Opening Day At Bull Shoals

[John Berry]

On Sunday, February 1, 2009, the Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam will reopen after being closed to all fishing since November 1, 2008. This section was shut down to protect the brown trout that have been spawning there for the last three months. They travel upstream, up to twenty miles, to arrive at this spot to mate. While they are doing this, they do not feed. So, at the end of this process, they are hungry and need to replace the weight they have lost in the past few months.

This section normally holds a lot of trout. When I was participating in the Trout Management Plan, I learned from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission that this section is the most successful Catch and Release area on the White. It normally holds more large trout than any other section. So what we have is the best trophy trout waters in Arkansas invaded by large browns from throughout the river. They have finished their annual spawn and are now ready to feed.

This is not a very well kept secret. In fact, anglers from other states flock here to try their luck. Local anglers also show up in numbers for the opportunity to land a big one. Therefore, it can get quite crowded. The best way to avoid the crowds is to fish very early or late. Fishing during the week will be less crowded than the week end.

Access to the area is very easy. There is an Arkansas Game and Fish Commission public access on both sides of the river. I generally prefer the one on the Baxter County side, because there is more parking. There are also porta potties. It is located in Bull Shoals State Park at the base of the dam. I generally consider this water to be relatively safe. At low water, it is shallow without any strong currents. If they turn on the generators, you will hear the horn. Get out immediately, preferably on the side of the river that your car is parked on.

Avoid walking through the redds (spawning beds) when you are fishing in the area. The redds will appear as clean depressions in the gravel. The browns have laid and fertilized eggs here and if we destroy them we will eliminate this year’s generation of wild brown trout. The next three months will be the most critical time to avoid them.

At low water, it is fairly shallow here and there is little current. The usual techniques of swinging woolly buggers and fishing nymphs under indicators will be more difficult due to this. I generally have more luck with soft hackles and midge emergers. If you do find some deeper water with a bit of current and want to fish with an indicator, be sure and use a white strike indicator to keep from spooking fish. It will look more like the foam and appear more natural. Better yet, use no indicator. Watch the end of your line.

Just after the spawn, egg patterns can be very effective. My favorite colors are peach and orange. Normally the predominate food source in this area of the river is midges. Zebra midges in black with silver wire and silver bead, brown with copper wire and copper bead and red with gold wire and gold bead can be productive. My favorite midge emerger for this area is Dan’s turkey tail emerger. Soft hackles like partridge and orange and green butts can also account for good fish. This is a Catch and Release section and it requires that you can only use one barbless hook.

The secret to landing a trophy is to sight cast to big fish. You should carefully move through the area looking for large fish that are feeding. If you are pushing a wake, you are moving too fast. A broad brimmed hat and polarized glasses can help you spot fish. When you spot one, cast above them and allow the fly to drift to them in a prefect drag free drift. Big fish suffer no fools! Be very careful with your presentation. A line splashing on the water or landing directly over a good fish will spook it.

I generally like a four weight rod with a sensitive tip to present smaller flies. Make sure your reel is well lubricated and running smooth. You should use a floating fly line (if it is cleaned before use, it will cast and float better). You should have a minimum of fifty yards of backing. I would start with a new leader and tippet. Carefully tie your knots and test them before use. Carry a big net. A small one is of no use with a big fish.

If you hook a good fish, take your time. Do not try to muscle it in. You should instead try and finesse it in. Be prepared to follow it, if necessary. Always keep constant pressure on it. The best way to gauge the amount of pressure being applied is to look at the bens in your rod. The more bend the more pressure being applied.

At high water, try drifting an egg or San Juan worm. If you are fishing from a boat, do not drag a chain through this area to avoid damage to the redds.

Carry a camera. You are required to release the fish, so your only souvenir of the occasion will be your memory and a photo. Keep the trout in the water until you are ready. Handle it as little as possible and carefully revive it before releasing it.

This is generally the best time to catch a trophy. Good luck!

[Danoinark]

John, excellent tips and advice.

How do the redds and or eggs survive during generation so close to the dam? It just seems there is so much turbulence that they would be destroyed.

Dano

[Phil Lilley]

Thanks, John.

I plan to fish on Monday, 2/2. I'm hoping for running water. I'm bringing white jigs!!!

[Matt Tucker]

I will be down 1/30 - 2/2 with 5 to 6 guys from the forum on my site (and 3 of the following 4 weekends). No better time to catch a big fish on the White. But bring your trout park mentality and treat it like a party and you will get along fine.

[John Berry]

They survive pretty well. It is the foot traffic that doees the damage.