John Berry Fishing Eport 11/12/2009

[John Berry]

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 11/12/2009

During the past week, we have had no rain events and unseasonably mild conditions. The lake levels on the White River system continue their rise although at a much slower rate. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam rose one and five tenths feet to rest at twenty four and six tenths of a foot above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is sixteen and four tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake fell one and one tenth of a foot to rest at one and eight tenths feet above power pool or fourteen and two tenths feet below the top of flood pool. The Corps of Engineers are aggressively drawing down Table Rock and dumping the water into Bull Shoals, which is rising steadily. Beaver Lake held steady at eight and five tenths feet above power pool or one and one tenth 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. We did have a brief (two hour) window of no generation one afternoon. Norfork Lake rose six tenths of a foot to rest at eighteen and six tenths feet above power pool of 552.00 feet or nine and four 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. This is the lull before the storm. The lakes have accumulated a significant amount of water. The only thing preventing high levels of generation around the clock is flooding down stream. As soon as it clears, we will see a lot of high water.

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 closed 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 Cotter to Rim Shoals 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. Two fly rigs (San Juan worm and egg) have done particularly well in this area. Small mayfly nymphs like pheasant tails and copper johns and midge patterns (black zebra midges with silver wire and silver bead) have also been effective.

Rim Shoals has cooled down some but is still fishing well. The go to flies have been Y2Ks and cerise San Juan worms. If you encounter high water, Rim Shoals Trout Dock maintains a water taxi and will ferry you to wadable water for a nominal fee. Some of the more productive water that can be accessed includes the water around Jenkin’s Creek or along the island near the walk-in access.

Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River have cleared a bit. The water below Crooked Creek has cleared up but is still not fishing too well.

The Norfork River has continued to receive 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. Other effective flies have been olive woolly buggers and soft hackles (partridge and orange soft hackles and green butts). On the higher flows hot 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.

There has been some major work done at Quarry Park. The parking lot at the ramp has been resurfaced. This is a busy ramp and it is great to have it back in service.

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. San Juan worms and Y2Ks have also accounted for some large fish. While you are there, take a few minutes to tour the adjacent National Fish hatchery. It is fascinating. Please be sure to remove your waders before you enter the hatchery to prevent the spread of aquatic diseases.

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. Many manufacturers are now making rubber soled wading boots that are easier to clean and are not as likely to harbor didymo.

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.