John Berry Fishing Report 3/13/2008

[John Berry]

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 3/13/2008

There has been virtually non-stop heavy generation on the White River system and overall the lake levels have begun to ease down a bit. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam rose seven tenths feet to rest at six and four tenths of a foot above power pool at 654.00 feet. Up stream, Table Rock Lake fell one and six tenths feet to settle at seven tenths of a foot above power pool. Beaver Lake rose one half of a foot to settle at one and four tenths of a foot above pool. The pattern has been for extremely heavy generation twenty four hours a day. This has created some excellent boating opportunities with no wading available. The weather has been warm and very windy including lake wind advisories. Norfork Lake has fallen one and one tenth feet to rest at three and three tenths of a foot above power pool of 552.00 feet. The pattern on the Norfolk has been similar to that on the White. There has been near constant generation. There were a few days with short periods of generation late at night. Why can’t they do that during the day so that some of the people attending Sowbug could get in a little fishing? The forecast is for the weather to remain warm with the possibility of a little precipitation. With the existing conditions above power pool, I would expect heavy generation and no wading on both rivers.

With higher water conditions, you will need to employ radically different techniques. The fish will be in different areas. In low water, they tend to congregate in the main channel. In high water, they will be closer to the shore and around weed beds and sunken islands. The best flies for this type of fishing will be brightly colored San Juan worms. The best colors are red, hot fluorescent pink, cerise and fire orange. One fly that has been particularly effective lately is the Y2K. Be sure and weight them heavily so they get down to the bottom. This will necessitate using a larger strike indicator to support the added weight. This rig is not going to be easy to cast. First you will need a bit bigger rod. I would suggest at least a nine foot six weight. Next, open up your loop a bit. With this much weight, it will be very difficult to throw tight loops without tangling your line.

This past week, the action was definitely up stream in the Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam. The shad were coming through and a lot of anglers were up there in their boats and there was a lot of reported success. When no shad were coming through the most action was on brightly colored San Juan worms. When the gulls got active below the dam this was the signal that the shad were coming through. The anglers would switch to shad pattern and begin picking up fish. As soon as it starts it ends. Some of the shad have somehow slipped through the feeding frenzy up stream and been washed down stream. I have heard that anglers have done well with basic shad patterns in white as far down stream as Rim Shoals.

The Norfork has fished a bit better. The nice weather has drawn a few more anglers here. There has been good fishing on the high water, particularly on Y2Ks and brightly colored San Juan worms. The best colors have been cerise and hot pink. If you are not fishing in Catch and Release water try a dropper tied on the bend of the hook of the San Juan worm on two feet of tippet. Black zebra midges work well for this application.

With Spring break coming up coupled with the great weather we have been having, I would expect Dry Run creek to get a bit more crowded. If your favorite spot is taken, do not despair. There are fish every where. Just walk the bank until you find some fish. I have had clients catch fish from one end of the creek to the other. Be sure and carry the biggest net that you can lay your hands on and a camera.

If you are from out side the area and fishing our waters, please be aware that the White and Norfork Rivers are infected with Didymo, an invasive alga. Carefully wash in warm water and fully dry your waders before using them in your home waters to prevent the spread of this disease.

Practice water safety and always check conditions before you leave home.

John Berry is a fly fishing guide in Cotter, Arkansas and has fished our local streams for over twenty five years.

[Clay Goforth]

Awesome pic Mr. Berry...It was nice meeting you over the weekend at Rim Shoals...I will be back this weekend but not sure where we are fishing yet...Gametime decision.

[Mikey]

John,

Was that gorgeous trout taken from the white or norfork? Very classy photo with great color and composition. I just might have found my new desktop.

Mikey

[John Berry]

Thank you. I took the photo in the Catch and Release section of the Norfork. The fish was nice sized but I thought the color was awesome.

[tinner]

Nice pic. Is the algae on the rocks in the pic the didymo that you were talking about? I couldn't help to notice you have a fish rule on the flyrod. Is that a sticker that you put on or from the manufacturer? Hope to get down your way sometime and use your expertise.

Tim

[John Berry]

No didymo is white. It looks like disintegrating toilet paper. The ruler is a decal. They are available at most fly shops. Come on down. I would enjoy fishing with you.

[Greg]

That's one of the prettiest bows I've ever seen.

Greg

[TroutBum4wt]

John, great looking fish!!! The ruler on the rod is a good idea.

[John Berry]

I also carry a small tape measure so that I can measure the girth. That allows me to calculate the weight of big fish.