John Berry Fishing Report 11/06/2008

[John Berry]

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 11/06/2008

There have been two minor rain events during the past week. The lakes in the White River system continue their decline. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam fell three and four tenths feet to rest at fifteen and five tenths feet above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is twenty five and five tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake fell nine tenths of a foot to rest at nine tenths of a foot below power pool or sixteen and nine tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell five tenths of a foot to rest at six and five tenths feet above power pool or three and one tenth feet below the top of flood pool. The pattern on the White is for heavy generation around the clock. Norfork Lake has fallen one and six tenths of a foot to rest at eight and nine tenths feet above power pool of 552.00 feet or nineteen and one tenth feet below the top of flood pool. The pattern has been to run one generator around the clock. Boating conditions on the White and Norfork have been uniformly good. There has been no safe wading.

The White River is currently dropping a bit over three feet per week and the lake is about fifteen feet above power pool. If the lake were to continue dropping at the same rate it should be at power pool in approximately five weeks or the middle of December. Conversely the Norfork is currently dropping a bit over a foot a week and the lake is about nine feet above power pool. If it continues to fall at the same rate it should reach power pool in seven weeks or late December. These are my estimates and are based on no major rain events occurring during this period.

The Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam closed to all fishing on November 1, 2008 and will remain closed until February 1, 2009 for the brown trout spawn. The section from the bottom of this Catch and Release section downstream to the wing wall at the State park is seasonal Catch and Release for the same time period.

The fishing on the White River has been a really slow during the past week. The dissolved oxygen levels in the upper river has dropped to two parts per million (the state standard is six parts per million). This is a caused by a natural phenomenon, the breakdown of organic matter in the lake, and occurs every year. The lake turnover is in full swing and the river is heavily stained. This year we also have slightly higher than normal water temperatures that may also be affecting the trout feeding patterns. These conditions have had the greatest effect on the upper river from Bull Shoals down to White Hole.

The section from the Narrows to Wildcat has fished relatively well lately. The most productive method has been to fish brightly colored San Juan worms below indicators, with a lot of lead. The technique that has been producing the best fish has been to bang the bank with large streamers on sink tip or full sinking lines. This is a lot of work but the results can be fantastic. Try kiwi muddlers, Mengle’s Ozark sculpins and white zonkers.

The section from Cotter to the bottom of Rim Shoals has at times fished a bit better than the upper river. The fishing has been spotty. One day it is good the next it is poor. The hot flies for this area have been hot pink San Juan worms and brightly colored egg patterns.

Crooked Creek continues to fish well. Hot flies have been Clouser minnows and crayfish patterns. The creek is low and clear. This is the place to go if you just have to wade. Watch the water temperature. Once it drops below sixty five degrees the bite will slow. The section from Pyatt to Snow has been fishing particularly well.

The Norfork has fished a bit better during the last week. It is suffering through even lower dissolved oxygen levels than the White. The upper river is fishing particularly poorly. The lower sections (from the long hole down) have fished reasonably well. The hot flies have been hot pink San Juan worms and orange eggs. Concentrate on fast riffles where the dissolved oxygen may be a bit higher.

Dry Run Creek is at prime. It is absolutely choked with large fish that have moved into it to take advantage of the higher dissolved oxygen levels and cleaner water. There are few anglers there and this is the best time of year to fish it. Grab your kids or grand children and show the time of their lives. The hot flies have been worm brown San Juan worms and small orange eggs. Carry a camera and the biggest net you can lay your hands on.

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.

[gabe]

Great report as usual. Thanks!