John Berry Fishing Report 3/10/2011

[John Berry]

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 3/10/2011

During the past week, we have had a couple of rain events, mild temperatures and heavy winds (to include lake wind advisories). The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam rose one foot to rest at four and six tenths feet below power pool of 654.00 feet. This is forty five and six tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock Lake rose one and two tenths of a foot to rest at five and five tenths feet below power pool or twenty one and five tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake rose eight tenths of a foot to rest at seven and eight tenths feet below power pool or seventeen and four 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 four tenths of a foot to rest at seven and three tenths feet below power pool of 552.00 feet or thirty five and three tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we have had a pattern of light 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 White Hole down to Wildcat. On lower flows the key to success has been to fish nymphs under an indicator or swing soft hackles and emergers. The go to flies have been caddis larva in green, sowbugs, and green copper Johns. Other effective flies have been green butts and partridge and green soft hackles. 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.

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. I have received reports from several anglers expressing significant success from using caddis larva and emerger patterns throughout the river.

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 anglers except 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. Caddis nymph and emerger patterns are taking a lot of fish. Try green butts or green caddis larva patterns. 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. While you are there take a few minutes to tour the adjacent National Fish Hatchery. Remember that there is a current funding crisis and the hatchery is very important to our fishery and economic health.

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.

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.