John Berry Fishing Report 9/27/2007

[Project Healing Waters]

I have to agree that the hopper action below the dam has slowed down. It still worked in deeper holes near the bank with some effectiveness when I was down there last week. But the vast majority of my fish were taken on size 18 rust midges w/gold bead and wire...including a 24" monster that took me about 4' into my backing on the first run. I threw blood midges, P&P midges, soft hackles in 16 and 18, and a few more experiments. But the rust w/gold in 18 was the best. Most of the time, the hoppers were getting the fish's attention, but they wouldn't strike...size 8, 10, or 12 in 5 different hopper patterns. The only one I caught fish on was a size 10 yellow dubbed body turkey wing parachute hopper.

[JimmyT]

PHW....The paraachute hopper in the same colors has also worked best for me. Besides the Bulbous Bi-Visible which worked best for me up at the dam and throuth to the narrows.

Jimmy T.

[John Berry]

Grasshoppers like any other fly can have its good days and bad days.I have caught good fish on hoppers in January at Bull Shoals Dam. The fish do not have calenders. They are opportunistic feeders. When a delectable floats by they will sometimes take it. I like western foam hoppers. They float like corks and do not require dressing. Three weeks ago I caught a twentyfive inch brown on one.