John Berry Fishing Report 05/14/2009

[John Berry]

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 5/14/2009

This past week we have had one major rain event after another and most of the lakes in the White River system have risen significantly and all are above power pool. We have also had several very windy days complete with lake wind advisories. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam rose four and two tenths feet to rest at twelve and four tenths of a foot above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is twenty eight and six tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake has fallen five tenths of a foot to rest at three feet above power pool or thirteen feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake rose one and six tenths of a foot to rest at eight and four tenths of a foot above power pool or one and two tenths feet below the top of flood pool. The pattern on the White early in the week was for round the clock generation of moderate flows. Later in the week, we had a significant period of no generation. This created some excellent conditions for drift fishing and then some excellent conditions for wading. Norfork Lake has risen six tenths of a foot to rest at five and three tenths of a foot above power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty two and seven tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Generation on the Norfork has been very limited, which has created some excellent wading. The Corps of Engineers has been holding back water to relieve flooding down stream. When that flooding abates, we can expect some much higher levels of generation.

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 Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam has been fishing extremely well this past week. With the lower flows we have been getting, anglers reported success on midge patterns. The most effective were zebra midges in black with silver wire and silver beads and red with silver wire and silver beads. The best sizes were sixteens and fourteens. Other hot patterns have been pheasant tails and egg patterns. On no generation the hot flies have been emergers and soft hackles. The most productive patterns have been partridge and orange soft hackles and green butts. This is a popular fishing spot for locals and visitors alike. As a result this area gets a significant amount of fishing pressure. It is imperative that boating and wading courtesy be observed.

Wildcat Shoals has been another hotspot. Anglers have reported great success on low water. The hot flies have been soft hackles. Try green butts, partridge and orange soft hackles and partridge and green soft hackles. Anglers have also reported success with black zebra midges with silver wire and silver beads and olive woolly buggers.

Rim Shoals has fished well this past week. There are still some caddis coming off but they are significantly smaller. They are currently best imitated with a bright green elk hair caddis in size eighteen. This requires an accurate cast and a good drift. This has been tricky with some of the extremely windy days we have had lately. Another way to fish the hatch is by concentrating on the emergers. The most effective fly for this is the green butt. Other successful flies have been pheasant tail nymphs and zebra midges in black with silver wire and silver beads. Some anglers have reported success stripping olive woolly buggers in deeper runs.

The seemingly never ending rains have left Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River high and muddy. It will take a while for it to clear. The White River below these streams has been severely stained and is running a bit higher than the upper river.

The overall quality of fishing on the Norfork River remains poor. There has been little generation on it recently and it has been pounded with near constant pressure. This river receives more fishing pressure per river mile than any other stream in Arkansas. You can escape some of the crowd by fishing during the week or by fishing very early or late. My favorite time is Sunday afternoon just as the last SUV is pulling out of the parking lot. A number of anglers have been wading up to McClellan’s. This is a long way and it is inherently dangerous. If they unexpectedly turn on the water, it is a long treacherous wade out. If you are fishing Quarry Park the hot fly has been the sowbug. On the lower river, zebra midges in black with silver wire and silver bead (size 18) and red micro worms (size 18) have been the go to flies. There are still a few caddis out. Here again the flies are quite a bit smaller. Go with size eighteen elk hair caddis.

Dry Run Creek continues to fish well. The hot fly is the sowbug and the San Juan worm in red. Concentrate on fishing deeper, faster water. There are big fish everywhere and it is important that you key in on fish located in feeding lies (areas where trout specifically go to feed). Always carry a camera and a big net. Please be careful when landing and releasing the fish. Wet your hands before handling fish and return them to the water as quickly as possible.

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.