John Berry Fishing Report

[John Berry]

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 3/15/2012

During the past week, we have had another rain event, unseasonably warm temperatures and very windy conditions (to include lake wind advisories most days). The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam rose seven tenths 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 tenth of a foot to rest at one tenth of a foot above power pool or fifteen and nine tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake rose two tenths of a foot to rest at power pool or nine and six tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we have had light generation during the week with wadable water over the weekend. Norfork Lake rose three tenths of a foot to rest at one tenth of a foot above power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty seven and nine tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we have had generation during the week and some wadable water over the week end. All of the lakes in the White River System are at or below power pool and we should see wadable water on both rivers in the coming week.

The Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam was closed to fishing from November 1, 2011 to January 31, 2012 to accommodate the brown trout spawn. It was opened to fishing on February 1, 2012. When you are fishing there you should avoid the use of drag chains to prevent damage to trout redds and the brown trout eggs in them. On low water, you should wade carefully to avoid them. They will appear as clean depressions in the gravel bottom.

The water flows on the White River this week have been low and constant. While this water level has not been conducive for streamer fishing, the water levels have been near perfect for drifting small nymphs. With the lighter flows, we have been able to use less weight on the leader and we have been required to use lighter tippets (5X or even 6X). Productive patterns have been zebra midges (red and black with silver wire and silver bead), sowbugs, copper Johns and egg patterns.

The caddis hatch is getting more active. It is our most reliable and prolific hatch of the year. It starts as a solid size fourteen green caddis. Before the hatch, fish green nymph patterns like the fluttering caddis. When you begin seeing top water action but no insects, you should switch over to my green butt soft hackle. When the fish begin keying in on hatching adults, you should change over to green elk hair caddis.

The hot spot has been the section of the river from Cotter down to Rim Shoals. The caddis have been reliably hatching in the early afternoon. The conditions have been so windy during the past week that it has been extremely difficult to fish dry flies. It has been more effective to fish nymphs like the fluttering caddis or emergers like the caddis pupa emerger. My green butt soft hackle has also been quite effective.

Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are a bit high and off color. The water temperature is near the temperature for the Smallmouth to be 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.

There has been generation most days on the Norfork. On higher flows, the best technique has been to drift brightly colored San Juan worms (red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise) and egg patterns (pink and orange). When we did get a bit of wadable water, the hot flies have been small red zebra midges, olive scuds, sowbugs and Dan’s turkey tail emergers.

Dry Run Creek has been productive. The weather has been mild and it has drawn lots of young anglers. There is plenty of water to fish and there are trout everywhere. The hot flies have been sowbugs and various colored San Juan worms (worm brown, red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise). Small orange or peach eggs have been very effective.

While you are there visit the adjacent Norfork National Fish Hatchery. It is important to note that the Hatchery has been removed from the Federal budget. This hatchery is very important for the sustainability of our fisheries. Contact your senator or congressman and let them know how you feel.

The water level on the Spring River is lower and clearing. This is a great place to wade fish when they are running water on the White and Norfork Rivers. Canoe season is over and we have much less traffic on stream. Be sure to 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 brown woolly buggers with a bit of flash, cerise and hot pink San Juan worms and Y2Ks.

Remember that the White and Norfork Rivers and Dry Run Creek 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.

Next week, on March 22, 23, and 24, the North Arkansas Fly Fishers will hold the fifteenth annual Sowbug Roundup at the Baxter County Fairgrounds in Mountain Home Arkansas. This is the premier fly tying event in the area (stop by my booth and I will tie you a fly). Make plans to attend now!

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 thirty years.