(updated 11-14-2024) Guide Austin Kennedy (479-244-0039) said, “Busch Mountain Fishing Guide clients have been nabbing lots of 12- to 17-inch rainbows — best if you decide to keep any, and absolutely perfect for lots of action and making forever memories. Shrimp Fire Gel and Fire Bait are a must in your bait box; also, you can’t beat the real thing using worms and minnows for epic days on the river. Deeper water in the afternoon is the area to be in. When the Army Corps of Engineers is releasing water means more drift-fishing, but the trout love lots of water and bubbles. Look for structures on the riverbed that create oxygen (bubbly waters) and you’ll find a hangout for trout.

"We’ve had some ups and downs this week. The brown bite has slowed some but it’s still pretty spectacular for this time of year. They’ve shown up for sculpins, colored hair jigs, minnows and even Flicker shad — not always trophy size, but healthy, fighting browns that make your heart race while you’re waiting to see just how big that fish is on the end of your line. With the much-needed rain, the river has risen considerably, which is making for great days of fishing."