John Berry Fishing Report 10/21/2010

[John Berry]

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 10/21/2010

During the past week, we have had no measurable rain and cooler temperatures. The skies have been generally sunny with a bit of wind. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam fell three tenths of a foot to rest at one and one tenth of a foot below power pool of 654.00 feet. This is forty two and one tenth feet below the top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake fell six tenths of a foot to rest at one tenth of a foot above power pool or fifteen and nine tenths of a foot below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell one tenth of a foot to rest at four and three tenths feet below power pool or thirteen and nine tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we had constant generation over last weekend. During the week we had an erratic schedule with a burst of heavy water in the morning and again in the afternoon with few periods of no generation. Norfork Lake fell four tenths of a foot to rest at one foot below power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty nine feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we have had significant periods of no generation most days which has created some reliable wading. All of the lakes on the White River System are at or below power pool and we should 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 levels 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 in these areas. Carefully revive and release all trout caught.

The public ramp on the Norfork River at Quarry Park (at Norfork Dam) will be closed for repairs from Monday, October 4 through Saturday, October 23. There will be limited walk-in access but all boat traffic should use the public ram at the confluence of the White and Norfork Rivers.

On the White, the browns are beginning to pod up from below Rim Shoals to the dam in preparation for their run to the spawning beds in November. There are spawning beds that are beginning to appear in various locations. Please try to avoid these areas. On high water, do not drag chains through them. On low water, carefully avoid them when wading.

We are still experiencing some great grasshopper fishing, which should continue until the first frost. Use a six weight with a stout leader. Work the bank and any significant cover carefully. Use a Dave’s hopper or a large western foam hopper with rubber legs. Increase your catch by adding a dropper to the bend in the hook.

The lower flows we have received 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. Copper Johns and Y2Ks have also been very productive. Fish them with a bit of lead eighteen inches above the fly and a strike indicator set at the depth of the water. When the flows increase, go to a hot fluorescent pink worm with a zebra midge or copper John dropper.

The hot spot for the last week has been the Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals dam. There are some big fish being caught. The hot flies are various midge patterns zebra midges, small soft hackles and Dan’s turkey tail emerger. The erratic generation pattern has created some significant periods of wadable water here. Remember that the dissolved oxygen is dangerously low in this section. Do not fight the trout too long or stress them in any way.

Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are very low and clear. The water is at a comfortable temperature and the small mouths are active. Try Clouser minnows or crawfish patterns. Fall is approaching and these streams will soon be too cold for effective fishing. 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.

The Norfork has been on fire. There are numerous large trout that have moved into the Norfork. The most productive nymphs have been zebra midges and Norfork bead heads. Small soft hackles and Dan’s turkey tail emerger have also produced well. Others have reported success by fishing deeper holes with olive woolly buggers. Remember that the section below the dam has dangerously low dissolved oxygen levels. Do not fight the trout too long or stress them in any way.

Dry Run Creek has fished extremely well. The weather is perfect, especially in the afternoon. There are a number of large brown trout that have begun to move up into the creek. The hot flies have been cerise San Juan worms and sowbugs. Use at least 4X tippet. Handle any fish you catch with care. Carefully revive and release them as soon as possible. Do not forget to carry a big net and your camera.

The water level on the Spring River is low and clear. 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.