John Berry Fishing Report 08/21/2008

[John Berry]

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 8/21/2008

In spite of a major rain event, the reservoir levels on the White River continue to fall, albeit slowly. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam fell one and eight tenths of a foot to rest at twenty nine and two tenths feet above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is eleven and eight tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake fell seven tenths of a foot to rest at two and five tenths feet above power pool or thirteen and five tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell five tenths of a foot to rest at six and eight tenths feet above power pool or two and eight tenths feet below the top of flood pool. The pattern on the White has been to run all eight generators around the clock with slightly higher flows in the afternoon. While these flows made for excellent boating, there have been few safe wading opportunities on the White. Norfork Lake has fallen one and four tenths of a foot to rest at sixteen and one tenths feet above power pool of 552.00 feet or eleven and nine tenths of a foot below the top of flood pool. The pattern has been to run two generators with occasional brief periods of no generation at night. This made for some limited wading conditions at night.

We have had some unseasonably cool temperatures this past week. On several occasions the cool temperatures have combined with high humidity to produce a dense fog on the river. In certain instances it lasted most of the day and severely limited visibility. If you encounter conditions like these, be sure and slow down and keep a look out for other boaters and navigational hazards.

During the heavy rain we received during the past week, the river got muddy from run-off coming in from side creeks and other tributaries. This adversely impacted fishing and washed a lot of trash that on occasion created navigation hazards. When this occurs, the best strategy is to move upstream until you encounter clear water. Sometimes this will necessitate going all the way to the dam.

The upper river from Bull Shoals Dam, through the State Park down to Cane Island Shoals has been a perpetual hot spot for months. The better fishing is in the morning when the water flows are generally a bit lower. The hot tactic for this area has been to bang the banks with streamers fished with sink tip or full sinking lines. Some guides recommend a fast retrieve while others suggest a slow one. The best bet is to vary your retrieve until you figure out what the trout want. Sculpin and baitfish patterns are the ticket for this technique. Fishing brightly colored San Juan worms under a strike indicator has also accounted for a lot of good fish.

The section from the Narrows down to Wildcat Shoals has been red hot during the past week. Anglers have reported success on a variety of nymphs. The key to success has been to fish a brightly colored San Juan worm with a nymph on a dropper. The color of choice for the worm has been hot pink. The most popular nymphs have been zebra midges, trout crack, sowbugs, scuds, and bead head hares ears. Remember if you move into a Catch and Release section it is illegal to fish droppers there.

Another hot spot has been the Rim Shoals Catch and Release section. The hot technique for this section has been to fish brightly colored San Juan worms on long leaders (twelve to fifteen feet) with a large strike indicator and a lot of lead. The top producing colors have been red, cerise and hot pink.

The Norfork is still not fishing as well as the White has recently. There has just been too much boat traffic. There has been some night fishing wading opportunities this past week. Be very careful and be ready to react to rising water. On high water the best strategy has been to fish brightly colored San Juan worms and egg patterns.

Dry Run Creek has looked abandoned. Kids are back in school and there is very little traffic there particularly during the week. Poaching continues to be a problem with adults frequently seen fishing there. If you see any illegal activity, call the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s poaching hotline 1 800-482-9262. If your cell phone cannot get a signal down on the creek (I know mine cannot), go over to the adjacent Federal trout hatchery and they will gladly let you use their land line.

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.