Over the past week we have had some cold and some warm days, some very heavy winds but no measurable precipitation during the past week (it is so dry that a burn ban has been announced for Baxter and Marion Counties); the lakes in the White River system are all below flood pool and continue their steady fall. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam rose one and one tenth of a foot to rest at eight tenths of a foot below power pool of 654.00 feet. This is forty one and eight tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake fell one foot to one and one tenth of a foot below power pool or seventeen and one tenth feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell eight tenths of a foot to rest at one and two tenths of a foot below power pool or ten and eight tenths feet below the top of flood pool. The pattern on the White was for light to heavy generation with significant periods of wadable water and limited navigation. Norfork Lake has fallen five tenths of a foot to rest at one foot below power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty nine feet below the top of flood pool. There has been limited generation on the Norfork with significant periods of no generation every day. This again has created some truly spectacular wading.
The low water has exposed significant changes in the river channel. There is virtually no section that has remained unchanged. When navigating the rivers at low water, take great care. The channel may not be where you expect it to be.
The Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam closed to all fishing on November 1, 2008. It will remain closed until February 1, 2009 for the brown trout spawn. The section from the bottom of this Catch and Release section downstream to the wing wall at the State park is seasonal Catch and Release for the same time period. It is only one week until the Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam opens for fishing.The brown trout have been spawning in this area (they do not feed during the spawn) and they have not been fished over.
Remember that there is a new slot limit on Brown trout. All browns less than twenty four inches must be released immediately no matter where they are caught on the White and Norfork Rivers.
We had a minor shad kill last week. It occurred at night and to my knowledge no one was able to take advantage of it. The shad kill is a natural phenomenon where threadfin shad are drawn through the turbines on the dams. The shad kill produces a feeding frenzy that has to be seen to be believed. For the shad kill to occur we must have very cold conditions coupled with high generation. The first tell tale signs are gulls feeding on them just below the dam.
The lower water and light traffic has resulted in some pretty fantastic fishing conditions on the White River. This is the first reliable wading we have had in almost a year. The State Park is fishing well. The hot fly here has been the peach egg and various midge patterns. Be careful on lower flows to avoid walking through redds particularly in the seasonal Catch and Release section.
Wildcat Shoals has been a real hot spot. The lower shoals have fished particularly well with partridge and orange soft hackles, while the upper section has fished well with a variety of nymphs. Try Y2Ks, olive scuds and sowbugs.
Roundhouse Shoals has been another hot spot. While the crowds have been light, the fishing has been good. Swinging olive woolly buggers in heavier water has been particularly effective. Another hot technique has been to high stick nymphs like the olive scud, Y2K and sow bug in fast water.
The Catch and Release section at Rim Shoals is fishing particularly well. The hot fly on lower water has been the Y2K.You should also try sowbugs, olive scuds and midges (size 14). Hot spots have been the back of the first island and the Jenkins Creek area. If they are running water have Gary Flipin at Rim Shoals Trout Dock ferry you to wadable water with his water taxi. The cost is nominal.
Crooked Creek has slowed considerably. The water temperature has dipped below fifty five degrees and the Smallmouth have pretty much shut down.
The Norfork has not fished well during the past week. The crowds from the three day holiday absolutely pounded it. If you must fish there, you should go during the week when it is not as crowded. My favorite time to fish it is on Sunday afternoon when the out of town anglers have headed home. The go to flies have been olive scuds, sowbugs and orange micro eggs. Worm brown San Juan worms have also produced fish. Sculpin patterns fished through deep holes have accounted for some nice trout.
Dry Run Creek has been fishing well, as always. There has been virtually no one there. If you want a great day on the water, take your youngster here on the next warm day. The hot flies are sowbugs, San Juan worms and olive woolly buggers. While you are there, take a few minutes to visit the adjacent National Fish Hatchery. It is fascinating. Remember to remove your waders before entering to prevent the spread of aquatic diseases.
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.
