John Berry Fishing Report 4/22/2010

[John Berry]

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 4/22/2010

During the past week, we have had some minor precipitation and much milder winds. All of the lakes on the White River System continue their fall. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam fell two and three tenths feet to rest at three and two tenths feet above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is thirty seven and eight tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake fell one tenth of a foot to rest at power pool or sixteen feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell two tenths feet to rest at three and six tenths of a foot above power pool or six feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we have had generation around the clock. Norfork Lake fell five tenths of a foot to rest at three feet above power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty five feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we have had moderate generation with a several significant periods of no generation that allowed for some good wading. The Corps of Engineers is aggressively drawing down the lakes and we should return to power pool on the White in one week, providing we receive no substantial rain.

There were significant changes to trout fishing regulations effective January 1, 2010. The Catch and Release section on the Norfork River will be increased from it current size of 1.1 miles to a new total of approximately two miles. The new upper boundary will be the bottom of long hole and the new lower limit will be the Ackerman access. The new regulations will also allow for multiple hook points in Catch and Release sections on the White and Norfork Rivers. Up to three treble hooks will be allowed. All hook points must be barbless. Of interest to fly fishers, is that the new regulations will allow the use of droppers, multiple fly rigs and articulated multiple hook streamers.

The Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam, which was closed from November 1, 2009 through January 31, 2010 for the brown trout spawn, has now reopened. Remember that there are numerous spawning beds (redds) containing freshly laid and fertilized eggs. Please avoid dragging chains through these areas. The redds will appear as clean depressions in the gravel.

The flows from the sluice gates have ceased and the water on the White is cleaner and the volume is also diminished. As a result, fishing has been better in general. On the higher flows we received this week, the key to success was to fish brightly colored San Juan worms (cerise, hot fluorescent pink and red) and egg patterns (peach and orange). On water this high, you must use long leader/tippet combinations (ten feet) and a bit of lead. You must tick the bottom. Use a strike indicator and 4X tippet. The most productive area for this technique has been the Catch and Release Section below Bull Shoals Dam (various midge patterns have also been a productive fly in this section).

Another hot spot has been The Rim Shoals Catch and Release area. On the more moderate flows we have received this week there was quite a bit of success with prince nymphs fished under an indicator. The caddis are still coming off and several anglers were able to catch some good top water action on slow runs near the bank that were wadable in the reduced flows. If you want to wade on the high flows you can obtain the services of the water taxi at Rim Shoals Trout Dock. For a nominal fee they will ferry you to wadable water and pick you up when you are ready to return. They can provide these services in flows up to 17,000 cubic feet per second.

Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are both dropping and are beginning to clear. The warm temperatures are beginning to heat them up and the small mouth will become more active when the water temperature reaches fifty five degrees.

We have received reliable wadable water every day and this has drawn quite a bit of pressure to the Norfork particularly on the weekends. Fishing conditions during the week have been excellent. We have had some nice caddis and midge hatches that anglers have fished with quite a bit of success. There have been some sulphurs observed but they have been sporadic and the fish have not paid much attention to them. The hot flies have been elk hair caddis, parachute Adams (size 20 -24), green butts and Dan’s turkey tail emergers. On the high flows, brightly colored San Juan worms (red, cerise and hot fluorescent pink) and egg patterns (peach and orange) have been the go to flies. On the upper river, try a sowbug dropper and on the lower river try a caddis pupa or a copper John.

Dry Run Creek has fished extremely well. The Dry Run Creek improvement project sponsored by the Friends of the Norfork Fish Hatchery has been completed and the improved access continues to draw more and more anglers. This is a major attraction for the Twin Lakes Area. The most productive flies are sowbugs and worm brown San Juan worms. There is very limited casting room and the best technique is to high stick nymphs under an indicator. Use heavy tippet (at least 4X) and carry a large net. Most fish are lost at the net. While you are there, take a tour of the adjacent National Fish Hatchery. Be sure and remove your waders before entering to prevent the spread of aquatic diseases.

The water level on the Spring River is falling and the water is beginning to clear. Be sure and wear cleated boots and carry a wading staff. There is a lot of bedrock that can get very slick. The hot flies have been olive woolly buggers, cerise San Juan worms and pheasant tail nymphs. The hot spot has been the Dam Three Access area.

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.