Over the past week, we have had a significant rain event, some very heavy winds and some unseasonably warm temperatures. The lakes in the White River system have all risen and are in flood pool. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam rose one and six tenths of a foot to rest at three feet above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is thirty eight feet below the top of flood pool. Up stream, TableRockLake rose one foot to rest at eight tenths of a foot above power pool or fifteen and two tenths feet below the top of flood pool. BeaverLake rose one and six tenths of a foot to rest at eight tenths of a foot above power pool or eight and eight tenths feet below the top of flood pool. The pattern on the White was for no generation over the weekend and heavy generation during the week. NorforkLake has risen two and six tenths of a foot to rest at three and three tenths of a foot below power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty four and seven tenths feet below the top of flood pool. There has been limited generation on the Norfork with significant periods of no generation and a few days of heavy generation. This again has created some truly spectacular wading.
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 NorforkRivers.
The major action in the area has been on the upper White. The long awaited opening of the Catch and Release section at Bull Shoals Dam drew large numbers of anglers from inside and outside the immediate area. It was definitely crowded at times. The hot flies were egg patterns in orange and peach. Midge patterns, particularly Dans turkey tail emerger accounted for some nice fish.
When you are fishing in this area please be careful and do not walk through the Redds (brown trout spawning beds). They appear as clean depressions in the gravel. On higher flows do not drag chains through the area. Disturbing redds could destroy the wild brown trout eggs recently deposited there. We do not want to eliminate the next generation of wild brown trout.
The Narrows has been fishing particularly well. Though several anglers have been fishing there, all have been catching trout. Olive woolly buggers and black zebra midges have been the go to flies. Be careful when fishing here. The river can come up fast. Leave as soon as you detect rising water.
Wildcat Shoals has been a real hot spot. The lower shoals have fished particularly well with partridge and orange soft hackles and Dans turkey tail emerger, 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. This section is one of the easiest areas to access in the area. While the crowds have been light, the fishing has been good. Swinging olive or black woolly buggers in heavier water has been particularly effective. Another hot technique has been to high stick nymphs like the olive scud, Y2K and sowbug in fast water. Take care when wading here as there is quite a bit of bedrock. If you have them, wear studded boots.
The Catch and Release section at Rim Shoals has been spotty. One day it fishes well and the next day it is not as productive. However, this is one of the areas that have wadable water available even when they are generating. To access these spots contact Gary Flipin at Rim Shoals Trout Dock ferry you to wadable water with his water taxi. The cost is nominal.
With some of the heavier flows, we need to remember our high water tactics. Brightly colored San Juan worms and egg patterns dead drifted along banks and over weed beds with a lot of extra lead and big strike indicators. The hot technique for the big browns is to bang the bank with sculpin patterns on sink tip and full sinking lines. You will need a stout rod (six weight or better), as these can be a bit more difficult to cast.
Crooked Creek has slowed considerably. The water temperature has dipped below fifty five degrees and the Smallmouth have pretty much shut down. In addition the recent rains have raised the level and considerably stained the water.
The Norfork has not fished well during the past week. There has been a lot of fishing pressure here, more than any other area. My favorite time to fish it is on Sunday afternoon or during the week 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 browns.
Dry Run Creek has been fishing well, as always. The warmer temperatures tempted a few young anglers and they were rewarded with some great trout. The dominant food source is sowbugs. Be sure and pinch down those barbs. It is the law. I always carry a big net and a camera. The fish are huge.
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.
