During the past week, we have had seemingly never ending rain and much cooler temperatures. The lake levels on the White River system have all risen significantly. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam rose seven and eight tenths of a foot to rest at nine and four tenths of a foot above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is thirty one and six tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake rose five and five tenths of a foot to rest at seven feet above power pool or nine feet below the top of flood pool. The flood gates are open at Table Rock and they are aggressively drawing it down and dumping the water into Bull Shoals, which is rising quickly. Beaver Lake rose five and seven tenths of a foot to rest at five and seven tenths of a foot above power pool or three and nine tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we have had steady generation around the clock with slightly higher flows in the afternoon. There has been precious little wadable water. Norfork Lake rose four and six tenths of a foot to rest at seven and five tenths of a foot above power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty and five tenths feet below the top of flood pool. There have been significant periods of no generation every day with moderate generation in the afternoon. This has created some great wading conditions daily.
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. With the low level flows we had this week; 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. When we had muddy conditions down stream following the heavy rains, this was the only clear water around and it received some significant pressure. The hot flies have been brightly colored San Juan worms (cerise, hot fluorescent pink and red) and egg patterns (orange and peach). White marabou jigs accounted for some good fish. There was also some nice top water action with Chernobyl ants.
The stretch from Wildcat Shoals to Cotter has fished well. The moderate flows we have received this past week have been perfect for drift fishing. The hot flies have been San Juan worms and Y2Ks. There has also been a bit of grasshopper action, especially on windy days.
Rim Shoals has been red hot for another week. The go to flies have been Y2Ks and cerise 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 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 are running high and muddy. The White River below them is very off color and not fishing well.
The Norfork River has received quite a bit of pressure due to round the clock generation on the White. The lower flows fished well with midge patterns. The hot flies were black zebra midges with silver wire and silver beads, black Norfork midges and Dans turkey tail emergers. 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. There are some big browns that have begun moving up into the creek to spawn. 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 take a tour of the adjacent National Fish Hatchery with your child. It is interesting and informative. Be sure and remove your waders before entering the hatchery grounds to prevent the spread of aquatic diseases from other streams.
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.
