John Berry Fishing Report 4/21/2011

[John Berry]

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 4/21/2011

During the past week, we have had a significant rain event, generally warmer then cooler temperatures and extremely heavy winds (to include lake wind advisories almost every day). The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam rose two and one tenth of a foot to rest at power pool of 654.00 feet. This is forty one feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock Lake rose one and three tenths of a foot to rest at one foot below power pool or seventeen feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake rose one and five tenths of a foot to rest at three and five tenths feet below power pool or thirteen and one tenth feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we had light generation with significant periods of wadable water. Norfork Lake rose two and one tenth feet to rest at eight tenths feet above power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty seven and two 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 have risen several feet and are all near or above power pool.

After the heavy rain we received this past week, the river was severely stained. The best place to fish was the Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam. The water is always clear there, when the rest of the river is unfishable.

Our big hatch of the year, the Rhyacophilia caddis is in full swing. 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 Wildcat Shoals. 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, green copper johns and partridge and orange soft hackles. There has been many caddis hatching in this area on the lower flows. There are numerous brown trout in this section. 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.

Another hot spot has been Rim Shoals. The dry fly action has been heavy at times when the caddis are hatching and the wind lies down for a while. 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.

Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are still high and a bit stained. The recent rains significantly raised the water level on both streams and the White River below Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River was very muddy and unfishable for several days. 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 worm brown San Juan worms. The mild weather has drawn several young anglers here in the past week. There are plenty of trout and lots of places to fish. The creek is located in a narrow valley and is a great place to escape the heavy winds we have experienced lately. While you are there, take a minute and tour the adjacent National Fish Hatchery. It is an important component of our local economy and it is in peril. Let your politicians know that we need it to stay open.

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 the Lassiter 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.