John Berry Fishing Report 07/10/2008

[John Berry]

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 7/10/2008

Though we have had two significant rain events in the last week, the reservoir levels on the White River have fallen a bit. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam fell three tenths of a foot to rest at thirty seven and six tenths feet above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is three and four tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake fell eight tenths of a foot to rest at eleven and seven tenths of a foot above power pool or four and three tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake rose eight tenths of a foot to settle at eight and eight tenths feet above power pool or eight tenths of a foot below the top of flood pool. The pattern on the White has been to run all eight generators around the clock with high flows both day and night. While these flows made for excellent boating, there have been few safe wading opportunities on the White. Norfork Lake has risen one tenths of a foot to rest at twenty three and three tenths feet above power pool of 552.00 feet or four and seven tenths of a foot below the top of flood pool. The pattern has been to run two generators with substantial periods of no generation at night and during the morning. This made for some excellent wading conditions. On the higher water, boating conditions have been excellent.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission boat launching ramp in Quarry Park at the base of Norfork dam has been repaired and is open for business. The adjacent parking lot was destroyed during the flooding this spring. It has been closed since then. This is the only public boat ramp on the Norfork River and its closure required that anyone wanting to use a boat on the Norfork to launch at the ramp at the confluence of the White and Norfork Rivers and then motor up. This makes it much more convenient for those wanting to boat on the upper river. I have noted that a lot of non boating anglers are parking in the boat launch parking lot. These spaces should be reserved for boating anglers, which require much more space to accommodate their trailers. There is plenty of parking available in the park.

Overall, the fishing has been excellent on the White River, particularly in the Catch and Release section at Bull Shoals Dam and the adjacent state park. The hot flies have been San Juan worms (in tan, orange and red), and brightly colored marabou jigs. Jigs have the added advantage of riding hook point up which makes them virtually weed less. Other hot flies have been midge larva patterns (like black zebra midges) in larger sizes such as fourteens and brightly colored egg patterns. The better fishing is early morning.

Anglers that are bored with fishing San Juan worms are opting to fish large streamers against the bank. This does not produce a lot of fish but it has resulted in some large trout, particularly browns. Other anglers are fishing large dry flies, particularly grass hoppers and ants against the bank. This requires good casting skills but can add a new exciting dimension to fishing high water.

The recent heavy rains have raised the water levels on the Buffalo River and Crooked Creek. This has muddied the river below these tributaries and made these areas much more difficult to fish.

The Norfork has been exceptional in the morning on low water. The hot spots have been Quarry Park just below Norfork Dam and the Ackerman access. Anglers reported great success with black zebra nymphs and olive Norfork bead heads both in size eighteen. Other good flies were olive woolly buggers, partridge and orange soft hackles, Dan’s turkey tail emerger and copper johns in size fourteen. In the afternoon, on higher water, fishing slows quite a bit. Use conventional high water techniques and if you are not fishing in the Catch and Release area consider using a dropper tied to the lead fly. Black zebra midges and copper johns are great flies for this purpose. They should be fairly large (size fourteen).

Dry Run Creek has fished well. Summer vacation is in full swing and more families are taking advantage of this unique fishery. If one spot becomes crowded, just move to another one. There are fish all up and down the creek. The most productive fly is still the sowbug in size fourteen. The most productive technique is high sticking. There is very limited room to cast. Be sure and use at least 4X tippet and carry a big net. Mash down those barbs, it is the law!

Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River muddied up during the recent rains and are not fishing well.

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.