We have had a week without rain and the lakes in the White River system have experienced a slight decline. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam rose one and two tenths feet to rest at thirty one and nine tenths feet above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is nine and one tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake fell three and six tenths of a foot to rest at four and nine tenths feet above power pool or eleven and one tenth feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake rose one tenth of a foot to rest at nine and one tenth feet above power pool or five tenths of a foot below the top of flood pool. The pattern on the White is for heavy generation around the clock. Norfork Lake has fallen three tenths of a foot to rest at fifteen and five tenths feet above power pool of 552.00 feet or twelve and five tenths of a foot below the top of flood pool. The pattern has been to run one or two generators part of the day and to turn it off at night. There have been some excellent wading conditions on the Norfork during the last week. Boating conditions on the White have been uniformly good.
The boat ramp at Quarry Park on the upper Norfork River is closed while a contractor removes the old pedestrian bridge across the mouth of Dry Run Creek. While anglers are allowed to walk in to the area to fish, there is no boat launching allowed from the ramp until the demolition is completed. The ramp is scheduled to be back in operation on September 29, 2008. In the mean time, the only ramp available in the area is at the confluence of the White and Norfork Rivers. Any one wanting to fish the upper river will be required to run up stream.
The upper river below Bull Shoals Dam has been producing well. With the higher flows we have had this week; anglers have had to return to their conventional high water techniques. The top technique for this level of water is to fish brightly colored San Juan worms under a strike indicator. Hot colors have been red, cerise and hot pink. Other effective flies have been black zebra midges in size fourteen and egg patterns in peach and pink. I generally use 4X tippet and set the strike indicator at one and one half times the depth of the water. Use plenty of weight and I would also recommend the use of fluorocarbon tippet. It has a higher specific gravity than water and sinks. In addition, it has greater resistance to abrasion.
Once again, the section from Wildcat Shoals to the Narrows was another hot spot. In addition to fishing San Juan worms and nymphs, anglers have reported success fishing large streamers on sink tip or full sinking lines. The top flies have been kiwi muddlers, Jim Mengles Ozark sculpin and large woolly buggers (size 6 and 4). Be sure and use really heavy tippets, at least 3X or even 2X. Here again fluorocarbon tippet would be the logical choice.
Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River have cleared and the water levels are nearing a comfortable level for wading. Crooked Creek in particular has fished well during the last week. Hot flies have been Clouser minnows and crayfish patterns. Successful anglers have been fishing early in the morning.
The fishing on the Norfork has remained steady this past week. The low flows in the morning have enticed quite a few anglers and most have not been disappointed. The section at Quarry Park just below Norfork Dam has fished particularly well. Small black zebra midges size eighteen, scuds in size eighteen, olive woolly buggers with a bit of flash, and Dans turkey tail emergers have been the go to flies. I do not know how long the low water in the morning will be around, but my suggestion is to take advantage of it while you can.Dry Run Creek is clear and very wadable. Effective flies have been sow bugs, worm brown San Juan worms and olive woolly buggers.With the pleasant weather we have had lately, now is a good time to get in some quality fishing with your children or grand children before the weather turns cold. Be sure to carry a camera and the biggest net you can find. The fish here are huge.
Practice water safety and always check conditions before you leave home.
John Berry(870) 435-2169berrybrothers@infodash.com
