Blue Ribbon Fly Shop Mid-May Fishing Report

[Blue Ribbon Fly Shop]

White River - May 15th, 2010

RECORDED: 72 ° FISHING: Excellent

Blue Ribbon Fly Shop Fishing Report for 5-14-10

NOW is the time to take advantage of the best fishing we’ve seen in years

The seemingly steady rains that have pounded the Ozark region over the last week have pretty much avoided a “direct hit” on the Bull Shoals Lake and Norfork Lake watersheds. This means that reservoir levels have gone up slightly, but not enough to change the ways the dams are currently operating. Because much of the heavy flooding was far to the south on the White, the Corp is holding water back at Bull Shoals and Norfork Dams in an effort to help farming concerns. No one can accurately predict how long the flows will be held back, so the best way to get in on the great fishing and wonderful conditions is to try and get down here as soon as you can.

Caddis hatches have still been thick on the White, but with so many naturals on the water, it pays to have a couple strategies for fishing the hatch periods. During breaks in the hatch or if the trout turn off the surface bite, caddis pupa, green Copper Johns and midges in gold, brown, tan, copper, green, chartreuse and black remain consistently productive. Blue Ribbon Fly Shop now stocks a bead head hare’s ear pattern tied with a soft hackle collar – this fly is the perfect caddis and sulphur emerger, and has been the fly of choice for fishing during the mornings or when adult insects are sparse.

Surface activity on the Norfork is still sporadic, but that is likely to change any day now. Once we start seeing sulphurs and little yellow craneflies every afternoon, it will be dry fly heaven over there. The river is loaded with beautiful and healthy cutthroats (and brookies, ‘bows and browns), and this species is known for preferring dries. Every year is different, but if water flows remain wader-friendly, the dry fly action on the Norfork is primed to explode. Please call the shop for more details.

Although it will be tough to beat the spectacular fishing of the last few weeks, if the hatches and water flows line up just right, the action could get even more intense from now through Memorial Day Weekend. Even with the prolific caddis and steady sulphur hatches on the White, the rivers are relatively devoid of fly fishermen – especially during the week. We’ve had clients slamming rainbows, cutthroats and browns on the surface for hours on end; and they are doing this in virtual solitude. The fish are beautifully colored and they are fighting like they’ve never been hooked before.

Opportunities for this type of diverse and productive fishing do not come along every day, so be sure to take advantage, if it is at all a possibility. Besides the random spring shower, the weather is extremely comfortable. These are truly magical times on the White and Norfork; please let us show you how to make the most out of your fly fishing trip. It will not be long before the heat of summer settles in, and while fishing will still be great, the chance to fish lower flows during the spring on the White and Norfork is something every true fly angler should experience at least once in their ‘career’.

Guide trip booking inquiries may contact blueribbonflyfish@hotmail.com