John Berry Fishing Report 12/25/2010

[John Berry]

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 12/25/2010

During the past week, we have had no rain, cold temperatures and heavy wind (to include lake wind advisories). The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam fell four tenths of a foot to rest at four and five tenths feet below power pool of 654.00 feet. This is forty five and five tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake fell seven tenths of a foot to rest at five and seven tenths feet below power pool or twenty one and seven tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell six tenths to rest at six and seven tenths feet below power pool or sixteen and three tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we had an erratic schedule with a burst of heavy water in the morning and again in the afternoon with some wadable water in between. Norfork Lake fell five tenths of a foot to rest at six and four tenths feet below power pool of 552.00 feet or thirty four and four tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we have had a similar pattern with less generation and reliable wadable water. All of the lakes on the White River System are significantly below power pool and we should have more wadable water. This week’s heavy generation is considered to be the result of our frigid temperatures.

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 in spawn. There are spawning beds 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.

Overall the fishing has been a bit slow and there here have been few anglers. The fishing has centered on some pretty reliable midge hatches, our most prolific insect this time of year. When there is no top water action concentrate on midge larva or pupa imitations. The hot flies have been red or black zebra midges with silver wire and silver beads in size twenty or twenty two. When there is active feeding on the surface, try midge emergers. Dan’s turkey tail emerger has been very productive.

The erratic flows we have received have been challenging to deal with. As the flows change, you will need to constantly adjust your weight and strike indicator. With the spawn, egg patterns have been the go to flies along with various midge patterns. 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.

If you wish to wade during heavy generation take advantage of the water taxi at Rim Shoals Trout Dock. For a nominal fee, they will ferry you to wadable water and pick you up when you are finished. You can take advantage of this ferry with flows up to 17,000 cubic feet per second.

Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are low and clear. The water temperature is low and the small mouths are not active. 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 fished well this week. There have been few anglers and some good midge hatches. Try black zebra midges in size twenty or olive Norfork bead heads the same size. Dan’s turkey tail emerger has accounted for a lot of fish. There have been substantial changes to the section below Norfork Dam there due to the recent work on the ramp area. It has been built up and at low water the current is now directed to the far bank. Thanks to a new emergency exit it is now much safer to fish below the Ackerman access. Remember, this exit is located on private land and is for egress only. On high water try brightly colored San Juan worms (cerise and hot pink) or egg patterns (orange and peach).

Dry Run Creek has fished well. The hot flies have been cerise San Juan worms and sowbugs. With the cold weather the creek has been virtually abandoned. Take a break over the holidays and give your kids a treat. It will be cold so bundle them up and take a thermos of hot chocolate. While you are there take a tour of the adjacent National Fish Hatchery. Don’t forget to remove your waders before entering to prevent the spread of aquatic diseases.

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 spot has been downstream from the dam Three 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.

[DaddyO]

Mr. Berry,

Thank you for providing the fishing reports. I always try to follow your posts as they are very informative. I've noticed that, quite frequently, you refer to Dan's Turkey Tail Emerger. I have scoured the internet searching for a picture of this pattern and was not able to find one. Can you tell me if the attached image is a correct rendition of the pattern?

Thanks!

[Ham]

Merry Christmas John! Thanks for the intell. See you on the river.

[John Berry]

Here is the best photo that I have.

[DaddyO]

Excellent! Thank you, Sir.

[Greg]

Thanks for the report John. Merry Christmas to you too.

Greg