We have had yet another rain event. The reservoir levels on the White River have remained fairly steady. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam has come up one tenth of a foot to rest at forty feet and one tenth of a foot above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is nine tenths of a foot below the top of flood pool. Up stream, TableRockLake fell two tenths of a foot to rest at fourteen and nine tenths feet above power pool or one and one tenth of a foot below the top of flood pool. BeaverLake fell one tenth of a foot to rest at eight and three tenths feet above power pool or one and three tenths of a foot below the top of flood pool. The pattern on the White has been to run around the clock with higher flows during the day and lower flows at night. The White was turned off for a few hours on some nights allowing for brief periods of wading. NorforkLake has fallen one tenth of a foot to rest at twenty six and seven tenths feet above power pool of 552.00 feet or one and three tenths of a foot below the top of flood pool. The pattern has been to run one or two generators with substantial periods of no generation at night. There have been a few wading opportunities on the NorforkRiver during the night. On the higher water, boating conditions have been excellent.
The fishing on the White has remained consistently good. The flows during the past week have varied from two to four generators with brief periods of no generation late at night. This is near perfect water for drift fishing. The secret has been to fish the rise. The most effective way to do this has been to study the generation charts on the internet and determine when the low water will reach a given spot. Launch your boat there and fish the low water until it starts rising. Try to stay with the rise and fish it as it flows down stream.
The upper river from the Catch and Release section at the base of Bull Shoals dam to Cane Island Shoals has been fishing very well. The rise has been beginning there around seven oclock. The biggest flows have been occurring in late afternoon. On lower flows the hot flies have been black zebra midges and caddis pupa. On high water the hot flies here have been brightly colored San Juan worms and egg patterns.
Rim Shoals has been a real hot spot. The rise has been hitting here at noon or a little after. The fishing here has been spectacular on the lower water, midge nymphs in a bit larger size than you would use for wade fishing (size 14 and 16) have been the ticket. Caddis pupa, copper johns, olive scuds and zebra midges have also been quite productive. On the rising water the hot flies have been brightly colored San Juan worms. Cerise and hot fluorescent pink have been the most productive for me.
The float from Ranchette to White Buffalo has also been very productive. The Buffalo Shoals section, in particular has fished well. Here again the trick has been to key into the rising water which is occurring at mid afternoon. The best flies for the lower flows have been zebra midges, scuds and copper johns. On higher flows the San Juan worms in bright colors have been the ticket.
The Norfork has not been fishing as well lately. There has been an inordinate amount of pressure on it. In addition, there has been a high level of poaching occurring in the Catch and Release section. Numerous anglers have been observed fishing with bait and trebled hooked lures. Both are illegal in this section. There have been a lot of trout illegally taken from this section. Poaching is a crime. If you observe a game violation, record the boat registration number and report the crime to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission at 1 (800) 482-8262.
Dry Run Creek has fished well of late. There have been some happy children coming home with some great memories this week. Remember to record those memories with a photograph. Now that the trees are filling out, remember that there is not much sun light down on the creek and the secret to a great photo is to use your flash. The hot flies this week have been sowbugs, worm brown San Juan worms and olive woolly buggers.
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.
