During the past week, we have had cold temperatures and brutal winds. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam fell nine tenths of a foot to rest at one tenth of a foot above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is forty and nine tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Up stream, TableRockLake rose four tenths of a foot to rest at eight tenths of a foot above power pool or fifteen and two tenths feet below the top of flood pool. BeaverLake fell one and one tenth of a foot to rest at one tenth of a foot above power pool or nine and three tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we have had fairly steady levels of moderate generation. NorforkLake fell six tenths of a foot to rest at power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty eight feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we have had several windows of no generation. All of the lakes on the White River system are at or near power pool. We should see lower levels of generation or the possibility of wadable water in the next week. This is still contingent on no further significant precipitation.
There were 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 hook streamers.
The Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam, which was closed from November 1, 2009 through January 31, 2010 for the brown trout spawn, has now reopened. Remember that there are numerous spawning beds (redds) containing freshly laid and fertilized eggs. Please avoid dragging chains through these areas. The redds will appear as clean depressions in the gravel.
The hot spot has been the Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam. Though we have had brutally cold temperatures and high levels of generation, the perfect conditions for creating a shad kill, there have not been any shad coming through. There may be shad coming through at night. The trout in the upper river are still responding to shad patterns but there is certainly no feeding frenzy taking place. As long as the lake temperatures stay in their present range (around 41 degrees), we may see some more shad come through.
Some anglers have reported success from fishing streamers. Concentrate on banging the bank or any heavy structure where fish can escape the current. Your best bet would be to use large articulated streamers like the zoo cougar or leg spreader 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 moderate flows we have received this past week on the White River have fished well. One hot spot was Rim Shoals, particularly the lower section. The most productive flows have been Y2Ks, brightly colored San Juan worms (cerise, hot fluorescent pink and red) and egg patterns (peach and orange). If you want to wade in the flows we have been receiving, remember that Rim Shoals Trout Dock has a river taxi service that will ferry you to wadable water and pick you up for a nominal fee.
Crooked Creek and the BuffaloRiver are running fairly clear. The water temperatures (48 degrees) are too cold for the smallmouth to be active. Smallmouth are generally not active when the water temperatures fall below 55 degrees. There were anglers that reported success fishing for trout in the mouth of Crooked Creek. The hot flies were olive woolly buggers.
The Norfork has received some low water. On the low flows, the hot flies were olive scuds, sowbugs and black zebra midges with silver wire and silver beads. Other anglers reported success with partridge and orange soft hackles and olive woolly buggers. On the high flows, 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. We have had some warm afternoons that have been perfect for fishing the creek. The newly passed fishing regulations allow the use of multiple fly rigs. Concentrate on the deeper water with a bit of current. Be sure and carry the biggest net that you can lay your hands on. The fish here are huge.
The SpringRiver has been fishing well. The water level is still a bit high and off color. This makes for challenging wading. Be sure and wear cleated boots and carry a wading staff. There is a lot of bedrock that can get very slick. The hot flies have been Y2Ks, olive woolly buggers, cerise San Juan worms and cotton candy.
Remember that the White and NorforkRivers 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.
