John Berry Fishing Report 3/05/2011

[John Berry]

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 3/05/2011

During the past week, we have had a couple of rain events, milder temperatures and heavy winds (to include lake wind advisories). The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam rose one and two tenths of a foot to rest at five and six tenths feet below power pool of 654.00 feet. This is forty six and six tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock Lake rose one and five tenths of a foot to rest at six and seven tenths feet below power pool or twenty two and seven tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake rose one and one tenth of a foot to rest at eight and six tenths feet below power pool or eighteen and two tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we had moderate generation with significant periods of no generation. Norfork Lake rose one and seven tenths of a foot to rest at eight and seven tenths feet below power pool of 552.00 feet or thirty six and three tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we have had a similar pattern of moderate generation and significant periods of wadable water. All of the lakes on the White River System are lower than we have seen them for several years and we should receive more wadable water. The increased periods of wadable water that we have had during the past week were a result of milder weather and reduced power demand.

The Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam was closed 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 was seasonal Catch and Release for the same period. These sections are now open. 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 wade around them.

The hot spot has been the section from Wildcat down to Cotter. On the higher flows, the most consistent technique to catch good fish has been to bang the bank and any heavy cover with large streamers. The hot flies have been zoo cougars, circus peanuts and sex dungeons cast on two hundred fifty grain lines or heavier. Be sure and pinch down the barbs on these big flies. If you duff a cast and have to remove one of them from yourself, it could be painful. To toss this rig all day is heavy work and you will need a stiff eight weight rod and heavy tippet, at least 3X. On lower flows try sow bugs and zebra midges (camel with copper beads and copper wire).

As the temperatures warm, the conditions required for a shad kill, are just not there. The lake levels are much lower than the last few years at this time, which has affected generation levels. We have not experienced a shad kill but several guides have reported success with shad patterns on high levels of generation.

Our big hatch of the year, the Rhyancophylia caddis should begin any day now. This is a fairly large caddis fly that is bright green. Before the hatch try bright green caddis larva patterns like the fluttering caddis (in size 16 or 14). When the caddis rises to the surface to emerge, switch to a partridge and green or green butt soft hackle (in size sixteen or fourteen). When you see trout taking adults on the surface, switch once again to green elk hair caddis (once again in size sixteen or fourteen). This is our absolute best and most prolific hatch of the year. It usually coincides with the Sowbug Roundup, which begins next week.

Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are low and a bit stained. 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 continued to fish well this week. There have been a few more anglers particularly on the weekends. We have had wadable water every day. The hot spot has been Quarry Park just below Norfork dam. The hot flies have been sowbugs suspended below hot pink worms. 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. Now is a great time to visit the creek and take advantage of this great weather. The hot flies have been the sowbug and worm brown San Juan worms. It is imperative that all trout be handled with care. Keep them in the water until you are ready to take your photograph, minimize their time out of the water and carefully revive them.

The water level on the Spring River is low and a bit stained. 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 Bayou Access. The hot flies have been olive woolly buggers with a bit of flash, cerise San Juan worms, pheasant tail nymphs and Y2Ks.

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.

Local fishing icon, Forrest Wood, will speak at the White River Trout Unlimited meeting at El Chico’s on Monday Night at 7:00 PM.

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.