During the past week, we have had cool temperatures, windy conditions and rain. The lake levels on the White River system have fallen. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam fell three and eight tenths of a foot to rest at one and six tenths of a foot above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is thirty nine and four tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake fell five tenths of a foot to rest at one and five tenths of a foot above power pool or fifteen and five tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell six tenths of a foot to rest at power pool or nine and six tenths feet below the top of flood pool. We have had steady generation around the clock with substantially higher flows in the afternoon. There were three short periods of no generation during Conclave. Norfork Lake fell one and eight tenths of a foot to rest at two and nine tenths of a foot above power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty five and one tenth feet below the top of flood pool. There has been round the clock generation on the Norfork with a few periods of no generation late at night.
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 fishing in the Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam was excellent during the brief periods of no generation during conclave. With the low level flows, it was difficult to navigate around all the new habitat structures recently installed by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the Corps of Engineers. Midge patterns have been the ticket. The hot flies have been the black zebra midge with silver wire and silver bead, the red zebra midge with silver wire and silver bead and Dans turkey tail emerger. On the higher flows in the afternoon hot pink fluorescent pink San Juan worms and orange egg patterns have also accounted for some nice fish.
The Narrows was the scene of a bit of excitement during Conclave. Several anglers were fishing there on low water and doing well. The water came up abruptly and some of the anglers were not able to exit quickly enough and had to be rescued. In this case, the Bull Shoals Dam powerhouse phone was reporting no change in generation despite the fact that four generators had been turned on. This is a hazardous place to fish. The best water is far from the access. Exit the water as soon as rising water is detected.
The stretch from Cotter to Rim Shoals has fished well. There has been some good grasshopper action on sunny windy days. Use nine foot 4X leaders and carefully work the banks. Drop the fly on the water with a plop and give the fly a twitch from time to time, to initiate a vicious strike. The best patterns have been Daves hoppers and Raineys hoppers. Olive woolly buggers and Y2Ks have also been quite effective.
Rim Shoals has been red hot. The go to flies have been Y2Ks and hot fluorescent pink Sa Juan worms. Other flies, specifically black zebra midges with silver wire and silver beads and small pheasant tails accounted for some good fish. The water has been lightly stained and 5X tippet has been the tippet of choice. If you encounter high water, Rim Shoals Trout Dock maintains a water taxi and will ferry you to wadable water for a nominal fee.
Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River have fished well. The cooler temperatures have moderated the water temperature. The hot flies have been Clouser minnows and crawfish patterns.
The Norfork River has not fished well this past week. There were fairly high levels of generation with only a few brief periods of no generation late at night. On the higher flows hot pink fluorescent pink San Juan worms and orange egg patterns have been the most effective way to fish. There are some spawning rainbows in the Catch and Release section. You should avoid fishing for them to allow them to reproduce naturally. We could use some more wild rainbows. Also avoid walking through the redds (spawning beds). They will appear as light colored depressions in the gravel.
Dry Run Creek has fished well this past week. It was a busy place during Conclave and several great fish were caught. The hot fly, as always, has been the sowbug. Other hot flies have been worm brown San Juan worms and egg patterns (orange). Be sure and bring a large net and a camera. While you are there be sure and check out the work being done to improve the fish habitat on the creek. There are also some planned enhancements that will improve fishing for the handicapped.
Remember that the White and Norfork Rivers are infected with didymo, an invasive alga. Be sure and thoroughly clean and dry your waders (especially the felt soles on wading boots) before using them in any other water.
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.
