May 9, 2008 - White River
- Submitted by Berry
Brothers Guides- JOHN BERRY
FISHING REPORT 5/08/2008
Though we have had yet another
rain event, the reservoirs on the White River continue to fall,
albeit slowly. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam fell four tenths
of a foot to rest at thirty nine and six tenths feet above power
pool of 654.00 feet. This is one and four tenths of a foot below
the top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake fell seven
tenths of a foot to rest at fourteen and three tenths feet above
power pool or one and seven tenths of a foot below the top of
flood pool. Beaver Lake fell two tenths of a foot to settle at
eight and three tenths feet above power pool or one and three
tenths of a foot below the top of flood pool. The pattern on
the White has been to run around the clock with higher flows
during the day and lower flows at night. All flood gates have
now been shut down. Norfork Lake has fallen seven tenths of a
foot to rest at twenty six and three tenths feet above power
pool of 552.00 feet or one and seven tenths of a foot below the
top of flood pool. The pattern has been to run two generators
most of the time with brief periods of no generation at night.
There have been a few brief periods of wading opportunities on
the Norfork River at night but none on the White. On the higher
water, boating conditions have been excellent. The Buffalo River
and Crooked Creek are still a bit high and off colored.
The fishing on the White has
been greatly improved during the past week. With fluctuating
levels, the key to success has been to fish rising water. This
requires that you carefully study the variances in flow and position
your self to be on the water when the water rises on a particular
stretch of water and fish the rise.
The upper river from the Catch
and Release section at the base of Bull Shoals dam to Cane Island
Shoals has been fishing well. Since the lower flows have been
at night and this section is located just below the dam, virtually
all the fishing here is at higher flows. The hot flies here have
been brightly colored San Juan worms and egg patterns. Be sure
and weight the leader heavily and use a large indicator to float
all of this.
Another section that has been
very productive has been the section from Rim Shoals to Buffalo
Shoals. The lower flows and rising water hit here during the
day and that has been the best time to fish here. On the lower
water, midge nymphs in a bit larger size than you would use for
wade fishing (size 14 and 16) have been the ticket. Caddis pupa
and copper johns have also been quite productive. Be sure and
fish the power lines and the rough hole carefully because they
have been producing extremely well.
Caution should be used when
using the ramp at Ranchette. It has silted in quite a bit and
it is not recommended that you try and use it at this time unless
you have four wheel drive.
With the Lower water conditions
and greatly improved fishing on the White, the crowding has eased
quite a bit on the Norfork. The heavy pressure from previous
weeks has put the fish down and anglers are not catching as many.
The best time to fish has been early morning to catch the rise.
On lower water, nymphs like olive scuds, zebra midges and copper
johns have been the hot flies. Once the rise is over, the ticket
has been to fish brightly colored San Juan worms and egg patterns.
Dry Run Creek as usual is fishing
very well. This is a great time of year to fish here, between
spring break and summer vacation, because there is not much fishing
pressure and the best spots are available. The best flies this
past week have been sowbugs, olive woolly buggers and San Juan
worms. While a lot of the creek can be fished from the bank,
it is best to have waders so that you can reach some of the seldom
fished spots that hold the larger fish.
BOATING ETIQUETTE
It would be an understatement
to say, that this is going to be a high water year. Recent rains
have sent the lake levels soaring and caused flooding through
out the region. It will take a long time for the Corps of Engineers
to lower the lake levels and it looks like we are going to be
fishing from a boat for a long time. There will be more anglers
fishing from boats in the coming months and a lot of them will
be new to boating in the river. There are a few basic rules of
boating etiquette that will make this increase in boating pressure
go much more smoothly.
Every thing begins at the ramp.
The basic rule is, do not hog the ramp. At certain times, early
in the morning and late afternoon, our ramps can get quite busy
as anglers begin and end their day. Prepare your boat for launching
before you back down the ramp. Insert in your plug, connect the
gas line, rig your rods, and load your gear in the parking lot.
Only when everything is ready, do you back down the ramp and
launch your boat. Load your passengers and clear the ramp so
that others may use it.
The same is true for loading
your boat at the end of the day. I remember waiting for another
guide to clean his client's days catch while sitting in his boat
at the ramp effectively denying its use to any one else for several
minutes. If you have to do something like this, pull off to the
side of the ramp and do it there. When you are finished back
your car down the ramp, load quickly and clear the ramp. Removing
your plug, unloading your boat, securing your motor and all of
the other tasks to prepare the boat for the drive home can be
done in the parking lot out of the way of others wanting to use
the ramp.
There will be some new boaters
out there that have never backed down a ramp or loaded a boat
onto a trailer before. Be patient. Offer constructive criticism
or maybe even help them. We were all there at one time or another.
They will appreciate your assistance.
Once under way, pass other boats
with care, particularly if the occupants are fishing. If you
pass another angler that is actively fishing, slow down so that
you do not cause a wake to interfere with their fishing. Give
other anglers a wide berth, do not crowd them. Try and determine
which side of the boat they are fishing from and pass on the
other side. Do not run your boat over their lines. In addition
to possibly fouling up your motor, you probably will not make
any friends.
Do not anchor in or otherwise
clog the main channel. This is of greater importance at lower
water levels. There will be choke points on the river which are
the only places where a boat can get through a certain section
of river. If you anchor your boat in these spots you will limit
others ability to navigate the river and you might get run over.
Wait your turn. There are certain
times when several anglers are working the same water. An example
of this is during the shad kill when a lot of anglers are concentrated
in the Catch and Release section just below Bull Shoals dam.
They motor up stream near the dam and drift down. The proper
thing to do is motor up and wait your turn to begin your drift
down. You should not drop in below another boat and interfere
with their drift.
Keep the noise down. I have
been on the river enjoying the natural beauty of the area only
to have my solitude disturbed by another boat playing a boom
box very loud. Just because you like Toby Keith does not mean
that every one else does. Enjoy your loud music in the privacy
of your own home.
Take these suggestions to heart
and the river will be a pleasant place to be.
John Berry
May 9, 2008 - Norfork and White River - Submitted by Mountain River Fly Shop -
WHITE RIVER: The great reports
off the White continue, with plenty of 18"-22" fish
caught and landed over the last week, even in the blustery conditions
of late last week.
But we also heard from Clint
Wilkinson and Marc Poulos of their clients losing monster browns
in the double figure range (and we mean pounds) when the hook
slipped out.
Both Marco's and Clint's eyes
grew very big relating these tales to us.
The water flows have fluctuated
markedly over the last week on the White from, a heavy 7 units
to a low 3.
And since generally rising water
is good and falling water bad knowing where to hit the best
section of river and which way to run during the day is another
part of the smarts of White River guides.
Definately treat yourself to
a trip with one of our Guides, it's worth way more than the fish
you will catch themselves.
On the water San Juan's remain
dominant. The best color is a subject of debate, red, brown,
hot pink or hot orange are most common but cerise worms have
some serious devotees. Try Davy Wotton's Dynamite Worms as well
in hot pink, hot orange, dark and light tan and red. Davy again
has been whacking trout with this pattern on both the White and
Norfork
From Cotter upstream there are
a bunch of caddis on the water, but with even moderate flows
there doesn't appear to be too many fish taking the adults.
But certainly green-hued caddis
pupa patterns are working well from Cotter to the Narrows and
perhaps above. The Journal fished Psycho Rhyco Caddis patterns
ahead of a Clint's Sunday Special for good results on Tuesday.
Tightlines from all at the
Mountain River Fly Shop
Gary, Cindy, Jim, Gene,
Kevin, Marc, Faye, Mike and Steve
May 7, 2008 - Courtesty of Arkansas Game and
Fish Commission -
White River Levels: According
to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as of Wednesday the White
River stages are:
8.2 feet at Calico Rock (flood
stage 19 feet)
9.4 feet at Batesville (flood stage 15 feet)
21.7 feet at Newport (flood stage 26 feet)
31.9 feet at Augusta (flood stage 26 feet)
22 feet at Georgetown (flood stage 21 feet)
28.9 feet at Clarendon (flood stage 26 feet)
CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Little Red River: Lindsey's
Resort (501-302-3139) said the water is clear and high, with
heavy generation. Fishing for trout is very good on Power Bait,
corn, spinnerbaits, Rapalas and wax worms.
Jed Hollan at the Little Red
Fly Shop said Greers Ferry Lake continues to hover near the top
flood pool level. The U.S. Corps of Engineers said the flood
gates will be opened if flood pool is reached. Meanwhile, water
releases continue around the clock, averaging the equivalent
of one full generator. Larger releases are desired, but the White
River is still too high downstream. Fishing the Little Red River
in high water is definitely possible from a boat. Guide trips
at the shop are continuing and trout are being caught and released.
Be sure to wear a life jacket if you launch a boat. Sub-surface
flies are most productive in high water. The sub-surface flies
that are working the best include San Juan worms (#14-#18 peach,
orange or red), gold-ribbed hare's ear (#14-#16), copper john
(#14-#16 red or green), sow bug (#14-#16 light gray or tan),
zebra midge (#16 red or chartreuse) or woolly bugger (#4-#12
olive or brown). Most any heavy fly that is brightly colored
or has flash will work. If you elect to tie on a dry fly, try
an elk hair caddis (#14-#16 tan), Adams (#18-#20), midge (#22
cream or black) or American March brown (#14). Dries work best
when presented to the trout during a hatch.
NORTH ARKANSAS
White River: John Berry of Berry
Brothers Guides said although the reservoirs on the White River
system have fallen, they remain precariously close to the top
of flood pool. The pattern on the White has been to run all eight
generators around the clock. In addition they opened the flood
gates and ran 13, 000 additional cubic feet per second (the equivalent
of four additional generators). The also ran the flood gates
on Beaver and Table Rock. All have now been shut down. There
have been a few brief periods of wading opportunities on the
Norfork River at night but none on the White. On the higher water,
boating conditions have been excellent. Most boat ramps on the
White River are now usable. Great care should be taken when launching
or loading your boat during heavy generation. The use of a personal
flotation device is highly recommended when boating on heavy
water. Fishing on the White has been tough. The water has been
so high most anglers have avoided it all together. A few brave
souls have fished the upper White with some success, particularly
the Catch-and-Release section below Bull Shoals dam.
Mountain River Fly Shop said
it will be a while before you hear no generation on the White,
but if no more torrential rains hit, we're hopeful that we won't
see any more spillway flows. There will be some very good fishing
from a boat over the next weeks. High water can produce growth
rates of around an inch a month. And with the super-size buffet
of drowned worms, decaying warmwater fish and more during times
the floodgates were open these fish should be stacking on the
weight. There is no better time to catch a trophy White River
fish than during high water. It's a good bet to start with fly
patterns from Wotton or Wilkinson. The Dynamite Worm has been
one of Davy's little secrets until he let it slip last month.
The Sunday Special has been a go-to fly for Clint for a good
while, and if you had been one of his clients there is a good
chance you had it on your rod at some stage. If you aren't fishing
in a catch-and-release zone, try a double rig with the Dynamite
Worm trailing the heavier Sunday Special.
Sportsman's White River Resort
said the water is clearing up, but eightgenerators arerunning
around the clock. Trout fishing has been very good on small red
or purple worms with heavy sinkers. Rogues and Rapalasare also
very good.
Norfork Tailwater: John Berry
of Berry Brothers Guides said with the water on the White River
extremely high, the action was centered on the Norfork River.
The traffic was incredibly heavy. With the ramp at Quarry Park
destroyed by recent flooding and the ramp at the confluence flooded
by the additional water coming through the flood gates at Bull
Shoals dam, the only place to launch boats on the Norfork was
off the side of the road leading to the confluence ramp. This
is a tricky place to launch and at times the spot got quite congested.
Patience prevailed and I heard of no mishaps. Despite the extremely
crowded conditions, the fishing, while not hot, was steady. The
key to success has been to use conventional high-water tactics.
Large, brightly colored San Juan worms (red, hot pink, cerise
and fire orange have all been productive) and brightly colored
egg patterns. One tactic that helped produce fish was the use
of a dropper in the sections of the Norfork that were not designated
Catch-and-Release. A small nymph can be attached to the bend
of the hook of the San Juan worm by a 24-inch tippet with a couple
of simple improved clinch knots. A good nymph to use for this
technique would be the copper john. Our most reliable mayfly
hatch of the year is the sulphur. They regularly hatch in May
and June and the nymphs should be coming more active in the coming
weeks. Use the copper wire variety in size 14. It is a dead on
imitation of the sulphur nymphs. Other good nymphs to try would
be olive scuds or black zebra nymphs in size 14. Dry Run Creek
as usual is fishing very well. The hot fly has been the worm
brown San Juan worm in smaller sizes. Other productive patterns
have been sowbugs, olive woolly buggers, egg patterns and Y2Ks.
While you are there take a tour of the National Fish Hatchery.
It is fascinating and educational. Be sure and remove your waders
before entering the hatchery to prevent the spread of aquatic
diseases.
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Lake Catherine: Shane Goodner,
owner of Catch'em All Guide Service, reports that the tailrace
is now clear and the lake level is back to its normal summertime
level. The surface temperature is 56 degrees and drops to 51
as you arrive at the dam. Despite almost two months of storms
and statewide flooding, the rainbow trout population is alive
and well below the dam. The trout are healthy and feeding heavily
on the threadfin shad schools that are migrating towards the
dam. Fly-fishermen are catching limits of trout on streamers
and micro jigs in white or grey with the best results during
periods of generation. Boaters are landing trout in the 2- to
3-pound range by trolling the channels with small crankbaits
that run 4 to 6 feet deep. Shad or crawfish imitators work best
as both of these creatures are a prime food source for all the
fish that inhabit the tailrace. Spin fishermen are recording
limits of fish by casting Roostertails and Super Dupers in brown
and silver in areas of current. Bank fishermen using corn with
a marshmallow floater quickly hook trout that mistake the corn
for fish eggs. Rainbow trout have an inborn instinct to feed
on fish eggs and any fishermen that does not take advantage of
this fact is missing a great opportunity to experience big time
trout fishing. White bass have completely covered the area in
full spawn mode. Males are in the 1 to 2 pound range and can
be caught with jigs and crankbaits at will. Live bait rigs are
catching the larger females in the deeper waters in front of
the powerhouse.
May 7, 2008 - Courtesty of Missouri Department
of Conservation - Trout Parks
Bennett Spring State Park:
54 degrees, falling, clear;
water level is almost back to normal; successful lures and baits
include: jigs (red & white, black & yellow), mini-jigs (bedspread
and John Deere), glo-balls (Easter egg 3-color, anything with
pink), other lures; Rooster Tails in bright colors and Power
Baits (orange glitter, and yellow glitter colors) all fished
deep; May Fishing hours are 6:30am to 8:15pm; For current streamflow
information check the streamflow gauge provided by USGS and DNR:
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mo/nwis/uv/?site_no=06923500&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060
(Report made on 5/6/2008)
Maramec Spring Park:
58 degrees, stream is getting
back to normal; water is still a little dingy and has a slightly
greenish cast; fishing has been good; try using scented baits
and bright colors; May fishing hours: 6:30am to 8:15pm. (Report
made on 5/7/2008)
Montauk State Park:
57 degrees, normal, clear; fishing
has been good; bait fishermen have been doing well with natural
baits such as corn, worms, garlic scented doughbaits, and brown
Power Bait; try Power Bait fished beneath a bobber; fly and lure
fishermen have been catching fish on various wet flies, spinners
and crawdad lures; try black, yellow, white, and green marabou
jigs for best results. May fishing hours are 6:30am to 8:15pm.
(Report made on 5/7/2008)
Roaring River State Park:
56 degrees, falling, dingy;
river is down to near normal levels; 4 lb test line should work
well; fishing is good with a little extra weight on the line;
plastic eggs and worms are working well in zone 1; check local
fly shops for flies that are working well; rain is predicted
over the next few days so for current streamflow information
check the real time streamflow gauge provided by USGS and DNR:
May 1, 2008 - White River
- Submitted by Berry
Brothers Guides- Though the
reservoirs on the White River system have fallen a bit, they
remain precariously close to the top of flood pool. The lake
level at Bull Shoals Dam rose fell two tenths of a foot to rest
at forty feet above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is one foot
below the top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake fell
five tenths of a foot to rest at fifteen feet above power pool
or one foot below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell seven
tenths of a foot to settle at eight and five tenths feet above
power pool or one and one tenth of a foot below the top of flood
pool. The pattern on the White has been to run all eight generators
around the clock. In addition they opened the flood gates and
ran 13, 000 additional cubic feet per second (the equivalent
of four additional generators). The also ran the flood gates
on Beaver and Table Rock. All have now been shut down. Norfork
Lake has fallen two tenths feet to rest at twenty seven feet
above power pool of 552.00 feet or one foot below the top of
flood pool. The pattern has been to run two generators most of
the time with brief periods of no generation mostly at night.
There have been a few brief periods of wading opportunities on
the Norfork River at night but none on the White. On the higher
water, boating conditions have been excellent. The Buffalo River
and Crooked Creek are high and off colored.
Most boat ramps on the White
River are now usable. When they had the flood gates open during
the past week they were all flooded. Great care should be taken
when launching or loading your boat during heavy generation.
The use of a personal flotation device is highly recommended
when boating on heavy water.
The fishing on the White has
been tough. The water has been so high most anglers have avoided
it all together. A few brave souls have fished the upper White
with some success, particularly the Catch and Release section
below Bull Shoals dam. At least one enterprising angler was able
to harvest several stripers on the White River . They had come
through the flood gates and were stunned by their ordeal. The
angler scooped them up with his boat net for a fish fry. With
the flood gates turned off, conditions on the White should improve
substantially.
With the water on the White
extremely high, the action was centered on the Norfork River
. The traffic was incredibly heavy. With the ramp at Quarry Park
destroyed by recent flooding and the ramp at the confluence flooded
by the additional water coming through the flood gates at Bull
Shoals dam, the only place to launch boats on the Norfork was
off the side of the road leading to the confluence ramp. This
is a tricky place to launch and at times the spot got quite congested.
Patience prevailed and I heard on no mishaps.
Despite the extremely crowded
conditions, the fishing, while not hot, was steady. The key to
success has been to use conventional high water tactics. Large
brightly colored San Juan worms (red, hot pink, cerise and fire
orange have all been productive) and brightly colored egg patterns.
One tactic that helped produce fish was the use of a dropper
in the sections of the Norfork that were not designated Catch
and Release. A small nymph can be attached to the bend of the
hook of the San Juan worm by a twenty four inch tippet with a
couple of simple improved clinch knots.
A good nymph to use for this
technique would be the copper john. Our most reliable mayfly
hatch of the year is the sulphur. They regularly hatch in May
and June and the nymphs should be coming more active in the coming
weeks. Use the copper wire variety in size fourteen. It is a
dead on imitation of the sulphur nymphs. Other good nymphs to
try would be olive scuds or black zebra nymphs in size fourteen.
Dry Run Creek as usual is fishing
very well. The hot fly has been the worm brown San Juan worm
in smaller sizes. Other productive patterns have been sowbugs,
olive woolly buggers, egg patterns and Y2Ks. While you are there
take a tour of the National Fish Hatchery. It is fascinating
and educational. Be sure and remove your waders before entering
the hatchery to prevent the spread of aquatic diseases.
Practice water safety and always
check conditions before you leave home.
May 1, 2008 - Norfork and White River - Submitted by Mountain River Fly Shop -
WHITE RIVER: WELL thank goodness
the highest outflows from the Bull Shoals Dam ever is over. 13
units of water was pretty daunting. But its not to say there
weren't some fish caught.
But all our guides were saying
it was hard work. Ten units, the flow we had earlier in the month
was certainly fishable.
But it's going to be nice to
be back onto 6 to 8 units, more fishable rigs on the rods and
some very good fishing to be expected.
It is going to be some off before
you will probably hear zero units on the White but if we duck
any more torrential rain in the catchment, then hopefully we
won't see any more spillway flows.
One thing we can say though
is there is going to be some very good fishing from a boat over
the next little while. High water can produce growth rates of
around an inch a month.
And with the super size buffet
of drowned worms, decaying warmwater fish and more during times
the floodgates were open these fish should be stacking on the
weight. And as we have said more than once in recent weeks
There is no better time to catch
a trophy White River fish than during high water.
As you may have read earlier
in the Journal its a good bet to start with fly patterns from
Wotton or Wilkinson.
The Dynamite Worm has been one
of Davy's little secret until he let it slip last month. The
Sunday Special has been a go to fly for Clint for a goodly while,
and if you had been one of his clients there is a good chance
you had it on your rod at some stage.
And if you aren't fishing in
a catch and release zone then try a double rig with the Dynamite
Worm trailing the heavier Sunday Special.
More generally worm patterns
have been a mainstay in recent week, fished with a fair amount
of lead depending on water flows.
Scuds and sowbugs have also
been very good when the water is 8 units and below. We also heard
of some very big browns caught recently on big streamer patterns,
tossed against the banks.
On a guide poll the mornings
have been quieter than the afternoons on Norfork recently. Certainly
it was this way for us.
We fished slowly down from the
Dam to McLellan's with the odd fish to Marc and zip to the boat
driver.
Apparently it was the Journal's
mission to decorate the new bottom structure with flies.
But then we moved into the catch
and release section and switched to size 14 Prince variants,
the Journal a Tungsten Prince, Marco the Hot Wire Prince in Green
Yellow, and we were on fire.
Small tan caddis were coming
off pretty steadily but didn't seem to be attracting any surface
activity. We later heard from Clint his day had been similar,
though he stayed lower on the river and caught the rise in feeding
activity earlier on worms and Sunday Specials.
Tightlines from all at the Mountain
River Fly Shop
Gary, Cindy, Jim, Gene, Kevin,
Marc, Faye, Mike and Steve
May 1, 2008 - Courtesty of Missouri Department
of Conservation - Trout Parks
Bennett Spring State Park:
54 degrees, high, dingy; water
level is 4 inches above normal; and beginning to clear; successful
lures and baits include: jigs (red & white, black & yellow),
mini-jigs (bedspread and John Deere), glo-balls (Easter egg 3-color,
anything with pink), other lures; 1/8 ounce Rooster Tails in
bright colors and Power Baits (pink, and white colors) all fished
deep; May Fishing hours are 6:30am to 8:15pm; Annual Kid's Free
Fishing Day is on May 3 for kids 15 years and younger. For current
streamflow information check the streamflow gauge provided by
USGS and DNR: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mo/nwis/uv/?site_no=06923500&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060
(Report made on 5/1/2008)
Maramec Spring Park:
58 degrees, dingy; with a slightly
greenish cast; fishing has been good; try using scented baits
and bright colors; May fishing hours: 6:30am to 8:15pm. (Report
made on 5/1/2008)
Montauk State Park:
57 degrees, normal, clear; fishing
has been good; bait fishermen have been doing well with Power
Baits and homemade doughbaits, try corn or worms beneath a bobber
or doughbaits fished on the bottom; fly and lure fishermen have
been catching fish on various wet flies, spinners and lures;
fish deep with dark colors for best results; May fishing hours
are 6:30am to 8:15pm; Annual Kid's Free Fishing Day is on Saturday,
May 3 for kids 15 years and younger. The event runs from 6:30am
to 8:15pm. (Report made on 5/1/2008)
Roaring River State Park:
56 degrees, falling, dingy;
river is down to near normal levels; much less dingy than last
week; fishing should still be good as long as you keep your lure
down deep; plastic eggs and worms are working well in zone 1;
check local fly shops for flies that are working well. For current
streamflow information check the streamflow gauge provided by
USGS and DNR: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mo/nwis/uv/?site_no=07050152&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060
(Report made on 5/1/2008)
April 30, 2008 - Courtesty of Arkansas Game and
Fish Commission -
White River Levels: According
to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as of Wednesday the White
River stages are:
11 feet at Calico Rock (flood
stage 19 feet)
13 feet at Batesville (flood stage 15 feet)
26.1 feet at Newport (flood stage 26 feet)
32.6 feet at Augusta (flood stage 26 feet)
22.9 feet at Georgetown (flood stage 21 feet)
30 feet at Clarendon (flood stage 26 feet)
Statewide Family and Community Fishing Report: Catfish are available
in selected ponds around Arkansas. Fish early morning or late
afternoon and try using liver, worms or stinkbait fished near
the bottom of the ponds. Bream are becoming more active in the
ponds this month. Try worms and crickets near brush tops. For
more information on stockings, please call toll-free 1-866-540-FISH
(3474).
CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Little Red River: Lindsey's
Resort (501-302-3139) said the water is clear and high, with
heavy generation. Fishing for trout is very good on Power Bait,
corn, spinnerbaits, Rapalas and wax worms.
Jed Hollan at the Little Red
Fly Shop said the big news remains water, water, everywhere.
All five White River impoundments are releasing copious amounts
of water in an effort to lower lake levels. If you take your
boat out on the river looking for trout, try casting a midge
(#22 or smaller in cream or black), Adams (#18-#20), elk hair
caddis (#14-#16) or March brown (#14) during hatches. To improve
the odds of catching a trout in this high water, go deep instead
of surface fishing. You could try a sowbug (#14-#16 in gray or
tan with a bead head), zebra midge (#16-#22 red, black or chartreuse),
San Juan worm (#16-#18 red or pink), copper John (#14-#16) or
any streamer, such as a wooly bugger, in sizes #4-#12 olive,
brown or black. Choose a fly that has lots of flash or sparkle.
If you elect to fish sub-surface in high water, you will need
to use split shot or sink putty to get your fly down quickly.
NORTH ARKANSAS
White River: Gaston's White
River Resort said bass have been biting well on spinnerbaits
and crankbaits in the flooded timber all over the lake. Crappie
have been biting well under the logs. Try a minnow fished 1 to
2 feet under a float. White bass are still going strong upstream
from the 45 bridge in 4 to 6 feet of water on Shineee Hineee's.
Stripers have been scattered all over the lake. Good places to
look have been in Prairie creek, Indian Creek and up either river
arm. Best bait has been live minnows or shad.
John Berry of Berry Brothers
Guides said the reservoirs on the White River system have fallen
a bit. They remain precariously close to the top of flood pool.
It has been very windy and there were lake wind advisories on
several days. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam rose fell six
tenths of a foot to rest at forty and two tenths feet above power
pool of 654.00 feet. This is eight tenths of a foot below the
top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake remained steady
at fifteen and five tenths of a foot above power pool or five
tenths of a foot below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake rose
six tenths of a foot to settle at nine and two tenths feet above
pool or four tenths of a foot below the top of flood pool. The
flood gates at Bull Shoals have been closed. The pattern on the
White is to run all eight generators around the clock. The fishing
on the upper White has been excellent, particularly the Catch
and Release section below Bull Shoals dam.. Large brightly colored
San Juan worms (red, hot pink, cerise and fire orange have all
been productive) and brightly colored egg patterns. They must
be fished with a lot of lead and, of course, a really big strike
indicator to float it all. I would recommend at least 4X to handle
the larger flies and additional weight. Make sure that your indicator
is set on the leader to enable the fly to tick the bottom of
the water column. Other generally hot spots on the river have
not fished as well as the upper river. Rim shoals and the Cotter
area, in particular, have not been producing well.
Mountain River Fly Shop said
just as we were getting used to fishing 10 units, with the spillways
open, we came back to a more standard 8 units last week. The
fishing had been different but very good all week. White River
trout are going to be stacking on the weight courtesy of the
floodgates. As the water receded down the eight units level,
and below, the fishing was still pretty damn good up and down
the river. The Corp has been fluctuating the water significantly.
Virtually every day this week flows were cut back to two units
around midnight before gradually returning to 8 unit flows by
"work hours". This had opened up some small windows
of wadable water downstream. One angler led the way last Saturday
with a 22" brown. Best flies remain the San Juan Worm or
Dynamite Worm. Other anglers picked up fish early on Shad patterns,
but went back to the reliable San Juans (red, pink, and hot orange)
and of course Kev's Pink Lady. With recent rain, we are hearing
reports that both the Table Rock and Beaver spillways have opened
in response. Just what impact that will have on this section
of the river remains to be seen.
Sportsman's White River Resort
said the water is still high with the flood gates open. Trout
are biting on plastic worms, Rapalas, and Rogues.
Norfork Tailwater: Gene's Trout
Dock (870-499-5381) said water conditions are normal with 2 generators
on around the clock. Trout fishing is excellent on corn, nightcrawlers,
salmon eggs, and olive or black wooly buggers.
John Berry of Berry Brothers
Guides said Quarry Park is closed because he Corps of Engineers
opened the flood gates to drop the water level on Norfork Lake
because it was well over the top of flood pool. This means that
the water flow (the equivalent of thirty generators) was fifteen
times the level we had previously considered the maximum. If
you want to boat, you must use the ramp at the confluence and
motor up. There has been a lot of high water and the same high
water tactics suggested for the White should also work here.
During a recent fishing trip, I saw a three foot gar and a thirty
pound striper. The tales of fish being washed into the river
when the flood gates were open are true. It should make for some
very interesting fishing this year. There were a couple of brief
periods of wadable water. The fishing during these was spectacular.
There were literally millions of scuds in the water and the nymphing
action was non stop. The biggest fish were an eighteen inch rainbow
and a wild brown the same size. The river has changed but it
is still a great place to fish. Dry Run Creek is back in business
and fishing very well. After the recent flooding, the hot fly
has been the worm brown San Juan worm in smaller sizes. Other
hot flies have been sowbugs, olive woolly buggers, egg patterns
and Y2Ks. Make sure that you mash down all barbs.
Mountain River Fly Shop said
last weekend's periods of low water, enabling state and federal
officials to assess damage from the spillway opening, appear
now to be a thing of the past. We heard the fishing was pretty
good.
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
Spring River: Mark's Fly Shop
reported that water clarity is fair, but most importantly, the
water levels are coming down. Fishing conditions could not be
better. Mayfly emergers have been very productive this week.
Brown and black caddis and mayfly hatches have been steady in
early morning hours and in the late evening.
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Lake Catherine: Shane Goodner,
owner of Catch'em All Guide Service, said the waters below the
dam have finally cleared to normal, but very heavy generation
has hampered the fishing. Entergy is running nearly full load
generation in order to bring Lake Ouachita out of flood pool
and this process has created very swift water in the tailrace.
All of the rainbow trout have been stocked in the area for this
season; however, these fish are extremely hard to catch while
the turbines are running full blast. Periods of calm water are
needed for the fish to return to their normal feeding patterns.
Some fish are being caught, but any good fishing will not occur
until the heavy generation subsides.
April 24, 2008 - Norfork and White River - Submitted by Mountain River Fly Shop - WHITE RIVER: Just as we were getting used to fishing
10 units, with the spillways open, we came back to a more standard
8 units last week.The fishing had been different but very good
all week. White River trout are going to be stacking on the weight
courtesy of the floodgates "supersize" meals of worms
drowned when the high water flooded ground which hadn't seen
water in decades.
As the water receded down the
eight units level, and below, the fishing was still pretty damn
good up and down the river. The Corps has been fluctuating the
water significantly if you look at the Bull Shoals Generation
Graph. Virtually every day this week flows were cut back to two
units around midnight before gradually returning to 8 unit flows
by "work hours". This had opened up some small windows
of wadeable wader downstream. But if you are going to try this
please keep a close eye on the water and have your escape route
planned.
 During the day water levels have fluctuated
Our guides have been on the water a lot over the past 10 days,
it really is the best way to get yourself into some nice fish
and learn the techniques. Marc Poulos led the way last Saturday
with a 22" brown for one of his clients, pictured left.
While Marc was on the River
from Wildcat to Gaston's, the Journal was fishing the Dam to
Cane Island with a bunch of healthy bow's, the best a 18"
fish which leapt all over the river, with our neophyte client,
trying to keep up.
Best flies remain the San Juan
Worm, and while we don't have pictures yet come into the store
to check out Davy Wotton's very cool Dynamite Worm, a red version
of which fooled that 18" 'bow. The Journal and Kev Brandtonies,
were fishing the Dam area, and we picked up fish early on Shad
patterns, but went back to the reliable San Juans (red, pink,
and hot orange) and of course Kev's Pink Lady.
Downstream outside the trophy
zone we set up a Clint Wilkinson Sunday Special trailed behind
the worm, a rig which was producing a lot of takes.
Last night produced a lot of
rain for the headwaters of the White, and we are hearing reports
that both the Table Rock and Beaver spillways have opened in
response. Just what impact that will have on this section of
the river remains to be seen. But fishing up to 10 units works,
that we do know.
NORFORK: We are really looking
forward to getting back on the Norfork soon to check out the
changes. But last weekend's periods of low water, enabling state
and federal officials to assess damage from the spillway opening,
appear now to be a thing of the past. If you were there I'm told
the fishing was good.
The White had been the venue
of choice for most guides last week but this week with relatively
stable high water on Norfork and some good fishing is being reported.
We haven't heard of any trophies boated but some very nice fish
falling to eggs, San Juan Worms and Clint's Sunday Special.
Tightlines from all at the Mountain
River Fly Shop
Gary, Cindy, Jim, Gene, Kevin,
Marc, Faye, Mike and Steve
April 24, 2008 - Courtesty of Missouri Department
of Conservation - Trout Parks
Bennett Spring State Park:
54 degrees, high, dingy; water
level is 4 inches above normal; current is strong; successful
lures and baits include: jigs (red & white, black & yellow),
mini-jigs (bedspread and John Deere), glo-balls (Easter egg 3-color,
anything with pink), 1/8 ounce Rooster Tails in bright colors
and Power Baits (orange, and white colors) all fished deep; April
fishing hours: 7:00am to 7:30pm; Annual Kid's Free Fishing Day
is on May 3 for kids 15 years and younger. For current streamflow
information check the streamflow gauge provided by USGS and DNR:
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mo/nwis/uv/?site_no=06923500&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060
(Report made on 4/24/2008)
Maramec Spring Park:
58 degrees, dingy; fishing has
been good; try using scented baits and bright colors; April fishing
hours: 7:00am to 7:30pm. (Report made on 4/24/2008)
Montauk State Park:
56 degrees, falling, clear;
fishing has been good; fly and lure fishermen have been catching
fish on various wet flies, spinners and lures; fish deep with
dark colors for best results; bait fishermen have been doing
well with Power Baits and doughbaits, try corn or worms beneath
a bobber or doughbaits fished on the bottom; April fishing hours
are 7:00am to 7:30pm; Annual Kid's Free Fishing Day is on Saturday,
May 3 for kids 15 years and younger. For current streamflow information
check the streamflow gauge provided by USGS and DNR: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mo/nwis/uv/?site_no=07064440&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060
(Report made on 4/24/2008)
Roaring River State Park:
56 degrees, falling, dingy;
overnight rains rose water to a high of 5', as of 8:30 am it
is already down to less than 3' and is dingy; unless we get more
heavy rain the river should be down by the weekend; fishing should
still be good as long as you keep your lure down deep; plastic
eggs and worms are working well in zone 1; check local fly shops
for flies that are working well. For current streamflow information
check the streamflow gauge provided by USGS and DNR: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mo/nwis/uv/?site_no=07050152&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060
(Report made on 4/24/2008)
April 24, 2008 - White River
- Submitted by Berry
Brothers Guides- JOHN BERRY
FISHING REPORT 4/24/2008
We have had two rain events.
The reservoirs on the White River system have fallen a bit. They
remain precariously close to the top of flood pool. At the time
of this writing, we are receiving yet more rain. It has been
very windy and there were lake wind advisories on several days.
The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam rose fell six tenths of a foot
to rest at forty and two tenths feet above power pool of 654.00
feet. This is eight tenths of a foot below the top of flood pool.
Up stream, Table Rock Lake remained steady at fifteen and five
tenths of a foot above power pool or five tenths of a foot below
the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake rose six tenths of a foot
to settle at nine and two tenths feet above pool or four tenths
of a foot below the top of flood pool. The flood gates at Bull
Shoals have been closed. The pattern on the White is to run all
eight generators around the clock. Norfork Lake has risen two
tenths feet to rest at twenty seven and two tenths feet above
power pool of 552.00 feet or eight tenths of a foot below the
top of flood pool. The pattern has been to run two generators
most of the time with brief periods of no generation mostly at
night. There have been a few brief periods of wading opportunities
on the Norfork River but none on the White. On the higher water,
boating conditions have been excellent. The Buffalo River and
Crooked Creek are high and off colored.
Most boat ramps on the White
River are now usable. Great care should be taken when launching
or loading your boat during heavy generation. The use of a personal
flotation device is highly recommended when boating on heavy
water.
The fishing on the upper White
has been excellent, particularly the Catch and Release section
below Bull Shoals dam. The key to success has been to use conventional
high water tactics. Large brightly colored San Juan worms (red,
hot pink, cerise and fire orange have all been productive) and
brightly colored egg patterns. They must be fished with a lot
of lead and, of course, a really big strike indicator to float
it all. This is not a delicate proposition and I would recommend
larger tippet than normal, at least 4X to handle the larger flies
and additional weight. Make sure that your indicator is set on
the leader to enable the fly to tick the bottom of the water
column. Remember it is quite a bit deeper than normal. With this
much lead and with such heavy flies be very careful with your
cast. If you hit a fellow angler with this rig, they are going
down. It is imperative that you fish barbless and be sure and
wear eye protection.
Other generally hot spots on
the river have not fished as well as the upper river. Rim shoals
and the Cotter area, in particular, have not been producing well.
On the Norfork River , there
were a couple of brief periods of wadable water. The fishing
during these was spectacular. There were literally millions of
scuds in the water and the nymphing action was non stop. The
ramp at Quarry Park , located at the base of Norfork Dam was
destroyed during the flooding. If you want to boat on the Norfork,
you must use the ramp at the confluence and motor up. There has
been a lot of high water on the Norfork and the same high water
tactics suggested for the White should also work here. During
a recent fishing trip on the Norfork, I saw a three foot gar
and a thirty pound striper. The tales of fish being washed into
the river when the flood gates were open are true. It should
make for some very interesting fishing this year.
Dry Run Creek is back in business
and fishing very well. After the recent flooding, the hot fly
has been the worm brown San Juan worm in smaller sizes. Other
hot flies have been sowbugs, olive woolly buggers, egg patterns
and Y2Ks. Make sure that you mash down all barbs. It is not just
a fishing regulation for fishing there but a good idea whenever
you are fishing with kids. Carry a big net and do not forget
the camera. This is the best place on earth to introduce children
to fishing.
Practice water safety and always
check conditions before you leave home.
THE NORFORK HAS CHANGED
BY JOHN BERRY
The other day I was guiding
on the Norfork. It was my first visit since the flood and I found
that a lot of things had changed. For one, I drove up to Quarry
Park to launch my boat and noted that it was closed. I drove
down to the confluence and I could not use the ramp there because
the road to the ramp was flooded. I launched off the road and
headed up stream. The strategy was to motor up all the way to
the dam and fish our way down.
When we got to the dam, we saw
why Quarry Park was closed. The Corps of Engineers had opened
the flood gates to drop the water level on Norfork Lake because
it was well over the top of flood pool (the maximum capacity
of the dam). When they opened the flood gates they had released
77,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) which is the rough equivalent
of twenty eight generators. It should be noted that the Norfork
has two generators that were running at the time. This means
that the water flow (the equivalent of thirty generators) was
fifteen times the level we had previously considered the maximum.
That is a lot of water. The asphalt parking lot was disintegrated.
The picnic table had been up rooted and twisted into a pretzel.
The bench along the river has suffered a similar fate. Trees
were knocked down and the river had been scoured.
We motored up to the base of
the dam. The flood gates had been turned off and the river was
running at the normal high water level. We began fishing and
tagged several nice trout. They were very fat and fought well.
About this time, I noticed that the water level was dropping.
I didn't want to get stuck there so I began motoring down stream.
I noticed a lot of work going on at Gene's Trout Dock and at
Rainbow Resort to repair damage from the flood. We fished through
the long hole and picked up a few more nice fish. The water continued
dropping so we headed down to McClellan's.
We got out and fished through
some good looking water. I realized that we were probably the
first anglers through here on low water in months. I looked in
the water and I saw literally millions of scuds. We removed the
heavy tackle that we had been using on the heavy water and rigged
size sixteen olive scuds on 6X tippet with a bit of lead and
a strike indicator. We began moving down stream picking up nice
fat fish along the way.
As I looked around, I noted
many changes. The main channel around the lower island was previously
on the right but is now on the left. One of my favorite spots,
the tree hole (a third of the way down the lower island), is
now filled in with gravel. The "S" shaped run below
the waterfall is now straighter and deeper. It has been scoured
out and now has a bed rock bottom. The good news is that it still
holds fish. As I was walking through the Ace in the Hole water,
I noticed a much bigger change, a three foot gar. This fish normally
found in the lake had obviously been washed through the flood
gates when they had been open previously that week. I must say
that it was a bit unnerving to see something that looks like
a barracuda swimming around in my favorite trout stream. Later
in the day, I saw a dead thirty pound striper in a pile of brush
on the bank.
We fished through all of the
good looking water and decided to float on down to try our luck
in front of Charlie's. Here again we saw some significant change.
The upper portion of the right channel that runs by the upper
island has graveled in quite a bit. The bath tub hole was completely
filled in with gravel. There is less current running through
this channel now. The left channel has been scoured and is a
bit deeper now. There is more current moving through it. This
section fished well and we caught a lot of trout here. The lower
portion of Charlie's has silted in a bit because the Norfork
is backed up all the way here because the White is running so
high. As a result, a lot of the silt carried down stream has
settled from here to the confluence.
It was finally time to head
back, and as we motored back to the confluence, my clients tallied
their day and realized they had caught over fifty trout. The
biggest fish were an eighteen inch rainbow and a wild brown the
same size. The river has changed but it is still a great place
to fish.
John Berry
April 17, 2008 - Norfork and White River - Submitted by Mountain River Fly Shop -
WHITE RIVER: Ten units of water
sounds like an impossible task to fly fish in. But as we explained
above there is still some exciting fishing to be had.
We heard reports of one 23"
brown caught and then there was Marc Poulos' monster, which shouldered
the surface before spitting the fly.
Worm patterns are in hot demand.
Its not hard to learn to tie a San Juan (Click here for a tying
video) and there is a myriad of variants.
To many the San Juan is too
much akin to bait fishing, but the simple fact is that the high
flows are pushing water across what is normal terra firma and
drowned worms are coming to the surface all over. The hot colors
have been red, hot orange, and pink. As time passes the worms
will bleach out becoming paler. Try tying these in standard and
beaded versions.
Davy's Prism Jigs are also going
to be increasingly popular as the worm feast slows, and attractor
patterns like Y2Ks and the like.
Adult caddis have still been
seen up and down the river, and perhaps surprisingly the odd
trout have been taking these egg laying females.
But we haven't heard any reports
of success using caddis imitations.
NORFORK: Well the flood gates
have closed on the Norfork since we started writing this week's
issue and we are keen to get over and have a look.
By all reports the river banks
look like "a hurricane" has gone through. You really
have to feel for the dock owners on the Norfork, who bore the
brunt of the flood impacts in this area.
But in a fly fishing sense Norfork
is going to be pretty exciting to explore. The huge volume of
water, 83,000 cfs from the spillgates alone has reshaped and
renewed the river.
You have to remember this cycle
of flood, disturbance, and renewal is part of the natural lifecycle
of Arkansas rivers.
The flood left a large amount
of sandy sediment along the banks, which might result in some
dirty water, after the next few rains, but the sediment is reported
to have basically "sandblasted" the bottom clean.
With the Norfork Dam controlling
floods in the past the bottom over the past few years had a dingy
coloration. Now we should be looking at a period of renewal and
regrowth which can often be a boom period for any ecosystem.
Our only fishing report so far
came while the flood gates were open, and shad patterns were
doing well with some nice browns caught in the upper part of
the river.
Boat access does remain a problem
however with the Upper boat ramp car park reportedly heavily
damaged and still close. The boat ramp at the Confluence wasn't
all that easy to access either with flood debris necessitating
the use of some care while launching.
Tightlines from all at the Mountain
River Fly Shop
Gary, Cindy, Jim, Gene, Kevin,
Marc, Faye, Mike and Steve
April 17, 2008 - White River
- Submitted by Berry
Brothers Guides- JOHN BERRY
FISHING REPORT 4/17/2008
The reservoirs on the White
River system have finally crested and are starting to fall. The
lake level at Bull Shoals Dam rose six and one tenth feet to
rest at forty and nine tenths feet above power pool of 654.00
feet. This is one tenths of a foot below the top of flood pool
and it is coming down. Up stream, Table Rock Lake rose three
and six tenths of a foot to rest at fifteen and five tenths of
a foot above power pool or five tenths of a foot below the top
of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell seven tenths of a foot to settle
at eight and six tenths feet above pool or one foot below the
top of flood pool. During the past week, the flood gates at Beaver,
Table Rock and Bull Shoals have been open at one time or another.
The flood gates at Bull Shoals are still open. Norfork Lake has
fallen one and four tenths feet to rest at twenty seven feet
above power pool of 552.00 feet or one foot below the top of
flood pool. The Corps of Engineers has opened all flood gates
at Norfork dam and ran as much as 77,000 cubic feet per second
in order to lower the dam below flood pool. This caused flooding
down stream and scoured the river. The weather has been dry.
There have been no wading opportunities on the Norfork River
or the White. Once the water cleared, boating conditions have
improved. The Buffalo River and Crooked Creek are high and off
colored. The White River below these streams is stained and not
fishing well.
When the Corps of Engineers
first opened the flood gates at Bull Shoals dam there was a lot
of trash flowing down stream that made navigation very dangerous.
Now that the river has cleared and stabilized a bit boating on
the river is a bit better. Several ramps are still flooded and
great care should be taken when launching or loading your boat
during heavy generation. The use of a personal flotation device
is highly recommended when boating on heavy water.
The fishing on the upper White
has been excellent, particularly the Catch and Release section
below Bull Shoals dam. The key to success has been to use conventional
high water tactics. Large brightly colored San Juan worms (red,
hot pink, cerise and fire orange have all been productive) fished
with a lot of lead and, of course, a really big strike indicator
to float it all. This is not a delicate proposition and I would
recommend larger tippet than normal, at least 4X to handle the
larger flies and additional weight. Make sure that your indicator
is set on the leader to enable the fly to tick the bottom of
the water column. Remember it is a bit deeper than normal. This
rig will be difficult to cast with the four weight rod than you
fish on low water. I would recommend a stiff five weight or even
better a six weight.
If you are not fishing in Catch
and Release waters, you should consider using a dropper (it is
illegal to use more than one hook on your line in Catch and Release
waters). The easiest way to do this is to tie a twenty four inch
section of tippet to the bend of the lead hook with an improved
clinch knot. Then tie on a small nymph or egg pattern to that
piece of tippet. This tactic could double your chances of a hook
up.
On the Norfork River , they
have been running two full generators around the clock. The same
high water tactics suggested for the White should also work here.
The extensive flooding of the Norfork has scoured the river and
it has changed. This is the first time that this has happened
since Norfork dam was constructed over sixty years ago. There
has been much discussion that this flushing will be good for
the river in the long run and may actually revitalize it. An
interesting side note is that there have been numerous reports
of Lake Species such as stripers, walleye and gar being caught
on the Norfork tail waters. They were obviously washed through
the flood gates during recent operations.
Dry Run Creek was flooded also.
The water almost got into the Hatchery. This was caused by water
backing up from the Norfork and the Creek was not scoured as
it was before. Dry Run has returned to normal and once again
is fishing well. The hot flies have been sowbugs, San Juan worms
(worm brown and red were the hot colors), olive woolly buggers,
egg patterns and Y2Ks. Be sure and bring a camera for that photo
of a life time and bring the biggest net you can lay your hands
on.
April 16, 2008 - Courtesty of Arkansas Game and
Fish Commission -
White River Levels: According
to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as of Wednesday the White
River stages are:
14.3 feet at Calico Rock (flood
stage 19 feet)
13.4 feet at Batesville (flood stage 15 feet)
29.6 feet at Newport (flood stage 26 feet)
36.5 feet at Augusta (flood stage 26 feet)
29.9 feet at Georgetown (flood stage 21 feet)
32.7 feet at Clarendon (flood stage 26 feet)
Statewide Family and Community Fishing Report: Catfish are now
available in selected ponds around Arkansas. To increase your
fishing success, be sure to have good fishing line on your reel,
fish early morning or late afternoon and try using liver, worms
or stinkbait fished near the bottom of the ponds. Bream are becoming
more active in the ponds this month. Try worms and crickets near
brush tops for better success. For more information on stockings,
call toll-free 1-866-540-FISH (3474)
CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Little Red River: Lindsey's
Resort (501-302-3139) said the water is clear and high with little
generation. Trout are still biting well on spinnerbaits, wax
worms and glow worms.
Jed Hollan at the Little Red
Fly Shop said the Greers Ferry Power House is releasing water
around the clock. They are maintaining all the lake levels by
releasing as much water as is flowing into the lakes from the
tributaries. Greers Ferry Lake is boatable and fishable. The
Little Red River is also boatable and fishable. Many miles downstream,
the Little Red River is out of its banks at Judsonia and Georgetown.
With all the high water, the incredible fishing from the last
several weeks has ended.
NORTH ARKANSAS
White River: John Berry of Berry
Brothers Guides said we have had two more major rain events and
the reservoirs on the White River system continue to rise at
an alarming rate. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam rose six
and six tenths feet to rest at thirty four and eight tenths feet
above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is six and two tenths feet
below the top of flood pool and it continues to rise. Up stream,
Table Rock Lake dropped six tenths of a foot to rest at eleven
and nine tenths of a foot above power pool or four and one tenth
of a foot below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake rose one tenth
of a foot to settle at nine and three tenths feet above pool
or three tenths of a foot below the top of flood pool. At the
time of this writing we are receiving heavy rain and the flood
gates are open at Beaver. Beaver and Table Rock Lakes have been
generating heavily. The water has been collecting in Bull Shoals
Lake which is nearing capacity. Norfork Lake has risen three
and five tenths feet to rest at twenty eight and four tenths
of a foot above power pool of 552.00 feet or four tenths of a
foot above the top of flood pool. Norfork Lake is over capacity
and the Corps of Engineers have opened all flood gates at Norfork
dam and are generating heavily. As flooding clears down stream,
the Corps of Engineers will begin drawing down the Dams on the
White River. The weather has been very wet. There have been a
few days with lake wind advisories. There have been no wading
opportunities on the Norfork River and precious few on the White.
Boating conditions have been excellent. The Buffalo River and
Crooked Creek are high and off colored. The White River below
these streams is stained and not fishing well. The Upper White
River is red hot. We have had low level generation (one to two
generators). During this period, the Bull Shoals Dam Catch and
Release has fished particularly well. The productive flies were
black zebra midges, soft hackles and San Juan worms. The section
from Wildcat Shoals to Cotter has also been hot. There has been
a predictable rhyacophilia caddis hatch in the late afternoon.
This is our premier hatch of the year. Prior to the hatch, caddis
pupae patterns like the pulsating caddis have been effective.
During the emergence, the green butt or partridge and green soft
hackle have been the go to flies. When the trout start keying
in on the adults, switch to green elk hair caddis size fourteen.
Other productive flies in this section have been San Juan worms,
sow bugs, zebra midges and partridge and orange soft hackles.
Sportsman's White River Resort
said the water is clear and very high. Trout fishing is fair
on Power Bait, Rattling Rogues and Rapalas.
Mountain River Fly Shop said
on April 9 that incredible caddis hatches have been coming off
in the last week around Rim Shoals. Anything twitched slowly
under the surface would have drawn at least some takes, but emergers
were knocking them dead. We have also had good reports higher
upstream than Rim, with caddis showing all the way to White Hole
by midweek. Up higher we had some fuzzy reports of mayflies hatching
and some big midge hatches, which even triggered some great dry
fly action. Davy Wotton Super Midges in red, black and pearl
have been the trick from the dam to Rim Shoals. If the water
is a little cloudy lower down try running San Juan's deep.
Norfork Tailwater: Gene's Trout
Dock (870-499-5381) said most places are underwater and there
has been no fishing on the Norfork from their establishment.
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
Spring River: Mark's Fly Shop
said the severe flooding of the river last week caused high water
levels and poor clarity. Fishing was good over the weekend at
Dam Three with brown woolly buggers. Water levels are beginning
to drop, so fishing should be great once again.
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Lake Ouachita: As of Tuesday,
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation
at 583.85 feet MSL.
Lake Catherine: Shane Goodner,
owner of Catch'em All Guide Service, reports that the tailrace
waters are extremely muddy and fast flowing. It will be some
time until the flood waters have receded and things get back
to normal. While fishing is possible, the currents are very strong
and Entergy is still running the turbines hard in an effort to
clear the flood water. Anyone navigating the area should use
caution and follow all guidelines for safe boating. One wrong
move could easily spell disaster. Flood gates continue to be
open creating dangerous undertow, as well as covering the area
with very muddy water. Very little fishing has been done since
the flooding began March 15.
April 9, 2008 - Norfork
and White River - Submitted by Mountain
River Fly Shop -
WHITE RIVER: The Journal was
well and truly caught out Sunday night. No camera, the wrong
fly box and no floatant in amidst the biggest caddis blizzard
your scribe has seen on 3 continents. Too many caddis that was
the story, with my sole caddis pattern too small and way the
wrong color.
But the photos would have been
spectacular as the egg laying females heading upstream to perpetuate
the species.
The Journal was one of two at
Rim to see it, but by midmorning Monday it seemed the word was
out _ it wasn't me honest.
The caddis were finally on with
the run of modest generation, and some warm air temperatures.
Monday I was well and truly prepared, but the wind kept the majority
of caddis in the trees. But we still did ok fishing Green Butt
CDC and Elk. Davy and Teresa and the dogs were floating nearby
fishing wets just under the surface. The Invicta did the trick
but we stuck with our dry fly obsession. Something, anything
twitched slowly under the surface would have drawn at least some
takes, which is how this Aussie managed his last couple of fish
on the "dry".
We have also had good reports
higher upstream than Rim, with caddis showing all the way to
White Hole by midweek. Up higher we had some fuzzy reports of
mayflies hatching and some big midge hatches, which even triggered
some great dry fly action.
action yesterday. Sprouts, Parachute
Adams and a Morgan's Para Midge would be worth carrying.
Davy Wotton Super Midges in
red, black and pearl have been kicking butt from the Dam to Rim.
If the water is a little cloudy lower down try running San Juan's
deep.
NORFORK: The generation continues
with Norfork Lake hitting record levels. Boat fishing can be
productive as we have been saying for a couple of weeks but honestly
the best place to fish right now is on the White.
Dry Run Creek is fishing well
though, of you have some under 16 kids.
Tightlines from all at the Mountain
River Fly Shop
Gary, Cindy, Jim, Gene, Kevin,
Marc, Faye, Mike and Steve
April 9, 2008 - Courtesty of Arkansas Game and
Fish Commission -
White River
Levels: According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as of
Wednesday the White River stages are:
7.8 feet at
Calico Rock (flood stage 19 feet)
9.7 feet at Batesville (flood stage 15 feet)
27.9 feet at Newport (flood stage 26 feet)
34.3 feet at Augusta (flood stage 26 feet)
26.7 feet at Georgetown (flood stage 21 feet)
32.5 feet at Clarendon (flood stage 26 feet)
CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Little Red River:
Lindsey's Resort (501-302-3139) said the water is in great shape
with little or no generation. Trout fishing is excellent on wax
worms, Power Eggs, nightcrawlers, Shad Raps and small crankbaits.
Jed Hollan at
the Little Red Fly Shop said the Greers Ferry Power House is
limiting water releases because of flooding along the lower White
River. If the lakes should rise to "top flood pool,"
the Corps of Engineers will have to open all gates and turbines
and we will have what is called an "open river." This
does not bode well for people living or farming near the White
River. The only upside is that fishing on the Little Red right
now is incredible! We have a couple of customers who, frankly,
rarely catch many fish. One gentleman, who fits precisely in
that category, came in the shop the other day and announced that
he had landed 60 trout that morning on a woolly bugger. Another
customer came in from two hours of fishing at JFK Park. Using
a small midge pattern, he landed a lot of fish, including 24
trout in 25 casts. Until the White River drops to 21 feet on
the gauge at Georgetown, the fantastic fishing should continue
unabated. The water in the river is somewhat murky in spots from
the last two rain events, but the fish are striking at everything
including: dry flies that mimic the tiny midge (size 22 or smaller
in cream or black), American March brown (size 14), elk hair
caddis (size 14-16; tan or black) or Adams (size 18-20). Sub-surface
flies that are working well include the sowbug (size 14-16; UV
tan, UV peacock or light gray), zebra midge (size 16-22; red,
black or chartreuse), San Juan worm (size 16-18 pink or red),
pheasant tail (size 16), red butt (size 14-16), green butt (size
14-16) or woolly bugger (size 8-12; olive, brown, or black).
NORTH ARKANSAS
White River:John
Berry of Berry Brothers Guides said two major rain events have
caused the reservoirs on the White River system continue to rise.
Beaver Lake rose five tenths of a foot to settle at nine and
two tenths feet above pool or four tenths of a foot below the
top of flood pool. At the time of this writing, the flood gates
are open at Beaver. There have been precious few wading opportunities
on the White River, but boating conditions have been excellent.
The upper White River is fishing particularly well. We have had
low level generation (one to two generators). During this period,
the upper river from the Bull Shoals Dam Catch-and-Release area
to White Hole fished well. The productive flies were black zebra
midges, olive scuds and San Juan worms. Another hot spot was
Rim Shoals particularly the Jenkins creek area. The water was
still lightly stained from the recent flooding but it did not
affect the fishing. The hot flies were San Juan worms in bright
colors (hot pink, fire orange, cerise and red). The water along
the island and below it fished well with Y2Ks and olive woolly
buggers.
Sportsman's
White River Resort said the water is in excellent shape. Trout
fishing has been very good on Rogue lures, Power Bait, Rapalas,
silver Little Cleos, blue or black Rooster Tails and white jigs.
Mountain River
Fly Shop said the white seriously has been fishing extremely
well for the last 10 days. Generation levels all week have been
under two full units, though the recording is saying 2, which
allows some wading access. The runoff sediment is clearing and
the fishing reports we have had have been amazing. Davy Wotton
has been reporting 65 fish at Bull on his sow bugs on Wednesday
and some great fishing at Rim Shoals earlier in the week. There
have been a bunch of wade fishermen at the dam whacking fish
on midges, woolly buggers and big sculpin patterns all week.
The high water levels are coming sometime in April. Get in your
fishing while you can.
Norfork Tailwater:
Gene's Trout Dock (870-499-5381) said the water is clear with
little generation. Trout fishing is excellent on worms, frozen
shad, and Rogue lures.
John Berry of
Berry Brothers Guide Service said Norfork Lake has risen three
and eight tenths feet to rest at twenty five and three tenths
of a foot above power pool of 552.00 feet or two and seven tenths
feet below the top of flood pool. Norfork Lake is nearing capacity
and the Corps of Engineers will begin drawing it down first,
running at max capacity of around 7,000 cubic feet per second
until it is at power pool. There is a possibility that they will
open the flood gates and run even more water. On the Norfork
River, they have been running a couple of generators and it has
been fishing well. High water tactics have been the secret to
success here. Be sure and use long leaders, plenty of lead and
large strike indicators. Brightly colored San Juan worms along
the weed beds have produced some nice fish. The hot colors have
been red, hot pink, pale pink, and cerise. Other effective flies
have been Y2Ks, black zebra midges, and egg patterns.
Dry Run Creek is still producing trophy trout at a prodigious
rate. It must have been spring break this week because there
were a lot of kids fishing there this week particularly on the
nice warm days. There were a few kids there on the wet cold days
and they were rewarded with some true trophy trout. The hot flies
have been sowbugs, San Juan worms (worm brown and red were the
hot colors), olive woolly buggers, egg patterns and Y2Ks. Be
sure and carry a big net and do not forget the camera. The fish
in this creek are huge. The trout of a lifetime lives here and
is waiting to have his picture taken.
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
Spring River
: Mark's Fly Shop reports that the water is still high and seems
to be clearing up. Dark pattern lures seem to be working the
best right now.
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Lake Catherine:
Shane Goodner, owner of Catch'em All Guide Service, reports that
the recent storms caused heavy flooding in the surrounding areas
which forced Entergy to open six of 10 flood gates at Carpenter
Dam. This created a wall of water that roared downstream and
rose high enough to cover the parking lots in Carpenter Dam Park.
Boating and fishing have been impossible since the flooding,
but the waters have lowered considerably to a much more manageable
level. However, heavy generation is still present and will continue
until Lake Ouachita is brought down out of flood pool. With the
threat of more heavy rain this week, the extremely heavy flow
could again repeat itself. Conditions are very unsafe and will
not improve until the weather stabilizes and the flood waters
are given a chance to run through the system.
April 4, 2008 - Norfork and White River - Submitted by Mountain River Fly Shop - WHITE RIVER: As the Journal sits on the couch finishing
off this issue lightning is flashing over the hills to our south,
well past the White. As we mentioned elsewhere, just where the
predicted heavy rain lands will determine generation patterns
for the weekend, and maybe well into next week.
As we have mentioned several
times recently, get in the wade fishing while you can. tay flexible
and be prepared to grab a boat if you need it to fish 2 units
and above. Even up to 2 units there are places you can fish.
Try immediately below the Bull Shoals Dam, though it can handle
only small number can be productive. Rim Shoals offers several
options even in generation.
Duck into the Resort and utilise
their water taxi service either up to Redbud Shoal or the first
Island, both can be fished up to 2 units. Heed their local knowledge.
Gary has also been instrumental in opening up a walking trail
down the Bank, which offers opportunities to wade fish higher
water levels, well downstream from the usual haunts. Again stay
flexible and try something different.
So far this week, as the water
releases climbed above 2 units San Juan worms came into their
own. We had fly fishers and guides coming in to stock up on Hot
Pink, Fire Orange, Brown and red San Juan's. Those that tied
were seeking out chenille to whip them up. Pick up some jig heads
as well, for higher flows, to tie Kev's Pink Lady or your own
color variants.
Speaking of Jigs we have our
first of the Davy Wotton Prism jigs now in stock in 1/80th oz.
If you have fished the Davy Wotton Super Midges you know how
effective Davy's patterns work. These sparsely tied jigs are
different from most you will see on the market, look more fly
like if you have jig issues and really will come into their own
on the bigger water.
We have had reports of a lot
of sculpins around too which has prompted demand for bigger size
6 and 4 woolly buggers, Tungsten Slumpbusters, Bunny Leeches
and assorted sculpin patterns. As the water flow increases switch
from a floating line to a full sink.
NORFORK: Two units on Norfork
makes it wading a little tricky. But the boat fishing has been
pretty decent, though most of the action has been on the White.
Wine colored San Juans were the ticket last week, and the Davy
Jigs should perform very well over here as well. Don't forget
trying bigger streamers.
Tightlines from all at the Mountain
River Fly Shop
Gary, Cindy, Jim, Gene, Kevin,
Marc, Faye, Mike and Steve
April 4, 2008 - White River
- Submitted by Berry
Brothers Guides- JOHN BERRY
FISHING REPORT 4/05/2008
We have had two major rain events
and the reservoirs on the White River system continue to rise.
The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam rose nine and eight tenths
feet to rest at twenty eight and two tenths feet above power
pool of 654.00 feet and continues to rise. This is twelve and
eight tenths feet below the top of flood pool and it continues
to rise. Up stream, Table Rock Lake remained steady at twelve
and five tenths of a foot above power pool or three and five
tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake rose five
tenths of a foot to settle at nine and two tenths feet above
pool or four tenths of a foot below the top of flood pool. At
the time of this writing the flood gates are open at Beaver.
Beaver and Table Rock Lakes have been generating heavily. The
water has been collected in Bull Shoals Lake which still has
excess carrying capacity. Norfork Lake has risen three and eight
tenths feet to rest at twenty five and three tenths of a foot
above power pool of 552.00 feet or two and seven tenths feet
below the top of flood pool. Norfork Lake is nearing capacity
and the Corps of Engineers will begin drawing it down first,
running at max capacity of around 7,000 cubic feet per second
until it is at power pool. There is a possibility that they will
open the flood gates and run even more water. As flooding clears
down stream, the Corps of Engineers will begin drawing down the
Dams on the White River . The weather has been cool and very
wet. There have been several days with lake wind advisories.
There have been no wading opportunities on the Norfork River
and precious few on the White. Boating conditions have been excellent.
The Buffalo River and Crooked Creek are still high and off colored.
The White River below these streams is stained and not fishing
well.
The Upper White River is fishing
particularly well. We have had low level generation (one to two
generators). During this period, the upper river from the Bull
Shoals Dam Catch and Release area to White Hole fished well.
The productive flies were black zebra midges, olive scuds and
San Juan worms. The Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals
dam has been a real hot spot.
Another hot spot was Rim Shoals
particularly the Jenkins creek area. The water was still lightly
stained from the recent flooding but it did not affect the fishing.
The hot flies were San Juan worms in bright colors (hot pink,
fire orange, cerise and red). The water along the island and
below it fished well with Y2Ks and olive woolly buggers.
On the Norfork River , they
have been running a couple of generators and it has been fishing
well. High water tactics have been the secret to success here.
Be sure and use long leaders, plenty of lead and large strike
indicators. Brightly colored San Juan worms along the weed beds
have produced some nice fish. The hot colors have been red, hot
pink, pale pink, and cerise. Other effective flies have been
Y2Ks, black zebra midges, and egg patterns.
Dry Run Creek is still producing
trophy trout at a prodigious rate. It must have been spring break
this week because there were a lot of kids fishing there this
week particularly on the nice warm days. There were a few kids
there on the wet cold days and they were rewarded with some true
trophy trout. The hot flies have been sowbugs, San Juan worms
(worm brown and red were the hot colors), olive woolly buggers,
egg patterns and Y2Ks. Be sure and carry a big net and do not
forget the camera. The fish in this creek are huge. The trout
of a lifetime lives here and is waiting to have his picture taken
tth
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