Need a fishing report

[Kicknbass]

I will be going the the Norfork mid January and need to tie up some flies. Any suggestions? Any help is appreciated.

I need a John Berry report.

Thanks.

[John Berry]

I apologize for not posting a report but I have not fished the Norfork in a couple of weeks. The lake is above flood pool and the Corps of Engineers is running both generators twenty four hours a day. The lake is still about two and one half feet above pool. If we get no more rain, it should be down to power pool in say two weeks. That said, if you plan on fishing before then make sure you have a boat. If you are boat fishing I recommend fishing up by the dam with eggs and san juan worms. The brookies should be cooperative. The last time I caught the water down my wife, Lori, and I did well on size twenty two Dan's turkey quill emergers and small worm brown san juan worms.

Good luck if they lower the water look for me. I don't like to fish high water without a client because my wife refuses to run the boat and I can't fish.

[Kicknbass]

Thanks for the response. How has the white been? Has the generation been the same? Or is there periods of no generation?

[John Berry]

The white has been quite fishable. There have been periods of no generation every day and a few days with no generation. The lake is below flood pool. Now when they do run water they seem to really crank it up. Lori and I fished Saturday afternoon at Roundhouse Shoals and caught 30 to 40 each on red asses, partridge and oranges, and Dan's turkey quill emerger. Sunday afternoon was pretty slow at Rim but we managed to catch a few on scuds and black zebra midges. No big fish either day. I would definately recommend the White as an alternative to the Norfork. If they do turn off the Norfork, definately drop what you are doing and fish it!

[Kicknbass]

John,

What does a Dan's turkey quill emerger resemble? Do you have a pattern for this fly or something similar?

Thanks in advance.

[John Berry]

Dan' Turkey Quill Emerger (also called Dan's Turkey Tail Emerger)

Hook: Mustad 94840 sizes 18-22

Thread: Brown

Body: Three strands of brown turkey tail fibers tied in by tip

Rib: 6X monofilament

Wing: Cream poly dubbing formed into noodle and cut short, about 1/3 body length

Head: Bronze portion of eyed peacock tail

My brother Dan came up with this one twenty years ago and we have been catching a lot of fish with it every since. It is killer on the Norfork. Dan has been tying it in 22s for the last year and it is the size to go with.

[Kicknbass]

Wow, size # 22. I'm not sure I can tie a fly that tiny. All thumbs.

[John Berry]

Alas, that is also my problem. I get my brother Dan to tie them for me.

[Kicknbass]

John,

How do you fish them? You didn't mention any weights( beads or Lead) in the materials list. Do you fish them w/ split shot or behind another weighted fly? It seams to me that a # 22 would flow in the surface film and never get very deep.

Curious.

[John Berry]

I fish them like I would a soft hackle. I cast down stream at a 45 degree angle to the bank. I strip the fly in a foot or so when it lands to sink the fly. I let it swing and I watch the end of the line for strikes. I slowly work my way down stream. The strikes can be very subtle. Don't be afraid to set the hook.Good luck!