John Berry Fishing Report 03/26/2009

[John Berry]

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 3/26/2009

Over the past week, we have had some warmer spring like temperatures. We also had a significant rain event with some particularly heavy winds (complete with lake wind advisories). The lakes in the White River system have all risen and all are currently slightly above power pool. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam rose one and two tenths of a foot to rest at one tenth of a foot above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is forty seven and nine tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake rose three tenths of a foot to rest at two tenths of a foot above power pool or fifteen and eight tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake rose eight tenths of a foot to rest at six tenths of a foot above power pool or nine feet below the top of flood pool. The pattern on the White was for no generation until very recently, when we got some moderate water. Wading has been excellent. Norfork Lake has risen three tenths of a foot to rest at two tenths of a foot above power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty seven and eight tenths feet below the top of flood pool. There has been limited generation on the Norfork with several days of no generation. This has created some excellent wading.

Remember that there is a new size limit on Brown trout. All browns less than twenty four inches must be released immediately no matter where they are caught on the White and Norfork Rivers. Only one brown trout may be kept in the daily limit of five trout.

The big story this past week has been the long awaited arrival of the rhyacophilia caddis, our major hatch of the year. They have an insect green body and are a righteous size fourteen at the beginning of the hatch. As the hatch progresses, they will get smaller, down to size sixteen and then eighteen. For this hatch, I carry green elk hair caddis in those sizes. The best fishing can be before the hatch starts, when the caddis larvae get more active. The best nymph for this is the pulsating caddis in size fourteen. When they rise to the surface and begin emerging, switch to the green butt soft hackle. When the trout begin keying in on the adults, switch to the elk hair caddis. We have had some spectacular hatches with incredible top water action during the past week.

The upper river from the Bull Shoals Dam Catch and Release area down stream to Rim Shoals has been red hot. The low water made for perfect wading and the caddis hatch switched the fishing into high gear. If there is no hatch coming off, try go to patterns like zebra midges, San Juan worms and egg patterns.

Since the trout are accustomed to looking up during the hatch, they have become top oriented. As a result, soft hackles like the green butt, partridge and green and the partridge and orange can be very effective, even when there is no hatch occurring.

Remember when fishing in the Bull Shoals Dam Catch and Release area and the State Park to be on the look out for Redds. They appear as clean depressions in the gravel. Disturbing them could destroy the wild brown trout eggs recently deposited there. We do not want to eliminate the next generation of wild brown trout.

Crooked Creek fished well earlier in the week as water temperatures climbed to fifty eight degrees. However, our recent rain event muddied up the creek and it will take a few days to clear.

With low water on the White, crowding has been much less of a problem. However, the trout have not had time to recover from the incredibly heavy pressure. The better fishing has been on the lower river just below the Ackerman Access. The fish seem to be running a bit larger there. Be very careful when wading below the access, because when the water comes up, you must wade back against the current. Move out as soon as you detect rising water. Over the years, I have seen more anglers get in trouble there than any other spot in the area. Another hot spot has been Quarry Park below Norfork dam.

The Catch and Release section has been particularly crowded. Several anglers have been walking up to McClellan’s. Be very careful! This is a long walk and, if the water comes up, it is a dangerous wade out in rising water. It would be much safer to launch a personal watercraft at the dam; float down to McClellan’s and exit at the confluence. Rose’s Trout Dock will arrange a shuttle for a nominal fee.

Dry Run Creek, as always, has fished particularly well during the past week. During the last week, we had some nice warm days that were perfect for an outing and many attendees at Sowbug took advantage of the great fishing there. Hot flies during the past week have been sowbugs, worm brown San Juan worms and egg patterns. While you are there, take a tour of the adjacent National Trout Hatchery. Be sure and remove your waders before entering to prevent the transfer of aquatic diseases.

Practice water safety and always check conditions before you leave home.

[Dave Cook]

I tested John's advice last week in the evenings during the SowBug at the White River at Wildcat Shoals. I'm glad I did. Green Butt rules. I'm tying more green butts and looking forward to getting back to the White this spring.

[John Berry]

Dave,

Glad you did well. We are having some awesome hatches here.