Jeff's Country Bait and Tackle

08/21/2026

We now have Goldfish back in the tank

08/21/2026

Here is this weeks fishing report. Stay safe and good luck!

Beaver Lake
For the Army Corps of Engineers’ real-time outflow report from Beaver Lake Dam, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website.

(updated 8-20-2026) Jon Conklin with FishOn Guide Service (479-233-3474) said Beaver Lake continues its drop in water level, which is expected this time of the year. Level is at 1,117.28 feet msl, nearly 4 feet below normal pool.

Water temps are HOT.

Stripers are still the best option at this point. Get out early at 4: 30 a.m. and get your fish before 8 a.m. Limits are still coming in.
Crappie are scattered throughout the lake, and trolling is the most consistent right now.

Walleye are scattered and can be found in 25-35 feet of water. Crawler harnesses and a drop-shot is your best method for some action.

Catfish are doing well in 30 feet of water. Look near the main channel drop-offs.

“Hopefully the heat will break soon. Stay hydrated and keep safe while enjoying Beaver Lake.”

Visit Jon’s page for the latest updates between weekly reports at FishOn Guide Service Goshen AR.



Beaver Tailwater
NOTE: The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission changed trout limits for the White River below Bull Shoals Dam, effective Feb. 1, 2026, due to significant loss of stocking population at two Arkansas hatcheries in 2025. Anglers may keep two trout daily; all trout 14 inches or longer must be released immediately. This rule is in effect until further notice.

(updated 8-20-2026) Guide Austin Kennedy (479-244-0039) says, “The dog days of summer are officially here on the Beaver tailwater, and right now your best bet is to get on the water early in the morning or later in the evening. The middle of the day can be tough with the August heat, so take advantage of those cooler periods whenever possible.

“Trout numbers are still lower than what we would normally expect on the Beaver tailwater, and anglers need to adjust their expectations accordingly. There are still fish to be caught, but this isn’t the time of year to expect big numbers every trip. Getting an early start has been important.

“For bait fishermen, Pautzke Fire Bait, Fire Worms and nightcrawlers remain good choices. Drift them naturally with the current under a float or use a light bottom rig, depending on the water level and generation.

“For artificial lures, small spoons, inline spinners and marabou jigs are all worth throwing. Don’t be afraid to change colors and presentations until the fish tell you what they want.
“Fly-fishermen should continue working the usual summer patterns, including midges, small nymphs, Scuds, Sowbugs and San Juan-style worms. Keep your presentation natural and adjust your depth as water conditions change.

“The biggest thing right now is to cover water. If you’ve worked an area thoroughly without getting bites, don’t spend half the morning waiting for fish that aren’t there. Move and find another group of fish.

“Walleye are still being caught here and there, particularly farther downstream around Holiday Island. This isn’t a numbers game right now, but there are some good fish in the system if you’re willing to put in the time. Trolling remains one of the better ways to cover water and locate active fish. Crankbaits and other trolling presentations are worth working along channel edges, deeper holes and areas where shallow water transitions into deeper water.

“We’re also seeing fish caught by anglers working soft plastics slowly. Jigging plastics around deeper water, current breaks and other likely holding areas can produce when the trolling bite isn’t happening. Earlier this summer, slow presentations with jigged soft plastics were also producing walleye in the tailwater.
“The first few hours of daylight are going to give you your best combination of cooler temperatures, less recreational traffic and active fish. Evening can provide another opportunity once the sun starts getting lower. The fishing isn’t easy right now, especially for trout, but there are still fish to be caught. Be willing to move, change presentations and put in some time.

08/21/2026

Whata beautiful sunrise God has painted at the shop this morning.

08/20/2026

We just received another order of Brooder minnows and Crappie minnows. We have an order of Goldfish coming in tomorrow. Have a great day and stay out of the heat!

08/19/2026

08/17/2026

💥💥💥 Back to school special! 💥💥💥
School is back in session for about everyone. Parents you've earned a break. A relaxing morning on the beautiful White River is just what the doctor ordered. Drop them tiny tornados off with their teachers and head for the river. I have plenty of availability right now. We can trout fish or just go on a relaxing sight seeing trip. I guess the kids can even skip school and come along if its alright with you. Lol! Mention this post and get $50 off your trip for the rest of the month! Lets go loot and plunder the river! 💪🎣🏴‍☠️

08/16/2026

The new Flyer that Rob Hey (Imagine NWA Photography, [email protected] ) made for us. I will be posting some pictures of the shop later that he is working on for us. He also does drone photographing if you need that too.

08/16/2026

Water is running 52 CFS, and this is great water, clear, dry fly fishing has been fantastic, still getting lots of trout on Crackle backs, stimulators, ants, hoppers, para adams, elk hair caddis, and on cahills some in the evening.
Good fishing with nymphs, pheasant tails are one of my go to nymphs, a size16 is pretty productive most days, I like a burlap also(Caddis nymph), scuds, copper Johns, and hares ears are always good, most of the nymphs that I am fishing are #16 and small smaller, most mornings I start with a number eight black pine squirrel leach or a black woolly bu**er both generally produce pretty well early as the day progresses. I will throw smaller woolly boogers all day long small #14 ginger, and #14 olive woolly bu**ers, catch fish all
day.
I'm using 9' 6X leaders most of the time, but when fishing small dries I'll use 9' 7X leaders.
Natural fish oil, & the shrimp eggs were good all weekend, fish these with just a bit of weight right now, (1-B or 1BB split shot) #16 or #18 curved hook.
Orange/white, white, cheese, and pink trout worms did very well this week.
Marabou jigs are good right now, they work most of the day, they are better if you fish them with 2 pound line, 4 pound it's just too heavy right now. Good colors this week were black/yellow, white, olive green, and ginger. These were all effective colors this week.
Spinners were good everyday, better in the mornings, black, skunk, frog green, and brown we good colors in the spinners.
Good luck on the river this week. It's going to be hot, but the water is clear and the fishing has been great. I don't expect to see this change much in the next few weeks so now is the time to come down and enjoy.

08/14/2026

And, we just received another 1500 crickets, and we received another 12 pounds of Brooders yesterday