Over the past week, we have had colder and then warmer weather conditions and some particularly heavy winds (complete with lake wind advisories). The lakes in the White River system have all fallen and all are near or below power pool. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam fell one and two tenths 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 four tenths of a foot to rest at nine tenths of a foot above power pool or fifteen and one tenth feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell seven tenths of a foot to rest at four tenths of a foot above power pool or nine and two tenths feet below the top of flood pool. The pattern on the White was for heavy generation around the clock. Water levels were particularly high at the beginning of the week and lower towards the end of the week. Norfork Lake has fallen seven tenths of a foot to rest at four tenths of a foot below power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty eight and four tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Early in the week, there was heavy generation on the Norfork and later in the week there were several periods of no generation. With current conditions and mild weather we could encounter some wadable water.
Remember that there is a new size 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. Only one brown trout may be kept in the daily limit of five trout.
The big story this past week has been the overall poor quality of fishing. There has been some discussion that was brought about by no generation for a long period and then heavy generation for a long period. Large amounts of trash (aquatic weed, etc.) were washed down stream and the prevailing opinion was that this severely impacted the fishing.
The most effective way to fish during the past week has been to drift brightly colored San Juan worms and egg patterns. The most productive colors for the worms have been hot pink, cerise and red. The best colors for the eggs have been peach, pink and orange. The trick is to fish them deep. Make sure that you are banging the bottom. To accomplish this you will have to use very long leaders and a lot of lead. If you are not fishing in a Catch and Release section consider using a dropper. Tie an eighteen inch section of tippet to the bend of the hook on your main fly with an improved clinch knot. Then tie on a small nymph such as a zebra midge. You will be surprised at how many strikes you get on the bottom fly.
The other killer technique is to bang the bank with large streamers on sink tip or full sinking lines. Several anglers have reported success with large streamers (up to seven inches long and equipped with up to three hooks). The hot fly has been a Zoo cougar. Remember that, if you are fishing in Catch and Release water, you can only use one hook point. The secret here is to use the heaviest and fastest sinking fly line that you can. Heavy flies and fly lines like this require big rods, eight weights or better.
The upper river at the Bull Shoals Dam Catch and Release area has been the bright spot. The best fishing reports that I heard all week were about fishing here with egg patterns on high water. This area can get congested particularly on the weekend. Remember to practice fishing etiquette. Dont crowd others. There is plenty of water here for every one.
Rim Shoals has also been productive. Remember that this is the one place that has wadable water as long as the flows are below 17,000 cubic feet per second. The only way to access them is by boat. Arrange for a shuttle by water taxi at Rim Shoals Trout Dock. There is a nominal charge.
Fishing on Crooked Creek has improved as water temperatures climbed to fifty eight degrees. However, our recent rain events have muddied up the creek and it will take several days to clear.
The fishing on the Norfork has been slow. It has not fished well on high or low water recently. On the higher water the hot fly has been a hot pink or cerise San Juan worm. On lower water, the hot flies have been sowbugs and black zebra midges. The upper river at Quarry Park has fished a bit better than the lower river.
Dry Run Creek, as always, has fished particularly well during the past week. The key to success is to concentrate on deeper faster water. The best way to fish on the creek is to high stick nymphs with a strike indicator. The hot fly has been the sowbug. San Juan worms and woolly buggers have accounted for some nice fish. While you are there take a tour of the adjacent National Fish Hatchery. It is fascinating. Remember to remove your waders before entering the Hatchery 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.
