John Berry Fishing Report 5/08/2008

[John Berry]

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 5/08/2008

Though we have had yet another rain event, the reservoirs on the White River continue to fall, albeit slowly. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam fell four tenths of a foot to rest at thirty nine and six tenths feet above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is one and four tenths of a foot below the top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake fell seven tenths of a foot to rest at fourteen and three tenths feet above power pool or one and seven tenths of a foot below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell two tenths of a foot to settle at eight and three tenths feet above power pool or one and three tenths of a foot below the top of flood pool. The pattern on the White has been to run around the clock with higher flows during the day and lower flows at night. All flood gates have now been shut down. Norfork Lake has fallen seven tenths of a foot to rest at twenty six and three tenths feet above power pool of 552.00 feet or one and seven 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 at night. There have been a few brief periods of wading opportunities on the Norfork River at night but none on the White. On the higher water, boating conditions have been excellent. The Buffalo River and Crooked Creek are still a bit high and off colored.

The fishing on the White has been greatly improved during the past week. With fluctuating levels, the key to success has been to fish rising water. This requires that you carefully study the variances in flow and position your self to be on the water when the water rises on a particular stretch of water and fish the rise.

The upper river from the Catch and Release section at the base of Bull Shoals dam to Cane Island Shoals has been fishing well. Since the lower flows have been at night and this section is located just below the dam, virtually all the fishing here is at higher flows. The hot flies here have been brightly colored San Juan worms and egg patterns. Be sure and weight the leader heavily and use a large indicator to float all of this.

Another section that has been very productive has been the section from Rim Shoals to Buffalo Shoals. The lower flows and rising water hit here during the day and that has been the best time to fish here. On the lower water, midge nymphs in a bit larger size than you would use for wade fishing (size 14 and 16) have been the ticket. Caddis pupa and copper johns have also been quite productive. Be sure and fish the power lines and the rough hole carefully because they have been producing extremely well.

Caution should be used when using the ramp at Ranchette. It has silted in quite a bit and it is not recommended that you try and use it at this time unless you have four wheel drive.

With the Lower water conditions and greatly improved fishing on the White, the crowding has eased quite a bit on the Norfork. The heavy pressure from previous weeks has put the fish down and anglers are not catching as many. The best time to fish has been early morning to catch the rise. On lower water, nymphs like olive scuds, zebra midges and copper johns have been the hot flies. Once the rise is over, the ticket has been to fish brightly colored San Juan worms and egg patterns.

Dry Run Creek as usual is fishing very well. This is a great time of year to fish here, between spring break and summer vacation, because there is not much fishing pressure and the best spots are available. The best flies this past week have been sowbugs, olive woolly buggers and San Juan worms. While a lot of the creek can be fished from the bank, it is best to have waders so that you can reach some of the seldom fished spots that hold the larger fish.

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.