John Berry Fishing Report 7/01/2010

[John Berry]

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 7/01/2010

During the past week, we have had some light rain, moderate winds and much milder temperatures. The Corps of Engineers has continued their aggressive draw down of the lakes. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam fell two and four tenths feet to rest at two and four tenths feet above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is thirty eight and six tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake rose two tenths of a foot to rest at two feet above power pool or fourteen feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell two and six tenths of a foot to rest at one and six tenths of a foot above power pool or eight feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we have had heavy generation with some significant periods of no generation. Norfork Lake fell one and seven tenths feet to rest at two and six tenths feet above power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty five and four tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we have had heavy generation with several periods of no generation. It appears like we will receive some lower flows and wadable water over the Fourth of July holiday. The lakes are all near power pool and we should receive lower flows after the holiday.

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.

The sulphurs are still coming off. Before the hatch, fish copper Johns or pheasant tail nymphs (size fourteen or sixteen) under an indicator. When you trout begin feeding on the top, but you see no insects switch over to partridge and orange or partridge and yellow soft hackles. When you observe fish keying in on adult insets, switch over to sulphur parachutes. Hot spots for this hatch have been Roundhouse Shoals and Wildcat Shoals.

We have a significant alga bloom on the White and Norfork. When the water rises, a significant amount of it is washed downstream. 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. It has started to clear on the White and is greatly diminished.

Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are lower and lightly stained. The water is at a comfortable temperature and the small mouths are active. Try Clouser minnows or crawfish patterns. 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.

With the lower flows we have received early in the day, the key to success has been to fish soft hackles and emergers during the midge hatches. The hot fly has been Dan’s turkey tail emerger. On the higher flows we have been receiving on the Norfork, 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. Expect this place to be crowded over the Fourth of July holiday. You can fish early or late to avoid the crowds. There are fish everywhere. Use at least 4X tippet and carry the biggest net that you can lay your hands on. The fish are huge and most are lost at the net. Don’t forget to take a camera to record the memories.

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.