The lake level at Bull Shoals has fallen approximately six tenths of a foot to rest at one and four tenths feet above pool of 654.00 feet. Up stream, Table Rock Lake has fallen two tenths of a foot to one and six tenths feet above pool and Beaver Lake remains has fallen slightly to thirty five hundreds of a foot above pool. The Norfork has fallen one half of a foot to rest at one and four tenths feet above pool of 552.00 feet. Bull Shoals has been generating around the clock with few exceptions. The pattern has been to run low levels of water most of the day and the spike it with up to seven generators in the afternoon. There has been some wadable water on the very low levels of generation and a few significant periods of no generation. Boating, in general has been excellent. They have significantly changed the pattern on the Norfork. There has been no generation in the morning while they have been running a full two generators in the afternoon and early evening. This has provided some excellent wading opportunities early in the day. As the lakes continue to fall, there should be more wading opportunities in the immediate future. Summer has arrived and the weather is starting to heat up. As the temperatures begin to soar, particularly in Oklahoma, we can expect the heavy generation to continue particularly in the afternoon. The hot weather will increase the need for air conditioning and increased energy consumption. Peak times for energy consumption are week day afternoons. The generation will help keep water temperatures low which will be of benefit to the trout. One way to beat the heat is to fish at night. This has the added advantage of being an effective way to catch large brown trout. Great care should be taken when fishing at night. There are a number of risks to be considered. Since you cannot see as well you can easily fall or step into deep water and the water can come up. Fishing on the White has been excellent lately. The upper river from White Hole to Bull Shoals dam has been fishing particularly well. The best time to fish this section has been the early morning. The trout have been keying in on midge larva early on. The hot flies have been the zebra midge in black with silver bead and silver wire and in brown with copper bead and copper wire. In the afternoon when the heavier generation begins switch to San Juan worms in bright colors (red, hot pink, and fire orange) and large bright egg patterns. The section from Cotter to Rim shoals has been fishing well. In addition to the zebra midges, a lot of fish have been taken on copper johns. The hot weather has signaled the beginning of hopper season and some great fishing lately has already been attributed to grasshoppers. This is an easily seen fly that represents a big meal for big fish. Traditional patterns like Daves hopper have been effective as well as the western foam patterns. Be sure and use heavier tippet (4X) and do not be afraid to occasionally twitch the fly to imitate a struggling insect. Look for grassy undercut banks. The Norfork has been fishing well. On low generation midges have definitely been the ticket. The hot flies have been the zebra midges and Norfork bead heads. The difference here is that the midges on the Norfork seem to run a couple of sizes smaller. Where I might use a size sixteen nymph on the White, I would use a size twenty or smaller on the Norfork. There is also quite a bit of dry fly activity at this time. The hoppers are definitely starting to appear stream side and the big fish are responding greedily, particularly the cutthroats. Dry Run Creek is a great place to escape the heat. The cold water coming from the hatchery discharge pipes, the tight creek bed and heavy tree cover combine to create an air conditioned paradise to take kids fishing on a hot day. Be sure and take plenty of sowbugs and San Juan worms. Do not forget to include your biggest net, a camera, and a few cold drinks.
Remember to practice water safety and always check conditions before you leave home.
