For all of you trout fishermen who have been anxiously awaiting the annual winter shad kill on the White River, now is the time.

I got an e-mail from fly fishing guide John Berry Friday evening. He says dead shad have been coming through Bull Shoals Dam, and that almost always means dynamite trout fishing.

He says the best flies to use will be white Marabou jigs and streamers. John says to be sure to have sinking and floating patterns, though most of the action will be on the bottom.

During the shad kill, the area below Bull Shoals Dam will be pretty crowded.

John offers good advice on that, too: Be cautious, be courteous and wear your life jacket at all times.

Good fishing!