We have had a significant rain event. The lakes on the White River system continue their fall. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam fell four tenths of a foot to rest at five tenths of a foot above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is forty and five tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake fell six tenths feet to rest at one and four tenths feet above power pool or fourteen and six tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell seven tenths of a foot to rest at two tenths of a foot below power pool or nine and eight tenths feet below the top of flood pool. The pattern on the White has been for no generation in the morning and occasionally no generation at night. The flows have been heavy in the afternoon during peak power demand. This created some excellent conditions for drift and wade fishing.Norfork Lake has fallen six tenths of a foot to rest at one foot above power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty seven feet below the top of flood pool. Generation on the Norfork has declined significantly, which has created some quality wading.
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 Arkansas Game and Fish Commission in conjunction with the Corps of Engineers began installing fish habitat designed to provide cover for juvenile trout in the Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam on August 17, 2009. This work is being done at low water levels and is scheduled to take forty five days to complete. It should provide reliable wadable water on the White River during this time. There is some concern that the habitat will create navigational hazards for river boats at low levels of generation. At this time, we do not know how high the new habitat structures will sit in the water. There was a lot of discussion that this project would be completed quickly, substantially before the allotted time is over. However, a significant amount of the cedar trees being used for bank stabilization were observed being washed down stream when the generation was kicked up to four and a half generators the other day. It appears that they had not been properly anchored. If you are boating and observe any of the habitat materials in the river near you, carefully avoid them to prevent damage to your boat or motor.
The fishing in the Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam has been quite good for the last week. We have had periods of no generation each morning that have fished particularly well. The trick is to avoid the areas where the construction is active. Midge patterns have been the ticket on lower flows. The hot flies have been the black zebra midge with silver wire and silver bead and Dans turkey tail emerger. Later in the day, when we get heavier flows, the most effective technique has been to fish brightly colored San Juan worms (cerise, hot pink and red) and egg patterns (orange) below strike indicators. Use long 4X tippets and large split shot (AAA) to get the flies down to the bottom. Be very careful when drifting in this area. There are some significant obstacles to navigation (the new habitat) that were not here last week.
Wildcat Shoals has been another hot spot. While the black zebra midges have been the go to nymph, the hot flies have been the partridge and orange soft hackle and the green butt.
Rim Shoals has been extremely productive this past week. The lower flows, which lasted until late afternoon, have been fishing particularly well and we have had some days with wadable water. The hot fly has been the zebra midge with silver wire and silver bead in size sixteen. The lower flows have also been near perfect for fishing grasshoppers. The trout are certainly looking up and keying in on these large morsels. Try Daves hoppers in size 10 or Raineys hoppers in size 8. Use a stiff nine foot six weight rod to cast these larger flies. A nine foot leader tippet combination will turn the fly over easily. While the fly is drifting downstream, twitch it occasionally, to trigger a vicious strike.
Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are muddy and off color. Give them a few days to clear.
The Norfork River has fished a bit better this week. We have been getting a substantial period of wadable water daily. With wadable water on the White, the crowding here has decreased. Generation for the rest of the day was near maximum levels. On low water, small midge patterns have been the ticket. Try black zebra midges, Norfork beadheads in black or olive and Dans turkey tail emerger. Soft hackles like the green butt and the partridge and orange have also been effective. Grasshoppers have also been producing. The upper river at Quarry Park has fished particularly well. On high water, the most effective tactic is to fish brightly colored San Juan worms or egg patterns under an indicator.
Dry Run Creek has fished well this past week. The hot fly, as always, has been the sowbug. Other hot flies have been worm brown San Juan worms and egg patterns (orange). If possible, have your child wear waders (you can rent a pair for a modest fee at Blue Ribbon Fly Shop). While there are places to fish from the bank, this will allow you to access more of the creek. Carry the biggest net you can lay your hands on. I use my boat net. The fish are huge! Do not forget the camera.
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.
