John Berry Fishing Report 6/02/2011

[John Berry]

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 6/02/2011

During the past week, we have had no rain, ever warmer temperatures (some say hot) and milder winds. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam fell two and six tenths feet to rest at thirty nine and six tenths feet above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is one and six tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock Lake fell five and one tenth feet to rest at thirteen and nine tenths feet above power pool or two and one tenth feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake remains 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 significant flows through the flood gates to compensate for two generators being offline for repairs. There has been no wadable water. Norfork Lake fell six tenths of a foot to rest at twenty six and seven tenths of a foot above power pool of 552.00 feet or one and three tenths of a foot 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.

With the flood gates open on the White, there are numerous warm water species that are coming through to the river.

When the flood gates are open, the water going through them is drawn from the top of the water column. This water is warmer than the water lower in the lake, which is drawn through the generators. As a result, the temperature in the river is warmer than normal. This situation is worsened by the rising air temperatures, which hit the nineties this week. On the White, the water temperature hit sixty three at Red Bud. On the Norfork, the water temperature hit sixty five below Norfork Dam and sixty six at the Ackerman access. Rainbow will generally not feed in water above sixty seven degrees and browns will not feed in water over sixty eight. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is carefully monitoring the situation. This could be mitigated by a planned decrease in the water flowing through the flood gates on the White and one of the two generators down for repair on the Norfork being put back on line.

Despite the huge releases from Bull Shoals Dam, which caused flooding on the White, several anglers reported success. The best place to fish was the upper river from Bull Shoals Dam down to White Hole. The key to fishing the high flows has been to fish long leader/tippet combinations (fourteen feet or longer), very heavy weight (two or more 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. The most effective places to fish have been eddies behind breakwaters.

Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are much lower and clear. The water temperature is right on and the small mouths are getting active. Several anglers have reported success with Clouser minnows and crawfish patterns. 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. The ramp at Quarry Park was severely damaged when the flood gates were opened significantly to relieve the dam and is not usable. With the White flooded, most of the anglers were on the Norfork and it was crowded. On high water the best technique has been to drift brightly colored San Juan worms (red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise) and egg patterns (pink and orange). Some anglers have reported success banging the bank with thirteen year cicada patterns. These are large dark insects that hatch every thirteen years. They have been using Chernobyl Ants as an effective pattern.

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.

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). Use heavy tippet (at least 4X). Most fish are lost at the net. Bring a big net (a boat net is perfect). Carefully revive and quickly release all trout. With the water temperatures rising on the Norfork, many trout have sought refuge on Dry Run Creek, particularly the lower section.

The water level on the Spring River is lower and clearer. 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 Dam Three 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.