John Berry Fishing Report 8/26/2010

[John Berry]

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 8/26/2010

During the past week, we have had no discernable rain and a bit cooler temperatures. The skies have been sunny and there has been little wind. The best time to fish has been early morning. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam fell eight tenths of a foot to rest at seven tenths of a foot below power pool of 654.00 feet. This is forty one and seven tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake fell six tenths of a foot to rest at one and two tenths of a foot below power pool or seventeen and two tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell six tenths of a foot to rest at three and nine tenths of a foot below power pool or thirteen and five tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we have had little or no generation over night and in the morning with very heavy generation in the afternoon (during peak power demand). This made for some excellent wading and some great drift fishing conditions. Norfork Lake fell six tenths of a foot to rest at one and one tenth of a foot below power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty nine and one tenth feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we have had periods of no generation daily which has created some fairly reliable wading. The lakes are below power pool and we have 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 dissolved oxygen level on the White and Norfork Rivers have dropped below the State standard of six parts per million. This problem will be more prevalent near either dam. Please be careful when fighting and releasing fish to avoid stressing them.

Fishing on the White has been universally good from Bull Shoals Dam to Buffalo Shoals. The hot technique has been to fish hoppers. Try foam hoppers or Dave’s hoppers. Rubber legs are a plus. Use a stout six weight rod with a seven and a half foot 3X leader. Cast the fly to the bank or work structure. For added action tie a dropper around the bend of the hook with 5X tippet. A black zebra midge or a sow bug would be a good choice. Hang on, the takes can be vicious.

The lower flows we have received early in the day have been perfect for fishing nymphs. Small zebra midges, black or red with silver wire and silver bead in size sixteen or fourteen have been the go to flies. Fish them with a bit of lead eighteen inches above the fly and a strike indicator set at the depth of the water. Strikes can be subtle. When in doubt, set the hook!

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.

Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are very low and gin 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. 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. With school starting again, the crowds are somewhat diminished particularly during the week. If your favorite spot is taken, don’t worry. There are fish everywhere. Remember that this is strictly Catch and Release. Be sure and pinch down all barbs and no bait is allowed.

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.