John Berry is a fly fishing guide in Cotter, Arkansas and has fished our local streams for over twenty five years.
[email protected]www.berrybrothersguides.comJOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 6/04/2010
During the past week, we have had one minor rain event and moderate winds. The Corps of Engineers continued their reduced levels of generation to prevent flooding downstream and lake levels continue to rise. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam rose nine tenths feet to rest at thirteen and two tenths feet above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is twenty seven and eight tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake fell eight tenths of a foot to rest at two feet above power pool or fourteen feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell one tenth of a foot to rest at five and five tenths of a foot above power pool or four and one tenth feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we have had several substantial periods of no generation, which created some excellent wading conditions. Norfork Lake rose three tenths of a foot to rest at eight and six tenths feet above power pool of 552.00 feet or nineteen and four tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we have had limited generation with several significant periods of no generation that allowed for some excellent wading. It looks like the flooding has cleared downstream. I predict increased generation for the immediate future.
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 caddis hatches have been greatly reduced. There are, however, some sulphurs appearing. This is our major mayfly hatch of the year. They are yellow to orange mayflies that are size fourteen when the hatch begins and will get progressively smaller as the hatch continues, generally ending at size eighteen. The best way to fish this hatch is to fish copper John or pheasant tail nymphs before the hatch starts. When the fish begin feeding on emerging sulphurs switch over to partridge and yellow soft hackles. When you observe trout taking adult insects, change over to sulphur parachutes. The key to success is a perfect drag free drift.
Most of the best top water action has been on the upper river from White Hole down to Rim Shoals. The hot spots have been Wildcat Shoals and Roundhouse Shoals in Cotter.
Rim Shoals has been another hot spot. The hot fly here has been copper Johns and prince nymphs. If you want to wade on 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.
One of the most successful tactics has been to fish droppers. Rig a San Juan worm as you normally would. Then tie a twenty inch 5X tippet to the bend of the hook on the worm and tie a small nymph (try a copper John) on the tag end. Fish as you normally would. Most fish will be caught on the nymph.
We have a significant alga bloom on the White and Norfork. When the water rises a significant amount of it is washed down stream. This dirties the water and makes for difficult fishing as you must constantly clean the alga from your hook. It has significantly cleared out on the Norfork but remains a problem on the White.
Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are lower and clearer. The water is at a comfortable temperature and the small mouths are becoming active. Carefully check the water level before entering Crooked Creek or the Buffalo River. There are no dams on these streams. They both have large drainages and are prone to flooding during and following any rain event. The water can rise very quickly.
On the Norfork, we have received reliable wadable water almost every day and there have been some nice midge hatches. Fishing conditions during the week have been excellent. The hot flies have been elk hair caddis, parachute Adams (size 20 -24), green butts, bead head green butts and Dan’s turkey tail emergers. On higher flows cerise San Juan worms and peach eggs have been the hot flies. Try a dropper here. Use a sow bug near the dam and a copper John on the lower river.
Dry Run Creek has fished well. The most productive flies are sowbugs and worm brown San Juan worms. With summer here expect more families to be fishing here. There are fish everywhere. Spread out and try new spots. The most successful technique is to fish a nymph under an indicator with a short line. There is very little room to cast here.
The water level on the Spring River is lower and a bit less stained. 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 with a bit of flash, cerise San Juan worms and pheasant tail nymphs. The hot spot has been bayou access.
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.
