John Berry Fishing Report 6/09/2011

[John Berry]

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 6/09/2011

During the past week, we have had no rain, hot temperatures (some say hot) and generally mild winds. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam fell one and seven tenths feet to rest at thirty seven and nine tenths feet above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is three and one tenth feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock Lake fell two and three tenths feet to rest at eleven and six tenths feet above power pool or four and four tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell two tenths of a foot to rest at eight and six tenths feet above power pool or 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 one and seven tenths feet to rest at twenty five feet above power pool of 552.00 feet or three tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, one of the generators is down for repair and six flood gates are open to lower the lake level. There has been no wadable water. The best estimate of when we would receive wadable water is late summer.

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 were in the nineties this week. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is carefully monitoring the situation. This was recently mitigated by a 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 brought back on line.

Now that the White is back in its banks, several anglers have reported success. The best place to fish was the upper river from Bull Shoals State Park down to White Hole. The key to fishing the high flows has been to fish long leader/tippet combinations (twelve 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 thirteen year Cicadas are hatching. These insects hatch every thirteen years. They are large dark insects that make a loud chirping sound. Many of these insects make their way into the river where they are large tempting morsels for trout to feed on. This provides for some fabulous dry fly fishing. There are good Cicada patterns at the local fly shops or you can use a black Chernobyl ant. Use a stout rod and a heavy leader to turn over the large flies. Work the bank and be prepared for a vicious take.

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 back in its banks and fishing well, the Norfork received much less pressure this past week. 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. Others have had success fishing sulphur dry fly patterns. Try size fourteen sulphur parachutes.

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. While you are there take a few minutes to visit the adjacent National Fish Hatchery. Remember that it is involved in a budget crunch and could lose funding. Contact your Senator or Congressman and let them know how important it is to our fishery.

The water level on the Spring River is lower and clearer. This is a great place to wade fish. 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.