Lake Tawakoni guide Omar Cotter with a chunky hybrid striper caught recently. Downrigging or trolling with deep diving plugs with trailers is producing well now for both hybrids and white bass. (photo by Luke Clayton)

(L-R) Jeff Rice and Tawakoni catfish guide Tony Pennebaker show off one of many good-eating blue catfish landed last week. (photo by Luke Clayton)

“Paddling is one of the best ways to experience Texas waters, but it’s not something to take lightly,” said Col. Ron A. VanderRoest, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Law Enforcement Director. “The laws and required safety equipment are in place to protect you and everyone else on the water.”

The Dallas Pulse, reigning Major League Volleyball (MLV) champions, have signed two standouts from Puerto Rico, libero Shara Venegas and outside hitter Alondra Vázquez for the 2027 MLV season.

This young fellow, Cai, landed a terrific 24.5-inch brown trout on the White River at Cotter. Helping him with the catch is Jerry Coleman, a Cotter Trout Dock guide.

Although abundant in some Arkansas waters, walleye, sauger and saugeye never have enjoyed the popularity given to them in northern or western states. However, many northern transplants find great sport in pursuing walleye in lakes such as Greers Ferry and Lake Catherine.

B.A.S.S. is now accepting nominations for the most exceptional high school bass anglers in the country for the annual Bassmaster High School All-American Fishing Team.

Trout fishing has remained steady, although fish are more scattered than they were during the low-water period. Anglers are catching rainbow trout on Pautzke Fire Bait, Little Cleos and Rooster Tails.

Thanks to a heavy pear crop and squirrels that keep them on the ground, Luke has fresh wild pork every night in his front yard. He’s making plans for pulled pork barbeque and chicken friend pork schnitzel. (photo by Luke Clayton)

Mark Crawford with springriverfliesandguides.com (870-955-8300) said water levels are running at 300 cfs (350 cfs is average) and water clarity is mostly clear.

Now is a great time to defrost some of last year’s venison and put the meat to use. Venison fajitas is one of Luke’s favorites. (photo by Luke Clayton)

Walleye fishing is fair, and you can find them near and around brush piles in 15-25 feet of water. Crawler harnesses are starting to be the preferred method.

"The Caddo River is a great river for all levels of paddling experience," said Gayla Claborn, owner of Caddo River Camping & Canoe in Glenwood, Arkansas. "This typical pool and drop river is gentle enough for novice paddlers to learn on, yet with enough class I and II rapids along the way to keep it exciting. There are good places to stop to swim and fish along the available routes surrounded by the beautiful Ouachita Mountains. And it is one of the most consistent floating rivers in Arkansas, allowing our season to span from March to September."

We are incredibly excited to announce that Derrick Wiley (of Sam Rayburn ISD) has committed to attend and play basketball at Oklahoma Wesleyan University!

Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said the White River watershed has seen some much-needed rain this week. Water clarity has remained very good, keeping the trout catching phenomenal.

Anyone may fish in Arkansas without a fishing license or trout stamp from noon, Friday, June 12, through midnight Sunday night, June 14.

The Dallas Pulse, reigning Major League Volleyball Champions, have signed Ajcharaporn Kongyot (pronounced Ah-ja-ra-porn Kong-yot, known as “Pure”) for the 2027 Major League Volleyball season.

Guide J.C. McCullough and Luke with a big blue catfish last week from the Red River below Lake Texoma. photo by Jeff Rice

Hometown raceboat driver Aaron Green and his Ector-based race team, Green Marine Motorsports, are making waves in the IHRA Powerboat Championship Series and continuing their climb up the national points standings.

Guide Austin Kennedy (479-244-0039) says the Beaver tailwater has continued to produce good fishing this week, but conditions across the system have definitely been changing.