John Berry Fishing Report 3/30/2011

[John Berry]

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 3/30/2011

During the past week, we have had several rain events, cooler temperatures and heavy winds (to include lake wind advisories). The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam rose two feet to rest at two feet below power pool of 654.00 feet. This is forty three feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock Lake rose four tenths of a foot to rest at three and three tenths feet below power pool or nineteen and three tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake rose two tenths of a foot to rest at six and five tenths feet below power pool or sixteen and one tenth feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we had more generation with some periods of wadable water. Norfork Lake rose one and seven tenths feet to rest at three and one tenth feet below power pool of 552.00 feet or thirty one and one tenth feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we have had a pattern of very limited generation and significant periods of wadable water. All of the lakes on the White River System are still lower than we have seen them for several years at this time of the year and we should receive wadable water.

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.

Our big hatch of the year, the Rhyacophilia caddis has begun. 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 rise to the surface of the water 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, you should switch to green elk hair caddis (also in size sixteen or fourteen). This is our absolute best and most prolific hatch of the year. I have received reports from several anglers expressing significant success from using caddis larva, emerger patterns and dry flies on the White River. The hatch is sparse at times.

The hot spot has been the section from Wildcat Shoals down to Cotter. 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, partridge and green soft hackles and Y2Ks. There has been a few caddis hatching in this area on the lower flows. On the higher flows, brightly colored San Juan worms and egg patterns fished below an indicator with plenty of lead have been quite effective.

Another hot spot has been the Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam. On low flows the best flies have been small dark midge larva patterns (size twenty two or smaller in brown or black with dark beads) and Dan’s turkey tail emergers. On high flows the best flies have been brightly colored San Juan worms and egg patterns.

Rim Shoals has fished well. There have been some decent caddis hatches on low water when the heavy winds would lie down for a while. Size sixteen elk hair caddis have been the hot flies. Other effective flies have been green butts, partridge and green soft hackles and caddis larva (tan and green).

Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are high and stained. The water temperature is around fifty four degrees and the small mouths should be active soon. 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. With more generation on the White, there have been more anglers there. 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. It has been a bit busy this week, with spring break, but there was still plenty of fishable water and some great catches. The hot flies have been sowbugs and hot pink San Juan worms. Some of these fish are huge and the use of heavy tippet (4X or better) is recommended. Always carry a camera and the biggest net that you can lay your hands on. Most big fish are lost at the net.

The water level on the Spring River is high and 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 Dam 3. 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.