John Berry Fishing Report 6/17/2010

[John Berry]

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 6/19/2010

During the past week, we have had no measurable rain, moderate winds and warmer temperatures. The Corps of Engineers has been aggressively drawing down the lakes. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam fell three feet to rest at eight and one tenth feet above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is thirty two and nine tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake rose one tenth of a foot to rest at two feet above power pool or fourteen feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell four tenths of a foot to rest at four and seven tenths of a foot above power pool or four and nine tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we have had round the clock generation with precious little wadable water. Norfork Lake fell one and two tenths feet to rest at six and three tenths feet above power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty one and seven tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we have had limited generation with a few periods of no generation (mostly at night) that allowed for very limited wading. Based on the speed that they are drawing down the lakes, I estimate that it will take three weeks to complete.

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.

On the higher flows, we have been receiving; the key to success has been to fish brightly colored San Juan worms (red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise) and egg patterns (peach and orange). You will need long tippet leader combinations (up to twelve feet) and plenty of lead (AAA split shot). One of the most successful tactics has been to fish droppers. Rig a San Juan worm or egg as you normally would. Then tie a twenty inch 5X tippet to the bend of the hook (use an improved clinch knot) on the worm and tie a small nymph (try a copper John) on the tag end. Fish as you normally would. Most fish will be caught on the nymph.

Another effective technique for high water is to bang the bank with large streamers (try zoo cougars or large sculpin patterns). You will need to use fast sinking sink-tips (250 to 300 grains). To handle this line you will need at least an eight weight fly rod. The trick is to cast to the bank or other structure and strip the line in as you drift. Vary the strip to see what speed the trout will respond to. This is tough work and will weary the arm quickly. Keep one rod rigged for nymphing and switch off from time to time.

The sulphurs are now in full swing. 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 or partridge and orange soft hackles. When you observe trout taking adult insects, change over to sulphur parachutes. The key to success is a perfect drag free drift.

Rim Shoals has been a hot spot. The hot fly here has been copper Johns and prince nymphs. If you want to wade on high flows (up to 17,000 CFS) 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. The upper river below Bull Shoals Dam is clear.

Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are lower and lightly stained. 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 received wadable water earlier in the week and there have been some nice midge hatches. The hot flies have been parachute Adams (size 20 -24), black zebra midges with silver wire and silver bead and Dan’s turkey tail emergers. On higher flows cerise San Juan worms and peach eggs have been the hot flies. Try a dropper here. Use a sow bug near the dam and a copper John on the lower river.

Dry Run Creek has fished well. The most productive flies are sowbugs and worm brown San Juan worms. With summer here expect more families to be fishing here. It can get crowded, particularly on the weekends. You can fish early or late to avoid the crowds. While you are there, take a few minutes to tour the adjacent National Fish Hatchery. It is fascinating. Please remove your waders to prevent the spread of aquatic diseases.

The water level on the Spring River is lower and clear. The aluminum hatch (canoe day trippers) is in full swing. Many boaters on the river have little experience and can be a nuisance or worse a safety hazard. To avoid them, you can fish at the Lassiter Access. This is upstream of the put in point for most of the canoe outfitters. 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.

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.