releasing it.

Remember to take a kid fishing if you can and get them hooked on fishun not on DRUGS!! Thanks and GOD Bless, Hotdawg {The fish acquisition specialist} 

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