John Berry Fishing Report 10/22/2009

[John Berry]

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 10/22/2009

During the past week, we have had rain and cooler temperatures. The lake levels on the White River system have all risen significantly. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam rose four and three tenths of a foot to rest at thirteen and seven tenths of a foot above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is twenty seven and three tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake fell three and two tenths of a foot to rest at three and eight tenths feet above power pool or twelve and two tenths feet below the top of flood pool. The flood gates are open at Table Rock and they are aggressively drawing it down and dumping the water into Bull Shoals, which is rising quickly. Beaver Lake rose three tenths of a foot to rest at six feet above power pool or three and six tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we have had light but steady generation around the clock with slightly higher flows in the afternoon. There has been precious little wadable water. Norfork Lake rose eight tenths of a foot to rest at eight and three tenths of a foot above power pool of 552.00 feet or nineteen and seven tenths feet below the top of flood pool. There have been significant periods of no generation every day with moderate generation the rest of the day. This has created some great wading conditions.

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 fishing in the Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam has been excellent. With the low level flows we had this week; it was difficult to navigate around all the new habitat structures recently installed by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the Corps of Engineers. The hot flies have been brightly colored San Juan worms (cerise, hot fluorescent pink and red) and egg patterns (orange and peach). White marabou jigs accounted for some good fish.

This section is scheduled to close on November 1, 2009 for the brown trout spawn. It will remain closed until January 31, 2010. The section from the bottom of this Catch and Release section downstream to the wing wall at the State park is seasonal Catch and Release for the same time period.

The stretch from Wildcat Shoals to Cotter has fished well. The moderate flows we have received this past week have been perfect for drift fishing. The hot flies have been San Juan worms and Y2Ks. There has also been a bit of grasshopper action, especially on windy days.

Rim Shoals has been red hot for another week. The go to flies have been Y2Ks and cerise San Juan worms. In the afternoon we have been getting some good baetis (small may flies) hatches. Most of the action was with nymphs. Flashback pheasant tails and copper Johns in size 14 have been very effective. There has been limited top water action particularly against the bank. Try size 20 or 22 parachute Adams dry flies. If you encounter high water, Rim Shoals Trout Dock maintains a water taxi and will ferry you to wadable water for a nominal fee.

Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are running high and muddy. The White River below them is very off color and not fishing well.

The Norfork River has received quite a bit of pressure due to round the clock generation on the White but has still fished well. Midge patterns have been the go to flies on the lower flows. The most productive patterns were black zebra midges with silver wire and silver beads, black Norfork midges and Dan’s turkey tail emergers. On the higher flows hot pink fluorescent pink San Juan worms and orange egg patterns have been the most effective way to fish. There are some spawning rainbows in the Catch and Release section. You should avoid fishing for them to allow them to reproduce naturally. We could use some more wild rainbows. Also avoid walking through the redds (spawning beds). They will appear as light colored depressions in the gravel.

Dry Run Creek has fished well this past week. There are some big browns that have begun moving up into the creek to spawn. The hot fly, as always, has been the sowbug. Other hot flies have been worm brown San Juan worms and egg patterns (orange). Be sure and bring a large net and a camera. When you land one of the big fish there be sure and handle it carefully. Keep it in the net until the camera is out and you are ready to take the photo. Carefully revive all fish caught and always wet your hands before handling trout.

Remember that the White and Norfork Rivers are infected with didymo, an invasive alga. Be sure and thoroughly clean and dry your waders (especially the felt soles on wading boots) before using them in any other water.

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.