John Berry Fishing Report 5/20/2010

[John Berry]

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 5/20/2010

During the past week, we have had seemingly unending rain, thunderstorms and strong winds (to include lake wind advisories). The rain has caused a significant rise in lake levels. The Corps of Engineers continued their reduced levels of generation to prevent flooding down stream. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam rose four feet to rest at seven and four tenths feet above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is thirty three and six tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake rose one and nine tenths of a foot to rest at three and five tenths of a foot above power pool or twelve and five tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake rose three and two tenths feet to rest at three and eight tenths of a foot above power pool or five feet and eight tenth 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 one and seven tenths of a foot to rest at five and seven tenths feet above power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty two and three tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we have had limited generation with 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.

While the caddis hatches continued this week, they are not as heavy or spectacular as they were last week. Two major insects were coming off, the grannom and rhyacophilia caddis. 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. Bead head green butts 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 Roundhouse Shoals in Cotter.

Rim Shoals has been another hot spot. The hot fly here has been the prince nymph. 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.

We have a significant algae bloom on the White and Norfork. When the water rises a significant amount of it is washed down stream. This dirties the water and makes for difficult fishing as you must constantly clean the algae from your hook.

Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are both high and muddy. The water is at a comfortable temperature and the small mouths are becoming active. Carefully check the water level before entering Crooked Creek or the Buffalo River. There are no dams on these streams. They both have large drainages and are prone to flooding during and following any rain event. The water can rise very quickly.

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. The hot flies have been elk hair caddis, parachute Adams (size 20 -24), green butts, bead head green butts and Dan’s turkey tail emergers. On higher flows cerise San Juan worms and peach eggs have been the hot flies.

Dry Run Creek has fished well. The most productive flies are sowbugs and worm brown San Juan worms. The most effective way to fish it is to high stick nymphs. There is very little room to cast. Use heavy tippet (at least 4X). Carry a camera and the biggest net that you can lay your hands on. Most fish are lost at the net.

The water level on the Spring River is 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 Dam Three 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.