John Berry Fishing Report 5/06/2010

[John Berry]

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 5/06/2010

During the past week, we have had a precipitation event and strong winds (to include lake wind advisories). The rain had little if any effect on lake levels. The Corps of Engineers significantly reduced generation to prevent flooding down stream. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam eased up six tenths of a foot to rest at three and eight tenths feet above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is thirty seven and two tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake fell two tenths of a foot to rest at three tenths of a foot below power pool or sixteen and three tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell two tenths of a foot to rest at three and four tenths of a foot above power pool or six feet and two tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we have had several substantial periods of no generation, which created some excellent wading conditions. Norfork Lake rose six tenths of a foot to rest at three and nine tenths feet above power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty four and one tenth feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we have had limited 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.

There were some spectacular hatches every day this past week. Two major insects were coming off, the grannom and rhyacophilia caddis. At times the hatches were so heavy it looked like it was snowing. The grannom are the smaller of the two (size sixteen) and had a darker wing and tan body. The rhyacophilia were larger (size fourteen) with a lighter wing and green body. The best tactic has been to fish caddis pupa (green or tan) in size fourteen or sixteen under an indicator when there is no top water activity. Green copper Johns and red fox squirrel nymphs have also produced fish. When the trout began keying in on the emergers you switch to soft hackles. Effective flies for this stage have been green butts (my favorite), partridge and green or partridge and orange soft hackles and hares ear soft hackles. When you observe trout taking adult insects, switch to fishing dry flies. The go to fly is the elk hair caddis in size fourteen or sixteen.

If there is some confusion as to which dry fly to fish under multiple hatch conditions, try fishing multiple flies. Tie a twenty four section to the bend of the hook of one fly and the eye of the other. This also makes it easier to spot the fly on the water with so many insects around.

Most of the best top water action has been on the upper river from White Hole down to Rim Shoals. The hot spots have been Wildcat Shoals and the Rim Shoals Catch and Release area. If you want to wade on 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.

On the Norfork, we have received reliable wadable water almost every day and there have been some nice caddis and midge hatches. Fishing conditions during the week have been excellent. 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.

Dry Run Creek has fished 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. Do not forget your camera. It would be a shame for your youngster to catch the fish of a life time and not have a picture of it.

The water level on the Spring River is still a bit high and 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.