During the past week, we have had yet another significant rain event and very heavy winds (to include lake wind advisories). The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam rose one and eight tenths feet to rest at eight feet above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is thirty three feet below the top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake fell one and eight tenths of a foot to rest at seven tenths of a foot above power pool or fifteen and three tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake rose nine tenths of a foot to rest at three and eight tenths of a foot above power pool or five and eight tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we have had generation around the clock. Norfork Lake rose two and eight tenths of a foot to rest at four and three tenths of a foot above power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty three and seven tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we have had moderate generation with a few periods of no generation at night. All of the lakes, on the White River system, are now above power pool. The Corps of Engineers is aggressively drawing down the lakes and we should return to wadable conditions in three weeks providing we receive no further rain.
There were significant changes to trout fishing regulations effective January 1, 2010. The Catch and Release section on the Norfork River 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 Norfork Rivers. 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.
On the higher flows we received this week, the key to success was to fish brightly colored San Juan worms (cerise, hot fluorescent pink and red) and egg patterns (peach and orange). On water this high, you must use long leader/tippet combinations (fourteen feet) and a lot of lead. You must tick the bottom. Use a large strike indicator and 4X tippet. The most productive area for this technique has been the Catch and Release Section below Bull Shoals Dam (sowbugs have also been a productive fly in this section). We did receive a brief period of very low generation (960 cubic feet per second) that fished particularly well. The hot flies during this unexpected low water were the hares ear soft hackle (size 18) and black zebra midge with silver wire and silver bead.
Another hot spot has been White Shoals (below Rim Shoals). The hot fly has been the Y2K and hot pink San Juan worms. To increase hook ups many anglers have been using a dropper. Effective droppers in the last week have been black zebra midges with silver wire and silver bead, caddis pupa and pheasant tail nymphs.
If you want to wade on the high flows you can obtain the services of the water taxi at Rim Shoals Trout Dock. For a nominal fee they will ferry you to wadable water and pick you up when you are ready to return. They can provide these services in flows up to 17,000 cubic feet per second.
Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are both dropping but are still a bit stained. The warm temperatures are beginning to heat them up and the small mouth will become more active when the water temperature reaches fifty five degrees.
The Norfork received moderate flow around the clock with a bit of wadable water (at night). 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. On the upper river, try a sowbug dropper and on the lower river try a caddis pupa.
Dry Run Creek has fished extremely well. There was a bit of pressure last week from anglers wanting to take advantage of the incredible spring weather. The habitat improvement part of the Dry Run Creek improvement project sponsored by the Friends of the Norfork Fish Hatchery is in progress. Dont be put off by the sight of heavy equipment in the stream bed. They are busily improving fishing on the creek. The hot fly this past week was the sowbug followed by the worm brown San Juan worm. While you are there, take a few minutes to visit the adjacent National Fish Hatchery. It is fascinating. Be sure and remove your waders to prevent the spread of aquatic diseases.
The water level on the Spring River is high and the water is stained from the recent rains. It is beginning to clear. 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 olive woolly buggers, cerise San Juan worms and pheasant tail nymphs. The hot spot has been the Dam Three Access area.
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.
