John Berry Fishing Report 01/08/2009

[John Berry]

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 1/08/2009

We have had alternately cold and warm temperatures, some very heavy winds but no measurable precipitation during the past week; the lakes in the White River system are at or below flood pool and continue to fall. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam fell four tenths of a foot to rest at seven tenths of a foot below power pool of 654.00 feet. This is forty one and seven tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake fell two tenths of a foot to rest at one tenth of a foot below power pool or sixteen and one tenth feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake remained steady at power pool or nine and six tenths feet below the top of flood pool. The pattern on the White was for light generation around the clock. Norfork Lake has fallen two tenths of a foot to rest at two tenths of a foot below power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty eight and two tenths feet below the top of flood pool. There has been less generation on the Norfork with significant periods of no generation every day. Last weekend the Norfork was off for over forty eight hours. This created some truly spectacular wading.

The Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam closed to all fishing on November 1, 2008. It 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.

It is only three weeks until the Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam opens for fishing. This event generates quite a bit of excitement in the fly fishing community. The brown trout have been spawning in this area for the last three months and they have not been fished over in that period. They do not feed during the spawn so they are ready to regain some weight.

The State Park is a perpetual hot spot with plenty of fish reported. The hot fly here has been the peach egg and various midge patterns. Be careful on lower flows to avoid walking through redds in the seasonal Catch and Release section. They are clean depressions in the gravel that hold fertilized brown trout eggs. If you walk through them, you will destroy future trophy brown trout. On higher flows, try brightly colored San Juan worms with an egg dropper.

The section from Wildcat Shoals to Cotter has been a real hot spot during the last week. At low water, it has been very productive. Anglers have done well fishing a variety of flies under an indicator. Productive patterns have included brightly colored San Juan worms (cerise, hot fluorescent pink and red), peach or orange egg patterns, gold ribbed hares ears and black zebra midges (size 14).

The Catch and Release section at Rim Shoals is fishing extremely well. The hot fly on lower water has been the Y2K. Olive woolly buggers stripped over weed beds have accounted for some large brown trout. Anglers have also done well on moderate flows. The hot flies for this water were cerise San Juan worms and Y2Ks. If they are running water and you want to wade, make use of the water taxi at Rim Shoals Trout Dock. For a nominal fee they will ferry you to wadable water and pick you up when you are ready to leave.

Crooked Creek has slowed considerably. The water temperature has dipped below fifty five degrees and the Smallmouth have pretty much shut down.

The Norfork continues to fish poorly due to constant pressure. The most productive times have been during the week when it is not as crowded. The go to flies have been olive scuds and sowbugs. Worm brown San Juan worms have also produced fish. On the higher water, try San Juan worms in bright colors (hot fluorescent pink, cerise and red) with substantial amounts of weight. If you are not in the Catch and Release section try fishing a sowbug or scud as the dropper under a San Juan worm.

Dry Run Creek has been fishing well as always. With school back in session and some of the cold temperatures we have experienced lately, there has been little pressure on the creek. If you get a chance to take your youngster there, it is loaded with fish. The hot flies are sowbugs and worm brown San Juan worms. While you are there, take a tour of the adjacent National Fish Hatchery. Be sure to remove your waders before entering to prevent the spread of aquatic diseases to the trout population. Do not forget to take your camera.

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.