John Berry Fishing Report 01/10/2008

[John Berry]

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 1/10/2008

We have had a rain event that was heavy in some areas. As a result, the lake levels on the White River system have continued to rise a bit. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam rose two tenths of a foot to rest at three and three tenths of a foot below power pool at 654.00 feet. Up stream, Table Rock Lake rose one and two tenths of a foot to settle at three and one tenth of a foot below power pool. Beaver Lake has remained at seven feet below pool. There has been no discernable generation pattern on the White during the last week. We had a day with no generation, a few days with heavy generation, and a few days with very limited generation. This has created some good wading opportunities and some excellent boating opportunities. We had several very windy days which included lake wind advisories and some very warm temperatures. Norfork Lake has dropped two tenths of a foot to rest four and six tenths feet below power pool of 552.00 feet. The pattern on the Norfolk has been for some generation every day accompanied by long periods of no generation. This has created excellent wading conditions every day. The forecast is for cool weather with no precipitation. With the existing conditions, we should have some wadable water on both rivers.

Last Sunday, the Corps of Engineers control room telephone recording (431-5311) reported the previous days recording which indicated no generation for over twenty four hours. However, there had been light generation from midnight to six AM on Sunday morning which was not mentioned on that recording. At the same time, the Corps of Engineers website was not properly functioning and could not be relied on to provide any information on generation for Bull Shoals Dam. Luckily the generation levels for that day were very light and no one was hurt. This certainly brings the reliability of generation information into doubt. As a result, you should always remain vigilant for rising water. Constantly observe water levels and always have an escape plan formulated.

The fishing on the White has been consistently good. Several anglers took advantage of the unseasonably warm albeit windy conditions to enjoy some nice water and cooperative trout. Rim Shoals was fishing particularly well. Anglers that were willing to wade down to White shoals did particularly well. The hot flies in this section were olive woolly buggers, olive scuds size eighteen, and Dan’s turkey tail emerger. On the warmest days, there have been some really nice caddis hatches and some anglers were reporting nice fish on elk hair caddis. Obviously, this has been an added benefit from the warm weather.

Buffalo Shoals has fished well. There have been several fly fishers that boated up to the shoals on the last few days. This is a treacherous place to take a boat on shallow water. I usually anchor my boat at the bottom of the shoals and wade around to find the hot spots. The hot flies have been partridge and orange soft hackles, green butts, olive scuds and bead head sow bugs.

Another hot spot has been just down stream from the confluence of the White and Norfork rivers. This fishes best when there is a bit of generation on the Norfork. Hot flies here have been zebra midges in black with silver wire and silver bead and in brown with copper wire and copper bead. Soft hackles like the partridge and orange and the green butt have also been effective. There have been some nice caddis hatches reported in this area on the warmest days.

On the Norfork, the bite has been a bit slow on low water. There have been some midge hatches in the afternoon. I have done the best with Norfork bead heads in black and olive sizes eighteen and twenty. Dan’s turkey tail emergers in size twenty two have been killer. Use them when you see fish keying in on the midge emergers in the film. Take special care with your presentation and use light tippets (6X or 7X). On high water, use San Juan worms and egg patterns. Fished over weed beds, they have accounted for a lot of good fish.

Dry Run Creek has been the place to go. The warm weather has made perfect conditions for our younger anglers. Dry Run Creek is located in a deep, tight valley and is seldom affected by the strong winds we have had lately Create memories by high sticking sowbugs. Use at least 4X tippet so that you have a good chance to land some of these huge fish. 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.