John Berry Fishing Report 11/13/2008

[John Berry]

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 11/13/2008

There has been a significant rain event during the past week. Despite this the lakes in the White River system continue their decline. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam fell three and nine tenths feet to rest at eleven and six tenths feet above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is twenty nine and four tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake fell three tenths of a foot to rest at one and two tenths of a foot below power pool or seventeen and two tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell five tenths of a foot to rest at six feet above power pool or three and six tenths 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 five tenths of a foot to rest at seven and four tenths feet above power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty and six tenths feet below the top of flood pool. The pattern has been to run one or two generators 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 almost four feet per week and the lake is about twelve feet above power pool. If the lake were to continue dropping at the same rate it should be at power pool in approximately three weeks or early December. Conversely the Norfork is currently dropping a foot and a half a week and the lake is about seven and one half feet above power pool. If it continues to fall at the same rate it should reach power pool in five weeks or mid December. These are my estimates and are based on no major rain events occurring during this period.

It should be noted that the funnel effect is starting to be a factor. As the lakes draw down there have a smaller surface area and are falling at a faster rate despite generation remaining fairly constant.

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 bit better during the past week. The dissolved oxygen levels in the upper river have improved a bit and the colder weather has eased the water temperatures.

The section from the Narrows to Wildcat Shoals is still fishing well. The most productive method has been to fish brightly colored San Juan worms below indicators, with a lot of lead. For a change of pace, try fishing a dropper like an orange egg, sow bug or zebra midge below the San Juan worm. Banging the bank with large streamers on a sink tip or full sinking line is still the most effective method to move big fish. Hot patterns have been white zonkers, kiwi muddlers and Mengle’s Ozark sculpin.

The Catch and Release section at Rim Shoals has at times fished a bit better than the upper river. The fishing has been spotty. The better fishing has been in the morning. The hot flies for this area have been hot pink San Juan worms and brightly colored egg patterns.

Crooked Creek has slowed considerably. The water temperature has dipped below fifty five degrees and the Smallmouth have pretty much shut down. The recent rain stained the water and raised the water level a bit.

The Norfork has fished much 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 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 absolutely red hot. The creek is absolutely choked with large fish that have moved into it to take advantage of the higher dissolved oxygen levels and cleaner water. With the cooler temperatures, there has been very little pressure on it. Now is the best time of year to visit. The hot flies are worm brown San Juan worms, egg patterns (peach is the go to color) and sow bugs.

While you are there take a few minutes to visit the National Fish Hatchery. They offer a fascinating tour. Be sure and remove your waders before you enter the hatchery. This is to prevent the spread of aquatic diseases.

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.