John Berry Fishing Report 7/15/2010

[John Berry]

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 7/15/2010

During the past week, we have had a major rain event and warmer temperatures. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam rose one and two tenths feet to rest at three and nine tenths feet above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is thirty seven and one tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake fell one tenth of a foot to rest at two and one tenth feet above power pool or thirteen and nine tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell seven tenths of a foot to rest seven tenths of a foot above power pool or eight and nine 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 rose one and four tenths of a foot to rest at three and six tenths feet above power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty four and four 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 heavy rain we had this past week (six inches over two days in my rain gauge) has had little effect on lake levels. The heavy foliage cover helped prevent a lot of the run off. The White and Norfork were severely stained for a while and fished poorly during that period. We had some heavy generation over the week end but then had some long periods of no generation followed by moderate generation in the afternoon. This has created some spectacular wading conditions.

The key to success following heavy rains, like we have experienced, is to fish San Juan worms. A lot of worms are flushed into the river during the rain and the trout key in on these tasty morsels. In heavily stained water use brightly colored worms (hot fluorescent pink and cerise). When the water clears a bit try red or worm brown San Juan worms.

The Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals dam has been red hot and has produced numbers of good fish. The hot flies have been various midge patterns. This is a great place to fish when the river is muddy as the water coming through the dam is always clear.

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 have been (a few fish have been caught on copper Johns). 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 fish have been quite selective and keying in on tiny midges. The hot fly has been Dan’s turkey tail emerger (size 22). 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 extremely 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. This is a great place to beat the heat. This tight little valley is always a few degrees cooler. Take a picnic basket. This is also a great place to have lunch.

The water level on the Spring River is high and it is heavily stained. 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.