During the past week, we have had a major rain event and very windy conditions. The lake levels on the White River system have all risen significantly. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam rose six and four tenths feet to rest at twenty three and one tenth of a foot above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is seventeen and nine tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake rose one foot to rest at two and nine tenths feet above power pool or thirteen and one tenth feet below the top of flood pool. The Corps of Engineers are aggressively drawing down Table Rock and dumping the water into Bull Shoals, which is rising quickly. Beaver Lake rose two feet to rest at eight and five tenths feet above power pool or one and one tenth feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we have had light but steady generation around the clock with slightly higher flows in the afternoon. There has been precious little wadable water. Norfork Lake rose six and two tenths feet to rest at eighteen feet above power pool of 552.00 feet or ten feet below the top of flood pool. There have been significant periods of no generation every day with moderate generation the rest of the day. This has created some great wading conditions. This is the lull before the storm. The lakes have accumulated a significant amount of water. The only thing preventing high levels of generation around the clock is flooding down stream. As soon as it clears, we will see a lot of high 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 fishing in the Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam closed on November 1, 2009 for the brown trout spawn. It will remain closed until January 31, 2010. The section from the bottom of this Catch and Release section downstream to the wing wall at the State Park is seasonal Catch and Release for the same time period.
When we receive large rain events, like we have lately, both rivers muddy up and do not fish well. The best strategy is to head up stream until you find clear water. The State Park below Bull Shoals Dam on the White and Quarry Park above Dry Run Creek on the Norfork are often your best bets when the water is unfishable elsewhere.
The stretch from Bull Shoals State Park to the Narrows 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. Two fly rigs (San Juan worm and egg) have done particularly well in this area. Small mayfly nymphs like pheasant tails and copper johns and midge patterns have also been effective.
Rim Shoals has been red hot for another week. The go to flies have been Y2Ks and cerise San Juan worms. On windy days try fishing grasshoppers. Use 4X tippet and large flies. Let the fly land with a splash and twitch it occasionally to imitate a struggling grasshopper. The best patterns have been Daves hoppers and Raineys hoppers. 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 high and stained. The White River below them is still a bit off color..
The Norfork River has continued to receive quite a bit of pressure due to round the clock generation on the White but has still fished well. Midge patterns have been the go to flies on the lower flows. The most productive patterns were black zebra midges with silver wire and silver beads, black Norfork midges and Dans turkey tail emergers. Other effective flies have been olive woolly buggers and soft hackles (partridge and orange soft hackles and green butts). On the higher flows hot 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. The most effective technique to use on Dry Run creek is to high stick nymphs under an indicator. There is precious little room to cast. Have the youngster you are fishing with set the hook quickly and fight the fish on the reel. Be sure and use at least 4X tippet to have a chance at landing some of the bigger fish. Carry the biggest net you can lay your hands on as most fish are lost at the net. Be patient. It takes a pretty good while to get the bigger trout to the net. Handle the fish carefully and return them to the water as quickly as possible. Dont forget your camera.
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. Many manufacturers are now making rubber soled wading boots that are easier to clean and are not as likely to harbor didymo.
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
