John Berry Fishing Report 5/12/2011

[John Berry]

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 5/14/2011

During the past week, we have had warm temperatures and mild winds. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam rose three and five tenths feet to rest at thirty nine and two tenths of a foot above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is one and eight tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock Lake fell two and seven tenths feet to rest at thirteen and six tenths feet above power pool or two and four tenths feet above the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell one foot to rest at seven and nine tenths feet above power pool or one and seven tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we had light generation earlier and heavier generation later in the week with no wadable water. Norfork Lake rose seven tenths of a foot to rest at twenty six and four tenths of a foot above power pool of 552.00 feet or one and six tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, the generators are down for repair and the flood gates are open to lower the lake level. The level of outflow is the equivalent of maximum generation or two full generators and there has been no wadable water.

All of the lakes on the White River System have fallen with the exception of Bull Shoals and are all near the top of flood pool. With severe flooding downstream there will be moderate levels of generation below Bull Shoals Dam until the flooding clears. We will have high levels of generation throughout the entire summer.

On the White, we had low levels of generation at the beginning of the week that fished well. The best technique was to drift nymphs under an indicator. The best flies were prince nymphs, copper Johns, Y2Ks and beadhead hare’s ears. On higher water the best technique was to drift brightly colored San Juan worms (red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise) and egg patterns (orange and peach). Fishing a dropper (copper John or beadhead hare’s ear) improved their effectiveness. Other anglers reported success with large articulated streamers (zoo cougars, sex dungeons and butt monkeys have been effective patterns) with heavy sink tips.

Our major mayfly hatch of the year, the sulphurs, is just beginning. The most effective way to fish it is to concentrate on all phases of the hatch. Before the hatch begins, use mayfly nymphs under an indicator. The best patterns will be copper Johns, pheasant tails and hare’s ears. When the nymphs rise to the surface to emerge and the trout begin keying in on them switch over to emergers like partridge and yellow or partridge and orange soft hackles. When the trout begin concentrating on adult insects switch over to dry flies. The best fly is a sulphur parachute.

The best place to fish was the Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam. On low water, the hot flies have been various midge patterns. The hottest flies have been black, silver or purple zebra midges with silver beads and silver wire. On higher flows brightly colored San Juan worms and egg patterns have been effective.

Another hot spot has been Rim Shoals. On low flows, several anglers have reported success with Y2Ks and brightly colored San Juan worms. If you want to wade in high water, Rim Shoals Trout Dock will ferry you to wadable water and pick you up for a modest fee. They can do this in flows up to 17,000 CFS (cubic feet per second).

Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are still high and clearing. 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 had a constant but heavy flow. With the flood gates open, there have been reports of warm water species like stripers that have escaped into the river. They have been spotted in the area of the outflow from Dry Run Creek. The best technique under these conditions is to drift brightly colored San Juan worms (hot fluorescent pink and cerise) and egg patterns (yellow and orange) below an indicator. Use a sow bug dropper on the upper river and a copper John on the lower river to increase your hookups.

Dry Run Creek has fished well. The weather is great, the water is perfect and the trout are willing. The hot fly has been sowbugs and various colored San Juan worms (worm brown, red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise). The fish are huge. You will need to carry the biggest net that you can lay your hands on (a boat net is perfect). Use at least 4X tippet and have your youngster take their time when landing the big fish. Rushing a big fish is a great way to lose them.

The water level on the Spring River is still a bit high and clearing. If you do fish there, 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.