John Berry Fishing Report 5/27/2010

[John Berry]

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 5/27/2010

During the past week, we have had even more rain, which has continued to raise 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 and nine tenths feet to rest at twelve and three tenths feet above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is twenty eight and seven tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake fell seven tenths of a foot to rest at two and eight tenths of a foot above power pool or thirteen and two tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake rose one and eight tenths feet to rest at five and six tenths of a foot above power pool or four 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 two and six tenths of a foot to rest at eight and three tenths feet above power pool of 552.00 feet or nineteen and seven 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.

The caddis hatches have been greatly reduced. There are, however, some sulphurs appearing. This is our major mayfly hatch of the year. They are yellow to orange mayflies that are size fourteen when the hatch begins and will get progressively smaller as the hatch continues, generally ending at size eighteen. The best way to fish this hatch is to fish copper John or pheasant tail nymphs before the hatch starts. When the fish begin feeding on emerging sulphurs switch over to partridge and yellow soft hackles. When you observe trout taking adult insects, change over to sulphur parachutes. The key to success is a perfect drag free drift.

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 and JB’s bead head green butt. 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 alga 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 alga from your hook. It has significantly cleared out on the Norfork but remains a problem on the White.

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 midge hatches. Fishing conditions during the week have been excellent. The hot flies have been elk hair 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. Many families are taking advantage of all of the recent streamside improvements. In addition to bank stabilization and trout habitat, there are now some conveniently placed picnic tables that take advantage of some spectacular scenery and make for an awesome place to have a streamside lunch.

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.