John Berry Fishing Report 4/10/2008

[John Berry]

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 4/10/2008

We have had two more major rain events and the reservoirs on the White River system continue to rise at an alarming rate. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam rose six and six tenths feet to rest at thirty four and eight tenths feet above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is six and two tenths feet below the top of flood pool and it continues to rise. Up stream, Table Rock Lake dropped six tenths of a foot to rest at eleven and nine tenths of a foot above power pool or four and one tenth of a foot below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake rose one tenth of a foot to settle at nine and three tenths feet above pool or three tenths of a foot below the top of flood pool. At the time of this writing we are receiving heavy rain and the flood gates are open at Beaver. Beaver and Table Rock Lakes have been generating heavily. The water has been collecting in Bull Shoals Lake which is nearing capacity. Norfork Lake has risen three and five tenths feet to rest at twenty eight and four tenths of a foot above power pool of 552.00 feet or four tenths of a foot above the top of flood pool. Norfork Lake is over capacity and the Corps of Engineers have opened all flood gates at Norfork dam and are generating heavily. As flooding clears down stream, the Corps of Engineers will begin drawing down the Dams on the White River. The weather has been very wet. There have been a few days with lake wind advisories. There have been no wading opportunities on the Norfork River and precious few on the White. Boating conditions have been excellent. The Buffalo River and Crooked Creek are high and off colored. The White River below these streams is stained and not fishing well.

The Upper White River is red hot. We have had low level generation (one to two generators). During this period, the Bull Shoals Dam Catch and Release has fished particularly well. The productive flies were black zebra midges, soft hackles and San Juan worms.

The section from Wildcat Shoals to Cotter has also been hot. There has been a predictable rhyacophilia caddis hatch in the late afternoon. This is our premier hatch of the year. Prior to the hatch, caddis pupae patterns like the pulsating caddis have been effective. During the emergence, the green butt or partridge and green soft hackle have been the go to flies. When the trout start keying in on the adults, switch to green elk hair caddis size fourteen. Other productive flies in this section have been San Juan worms, sow bugs, zebra midges and partridge and orange soft hackles.

Another hot spot is Rim Shoals, particularly the section from just below the first island to the power lines (the lower limit of the Catch and Release area). The water is still lightly stained from the recent rains but it has not adversely affected the fishing. The hot flies were San Juan worms in bright colors (hot pink, fire orange, cerise and red) egg patterns, midges and caddis pupa. The water along the first island and just below it fished well with Y2Ks.

On the Norfork River, they have been running two full generators around the clock. It has also been fishing very well. High water tactics have been the key to success here. Be sure and use long leaders, plenty of lead and large strike indicators. Brightly colored San Juan worms along the weed beds or submerged structure have produced some nice fish. The hot colors have been red, hot pink, pale pink, and cerise. Other effective flies have been Y2Ks, black zebra midges, and egg patterns.

Dry Run Creek, as always, has been fishing well. There were a few kids there on the wet cold days and some fine trophies were brought to net. The hot flies have been sowbugs, San Juan worms (worm brown and red were the hot colors), olive woolly buggers, egg patterns and Y2Ks. Remember that if you want to visit the adjacent trout hatchery, you must remove your waders. This is to prevent the transfer of aquatic diseases like whirling disease to the hatchery. Be sure and bring a camera for that photo of a life time.

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.

[WebFreeman]

Good pic. That's dedication!