Overall the lake levels fallen slightly. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam has fallen eight tenths of a foot to rest at four and eight tenths of a foot below power pool at 654.00 feet. Up stream, TableRockLake has fallen two tenths of a foot to three and eight tenths of a foot below power pool. BeaverLake has fallen one tenth of a foot to rest at five and five tenths of a foot below pool. The pattern on the White River has been for low levels of generation around the clock or no generation. There have been several very windy days that included lake wind advisories which resulted in some difficult drift fishing. There have been some excellent wading opportunities on the White River. NorforkLake has fallen one tenth of a foot to rest at five and five tenths feet below power pool of 552.00 feet. The pattern on the Norfolk has been for a substantial period of generation in the morning. This has created some excellent wading conditions in the afternoon.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 two tenths parts per million. On the White River the dissolved oxygen has also declined. It has averaged one and six tenths parts per million. 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 Bull Shoals Catch-and-Release Area from 100 yards below Bull Shoals Dam to the upstream boundary of BullShoalsWhite RiverState Park is Catch-and-release from February 1 until October 31 is closed to fishing from November 1 to January 31 downstream to the wing dike at the Bull Shoals White River State Park Trout Dock. In addition the Bull Shoals Seasonal Brown Trout Catch-and-Release Area: From the wing dike at the BullShoalsWhite RiverState Park trout dock to the downstream boundary of the park is designated a Catch-and-release area for brown trout from November 1 through January 31. Brown trout must be released immediately. No fishing from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise. The brown trout are spawning in this area and the regulations are designed to protect them.
The fishing on the White River has definitely improved in the last week. The weather has cooled off and the trout are feeding. On the upper river, egg patterns in the BullShoalsDamState Park and below should be effective. Wildcat Shoals has been very productive with worm brown San Juan worms and Y2Ks. Soft hackles such as partridge and orange and green butts have been fishing well particularly after the fog burns off in the morning. This section has also fished well with grass hoppers. Add a small nymph such as a zebra midge or a pheasant tail and hang on.Rim Shoals has also fished very well. On lower flows the Y2K and traditional egg patterns have accounted for a lot of fish. On higher flows the San Juan worm in hot pink has been effective. Grasshoppers have done well but do not use a dropper in this section as Catch and Release regulations only allow a single hook.The Ranchette section has been really hot. Here it is nymphs lit the zebra midge in brown with copper wire and copper bead and in black with silver wire and silver bead. San Juan worms in bright colors like hot pink and fire orange have also been producing fish.
On the NorforkRiver, the low water on the White this week has eased the crowding a bit. Fishing has been good but not great. Midges rule. Norfork bead heads and zebra midges have been the go to flies. There have been blue wing olive hatches in the afternoon that have created some very nice top water action. The flies are pretty small, size eighteen or twenty. To fish something this small you will need to work it fairly close. If you cant see it, you cant fish it.
Dry Run Creek is fishing well. There are a large number of big brown trout that have moved into the creek. Egg patterns are the way to go. Also try sow bugs and olive woolly buggers. Be sure and carry the biggest net you can lay your hands on and carry a camera.
Practice water safety and always check conditions before you leave home.
John Berry is a fly fishing guide in Cotter, Arkansas and he has fished the local streams for over twenty five years.
