Greer's Ferry, Arkansas, Fishing Guide Reports & Conditions

FISHING REPORTS:

Tommy’s has got a date with a Walleye in heaven now. Rock on’ Tadpole’. We’re gonna miss you. Tommy Zinda, long time fishing guide and a great promoter of the northwoods, passed last night, May 12th, after a battle with cancer. I will try to get details of his memorial on his web site at www.tommysfishingadventures.com soon.
jeff bolander <jeff@upnorth.info>
- Thursday, May 13, 2010 at 12:54:09 (PDT)

5/4/10 Greers Ferry is currently at 463 feet and falling due to small daily releases by the Corp. of Engineers. With this past weekends storms it kept many of us off the water, however this week has been absolutely fantastic. Low humidity, light winds and temperature in the mid to upper 80's daily it's been almost perfect for the fishermen taking advantage of the great fishing happening now on the reservoir. Fishing is continuing to be great as it has been for the last several weeks. Fish of all species are biting well and showing no sign of stopping. Our walleyes are feeding all through the daytime hours and are being boated every trip out. We are seeing numbers from 3 - 15 (species specific) depending on the day and angling ability. Live bait is key in boating good numbers of these fish, Light tackle paired with light jigs and drop shot rigs are fairing best with whole night crawlers fished in the 6 to 18 foot zones. Right now is the very best time to get multiple hook ups on these tasty fish, May and December are by far the most reliable months for this walleye bite. If you want to catch some walleyes and learn my methods that produce these fish here on Greers Ferry please call or email me for the best available dates that I have open. The smallmouth bass population is on a major feed as big females are re cooperating from there late spawn and taking advantage of the large variety of bait that is still harboring the shallows. We have got sunfish, bluegills, shad and suckers in really skinny water and this is making them easy pickings for our bronze backs. The best bite has come from hard bottom areas in the 4 - 9 foot zone really close to deeper water and roll offs with timber. Windy flats are still harboring some really big fish when you catch them at the right time, again in this 4 to 9 foot zone. Swim Baits, Senko style baits, Grubs and Texas rigged soft plastics along with live bait are all boating some really good fish. Now is an excellent time to catch a trophy size fish of 4 lbs. or better as we are getting a chance at these on most trips out. Greers Ferry Largemouths are in full throttle with the spawn and lot's of fish are on or near bedding areas. The vast majority of our bucket mouths are in less than 6 feet of water and feeding well throughout the day. Look at larger flats, pockets and creeks with some type of woody cover to hold high numbers of these green fish. Jigs, Tubes, Creature baits and Lizards fished in and around these prime locations are producing some really good fish. Now is an excellent time to hit the water to beat the summer traffic and enjoy our beautiful reservoir. The bite is really strong on most all species as we are catching 6 to 9 different types of fish on most every trip on the lake. Over the last week we have seen Walleyes, Kentucky's, Largemouth, Bluegill's, Sunfish, Drum, Catfish, Buffalo Carp, Crappies and Catfish come in the boat. With all these different species coming in with regularity it makes for a superb time on the water. If you have any question's or would like to book a day on the lake please call or email me and I will get with you as soon as I get off the water. Good Fishin` Cody S. Smith (501)691-5701 smittyc888@hotmail.com. Good Fishin'
Tommy Zinda, www.tommysfishingadventures.com <tadpole@g2a.net>
- Tuesday, May 04, 2010 at 14:12:29 (PDT)

5/1/10 Hello Everyone! Greers Ferry is hovering around normal pool as it has done for most of this spring, which compared to the last two years is quite and achievement. Fishing right now is absolutely, no question's asked, FANTASTIC! During April we watched water surface temperatures soar into the upper 60's and even into the 70 degree range in certain locations. By the end of the month we had a small cool down and this in turn put the surface temperature back into place around the lower to mid 60's. All species made a huge surge in activity, spawning began in most all species and will continue all this month and into June for select species. One item to note this year that has been way different than any other year I have seen up here on Greers is we never had a true reversal in water temperature that was entering and resting in the reservoir. What I mean by this is at no point did we have warmer water entering the reservoir. The water entering through the tributaries and feeder creeks was always a few degrees behind the water temperature that was already holding in the reservoir. I believe this is why we have had such a late spawn on most species and our shad population just did not push up the arms as they have done in years past. Don't get me wrong we had a small migration, however I personally can not remember the last time we had so many gizzard shad spawning on wind current location's out on the main lake. What does all this mean, well I don't know, however I do know that game fish have placed themselves accordingly and are not using some of there typical seasonal locations way up the feeder arms as they have in years past. During this month our Walleye bite is going to continue to get better and better by the day. Folks, if you want to catch walleye and good numbers of walleye, this is definitely the month to be on the water. I can not stress this month enough as being the VERY BEST MONTH FOR THE WALLEYE BITE here on Greers! Live Bait and Location on the reservoir will pay huge dividends to those that pursue these treasured fish. This Hot bite will continue into the first couple of weeks of June and then start to taper down as we get into the depths of summer. Hot Locations to seek out will be main lake points and flats with rock and wood cover adjacent to structure changes and deeper water access. Don't let the walleyes deep water reputation lull you into making the wrong decision this month, look at water from 6 to 30 feet deep to hold good numbers of these toothy fish. Our Hybrid Stripers and White bass population will start to really get schooled up back out in the deeper reservoir and in main lake location's. Your Electronics will pay for themselves in action if you put them to use. Believe it or not they are supposed to be used for more than telling you how deep it is. If you do not understand how to use your electronics to put fish in the boat, please call or email me to set up a deep water electronics trip in your boat so that we can set them up properly and you can use them to locate and catch fish. Look at depths of 15 - 60 feet deep on main lake flats and channel swing locations that are harboring large schools of bait. Fish Dinner Lure Spoons will be a huge asset in catching great numbers of these fish this month, check them out at www.fishdinnerlures.com , Golden Outdoors in Heber Springs or Fish N` Stuff in Greers Ferry. Our Largemouth are currently spread all over the gamete right now when looking at the spawn. We have got fish that are pre-spawn, spawn and even a few fish that are spawned out completely. However even with fish in all 3 stages of the spawn they are, for the most part, all in less than 12 foot of water. They may be spawning on ledges or out croppings in 30 - 40 feet of water but they are all high in the water column at these depths. By far the best location's to find these fish are hard bottom areas with full sun exposure. Woody cover is also a plus, be it pole timber, lay downs or old stump beds. Swim Baits, Flukes, Stick Baits and Floating worms are great tools in boating a limit while covering water. If you have a wind blown location really key in on the faster moving stuff to locate some fish, ie. swim baits, spinner baits and rattle traps will all have there own benefits when worked with current conditions. Greers Ferry Lake Kentucky's are hard to beat when it comes to action and boating sheer numbers of good fish. They are very susceptible to a variety of offerings from live bait to artificials. During this month Kentucky's will typically relate to deeper water cover and structure along with heavier current areas than there cousin the largemouth. Look for Large Boulder rock that is broken and scattered along channel swings to be a primary location to find some willing spots, Large Boat Docks that provide lot's of shade, Bridge Pilings, Steep Bluffy Points with Wood, Rock or Gravel Humps and wind blown flats with pole timber are all #1 location's to really take advantage of these fish. I like to use smaller profile baits when pursuing these fish like small swim baits, flukes rigged on a spinner or scrounger, Bitsy Bug profiled Jigs and of course you are hard pressed to out perform live bait. Our Bronze Backs are just now beginning to get aggressive. The last couple of weeks of April where awesome when pursuing these fish and May is going to shine. The time to catch a trophy Small mouth here on Greers Ferry is now. Forty Five Degree Banks with Deep water access will hold good fish this month. Windy Flats and Points will also produce some big schools of trophy fish when you catch them with the right condition's. Small to medium profile hard and soft plastic minnow style baits, soft plastic craws rigged Texas style and live bait will all be key during May. If you have any question's or would like to book a day on the water please email or call me for the best availability, Cody S. Smith smittyc888@hotmail.com (501)691-5701. Good Fishin'
Tommy Zinda, www.tommysfishingadventures.com <tadpole@g2a.net>
- Tuesday, May 04, 2010 at 06:15:33 (PDT)

4/20/10 Hello All! Greers Ferry is resting at normal pool and slightly falling do to lack of rain and small daily water releases at the dam. Fishing is absolutely EXPLODING here on the reservoir. Daily catches of very high numbers on multi species action can't get much better, well It can always be better I suppose but not by much. We are seeing walleyes, hybrids, whites, crappies, kentucky's, bronze backs, carp, bluegills and Large mouth come in on every trip out. Over the last week we have boated at least 7 different species of significant size on every trip out, on one occasion we even put a long ear sunfish in the well to measure and weigh for state record status. Although we came up short it was the largest of the species I have ever seen, you just never know what's on the other end of your line when you feel that TAP TAP! Over the last week I helped my clients set many personal best records for them with Small mouth's up to 5 lbs, several personal best slot sized walleyes and even a few crappie personal records for my fisherman with slabs that measured up to 15"'s and better. It's so exciting knowing we have done something that they have not done before, being in the right place at the right time is truly priceless! Our walleye population is definitely on the pre-summer feed. Over the last week we have boated them every day while on the water with numbers increasing by the day. We are catching anywhere from 1 to 5 walleyes a trip and this number will only be increasing as we get into May and the first couple of weeks of June. Live bait is key along with location and timing on the reservoir. Wind is your friend when pursuing these fish so don't run from it when your looking for our eyes. Typically the more wind the more likely those fish are going to be stacked on top of each other and multiple fish can be taken from the same location if you pay close attention to boat control and positioning. As good as our walleye bite is getting our Crappie fishing here on the reservoir is still going strong. Higher numbers of overall fish (full limits) are inconsistent, however we are consistently boating some decent numbers and good overall quality fish on most trips out. Our crappies are going to be pushing up shallow over the next week and will stay there until mother nature runs her coarse. Now with that being said, some of our larger fish are going to spawn deeper than most of the average crappies and the overall population will be spread out from 1 foot of water to 10 feet of water depending on location, water clarity and overall light penetration. Tight lining jigs near shoreline structure will definitely put you some fish in the box along with casting tubes and jigs to cover on the edge of shallower flats that are adjacent to deep water. Buck Brush, Pole Timber and lay downs will all be harboring some Greers Ferry Slabs in the 1 to 12 foot zone, there is no better time to get out and catch you a mess of these tasty fish. Lastly but certainly not least our Kentucky's are absolutely on the feed and making there way to the top of the action list. We have caught them up to 3 pounds over the last week and really good numbers on smaller eating size fish every trip out. Live bait is key here to maximize the amount of bites you get in one area. If there is any species I know of that does not like to be alone, it's the Kentucky's. Guaranteed if you catch one of these fish there are higher numbers in the immediate area. Look for main lake flats with pole timber and wind adjacent to deeper water, points with a sheer drop and channel swing locations on bluffs with small outcroppings for the fish to spawn and relate to. Good luck out there and If you have any question's regarding this report, like to set up a guide trip or simply want to see how the fishing is going, give me a call or shoot me an email and I will get back to you as soon as I can. Cody S. Smith (501)691-5701 cell smittyc888@hotmail.com ..... Good Fishin'
Tommy Zinda, www.tommysfishingadventures.com <tadpole@g2a.net>
- Tuesday, April 20, 2010 at 07:03:59 (PDT)

4/14/10 Hello folks! I certainly hope all of you have had a chance to get out and enjoy some of the fantastic weather we have been having here over the last week. Greers Ferry is currently at normal pool and falling slightly. We have a cool front with rain in the forecast for the weekend which should help back water temperatures down and add a little needed current to the reservoir. Current surface temperatures are ranging from 62 to 68 degrees depending on location and time of day. Fishing success this week was great overall with a small hiccup on Monday when myself and two clients from Greers Ferry hit the water in search of some eyes. No walleyes to be had on Monday as the high pressure and light winds left us empty handed. We had a great day on the water with the exception of finding some willing wally's. We caught a few Kentucky's along with some Whites, Largemouth and one really enjoyable carp that would go close to 8 lbs. or more while looking for some eyes. Tuesday I had the pleasure of fishing with Mr. and Mrs. Willard Tripp, future Heber Springs residents. We switched gears and went looking for Crappies, we hit the jackpot early that morning and landed 19 really nice slabs in the 11 - 15 inch range all before ten thirty. Once we had all that we wanted to clean we headed up Middle Fork to go and check on the White's and hybrids that have been really thick in there for a few weeks now. We scored one willing Hybrid while up the arm and noted several other fish that just would not commit to our offerings. We tucked tail and headed back to the Narrows where we landed a few Kentucky's and called it a day. Wednesday I was on a solo mission to put my hands on a few more crappie in some alternate location's and came out on top. I fished the Five fingers area, Hill Creek and Middle Fork with good success in all areas with the exception of the five fingers. Most of our crappie population that is willing to participate in biting is positioning themselves in the 9 - 15 foot zone and holding no more than a foot or two off the bottom. I have had the best success casting an 1/8th oz. lead head jig with a 2" tube in a variety of colors. Pole timber located on main lake flats, small pockets, creek mouths and secondary points in these depths is where you definitely want to be. All of the females I have cleaned are still full of eggs and the males are only now beginning to really milt. I am positive that somewhere on the reservoir we have got fish in really skinny water and actively spawning, however I have not seen any females without eggs and my most active bite is by far still in the pres pawn stages. I wish all of you good luck while on the water. If you have any question's or would like to set up a guide trip please call or email me and I will get back with you as soon as I am off the water. Good Fishin` Cody S. Smith smittyc888@hotmail.com (501)691-5701.
Tommy Zinda, www.tommysfishingadventures.com <tadpole@g2a.net>
- Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at 13:42:15 (PDT)

4/6/10 Hey there folks! Just a quick update here on the fantastic fishing that is occurring here at Greers Ferry Lake. The fish have absolutely busted wide open over the last week or so. Days of 30 - 100 fish are happening everyday. We have been catching all species while on the water and there does not look to be any reason for this action to slow down until mid to late summer. The white bass and hybrids are not disappointing. We have been doing best early in the mornings and late in the evenings. Average catches of 30 - 60 fish have been the norm. The deeper fish are coming on hard plastic jerk baits and the Cindy K Spinner by Fish Dinner Lure Company while the fish that are way up most every arm on the lake are taking 3" Action Bait Grubs with vigor. These fish are really fun to catch and are providing some unbelievable action. While conventional tackle with artificial or live bait is working great, my fly anglers have been absolutely hammering the fish on minnow imitation flies in white and chartreuse. Our walleyes are being very temper mental with the best bite of late coming on hard plastic jerk baits fished in the 4 - 12 foot zone. Some fish are still being caught way up the arms on live bait, with the more active bite coming in from 1/2 too 2/3 of the way up feeder creeks. The eye bite will really kick back off on the main lake in the coming weeks and will certainly be the most dependent bite of the year, start planning and booking now for the best dates in May as it will be the very best month to catch higher numbers of our walleyes. Our small mouth are lagging a bit but are making a push to the shallows to spawn. Forty-Five Degree Banks with pea gravel and wood are starting to load with fish and should be fished with Carolina rigged plastics and hard jerk baits in the 7 - 12 foot range. Windy locations are best and have been harboring some of the better and more active schools of fish. I will be reporting what I find as I am on the water everyday. If you have any question's or would like to book a guide trip please contact me via phone or email. Cody S. Smith smittyc888@hotmail.com (501)691-5701.. Good Fishin'
Tommy Zinda, www.tommysfishingadventures.com <tadpole@g2a.net>
- Wednesday, April 07, 2010 at 05:50:16 (PDT)

4/6/10 Well folks, you've probably wondered where I have been the past week and a half. Unfortunately, I had to return to Wisconsin a month earlier than planned. Must go through an unforeseen health bump that could require substantial time off the water. Wouldn't you know it, just when the fishing now is exploding on Greers Ferry. Keep checking the website, though, as I will continue to post reports from my ace guide associate, Cody Smith. My current reports now will focus on our Wisconsin lakes and our day to day progress here. Thanks to all of you who regularly followed my Greers Ferry reports and your kind comments on how you enjoyed them. Hope I have made a difference in your fishing success. Talk to you soon. Good Fishin'
Tommy Zinda, www.tommysfishingadventures.com <tadpole@g2a.net>
- Tuesday, April 06, 2010 at 07:01:10 (PDT)

4/1/10 Fellow guide Cody Smith's April prediction.>>> Hello All! It's April and fishing here on the reservoir is simply going to sky rocket this month. By far one of the very best month's to hit the water pursuing any or all of the fish we have to offer here on Greers Ferry. March of 2010 started like a lamb and has ended like a lion when pertaining to the overall bite among all species. During the first couple weeks of March a consistent bite was very difficult to come by, however, by the final two and a half weeks of the month we got too see the bite really improve on Large mouths, Kentucky's and our beloved Walleyes. Crawlers by far out produced walleyes in my boat this past month, which was a very strange occurrence. Normally shiners will out produce crawlers time and time again until we see water temperatures in the middle 50's, not the case this year. During April we will see a constant climb in overall water temperatures from the 50's to the lower and middle 60's by the end of this month. As these water temperatures rise so will our game fish's metabolism, this will spur a huge feeding period as the fish that have migrated up the river arms will make their way back out to the main lake following their forage and feeding heavily. April will provide a good overall bite when looking into our walleye population. These fish will be completing their spawn and becoming more aggressive as the days get longer and water temperatures warm to their ideal foraging range. During this month look into the very backs of creeks as well as main and minor feeder arms that are harboring shad forage to hold the best numbers of these toothy fish. As the month rolls on our walleyes will be making their way back to our main lake locations. As these fish make their way back down stream from the spawning grounds look for the best bite to come early and late in the day with clear water conditions. If the stained or murky water holds on throughout the rainy season, these fish are apt to feed throughout the day instead of their traditional early, late and nightly feeding times. Stick baits, Grubs, In-line Spinners and spoons should be utilized in catching these fish along with live bait methods utilizing light jig heads tipped with crawlers or minnows. Drasco Country Store at the intersection of Hwy 92 and 25 has got some of the best minnows in all sizes, be sure to stop by when your on your way to the lake. Our Whites and Hybrids are going to be spawning this month and providing boat loads of action for the folks who pursue them. Days of 30 - 100 fish will not be uncommon. If you want plain old action and lot's of it, give these fish a try. The white bass will move into the spawning areas just after the thread fin shad. Typically we will see this happen in mid to late March when water temperatures up the creeks and tributaries reach the 55 degree range. This year, being cooler than others on record, it's going to put them in their spawning locations a little later than in years past. Hopefully by the first week of April we should have large concentrations pushed up. Look for a huge surge in the bite after these fish get settled for three or four days. Once the fish have gotten established in their spawning location's and the females start dropping their eggs we will then see a pre and post spawn bite take place within the same locations. You will know spawning is taking place by the large disturbance made when a school of 6 - 15 males are literally pushing the females out of the water. It sounds as if there is a school of piranha on the feed, quite a sight to say the least. Cindy K Spinners ( www.fishdinnerlures.com ), 3" Action Bait Grubs and small crank baits will flat out put the fish in the boat, all of these lures can be found at Golden Outdoors in Heber Springs. When pursuing these fish, artificial lures and flies will out produce Live Bait no doubt about it. Our Bronze Backs are another fish who got pushed back because of the very cool temperatures we have seen this year. The big-pre spawn feeding surge out on the main lake just did not happen. We did however see a really good bite start to pick up in some of the creeks and main feeder arms as our crawfish population started appearing in larger numbers. Keep our crawfish in mind when your out looking for a true trophy of a small mouth. Transition banks on forty five degree slopes, bluff banks with nice ledges in the 8 - 14 feet range and boulder rock mixed with gravel in the creeks and feeder arms are all very likely location's to find these fish this month. Carolina Rigged Brush Hogs and lizards, medium running crank baits and tubes will all provide you some action this month. Our Smallies will be spawning over the coming weeks, Please be mindful of this while your out on the water. I really can't emphasize enough how important catch and release is within this species, please take some pictures and throw them back to be caught another day! Our Kentucky's are all full of eggs and fed really good throughout March and the shallow bite should continue with this species through April. Basically if you find the shad you will find these fish and they will bite. They provide really good action and can be caught with a variety of methods, Small Jigs, Live Crawlers or Minnows, Spoons, Shakey heads and Drop Shotted Worms as well as 3 " Grubs will all provide really good action this month within this species. Look for the majority of the Kentucky's to be mixed in with the whites as they will stay up stream in the feeder arms in really heavy current taking advantage of all the forage. Towards the end of the month you will see them starting to school back up on main lake points and deeper ledges as the bait fish return to these locations. Something else to consider is Crayfish will be another staple in their diet this month as well, keep this in mind as your pursuing these fish. Our Largemouth Population will be found in there pre-spawn stage and depths will range from 4 - 12 feet depending on time of day and amount of light penetration. As the month rolls on and the days get longer look for a big push in the females from the little ditches and depressions that Leeds into main lake pockets and flats off of feeder arms that are exposed to full sun for an extended amount of time. Finally our Crappie's will really turn on this month. Look at 15 - 22 feet of water on channel swings that come into pockets and flats for the first week or so. Later in the month they should be pushing up on the flats to start spawning as we get later on in the month. Small jigs, live minnows and smaller spinner baits will all work when presented in the right locations. The very best part about April is the opportunity you have to catch all different types of species within the same area. April is definitely one of the best month's here on Greers Ferry and I hope to have a chance to fish with each and every one of you this spring. If you have any question's or would like to set a date on the water please give me a ring or drop me a line! Good Fishin` Cody S. Smith (501)691-5701 smittyc888@hotmail.com >>> Good Fishin'
Tommy Zinda, www.tommysfishingadventures.com <tadpole@g2a.net>
- Friday, April 02, 2010 at 06:30:40 (PDT)

April 2010 Greers Ferry Arkansas Fishing Forecast. Fishing predictions are always tough, but under normal conditions, seasonal patterns usually are in line. Throw this out the window this year, folks. We've just been through the most unusual winter in the midsouth most of us can remember. Record extended cold weather, record snowfall up to one foot, high water and wild swings in water temps from day to day as much as 5 degrees was seen. I think most of us will agree this has caused most of us to have the least productive winter ever. For example, this has been the latest walleye spawn ever seen on this lake. Normally the spawn is complete by the last week of February or for sure, the second week of March. This year late March is only the beginning of fish movement to spawning grounds. Hard eggs in females and no milting of males was seen as late as the last week in March. I believe this will be true on all other species of game fish in their spawn this spring, too. Fish spawning is governed by time of the season and water temps. On some years water temps never reach seasonal conditions when they should. This leads to poor spawns with fish actually reabsorbing their eggs rather than emitting them. Thus, we have a poor year class of fry on those species. That is why Fish and Game will survey year classes and increase stockings on these poor natural reproduction years. This year, look to either the best April you've ever had or maybe the worst. The weather will be the factor. Hopefully stable weather will be seen, but don't bet on it, as high water, muddy water, or cold fronts could affect us greatly. If stable weather is seen, we will see a huge bite for a very short period of time in early April, as the spawn on most species will be short and sweet, not drawn out for weeks as usual. Because fish arrived very late in shallow feeder streams, you can expect them to remain in these shallow arms much longer than normal this year. I think the same will be seen on midlake structure. This will be heaven for you run and gun shoreline bass guys. If water levels are normal, the buck brush along shorelines will hold spring fish much longer than normal before moving out in deep water. Actually, I expect the same on walleyes. Midlake spawners will move to these buck brush edges in 5 to 10 feet of water immediately after spawning to feed heavily after the rigors of the spawn. The schools will move right along with the bass to find shallow forage. For those of you who like to cast hard baits, stick to shallow running jerk baits in long minnow styles like Rapala X Raps or Rattling Rogues. This style of lure will be tops on both bass and 'eyes in the same areas. If you find more than two or three 'eyes in a short area of buck brush, immediately switch to a 1/16 or 1/8 oz jig and crawler comb and fish with patience for a limit. Guaranteed if you find two or three, you have found an active school of feeding fish. White bass and hybrids are much easier to predict than other species, in that once they are in a spawning area, they will be popping the surface telling you where to fish. Many times this will help you with your bass, cat fish, and 'eyes, too, in that the white bass tell you where the forage is. Another very important thing that will happen in April is to watch for the carp spawning run. When you are fishing close to marinas, listen for the pounding of buffalo carp on the sides of pontoon boats. The female carp will do this to get their eggs out of their body. As they do this, all other species of fish will move into that area to feed on these eggs. However, remember not to get any closer than 50 feet from a commercial dock, as this law was passed last year by Fish and Game. If you see spawning carp surface or hear that pounding, you can bet there are lots of other fish with them. Because fish arrived in both major and minor feeder arms very late this year, expect game fish to remain longer than normal up these arms. The whole month of April will see most fish in 20 feet or shallower of water every where in the lake. That, in itself, is a good thing, as shallow fish are easier to catch than suspended fish out in 70 to 100 feet of water. So to sum this up, this could be your best April ever or the worst. Everything depends on this goofy weather we have been seeing. High water if we get a lot of rain can mess things up. Best of luck to all of you. Good Fishin'
Tommy Zinda, www.tommysfishingadventures.com <tadpole@g2a.net>
- Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 06:54:58 (PDT)

3/22/10 Well folks, the big Greers Ferry 2010 Walleye Tournament is now history. It ended at noon this past Saturday and the awards banquet was held on Sunday. The five week tournament was a blast with everyone having fun. Unfortunately, the results on registered fish were down dramatically this year. No fish over 28 inches were registered the entire tournament. In fact the first week, no 'eyes at all were registered. The following four weeks saw very few put on the board. My boat only managed four this year total. It wasn't because of non effort, especially by the hard core like us. Also, it isn't because of lack of fish in this great lake. The very unusual cold weather this year, no question, was the culprit. Talking to many other who participated, there was no fish registered at all that had spawned out or even saw male fish milting yet. Again, we are about 3 weeks behind schedule this year. The tournament began way back in 1978 and ran big time through the '80s and early '90s when all the huge 'eyes came in the 15 to 20 pound class with regularity. During those years these big fish always came in mid February. Now, I'm not a fish biologist, but I can tell you that in the past 10 years we have seen a later and later spawning run each year. This year especially will see perhaps the latest spawn ever. Seems that there's no question a change is being seen. About 5 years ago, many of us tourney fishermen started to request a later tournament, as our best production has been coming in late March and, of course, is hot in April. It was decided at the banquet to push next year's tourney back two weeks to begin the 1st of March and end the second week of April. I'm absolutely in favor of this. This time period will give us a shot at prespawn and post spawn fish and also many more fish registered. Right now the three major feeder arms are only beginning to see all species of fish move into those areas. A very few whites and hybrids are moving up yet, only an 'eye here and there. The best bite up these arms, especially Middle Fork and Devils Fork, has been large mouth and Kentucky bass. No question, continue to fish these upper regions of these arms for the best action to come yet. Water temps up these arms have finally hit the low to mid 50s and for the first time, crawlers are now producing as many fish as minnows. Also, it's time for you trollers of hard baits to begin to shine. With the warmer water, the game fish will begin to chase more aggressively and go on the feed. So far, the hits on live bait in that cold water have been barely detectable. So to sum it up, if you've been out on our great lake here and not done very well, don't be discouraged. From this point, the big bite is only beginning. I'll be on the water every day and of course will be back in a day or two with another truthful report. See ya then. Good Fishin'
Tommy Zinda, www.tommysfishingadventures.com <tadpole@g2a.net>
- Monday, March 22, 2010 at 06:18:49 (PDT)

3/17/10 From fellow guide/angler Cody Smith>>> Greers Ferry Lake is slightly below normal pool of 461 feet and falling do to daily releases from our dam. Surface temperatures are ranging from the upper 40's on the southern and main basin to the mid 50's throughout the northern portion and half way back. In the tributaries surface temperatures start falling back off to the 50 degree range where water from last weeks rain is entering the reservoir. Water clarity is the main issue on the north end with zero to six inches of visibility throughout most of the feeder creeks and arms, while the further you travel up stream the tributaries tend to start flushing out with up to two and a half feet of visibility at the headwaters. This flushing out is very good news for fish and fisherman. March has many anglers, including myself, hitting the water in pursuit of our walleye population. There has been quite a bit of boat traffic most everyday throughout most of the upper ends of all three major feeder arms with limited results. However, Fishing for these fish is definitely on the rise as we were finally able to boat some "eyes" in their spawning grounds this week! Best I can tell we are about two weeks behind normal schedule for these fish inhabiting these locations. With water temperatures at the 50 degree mark we are looking at the next two weeks to be peak spawning time with some fish having gone undetected and spawning over the last week, as well as, some fish pushing in later and spawning into the first week of April. We will see a huge increase in feeding activity once the spawn has taken place. Mature females and males alike will feed aggressively once their spawn is complete making up for lost time during the actual process. Now through the first week of April look for our walleyes in shallower water of 10 feet or less relating to some form of current, be it wind or watershed inflow. Hard Plastic Jerk Baits, Crank Baits, Swim Baits, Grubs, Spoons and live bait offerings will all have there place and time to shine. Our White Bass are staging 1/3 to 1/2 way up our main tributaries on large flats. I have had my best luck in 4 - 12 feet of water swimming a 3" Action Bait Grub on an 1/8 ounce lead head jig. Most all of the whites we have seen so far in my boat have been males in the 12 inch range. As the water temperatures rise and begin to warm at the headwaters we will see a big push up stream and there spawning process will begin to coincide with the walleyes and the shad. I look for the last week of March to really kick off a strong and dependent white bass bite. While I have been spending most of my time chasing whites and walleyes I have contacted several nice Large mouths and Kentucky's within these river arms. Transition banks, ie. Large boulder rock to smaller chunk rock, sand to gravel and mud to rock have been where most of the large mouths have been hanging. These same locations that come together on secondary points are holding the larger fish. The Kentucky's are spread out from one end to the other, meaning I have found them in channel swing location's at 32 feet deep to the head waters in as little as 6 inches of water. The Kentucky's are feeding heavily and are susceptible to most any offering when presented in a natural manor. Please let me know if any of you would like to set a guide trip or have any question's regarding our fine reservoir. Good Luck and I hope to see ya on the water! Cody S. Smith (501)691-5701 smittyc888@hotmail.com>>> Good Fishin'
Tommy Zinda, www.tommysfishingadventures.com <tadpole@g2a.net>
- Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 05:04:32 (PDT)

3/16/10 Well folks, last Wednesday's heavy rain fall and tornadoes put a halt to our progress in our already late spring bite. All three major feeder arms were very muddy due to the runoff this past weekend. Also, with the cool weekend, water temps did not rise and in fact, dropped a degree or two from 51 to 48 lake wide. Yesterday (Monday) we did see some improvement, as the far upper reaches of all three arms are now flushed out and clear water is seen. Very little improvement was also seen in the bite. All boats are producing a few fish, but the big time action simply has not begun. The weatherman is promising stable daytime highs in the mid 60s and that's good news. Barring no surprise fronts, expect the bite to improve daily now. A few white bass and hybrids are now making it upstream out of their deep water haunts now and that will improve the amount of action we will see while looking for that walleye. Continue to use mainly minnows for all game fish for now. As soon as water temps are into the mid 50s, add your crawlers to your live bait arsenal. I'll be back in a day or two to report our progress. See ya then. Good Fishin'
Tommy Zinda, www.tommysfishingadventures.com <tadpole@g2a.net>
- Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at 05:00:09 (PDT)