Quick Report

[grizzly]

Went to the White River this weekend. Fishing was slower than usual. Minimum generation allowed for easy wading, and I spent most of my time below the dam and behind copper johns. Midges in red, black and olive were the main producers. I fished the midges around 18-22 inches below a palsa indicator on 5x or 6x(tippet really didn't seem to make much of a difference, but I was using Fluorocarbon). Trout were hitting emergers very heavily, however I only brought a couple and lost them quickly. Switched to a griffiths gnat, no luck on that.

Caught a bunch of stocker browns at copper johns. All were about 6 inches or so, and all were on dry flies.

Heard that people where having luck on pheasant tails with san juan worms as an attractor, but I really didn't have too much luck on this (of course I didn't know of their rig).

This is the first time I've fished minimum flow in a while. Just thought a report from an average joe was due.

[Nighthawk]

I have not had what I consider a good day on the White since they started the minimum flow. Anybody had the same experience?

[snagged in outlet 3]

I have not had what I consider a good day on the White since they started the minimum flow. Anybody had the same experience?

I was down there the weekend of 10/18/14 for 5 days.

Min flow sucks!!!!

There, I said it.

I've been fishing there for 35 years.

I believe it totally ruined the fishing at the dam.

Why do you need min flow if there isn't an O2 problem???

It eliminated about 80 percent of the wadeable water up there.

I didn't even go to Rim shoals thinking that if you add roughly 6 inches to a foot of water down there you couldn't cross the shoal.

What a waste.

I guess the boat renters are happy.

Pete

[grizzly]

I don't think that minimum flow ruined the White. I've heard that there were spots in which a lot of fish were trapped subsequent to generation shutting down. Also, from the guides I have talked to, they are seeing more large browns up in the state park throughout the year.

It's still a great fishery, one that I plan on fishing for my lifetime. I've always considered tailwater fishing to be a hit and miss proposition for wading, so I broke down and bought a 7wt Spey Rod. I'm still learning how to use it effectively, but I have landed some nice fish swinging streamers and large soft hackles on it.

It's still wadable, but it has changed. I just look at it as being a new challenge.

[Ham]

I have not had what I consider a good day on the White since they started the minimum flow. Anybody had the same experience?

I feel like I've had a few good days this year ; I think I've had at least five days where I've caught over 100 trout this year. I could check my notes and see if it is really more than that. Minimum flow has definitely changed things. I think for the better, but that's just my opinion. I see a lot more 13-17 inch Rainbows than I used to see. I'm seeing more Browns as well, but not necessarily more Browns > 20 inches.

Wading is still available at minimum flow, but it has changed as well. The fish have moved around in response to the higher water levels and higher flows, but they are still there and are fat and happy.

I guess more folks need to buy a boat or phone a friend with a boat. Wading water is always available if you have a water taxi to get to the wadable water.

[Ham]

grizzly, I mostly fish Zig Jigs these days, but I do still enjoy using my fly rods. From October thru April, I'm bad about fishing an egg pattern with something else drifting below it. I really seem to enjoy the total fubars that come from using a two fly rig, Lol.

I do love a Y2K on 4X so I can lean on them. A San Juan worm, a Prince Nymph, or a Zebra midge is generally what I start with below the Yk.

If the stinking trout hit my indicator three times, I try a hopper, stimulator, or Madame X.

I always want to catch more fish than I do, but as long as you caught fish and had a good time, you had a good trip.

[grizzly]

Ham,

I had a great time. In total, I think I caught about 20 fish which isn't bad considering I hadn't fished in 2 and a half months. Looking forward to going down there in two weeks.

I too fish an egg fly as the top fly. Usually with a pheasant tail or prince nymph trailing.

[Ham]

When I take my fly rod, I do so with the knowledge that it isn't the most efficient way for ME to fish. I miss a lot of bites. I lose a lot of the fish I hook. If I go and catch 20 with a flyrod that's been a good trip.

Thanks for visiting our area. I hope you catch a ton next time you're down.

[snagged in outlet 3]

Hey guys,

I need to clarify my statement.

I should have said, the wading opportunities on Min flow suck now.

At least at the public areas with parking.

I can't get out above the shoal at the boat ramp at the dam anymore, too much flow.

And I don't see the fish midging in that water anymore either.

The chutes and runs in the shoal itself are now raging torrents and I can't get out in those either.

We did catch some very nice fish up to 20 inches but nothing like years past.

I think the fishing is probably better but I like to drive in and wade.

I've had a river john before but it is a lot more work to haul that 4.5 hours than to just drive down and wade.

My weekends used to go like this.

Fish the dam in the morning on low water and take lunch.

Head down to Rim and fish out the rest of the day.

Next day head to McClellans and fish there until the cows come in.

Lather rinse and repeat.

Now McC's is closed and the wading opportunities are limited at the dam.

Can you get a boat above the shoal at BS Dam on min flow???

I don't think you can.

Anyway, that was a long winded way of saying the fishing is probably as good or better than before but the wading opportunities aren't.

San Juan below a jig headed egg on 4X flouro ROCKS!!!

Pete

[Ham]

Hey Pete, I don't want to run my boat at the dam area if < 3000 CFS. NO WAY IN THE WORLD am I trying that at minimum flow. Have you tried walking in from the golf course side upriver from the golf course? Sketchy little parking area and interesting little slide down the hill. Should be managable at minimum flow to wade in there.

I fee like the wading oppurtunities are increased at Norfork on that minimum flow. Lots of areas from the boat ramp down as far as I care to walk. Granted it is often crowded, but come the sure enough cool weather period and you can have plenty of room.

TBH, Norfork scares the crap out of me wading especially out of earshot from the horn. Water comes up quickly and not every area gives you an escape route.