There has been a good bit rain in the twin lakes area and overall the lake levels fallen slightly. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam has risen one tenth of a foot to rest at four feet below power pool at 654.00 feet. Up stream, TableRockLake has fallen five tenths of a foot to three and six tenths of a foot below power pool. BeaverLake has fallen one tenth of a foot to rest at five and four tenths of a foot below pool. The pattern on the White River has been for low levels of generation around the clock. There have been a lot of very windy days that included lake wind advisories which resulted in several very difficult days for drift fishing. There have been few wading opportunities on the White River. NorforkLake has remained steady at five and four tenths feet below power pool of 552.00 feet. The pattern has been for a couple of brief periods of low generation in the evening and early morning. This has created some excellent wading conditions.The forecast is for cooler weather and sunny skies. With the existing conditions, we should have low water on both rivers.
On the Norfork, the dissolved oxygen levels have dropped lower. The dissolved oxygen level was around four tenths parts per million. There was two instances where it dropped below two tenths of a part per million.On the White River the dissolved oxygen has also declined. It has averaged two and two tenths parts per million most of the time but did drop to one and eight tenths parts per million on one occasion. The oxygen level is at the critical stage on the Norfork. Great care should be taken to prevent stressing the trout particularly near the dam where the dissolved oxygen will be the lowest. Fish should be quickly landed and carefully revived before release.
On the White River the fishing has been a bit spotty during the last week. There were some really good days and some very poor days. The wind for the last week has been particularly strong and has been an issue for all fly fishers. Larger rods in five and six weight have been the rule.
The upper river from Bull Shoals Dam to White Hole has been on average a bit slow. On the lower flows zebra midges in black with silver wire and silver bead and in brown with copper wire and copper bead have been effective. On heavier flows San Juan worms in bright colors and egg patterns have been the ticket.
The catch and release section at Rim Shoals has been fishing a bit better. There has been some really good drift fishing in the Jenkins Creek area. On lower water olive woolly buggers and zebra midges have been accounting for a lot of good fish. On higher water San Juan worms in magenta have been very effective. These flies have also produced well down stream at the end of the catch and release area just below the power lines.
Further down stream the section around the Ranchette and on down to Buffalo Shoals has been fishing very well. This section has not received as much pressure of late and there are quite a few fish there. Zebra midges and San Juan worms in bright colors have been the go to flies. Buffalo Shoals has fished particularly well.
The Norfork has been fishing well of late. With the White River running around the clock, the only reliable wading has been on the Norfork. As a result, the Norfork has been incredibly crowded. The overcrowding has been made worse by the closure of McClellans. The Handicap Access has been so crowded that all parking spaces are taken and several people are parking in the road. I should point out that this road is clearly marked no parking and these cars are subject to getting towed away. That said, the Norfork is fishing well in spite of the pressure. The hot flies have been Norfork bead heads in black and olive, Wilsons trout crack, and peach eggs.
Dry run Creek has been fishing very well as usual. A large number of brown trout have moved up into the creek. The browns tend to be in the lower section. Remember that this is Catch and Release water and bait fishing is illegal. You must fish single hook artificial lures. The best way to fish it is by high sticking sow bug through deep fast water. San Juan worms, egg patterns, and woolly buggers are also effective. Gently release the trout as quickly as possible.
Practice water safety and always check conditions before you leave home.
John Berry is a fly fishing guide in Cotter, Arkansas. He has fished the local streams for over twenty five years.
