John Berry Fishing Report 8/05/2009

[John Berry]

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 8/08/2009

We have had a rain event and warmer temperatures. The lakes on the White River system are continuing to fall. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam fell two feet to rest at two and five tenths feet above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is thirty eight and five tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake rose nine tenths feet to rest at one and two tenths feet above power pool or fourteen and eight tenths feet below the top of flood pool. The rise is due to the draw down of Beaver Lake which fell two and two tenths of a foot to rest at three and six tenths feet above power pool or six 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 lower flows. The flows have been much heavier in the afternoon during peak power demand. This created some excellent conditions for drift fishing and limited wade fishing. Norfork Lake has fallen four tenths of a foot to rest at two and seven tenths feet above power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty five and two tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Generation on the Norfork has declined, which has created some limited wading in the morning. 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 quite good for the last week. Early in the day we have had some low flows that have fished particularly well. Midge patterns have been the ticket on lower flows. Later in the day, when we get heavier flows, 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.

Rim Shoals has been red hot this past week. The lower flows have lasted until mid afternoon and 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 cleared some and are fishing well. The hot flies have been Clouser minnows, Barr’s Meat whistles and large woolly buggers. If we get much rain, these streams muddy and rise quickly.

The Norfork River has fished a bit better this week. We have been getting a substantial period of wadable water daily. Generation for the rest of the day was near maximum levels. On low water, small midge patterns have been the ticket. The upper river at Quarry Park has fished particularly well. Try black zebra midges or partridge and Dan’s turkey tail emerger. 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. This past week enforcement officers from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission have been observed at Quarry Park and at the Ackerman access. We appreciate their presence.

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). As the weather heats up this is a great place to cool off. The creek is in a tight valley with a lot of cover. It is always several degrees cooler than the rest of the area. The most effective technique is to high stick nymphs below a strike indicator. There is precious little room to cast. Bring your lunch and make a day of it.

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.

[txspecks04]

How would one get to the Rim Shoals Ferry from Mountain Home? I am not from the area, but I will be in Mountain Home this weekend and I am looking for some dependable wade fishing spots to hit on Saturday morning and Sunday; sounds like Rim Shoals is my best bet...you also mentioned Norfork? Any advice on times to get on either of these waters would be appreciated.

Thanks,

tx