John Berry Fishing Report 7/31/2010

[John Berry]

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 7/31/2010

During the past week, we have had no rain and continued hot temperatures and high humidity. With the brutally hot temperatures we have been receiving, the best time to fish has been early morning. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam fell one and four tenths of a foot to rest at one and eight tenths feet above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is thirty nine and two tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake fell four tenths of a foot to rest at one and six tenths feet above power pool or fourteen and for tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell nine tenths of a foot to rest at four tenths of a foot below power pool or ten feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we have had steady generation with heavy generation in the afternoon (during peak power demand) with a bit of wadable water thrown in. This made foe some excellent wading and some great drift fishing conditions. Norfork Lake fell one and five tenths of a foot to rest at one and seven tenths feet above power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty six and three tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we have had some periods of no generation daily which has created some fairly reliable wading. The lakes are near power pool and we should receive more wadable water.

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 lower flows we have received early in the day have been perfect for 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 (a six or a seven 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. Work the banks and pay particular attention to structure. This is where the bigger fish will be located. This technique can generate some vicious strikes. Add a dropper fly to the bend of the hook on the grasshopper and increase your hookups. A couple of good flies for this would be a small copper John or a black zebra midge.

On the higher flows we have been receiving later in the day, the key to success has been to fish brightly colored San Juan worms and egg patterns. The best colors for the San Juan worms have been red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise. The best colors for the eggs have been orange and peach. You must add a substantial amount of weight to the leader to get the fly down and use a large strike indicator to float the rig. Concentrate on working near banks, structure and submerged weed beds.

The section from Rim Shoals down to Buffalo Shoals has been particularly good. The hot flies here were tan grasshoppers. Other productive patterns were zebra midges in red with silver wire and silver bead and disco midges. Olive woolly buggers, pheasant tails and copper Johns also accounted for a lot of fish.

The alga problem that we had earlier in the year is completely cleared on the White and Norfork.

.Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are lower and clear. 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.

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). There has also been some pretty spectacular hopper action. Try a size ten Dave’s hopper or Rainey’s hopper in tan. 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.

Dry Run Creek has fished extremely well. The most productive flies are sowbugs and worm brown San Juan worms. This has been a great place to beat the heat. The creek is located in a deep valley with extensive tree cover and cold water. Fish the White or Norfork River in the morning and then take your youngster to Dry Run Creek in the afternoon when things begin to heat up. Use at least 4X tippet and carry the biggest net that you can lay your hands on. The fish here are huge. Do not forget the camera.

The water level on the Spring River is low and much clearer. 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.