John Berry Fishing Report 7/30/2009

[John Berry]

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 7/30/2009

We have had several rain events and moderate temperatures (low to mid eighties). The lakes on the White River system are continuing to fall at an increasing rate. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam fell one and eight tenths feet to rest at four and five tenths feet above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is thirty six and five tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake fell seven tenths feet 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 fell four tenths of a foot to rest at five and eight tenths feet above power pool or three and eight tenths feet below the top of flood pool. The pattern on the White was for round the clock generation. During the night and morning we have been getting slightly lower flows. The flows have been heavier in the afternoon during peak power demand. This created some challenging conditions for drift fishing and extremely limited wade fishing. Norfork Lake has fallen one and two tenths of a foot to rest at three and one tenth feet above power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty four and nine tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Generation on the Norfork has declined, which has created some limited wading in the morning. The recent rains have slowed the rate of drop on the lakes. In addition, the Corps of Engineers has decided to draw down Beaver Lake five feet. The current estimate for all lakes to be at power pool is August 17, 2009.

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 Arkansas Game and Fish Commission in conjunction with the Corps of Engineers was scheduled to begin installing fish habitat designed to provide cover for juvenile trout in the Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam on or around August 1, 2009. This project has been postponed until August 17, 2009 in order for the lakes to be drawn down. This work will be done at low water levels and should take about two months to complete. It should provide some wadable water on the White River during this time. There is some concern that the habitat will create navigational hazards for river boats at low levels of generation. At this time, we do not know how high the new habitat structures will sit in the water. If we receive heavy rains in the next few weeks it could jeopardize the ability of the project to be implemented this year.

The fishing in the Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam has been a bit spotty for the last week. Some days have been excellent and some have been slow. The most effective technique has been to fish brightly colored San Juan worms (cerise, hot pink and red) and egg patterns (orange) below strike indicators. Use long 4X tippets and large split shot (AAA) to get the flies down to the bottom. Several anglers were caught fishing with bait and barbed hooks here in the last week. This is illegal and we applaud the enforcement agents from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission for protecting this area.

Rim Shoals has fished well this past week. The lower flows have been fishing particularly well. As the flows increase, the action has moved to the lower section of the area, White Shoals. The hot flies have been San Juan worms in cerise and hot pink. This is the one place that has wadable water as long as the flows are below 17,000 cubic feet per second. Stop by Rim Shoals Trout Dock and take advantage of their water taxi. For a nominal fee, they will drop you off at wadable water and pick you up when you are ready to leave.

Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River have run high and off color since the recent rains. Give it a few days to clear.

The Norfork River has fished a bit better this week. There were a few days with a substantial period of wadable water. Generation for the rest of the day was near maximum levels. On low water, small midge patterns have been the ticket. Try black zebra midges or partridge and orange soft hackles. Grasshoppers have also been producing. On high water, the most effective tactic is to fish brightly colored San Juan worms or egg patterns under an indicator. If you are not in the Catch and Release section, consider using a size fourteen black zebra midge as a dropper.

Dry Run Creek has fished well this past week. The hot fly, as always, has been the sowbug. Other hot flies have been worm brown San Juan worms and egg patterns (orange). If your favorite spot is occupied, just walk up and down the creek until you locate a good spot. There are fish everywhere. While you are there, take a few minutes and tour the National Fish hatchery. It is fascinating. There are also restroom facilities and a soft drink machine there. Be sure to remove your waders before entering the hatchery grounds 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.