John Berry Fishing Report 4/14/2011

[John Berry]

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 4/14/2011

During the past week, we have had a significant rain event, generally warmer temperatures and heavy winds (to include lake wind advisories). The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam dropped two tenths of a foot to rest at two and one tenth feet below power pool of 654.00 feet. This is forty three and one tenth of a foot below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock Lake rose seven tenths of a foot to rest at two and three tenths feet below power pool or eighteen and three tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake rose one and one tenth of a foot to rest at five feet below power pool or fourteen and six tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we had light generation with some wadable water. Norfork Lake rose nine tenths of a foot to rest at one and three tenths feet below power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty nine and three tenths 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 continue to receive wadable water.

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 rises 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 can be sparse at times.

The hot spot has been Round House Shoals in Cotter. On lower flows, the key to success has been to fish dry flies or swing soft hackles and emergers. The go to flies have been elk hair caddis (size 14-16), partridge and green soft hackles and green butts. Other effective flies have been caddis larva and green copper johns. There has been many 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. Try a caddis larva dropper to increase your chances for success.

Another hot spot has been the section from White Hole down to Wildcat Shoals. The dry fly action has been heavy at times when the caddis are hatching. Elk hair caddis in size 14 and 16 has been the top producer. There has also been some nice fish caught on partridge and green soft hackles and green butts. Before the hatch the hot flies have been green caddis pupa. On higher flow this is a great place to bang the bank with large streamers. Flies like circus peanuts or sex dungeons have been the ticket to success. Deliver them with 250 grain or heavier sink tip fly lines. You will need an eight weight rod to cast them. This is hard work and not an easy day but it can generate some big fish.

Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are still high and a bit stained. The water temperature is right on and the small mouths are getting 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. We have had wadable water every day. There has been some decent midge action at the Ackerman access. Try Dan’s turkey tail emerger. Caddis nymph and emerger patterns are also 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). Try using a dropper (a sowbug on the upper river and a caddis pupa on the lower river) to increase your chances for a hook up.

Dry Run Creek has fished well. 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. I frequently see healthy adults fishing here. They take their children there and the kids lose interest. The adults see the big fish and cannot resist taking a few casts at them. Please remember that this is illegal and you could earn yourself a stiff fine. Dry Run Creek is reserved for children less than sixteen years of age and the handicapped.

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

[Ham]

The Caddis hatch is NOT over or at least they were hatching yesterday. I had the best time fishing Caddis dry flies yesterday at Rim. The wind was howling, but that might have helped make trout less spooky. I only had a little while to fish and I almost didn't bother. Sure glad I went.

Size 16 was what I used, but others may have worked.

I was surprised at how large the trout were and how many of the fish were Browns. I was also surprised that I didn't catch a single Cutt.

I have no idea how last night's rough weather will affect the water conditions and the fish.

I learned a lot about dry fly fishing in a little while.

[John Berry]

I fished Rim Shoals yesterday with two clients. i pumped two trout's stomaches and they were full of caddis adults. i have been doing well with green butt soft hackles.

[Ham]

I'd starve to death if I had to feed myself with fish I caught on soft hackles.

[John Berry]

I fish soft hackles regularly. Yesterday my wife, Lori, and I fished Wildcat Shoals. She fished dries while I fished soft hackles. I landed thirty with a twenty one inch brown being the big fish. Lori landed ten. I might add that she generally out fishes me!