Natural State Fly Shop

06/23/2026

We are coming to the end of June. Next Saturday June 27th Natural State Fly Shop will be hosting our End of the Month Community Get Together. My plan is to grill some Hot Dogs and some Brats. Other folks will be bringing sides and Deserts. Typically, we have too much food. Sodas and Waters are provided but if you want a favorite beverage, bring it along. We usually start around 5:30 and shut it down after folks leave for the evening. There are always some discussions about what the USACE, the fish and the river is doing. If you want some “Expert” advice, come on by. Not sure who the “Expert” will be this month, but I would bet there will be opinions!

We had several inches of rain this morning causing the water level to rise at Newport to 11.71’ at 7:00pm. The regulating stage is 12’ so the USACE decided to cut back on generation this afternoon. There are a couple more days that are forecast for more rain this coming week so we will have to watch what the Corps decide as the Creeks and Rivers start settling down. It could take all week for a real plan to get decided upon, possibly longer. Hopefully the “Chocolate Milk” will clear out tomorrow and we will get back to steady flows with Clean, Cold Water.

If you have been looking at the Lake Levels on your favorite interweb site you have noticed that all four of the White River Lakes are in Flood Pool, some more than others.

Beaver Lake is at 1124.93 and rising (Top of Power Pool is 1121.43). They have been running one of their generators each afternoon for a couple days (both were down for maintenance). The lake is forecast to crest at 1124.7 on June 27th. The water temperatures have gotten much better and are now at 47.4 degrees with the Dissolved Oxygen level at 6.7ppm. The Generation Forecast shows one generator running from 2:00pm until 7:00pm. Early wading will be the only option on the Beaver Tailwater portion of the White.

Table Rock Lake is at 917.71 and slowly rising (Top of Power Pool is 917.0). They have been running their generators full time for several days. Table Rock is forecast to crest tomorrow, June 23rd at 917.8. Their water temperature is 48.7 degrees with the Dissolved Oxygen at 6.0ppm. The Generation Forecast shows 4 steady generators all day.

Bull Shoals Lake is at 664.66 and rising (Top of Power Pool is now 661.77 but will be dropping to 661.0 by July 15). They have been running 4 generators late afternoons, but this afternoon cut back to approximately a Half Generator. My guess is due to the regulating stage at Newport, but it was a surprise to all of those expecting them to stick with their Generation Forecast. Bull Shoals is forecast to crest on June 25th at 665.8. The water temperature at the dam is 49.1 degrees with the Dissolved Oxygen Level at 8.9ppm. Tomorrow’s Generation Forecast shows a half generator until 3:00pm with a rise to 5 generators and then back to a half generator.

Norfork Lake is presently at 558.18 and has been holding steady all afternoon at that level (Top of Power Pool is 556,52 and will be going to 555.75 by July 15th). Norfork has been running one generator from noon until 7:00pm daily, not gonna guess how the regulating stage will affect this. Norfork is forecast to crest at 559.0 on June 25th. Their water temperature 49.6 degrees and the Dissolved Oxygen Level is 6.4ppm. The Generation Forecast shows one generator starting at 11:00am and running until 8:00pm. Very early wading is available on Da’ Fork but ….

With the possibility of more rain this week you and I will need to find a boat to get in for most days in the near future. Guides are busy so you better get your plans made quickly if you plan to fish in early July. Our hatches take a break for hard rains but continue as the sun breaks out.

Come by “Your Fly Shop” on Saturday evening for more discussion about what all this means for the upcoming summer season. I’m sure there will be a somewhat clearer picture of what to expect!

06/13/2026

Information that should be shared … “Keep em Wet!”

06/10/2026

Remember the prizes at Cotter Trout Festival, some of us remember, then there those of us that have had it on their minds since the day that their name got called as the “Winner” of the “Ultimate Cotter Experience Gift Basket”!

Barrett Betts had the winning ticket and brought Family and Friends over from Tennessee to take part in all the glory that Cotter has to offer.

It seems that they had two ¾ days of Spin Fishing and two ¾ days of Fly Fishing.

Due to my limited information I ain’t really sure how the Spin Fishing went. They went out with one of Cotter Trout Dock Guides, so I am sure they did very well and had a Great time! Miss Debbie has some really good folks that work with the Dock.

What I do know about is the two days they spent learning to Fly Fish with Natural State Fly Shop Guide, Jerry Mcquay.

Per, Jerry all of them took to the Fly Rod quickly and the “ketching” was on! The way he told the story to me the Ladies flat out-caught the Guys. Jerry did say that all four of them are quick learners, but we all know that Jerry is a Great Casting Teacher. Once he got them to setting the hook the “Net-Work” started. After he told me a couple of the numbers, the best part of the story came out. Many of the Locals have seen a Very Large Dark Colored Brown Trout somewhere around Cotter. So many folks have seen this fish that it has a Local Name, it is being called “Blackie” due to it’s dark coloration and it’s size is a legend around here. We all know how Guide measurements get tossed around but it seems everyone agrees that “Blackie” is a genuine Hawg of a Brown Trout! Well one of the Ladies hooked the Lifetime Fish but had never fought a “Biggun” on a Fly Rod and just did what she thought was the right thing. Fly Rods are designed for the tip of the Rod to take the punishment, but she couldn’t hear Jerry trying to coach her, bet she was just plain excited. Sadly “Blackie” got off after all the folks had a glimpse of its size.

They came by Your Fly Shop for a photo with their Favorite Fly Guide afterwards. Wanna bet on whether they will be back … odds are pretty good that it will be soon!

You may know that we have had a couple good rains and the Summer Heat is moving in. That combination is going to start showing up in the Generation Schedule.

Beaver Lake is at 1123.36 (Top of Power Pool is 1121.43). Their Generators are down for Maintenance so they will open a Gate or three for a day here and there. Beaver is forecasted to crest on June 16th at 1123.9.

Table Rock Lake is at 918.7 (Top of Power Pool is 917.0). Constant Generation has been going for a couple days. Generation has been ranging from 2,800cfs to 9,500cfs. Table Rock is forecasted to crest on June 10th.

Bull Shoals Lake is at 661.30 (Top of Power Pool is 662.0). We have had lots of Minimum Flow over the past month but expect that to end with the amount of water and the High Temperatures. The Generation Forecast for tomorrow (Wednesday June 10th) shows slightly over a half generator to be most of the day with an afternoon 4 hour bump up to 3 generators. Bull Shoals is forecasted to crest on June 13th at 662.0.

Norfork Lake is at 556.17 (Top of Power Pool is 556.75). Again, there have been many days of Minimum Flow but Lake Level and High Temperatures will somewhat affect what the Corps will do for a while. Tomorrow they are forecasted to have Minimum Flow until 2:00pm then one generator for 6 hours. Norfork is forecasted to crest without getting into Flood Pool on June 12th at 556.4.

One thing that I wanted to leave to the end of this report is for those that read the entire rambling. Jerry told me that during their morning and early afternoon the river looked like someone had busted a Down Pillow …. The Sulphur’s are ON!

Better Git Out There even if just to witness one of the best hatches we have!

06/08/2026

We are now OPEN for dinner Sundays & Mondays 🚨
What started as a few weekend dinner specials has grown beyond anything we expected and we’re so grateful for the amazing support from our community. Thank you for being part of our journey!
See you soon 😄
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05/28/2026

05/25/2026

Here we are in the last week of May. Memorial Day, also known as Decoration Day, Monday May 25th. While we all know what the day represents and we all need to take a moment to Honor those that have gone before us for our nation.

We here at Natural State Fly Shop want to also Honor our community and the small part we play in it. We especially want to express our Thanks for the folks that have helped make us part of the Cotter Community. While there is a long list of friends at your fly shop, the organizations that meet with us are very important to us.

A Big Thank You for letting us have you meet or be involved with us.

North Arkansas Fly Fishers come in weekly to tie Flies, discuss the latest Fish habits and what is the hottest fly of the week. Every Friday between 12:00 noon and whenever they have to go on with their day, there truly is some great knowledge that is shared, with some friendly ribbing included.

Every other Monday evening we get to host the Project Healing Waters - Mountain Home, Arkansas Program for a few hours of Fly Tying and Comradery. I have only been personally involved with the group a couple three times but can already understand that this is an honor to be invited to be involved.

Our Manager, Court Blank is working hard heading up the Local Trout Unlimited (Chapter 698) Women’s Group, otherwise known as Drift Sisters. It is really good to see this group grow and enjoy their place in our community.

With next Saturday being the end of the month, we will be hosting our “Last Saturday of the Month Community Get Together”. If you are thinking about being in Cotter over the weekend you should come by and hang out. We always start around 5:30 and end whenever. It is a celebration for our community, and all are invited. There is always someone that has a mostly believable story to tell and it is always good to catch up with friends and meet new folks. You really should come by!

With the very light rains we have had some of our lakes are not really filling up.

Beaver Lake is at 1121.54 (Top of Power Pool is 1121.43). They have a couple of Spillway Gates open to get the lake below the top of power pool. Their Generators are down for maintenance causing the need for the gates to release water. Wading on the Beaver tailwater will be on hold until they get the lake level down.

Table Rock Lake is at 916.32 (Top of Power Pool is 916.7). They have been steadily generating to keep the lake below the Top of Power Pool. Tomorrow’s Generation Forecast maintains those flows. Fishing from a boat may be the only way to fish the Table Rock Tailwater.

Bull Shoals Lake is at 656.17 (Top of Power Pool is now 662.0). Minimum Flow with a late afternoon bump has be the norm for the past few days and will continue per the Generation Forecast.

Norfork Lake is at 553.67 (Top of Power Pool is 556.75). Minimum Flow with a possible late afternoon bump has also been the norm on Da’ Fork. With their siphon back online the 200cfs Minimum Flow will be continuing for a while.

We do have some measurable rain in our area’s weather forecast but we all know how fast that can change. Our Caddis Hatch is waning but Dry Flies and Emergers are still fooling fish regularly.

You should make plans to Get Out There and Live Your Life Like You Mean It!

We’ll see you at Your Fly Shop Saturday Evening! Become part of our Community!

05/19/2026

As y’all know Natural State Fly Shop is part of other businesses, one being Cotter Trout Lodge. So folks come in and we talk about how their days were going. When they say they had a “Great Day” I ask who was your Guide, most I know personally and understand why they had a Great Day! Then they sometimes show me pictures. I almost always say “Don’t show a Shop person your photo because I will text to myself just to show it off!”

Last weekend was really fun because of our Lodge Guests and their White River experiences. I know that some may not be back but because of our interaction, we basically become friends more often than not. Getting to share their accomplishments makes this part of the “job” much more fun!

See attached photos!

Guides Steve Lopez, Ben Stephens and Ryken Campbell all had Lodge Guests that had Great Days! (Hope I spelled everyone’s name right) When the guests tell me just how nice the guides were, well, Huge Thanks to these folks for helping our businesses be more!

Today we got a pretty good rain event! Maybe we will get some more late this week but one never knows.

Beaver Lake is at 1121.73 (Top of Power Pool 1121.43). With both of their Generators down for Maintenance they are releasing water over the spillway, basically enough to get back to Power Pool. From somewhat reliable sources it is going to be a while before the generators are back online, so this spillway release will continue when we get rains!

Table Rock Lake is at 915.67 (Top of Power Pool is 916.0). They will probably have to generate as long as Beaver is releasing water. Tomorrow’s Generation Forecast shove about 1/2 a generator most of the day with a bump late afternoon.

Bull Shoals Lake is at 655.67 (Top of Power Pool is now 662.0). They have been at Minimum Flow most of the days with a late afternoon bump to as much as 4-5 generators. Tomorrow’s Generation Forecast shows Minimum Flow all day!

Norfork Lake is at 553.22 (Top of Power Pool is now 556.75). They have been at Minimum Flow during the day with a single Generator in the afternoons. The good news is that the Siphon “ is back online! So maybe a while before we see that 400cfs flow again. The Generation Forecast shows a bump around 5:00pm for a few hours!

With my Fly Shop schedule and my “Life” schedule it is good to get to know some of these Lodge Guests, and it helps Our Community grow!

Maybe you can come by after your “Great Day” and tell us the story!

Live Your Life Like You Mean It!

05/19/2026

Project Healing Waters - Mountain Home, Arkansas Program at your Fly Shop every other Monday night … great group, tying Flies, catching fish