John Berry Fishing Report 5/19/2011

[John Berry]

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 5/19/2011

During the past week, we have had warm temperatures and milder winds. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam fell nine tenths of a foot to rest at thirty eight and three tenths feet above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is two and seven tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock Lake fell seven tenths feet to rest at twelve and nine tenths feet above power pool or three and one tenth feet above the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake rose nine tenths of a foot to rest at eight and eight tenths feet above power pool or eight tenths of a foot below the top of flood pool. On the White, we had heavy generation with additional flows through the flood gates (to compensate for two generators being offline for repairs) with no wadable water. The level of outflow is near the equivalent of eight generators. Norfork Lake fell eight tenths of a foot to rest at twenty five and six tenths of a foot above power pool of 552.00 feet or two and four 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 Beaver (which rose slightly) and are all near the top of flood pool. With severe flooding downstream clearing, we will have high levels of generation throughout the entire summer.

With the flood gates open on the White, there are numerous warm water species that are coming through the flood gates. 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. The key to fishing the high flows has been to fish long leader/tippet combinations (twelve to fourteen feet), very heavy weight (two AAA split shot) and a large strike indicator set at the top of the leader. The go to flies have been brightly colored San Juan worms (red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise) and egg patterns in pink or orange.

Another hot spot has been Rim Shoals. Several anglers have reported success with Y2Ks and brightly colored San Juan worms. The flows are too heavy to take advantage of the water taxi operated by Rim Shoals Trout Dock.

Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are much lower and clearer. 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 hot flies have 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) and use at least 4X tippet. While you are there take the time to visit the adjacent national Fish Hatchery. The facility is facing severe a severe budget crunch. Let your congressman know just how important this hatchery is to you and our economy.

The water level on the Spring River is still a lower 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.