The rainbows are seeking deeper holes during the morning hour; even this late in the summer, crawdad tails continue to lure them out for a nibble. Shad, soft-shell crawdads and, always, sculpins are to go-to baits for browns. “This low, low water allows us to use so many different lures and baits successfully: jigs, Rooster Tails (orange or rainbow colored), floating No. 5 Rapalas (silver/black or rainbow), red-gold or blue-silver Buoyant spoons. The rainbows always seem to follow a bubblegum pink Berkley Mouse Tail. For our fly guys: Keep the never-fail red-silver midge on hand.

“The summertime heat has followed us into September but the weather folks are promising a break in the heat soon. Come see the works of His hands here in the never-fail beauty of The Natural State of Arkansas.”

Calico Rock Area

(updated 9-10-2026) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said, “This week, we’ve seen the river rising in the mornings and cresting around 7 feet. Depending on when the water starts rising, the guides have either gone downriver to get ahead of the rise or go upriver to get behind the rise. With the deeper water in the mornings, we are seeing a lot of success drift-fishing with two Uncommon Bait Neo Pink eggs and tipping the hook with raw shrimp. If using artificial lures, fish near the banks.”