During the past week, we have a rain event, much colder conditions and some pretty heavy winds, including lake wind advisories. The lake levels on the White River system are falling like a rock. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam fell four feet to rest at twenty one and four tenths feet above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is nineteen and six tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake dropped one and two tenths feet to rest at one and at three tenths of a foot below power pool or seventeen and three tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell three tenths of a foot to rest at seven and five tenths feet above power pool or two and one tenth feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we have had heavy generation around the clock with additional water coming from several flood gates. There has been no wadable water. Norfork Lake fell four and nine tenths feet to rest at thirteen feet above power pool of 552.00 feet or fifteen feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we have had heavy generation around the clock. In addition, the Corps of Engineers opened the flood gates in order to draw down Norfork Lake more quickly. The flows through the flood gates are approximately 3,500 cubic feet per second or the rough equivalent of one additional generator. There is no wading on the Norfork at this level and it is also considered too treacherous for boating. The extra water flows through the flood gates on both rivers are be meant to enhance the dissolved oxygen content of the White and Norfork Rivers in addition to drawing down the Lakes as quickly as possible. With this aggressive draw down, the lakes on the White River system should be a power pool by mid January, if there are no major rain events between now and then.
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.
With the heavy generation and open flood gates on the White River, they are running the rough equivalent of nine generators. This is a huge amount of water and I do not recommend fishing it unless you are in a boat with an experienced river guide. If you must go out there, make sure that one person in the boat is committed to controlling the boat and it not fishing. Do not anchor in the current or use a drag chain under any circumstance.
When we have water levels this high, you should concentrate on fishing the banks and weed beds. Use brightly colored San Juan worms (red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise) and egg patterns (red, pink and orange). Use a fourteen foot leader/tippet combination with a minimum of 4X tippet. There should be plenty of weight to get the fly down to the bottom. I use AAA splitshot eighteen inches above the fly. A large strike indicator will be required to keep this afloat. This rig will be difficult to cast. Open up your loop and give your back cast plenty of time to straighten out behind you.
Another effective strategy is to fish streamers. Concentrate on banging the bank or any heavy structure where fish might escape the current. Your best bet would be to use large articulated streamers like the zoo cougar on heavy (300 grain or heavier) sink tips. You will need at least an eight weight rod to cast this rig. Use a short piece of heavy mono (three feet of 2X fluorocarbon tippet) in lieu of a conventional leader to help get the fly down. This strategy targets big fish, but is a lot of work. I like to carry two rods, one that is rigged for streamers and one that is rigged for nymphs. That way you can quickly vary your strategy.
Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River have cleared a bit. The water below Crooked Creek has also cleared. The water temperatures are a bit low for the smallmouth.
Monitor the water levels on the Norfork and do not attempt boating on it until the Corps of Engineers closes the flood gates and limits flows to generation from the dam. The boat ramp at Quarry Park is flooded and closed to all traffic. The high water levels washed away all of the recently installed landscaping. Hopefully there will be no further damage to the recently resurfaced ramp parking lot.
Dry Run Creek has been virtually abandoned with the cold temperatures. The few souls that have braved the elements have been rewarded with some nice fish. The hot fly is the sowbug as always. Other productive flies have been the San Juan worm in red or worm brown and the Y2K. Make sure that the kids stay warm and dry. Take frequent breaks to warm up. Dont forget the thermos of hot cocoa.
While conditions in the local area are tough, there are some great places to wade and fish nearby. Consider a day trip to the Spring River. It is an hour and a half from my home in Cotter and it is fishing well.
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.
