Fishing Report 4/24/2008

[John Berry]

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 4/24/2008

We have had two rain events. The reservoirs on the White River system have fallen a bit. They remain precariously close to the top of flood pool. At the time of this writing, we are receiving yet more rain. It has been very windy and there were lake wind advisories on several days. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam rose fell six tenths of a foot to rest at forty and two tenths feet above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is eight tenths of a foot below the top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake remained steady at fifteen and five tenths of a foot above power pool or five tenths of a foot below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake rose six tenths of a foot to settle at nine and two tenths feet above pool or four tenths of a foot below the top of flood pool. The flood gates at Bull Shoals have been closed. The pattern on the White is to run all eight generators around the clock. Norfork Lake has risen two tenths feet to rest at twenty seven and two tenths feet above power pool of 552.00 feet or eight tenths of a foot below the top of flood pool. The pattern has been to run two generators most of the time with brief periods of no generation mostly at night. There have been a few brief periods of wading opportunities on the Norfork River but none on the White. On the higher water, boating conditions have been excellent. The Buffalo River and Crooked Creek are high and off colored.

Most boat ramps on the White River are now usable. Great care should be taken when launching or loading your boat during heavy generation. The use of a personal flotation device is highly recommended when boating on heavy water.

The fishing on the upper White has been excellent, particularly the Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals dam. The key to success has been to use conventional high water tactics. Large brightly colored San Juan worms (red, hot pink, cerise and fire orange have all been productive) and brightly colored egg patterns. They must be fished with a lot of lead and, of course, a really big strike indicator to float it all. This is not a delicate proposition and I would recommend larger tippet than normal, at least 4X to handle the larger flies and additional weight. Make sure that your indicator is set on the leader to enable the fly to tick the bottom of the water column. Remember it is quite a bit deeper than normal. With this much lead and with such heavy flies be very careful with your cast. If you hit a fellow angler with this rig, they are going down. It is imperative that you fish barbless and be sure and wear eye protection.

Other generally hot spots on the river have not fished as well as the upper river. Rim shoals and the Cotter area, in particular, have not been producing well.

On the Norfork River, there were a couple of brief periods of wadable water. The fishing during these was spectacular. There were literally millions of scuds in the water and the nymphing action was non stop. The ramp at Quarry Park, located at the base of Norfork Dam was destroyed during the flooding. If you want to boat on the Norfork, you must use the ramp at the confluence and motor up. There has been a lot of high water on the Norfork and the same high water tactics suggested for the White should also work here. During a recent fishing trip on the Norfork, I saw a three foot gar and a thirty pound striper. The tales of fish being washed into the river when the flood gates were open are true. It should make for some very interesting fishing this year.

Dry Run Creek is back in business and fishing very well. After the recent flooding, the hot fly has been the worm brown San Juan worm in smaller sizes. Other hot flies have been sowbugs, olive woolly buggers, egg patterns and Y2Ks. Make sure that you mash down all barbs. It is not just a fishing regulation for fishing there but a good idea whenever you are fishing with kids. Carry a big net and do not forget the camera. This is the best place on earth to introduce children to fishing.

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.