JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 8/30/2007

[John Berry]

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 8/30/2007

Water levels continue their drop and every impoundment in the White River system is well below power pool. There has been precious little rain in several weeks and the daily high temperatures have hovered in the mid to high nineties. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam has dropped four tenths of a foot to rest at one and four tenths of a foot below power pool at 654.00 feet. Up stream, Table Rock Lake has dropped eight tenths of a foot to rest at two and three tenths of a foot below power pool. Beaver Lake has dropped six tenths of a foot and is now at four feet below pool. The pattern on the White River has been for low levels of generation or no generation in the morning and then to spike it with up to seven generators in the afternoon and early evening, when there is peak demand for electricity. This has created some excellent wading conditions on the days with no morning generation. Norfork Lake has dropped seven tenths of a foot and is now two and a half feet below power pool of 552.00 feet. The pattern is to turn the generators off in the morning and to run a full two generators in the afternoon and early evening. This has created some excellent wading opportunities on the Norfork early in the day. The forecast is for slightly cooler weather. With the existing conditions, I foresee continued heavy afternoon generation on both rivers.

On the Norfork, the dissolved oxygen levels continue to drop. This is most critical during periods of no generation. Last week, the dissolved oxygen level regularly dropped below two and a half parts per million. There was one instance where it dropped below two parts per million. The oxygen level will be the lowest just below the dam. On the White River the dissolved oxygen has started to drop. There was one instance where it went below five parts per million.

Despite the heat, the White has been fishing extremely well. The section from Wildcat Shoals to Cotter has been a real hot spot. At low levels of generation, zebra midges and small scud patterns have been effective. On high water the hot flies have been brightly colored San Juan worms (red, hot pink, and fire orange) and egg patterns.

The big story has been the grass hopper fishing. It has been spectacular. On low water, particularly in the afternoon hopper patterns have been the ticket. The debate is over which pattern is the most effective Rainey’s hopper, Schroeder’s hopper, or Dave’s hopper. Should it be rubber legs, foam or deer hair? I have been using the Dave’s hopper size ten and doing well. Be sure and use at least a 4X tippet and let the fly hit the water with a splash. There is a tendency for most anglers to set the hook too soon with dry flies. Take a deep breath, and make sure the fish has taken the hopper before setting the hook.

Another hot spot, on the White River, has been Rim Shoals. On low water, this section has been very productive. The best flies have been the zebra midge in brown with copper bead and copper wire in size eighteen and partridge and orange soft hackles. The grasshopper has also reigned supreme here.

The Norfork is not fishing as well as the White. On the days when they are running water on the White, the Norfork can get pretty crowded, particularly on the weekends. The overcrowding has been worsened by the closing of McClellan’s. Small midges are still the best bet. Hot patterns are the black zebra midge with silver wire and silver bead, brown zebra midge with copper wire and copper bead, and the Norfork bead head in olive. All are most effective in size twenty or smaller. The partridge and orange has been the hot soft hackle. Grass hoppers have also been quite effective here.

Dry Run Creek is still the place to introduce children to trout fishing. If you have not visited there you need to check it out. There are trout as big as your leg all over the place. This is what Catch and Release could all be about. The best way to fish it is by high sticking sowbugs (the dominate food source on Dry Run Creek), San Juan worms, or egg patterns. Don’t for get to take the largest net you can lay your hands on and a camera. This is where memories are made.

Always practice water safety and check conditions before you leave home.

John Berry is a fly fishing guide in Cotter, Arkansas. He has been fishing the local streams for over twenty five years.

[FliTrap4]

Great report, John!

I'll be on down that way the week of the Southern Conclave, staying with a few other OFF Guys there at the big cabin at Rim Shoals! Looks like we will be there Monday night through Thursday Morning! If you get down that way, yell out: Hey, FliTrap!

I mot likely will be playing down on the islands most days and evening!

FliTrap

[John Berry]

FliTrap,

Sounds great. I hope to fish the same water myself. It has been red hot lately. Hoppers rule! If I don't see you on the water, Stop by and see me at conclave. I will be tying and will give a seminar. Let me tie you one!

[BransonREALTOR]

I need a very simple fly pattern for grasshoppers, please. I only began fly fishing in June. And I am going to Arkansas to fish this month. Thank you.

[John Berry]

Hoppers violate Berry's Law. "You have to tie them faster than you lose them". As a result, I buy them. I favor Dave's hopper which is not an easy tie.