John Berry Fishing Report 11/25/2010

[John Berry]

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 11/25/2010

During the past week, we have had a minor rain event, cooler temperatures and a lot of extremely heavy wind (to include lake wind advisories). The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam rose one tenth of a foot to rest at three and two tenths feet below power pool of 654.00 feet. This is forty four and two tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake fell six tenths of a foot to rest at two and eight tenths of a foot below power pool or eighteen and eight tenths of a foot below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell two tenths of a foot to rest at five and one feet below power pool or fourteen and seven tenths of a foot below the top of flood pool. On the White, we had an erratic schedule with a burst of heavy water in the morning and precious few periods of no generation for the week. Norfork Lake fell six tenths of a foot to rest at five feet below power pool of 552.00 feet or thirty three feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we have had significant generation with some wadable water. All of the lakes on the White River System are significantly below power pool and we should have 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 Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam will close from November 1, 2010 to January 31, 2011 to accommodate the brown trout spawn. The State Park from the bottom of the Catch and Release section down to the wing wall will be seasonal Catch and Release for the same period.

On the White, the browns are beginning to spawn. 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.

The erratic flows we have received have been challenging to deal with. As the flows increase, you will need to add more weight and adjust your strike indicator. With the spawn, egg patterns have been the go to flies. Copper Johns, black or red zebra midges and cerise San Juan worms 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. Nymphs suspended below an egg or San Juan worm with eighteen inches of 5X tippet tied to the bend of the hook by an improved clinch knot have been particularly effective. The hot spot has been the section, White Hole down to Cotter.

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 very crowded. For most of the week, this was the only wadable water and it was absolutely slammed. If possible, fish there during the week. The hot flies have been small black zebra midges and Dan’s turkey tail emergers. Use 6X tippet or smaller. You will need a rod with a sensitive tip to protect these small tippets. On higher water try cerise San Juan worms or peach eggs.

Dry Run Creek has fished extremely well. There are a number of large brown trout that have moved up into the creek. The hot flies have been cerise San Juan worms and sowbugs. With cooler weather the creek is not as crowded and now is a great time to fish there. This would be the perfect spot to take your youngster over the holidays for an outing.

The water level on the Spring River is very 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 spot has been the Dam 3 access. 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.