Members jonbo Posted November 1, 2013 Members Posted November 1, 2013 Hi everyone. Am I understanding this right? Currently, for some weeks at least, there has not been any "minimum flow" on the White as it was defined, that is, somewhere around 800 cfs or something. When I look at the charts that various websites kindly provide, it looks like the real minimum at this time is about 2000 cfs, and usually not for long at all. It seems as though it's kind of medium flow all the time. I understand that's great for the fishing as long as your doing it from a boat. What I'm wondering is, does that mean no wade fishing to speak of on the White at this time? Another man who posted in another forum was told that the power company couldn't make there equipment operate correctly with only a single generator running. I'm planning to come to the White River at the end of November. 1) Should I think of making other fishing arrangements such as renting a boat? a) If I do that, can I boat to wadeable water, beach or anchor the boat, then get out and wade? b)If that's the case, what level of generation is the highest at which I can do something like that? 2) I understand that I can get myself ferried to the island at Rim Shoals. What is the highest level of gen that that is a practical option. I'm planning at this point to fish the Norfork quite a bit. Still wondering about the White and wade fishing. Has anyone ANY idea if they plan to have any Minimum Flow in November? Thank you all in advance. jonbo
Ham Posted November 1, 2013 Posted November 1, 2013 In my opinion, there is always wading water. It definitely changes as flow changes. I think using the boat to get to wading water is a great idea, but a) anchor your boat out of the flow with as heavy an anchor as you can deal with AND know what is going to happen with the water. If you fish down river a little bit you can KNOW that in x number of hours the water is going to do this. Assume the water is going to move 4 miles an hour. It does take longer for water to fall out than it does for it to rise. At 2000 CFS, there is more water to wade fish then you have time to fish. I don't think I could be happy being limited to the first island at Rim on higher flow, but thar's just me. I think I would plan on renting a boat and DO make sure you get educated on how to use the boat safely from the rental place before you take it out. Every Saint has a past, every Sinner has a future. On Instagram @hamneedstofish
hoglaw Posted November 1, 2013 Posted November 1, 2013 I concur with everything Ham said. Depending on what part of the river you're on, you can almost always find SOME wadable water at these low to medium-low flows. I wouldn't want to be stuck on foot myself, so I'd opt for the boat for sure. The Norfork is fishing really good right now, or at least it did for us last weekend. I'd focus your efforts there if you really want guaranteed wadable water. Of course, with the cooler temps coming up, the window of opportunity on the fork may not be as big as it has been.
Greasy B Posted November 1, 2013 Posted November 1, 2013 I can't add anything to the wisdom above. What I can say is: go, don't let less than ideal conditions dampen your enthusiasm. With some effort and versatility the White is fishable in all but the worst conditions. His father touches the Claw in spite of Kevin's warnings and breaks two legs just as a thunderstorm tears the house apart. Kevin runs away with the Claw. He becomes captain of the Greasy Bastard, a small ship carrying rubber goods between England and Burma. Michael Palin, Terry Jones, 1974
Members jonbo Posted November 1, 2013 Author Members Posted November 1, 2013 Thanks, gents! I'd been a little scared because Mr Berry keeps saying there's been no wadable water on the White. He probably is being careful and CAN'T recommend that someone wade at 25 MW of generation. I'll find a way to get my fishing in. I just like to be prepared. Does anyone here have any knowledge of whether there are plans to go with the originally announced minimum flow? I understand that the power company keeps their plans pretty mum. The one fellow was told, I guess, that as of now the power company can't generate 7 MW due to equipment issues.
Members Col Ron Posted November 5, 2013 Members Posted November 5, 2013 Jonbo, I agree with Ham, there is always somewhere to wade unless they are letting 4,000cfs go, then you are very limited. If you are going over to the Norfork, compare the predicted projection the night before and plan your day. Having said that, the last month has really been unreliable with their predictions, there has been no minimum flow on the White for about two months, what they are doing is anyones guess. By the way, minimum flow, as definded around 700 to 800 cfs is not suppose to occur in the winter, according to the ACE. During the colder winter months, we are suppose to go back to zero generation. If you have any questions, email ACE, a gentleman from Little Rock will probably call you to answer your questions. I have found out that they do not put anything in writing. As far as renting a boat, that's fine, but if you don't know the river and they are running 2,000 to 2,500 cfs/ not a good idea. www.colonelronguide.com
Ham Posted November 5, 2013 Posted November 5, 2013 As far as renting a boat, that's fine, but if you don't know the river and they are running 2,000 to 2,500 cfs/ not a good idea. www.colonelronguide.com I'm confused by this. Of course, I run a jet and I have always run a jet, but 2000 CFS is PLENTY of water for me to go most anywhere. Less than 600 CFS requires me to be really careful and slow. I would have thought 2000 CFS would be enough for props, but I guess I was wrong. Every Saint has a past, every Sinner has a future. On Instagram @hamneedstofish
Greasy B Posted November 5, 2013 Posted November 5, 2013 I just goes to show that it is nearly impossible to make broad generalizations about this river. I have waded the white at over 10,000 cfs and seen plenty of guide boats grind props through dead, dead low water. The trick it to paint a realistic, safe picture for those who don't visit often. For us who know the way around the white better than we know the way around our own house anything is possible. His father touches the Claw in spite of Kevin's warnings and breaks two legs just as a thunderstorm tears the house apart. Kevin runs away with the Claw. He becomes captain of the Greasy Bastard, a small ship carrying rubber goods between England and Burma. Michael Palin, Terry Jones, 1974
Members Col Ron Posted November 5, 2013 Members Posted November 5, 2013 Good comments guys, but to someone in a rented prop boat, in 2000 cfs, be prepared to buy a prop when you come back, guaranteed. Ham, jet is great, I can't handle it with my hearing and guiding with the loud noise. Going to put oars on the boat, maybe then I can handle the jet to run up and down. The shoals in a Raven in 2000 cfs is not good idea. Raven's run about 6" deeper than most river boats. Even with that, if you have not been on the river, and they are running "25" or 2000cfs, it is a receipe for disaster for a prop.
Greasy B Posted November 5, 2013 Posted November 5, 2013 Your right, I broke the prop within 10 minutes when I first rented a river boat. With the help of a jet and years of observing how and where others run their boats I haven't had any permanent damage since. Of course a big dose of dumb luck helped. His father touches the Claw in spite of Kevin's warnings and breaks two legs just as a thunderstorm tears the house apart. Kevin runs away with the Claw. He becomes captain of the Greasy Bastard, a small ship carrying rubber goods between England and Burma. Michael Palin, Terry Jones, 1974
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