John Berry Fishing Report 8/07/2010

[John Berry]

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 8/07/2010

During the past week, we have had no rain, even hotter temperatures (to include heat advisories) and high humidity. The skies have been sunny and there has been little wind. With the brutally hot temperatures we have been receiving, the best time to fish has been early morning. Wet wading has been the way to go and do not forget to take plenty of water with you.

The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam fell eight tenths of a foot to rest at one foot above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is forty feet below the top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake fell seven tenths of a foot to rest at nine tenths of a foot above power pool or fifteen and one tenth feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell two tenths of a foot to rest at six tenths of a foot below power pool or ten and two tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we have had light or no generation over night and in the morning with heavy generation in the afternoon (during peak power demand). This made for some excellent wading and some great drift fishing conditions. Norfork Lake fell one foot to rest at seven tenths of a foot above power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty seven 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 all at or 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 red zebra midge would be a good choice.

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 White Hole down to Cotter has been red hot. The periods of no generation have been particularly productive. The hot flies have been zebra midges either red with silver wire and silver bead or black with silver wire and silver bead. The best sizes have been sixteen and eighteen. Other productive flies have been olive woolly buggers and copper Johns.

The alga problem that we had earlier in the year is completely cleared on the White and Norfork. The water has been gin clear and lighter tippets have been the norm.

Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are low 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). The most productive nymphs have been zebra midges and Norfork bead heads. Black has been the hot color. 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. Take a picnic lunch with you. There are a few picnic tables on the creek, which make it a great place to enjoy the cool temperatures and spectacular scenery.

The water level on the Spring River is low 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.

[Megabucks461]

John thanks for all the work you do to put out these reports. Can't wait to get up there this fall and wade some water.