Water levels continue their drop and every impoundment in the White River system is currently below power pool. There has been no appreciable rain in several weeks and the daily high temperatures have cooled somewhat to the mid-nineties. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam has dropped nine tenths of a foot to rest at one and one tenth feet below pool at 654.00 feet. Up stream Table Rock Lake has dropped four tenths of a foot and is currently one and six tenths of a foot below power pool. Beaver Lake has dropped seven tenths of a foot and is now at three and one half feet below pool. The pattern on the White River has been for low levels of 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 optimal boating conditions but has severely limited wading. The constant generation has greatly helped the trout cope with the high temperatures. Norfork Lake has dropped three tenths of a foot and is now one and eight tenths of a foot 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.I predict that we will continue to see heavy generation on both rivers in the afternoons.
On the Norfork, the dissolved oxygen levels continue to drop. This is more critical during periods of no generation. There were several instances in the last week when the dissolved oxygen level 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. This is not considered a problem on the White River at this time where the dissolved oxygen remains at five parts per million or higher.
Though the heat wave has kept most anglers huddled around the air conditioner for the past week, fishing has been excellent for those willing to brave the heat. The upper White River has been a hot spot. The Catch and Release section at the base of Bull Shoals Dam has been very productive particularly early in the day during periods of low generation. The hot flies have been midge larva patterns like the black zebra midge size twenty and midge emerger patterns like Dans turkey tail emerger size twenty two. During high generation try San Juan worms in red, hot pink and fluorescent orange.
The area from Cotter to Buffalo Shoals has been another hot spot. The better fishing is during the lower generation flows. Hot flies have been the black zebra midge size eighteen; sowbugs size 16, and small pheasant tails. The grass hopper is still the hot dry fly. There are a lot of patterns to choose from but I have done well lately with the Daves hopper. Make sure that you use at least a 4X tippet. This is a large fly and you will need a big tippet to turn it over.
The Norfork is not fishing as well as the White. There has been no stocking in the middle section for some time. With McClellans closed there is no stocking point in that section. 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. Grass hoppers have also been effective here. There have been some large fish caught on worm brown San Juan worms.
The best way to escape the heat is to take a kid fishing on Dry Run Creek. The water from the hatchery discharge pipes, the tight confines of the creek valley and the heavy tree cover all contribute to making this the coolest place to fish in Arkansas. It is also the best place to introduce kids to fishing. The creek is loaded with trophy fish. The most effective way to fish it is to high stick sowbugs in heavy water. San Juan worms in brown and red are very effective. Remember to take a camera and the biggest net you can find.
Remember to practice water safety and always check conditions before you leave home.
John Berry is a fly fishing guide in Cotter, Arkansas. He has fished our local streams for over twenty five years.
John Berry (870) 435-2169 berrybrothers@infodash.com www.berrybrothersguides.com
