John Berry Fishing Report 01/03/2008

[John Berry]

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 1/03/2008

We have had a few days of light rain and the lake levels on the White River system have continued to rise a bit. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam remained steady at three and five tenths of a foot below power pool at 654.00 feet. Up stream, Table Rock Lake rose three tenths of a foot to settle at four and three tenths feet below power pool. Beaver Lake has remained at seven feet below pool. Early in the week there was virtually no generation and later in the week there were some periods of substantial generation (up to six generators). This has aided boat navigation and has created some excellent wading conditions on the White River. We had several very windy days which included lake wind advisories and some very cool temperatures. Norfork Lake has risen three tenths of a foot to rest four and four tenths feet below power pool of 552.00 feet. The pattern on the Norfolk has been for no discernable generation early in the week and periods of significant generation later in the week. This has created excellent wading conditions. The forecast is for colder weather with the possibility of precipitation. With the existing conditions, we should have some wadable water on both rivers.

Despite the cold temperatures and high wind, there were several anglers that took advantage of the low water to fish between the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. The fishing has been excellent for wading anglers particularly on the White.

The State Park below Bull Shoals Dam has fished well. There are very few campers there this time of year and plenty of water to fish. There have been some nice midge hatches in the afternoon. The most productive flies have been zebra midges in red with brass wire and brass beads. Partridge and orange and green butt soft hackles have also accounted for a lot of fish.

Wildcat Shoals has been a local hot spot. The partridge and orange and green soft hackles have produced a lot of fish in the lower section below the shoals, especially when fish can be seen rising. This section also fishes well with woolly buggers either in olive or brown. Both should have a bit of flash. In the shoals, zebra midge nymphs in black with silver wire and silver bead and brown with copper wire and copper bead have accounted for a lot of fish as well as the Y2K.

Rim Shoals had quite a bit of pressure but still fished well with olive scuds, black zebra midges and Y2Ks. Anglers going into more remote water to find a bit of seclusion have done particularly well. Some have waded down from Rim Shoals to White Shoals and caught some nice brown trout on olive woolly buggers and green butt soft hackles. This is about a thirty minute trip and you should check the latest generation report before you begin this trek.

Several anglers also found some really great fishing by going up stream by boat from the Buffalo City access to Buffalo Shoals. This area fished well with Y2Ks, olive scuds, partridge and orange soft hackles and black zebra midges.

On the high water, the most effective method of fishing it to fish from a boat and use heavily weighted San Juan worms. The best colors would be hot fluorescent pink, fluorescent orange, red and magenta. Large eggs are also effective. You should use heavy tippets (4X or 3X) and large strike indicators. To handle this much weight I would recommend at least a five weight rod. Open up the loop on your cast to prevent tangling your line.

On the Norfork, the bite has been a bit slow on low water. There has been so much pressure on this river in the summer and fall that the trout are very wary. There have been some midge hatches in the afternoon. Try zebra midges in black, brown and red, Norfork bead heads and Dan’s turkey tail emergers. Take special care with your presentation and use light tippets (6X or 7X). On high water use San Juan worms as described above and concentrate on weed lines and grass beds.

Dry Run Creek has been virtually abandoned. The cold weather has kept a lot of our younger anglers at home. Now is a great time to bundle the kids up and give it a try. When my daughter, Katherine, was young enough to fish there, the best day we ever had was when the temperature was fourteen. She wore everything she owned. She landed a twenty seven inch rainbow and Dad got the picture. Create your own memories by high sticking sowbugs. Use at least 4X tippet. Carry the biggest net you can find and a camera.

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 twenty five years.

[Greg]

Thanks for the report John. My wife Tina and I are coming down this Sun and Mon for some fishing. I've been down a couple of times this year but only got to fish the Norfork (not the white) due to heavy generation. So I'm hoping the low water holds for a few more days.

I've never fished wildcat shoals at all. So I'd like to give that a try. I'm going to try to hit wildcat, rim, and up by the dam. My wife may or may not fish with me depending on the weather. She just can't take the cold.

I can't wait.

Greg

[John Berry]

Lori is not very interested in fishing in the cold either. I have been fishing with my yellow lab, Ellie. She doesn't seem to mind.