John Berry Fishing Report 4/29/2010

[John Berry]

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 4/29/2010

During the past week, we have had a precipitation event and much stronger winds (to include lake wind advisories). The rain had little if any effect on lake levels. The Corps of Engineers cut back on generation to prevent flooding down stream. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam remained steady 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 one tenth of a foot below power pool or sixteen and one tenth feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake remained steady 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 much lower levels of generation and several periods of no generation, which created some wadable water. Norfork Lake rose three tenths of a foot to rest at three and three tenths feet above power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty four and three tenths 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 excellent wading.

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 hot spot was the Catch and Release section at Bull Shoals Dam. On the lower flows the hot flies were midge patterns, black or red zebra midges with silver wire or silver bead and Dan’s turkey tail emerger. Small green copper Johns and caddis larva were also productive. On the higher flows, 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 and a bit of lead. You must tick the bottom.

Another hot spot has been The Rim Shoals Catch and Release area. On the lower flows we have received this week there was quite a bit of success with prince nymphs and green copper Johns 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. There was also some nice top water action at Jenkin’s Creek. 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.

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 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. Please be careful when handling trout. Always wet your hands when doing so and leave them in the net submerged in the water until you are ready to take your photo. Minimize their time out of the water. Carefully revive them by gently moving them back and forth in the water to run oxygen through their gills.

The water level on the Spring River is still a bit stained. 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 with a bit of flash, cerise San Juan worms and pheasant tail nymphs. The hot spot has been Bayou access.

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.