John Berry Fishing Report 7/08/2010

[John Berry]

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 7/08/2010

During the past week, we have had rain, moderate winds and warm temperatures. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam rose three tenths feet to rest at two and seven tenths feet above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is thirty eight and three tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake rose two tenths of a foot to rest at two and two tenths feet above power pool or thirteen and eight tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell two tenths of a foot to rest at one and four tenths of a foot above power pool or eight and two tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we have had significant periods of no generation every day with short periods of moderate to heavy generation in the afternoon. This has created perfect wading conditions. Norfork Lake fell five tenths of a foot to rest at two and two tenths feet above power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty five and nine tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we have had significant periods of no generation daily which has created some great 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 low water we received this past week produced some absolutely spectacular fishing. There were reports of exceptional fishing from every section of the rivers.

Though on the wane, 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 the section from White Hole down to Cotter, with Wildcat Shoals the epicenter.

Another hot spot has been Rim Shoals. There were few sulphurs coming off and the fish did not seem to be keying in on them like they were upstream. The hot flies here were midges. The most productive patterns were zebra midges in black with silver bead and silver wire, brown with copper wire and copper bead, red with silver wire and silver bead and disco midges. Olive woolly buggers and sowbugs also accounted for a lot of fish.

With low wadable water and warm summer temperatures, it is time to start fishing grasshoppers. These are large wind resistant flies and require shorter leaders (nine feet or less), heavy tippets (at least 4X) and a substantial rod (at least a six weight). Work the bank and heavy structure. Cast the fly so that it splashes down and give it a twitch from time to time to imitate a struggling insect. This technique can generate some vicious strikes.

Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are higher and 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 on the Norfork, 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 later in the afternoon, 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. Use at least 4X tippet and carry the biggest net that you can lay your hands on. While you are there take a tour of the adjacent National Fish Hatchery. Please remove your waders before entering 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 should fish during the week. 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.