During the past week, we have had a couple of snow events, brutally colder conditions and high winds, which have produced some dangerous wind chill conditions. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam fell two and nine tenths of a foot to rest at nine and eight tenths feet above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is thirty one and two tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Up stream, TableRockLake rose six tenths of a foot to rest at two and at one tenth of a foot below power pool or eighteen and one tenth feet below the top of flood pool. BeaverLake remained steady at seven and two tenths feet above power pool or two and four tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we have had much higher levels of generation around the clock and no wadable water. NorforkLake fell two and two tenths feet to rest at five and six tenths feet above power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty two and four tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we have had round the clock near maximum generation and no wadable water.

The down stream flooding has cleared a bit and the Corps of Engineers has returned to its aggressive drawdown of the lakes in the White River System.  At this time, I predict that NorforkLake will return to power pool in two weeks and Bull Shoals in three weeks.

With the brutally cold conditions we have been having, boat launch ramps can ice over. Exercise extreme care when launching your boat and avoid icy ramps all together.

There will be significant changes to trout fishing regulations effective January 1, 2010. The Catch and Release section on the NorforkRiver will be increased from it current size of 1.1 miles to a new total of approximately two miles. The new upper boundary will be the bottom of long hole and the new lower limit will be the Ackerman access. The new regulations will also allow for multiple hook points in Catch and Release sections on the White and NorforkRivers. Up to three treble hooks will be allowed. All hook points must be barbless.  Of interest to fly fishers is that the new regulations will allow the use of droppers, multiple fly rigs and articulated multiple fly streamers.

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.

On the higher flows we have been receiving, use brightly colored San Juan worms (red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise) and egg patterns (red, pink and orange). You will need a fourteen foot leader combination with a lot of lead (at least an AAA split shot placed eighteen inches from the fly). Use at least 4X tippet and a large strike indicator to float this rig. It will be difficult to cast so open up the loop to prevent tangles.

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.

The brutally cold temperatures and high levels of generation we have been experiencing are the perfect conditions for creating a shad kill. This generally occurs when the water temperature on the lake is forty two degrees. Threadfin shad are drawn through the dam turbines and create a feeding frenzy in the river below. Be on the lookout for gulls feeding on the shad below the dam. The most effective flies will be white shad patterns. Be sure and have both floating and sinking versions.

Crooked Creek and the BuffaloRiver are running clear. The water temperatures are too cold for the smallmouth to be active.

On higher flows we are receiving on the Norfork, brightly colored San Juan worms (red, cerise and hot fluorescent pink) and egg patterns (peach and orange) have been the go to flies. Long leader tippet combinations and heavy weight have been the secret to success. Work the banks and submerged weed beds. Be on the lookout for a shad kill.

Dry Run Creek has fished well. The hot fly has been sow bugs in size fourteen. Worm brown San Juan worms and egg patterns have also done well. The few young anglers that have braved the cold have been rewarded. Bundle up the youngsters, take frequent warm up breaks and dont forget a thermos bottle full of hot cocoa.

The SpringRiver has been fishing well. The flows are up a bit and the water is stained. The hot flies have been Y2Ks, olive woolly buggers, cerise San Juan worms and cotton candy. Be sure and wear cleated boots and carry a wading staff. There is a lot of bedrock that can get very slick.