December 29, 2007 - 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:
5 feet at Calico
Rock (flood stage 19 feet)
7.8 feet at Batesville (flood stage 15 feet)
12.4 feet at Newport (flood stage 26 feet)
25.4 feet at Augusta (flood stage 26 feet)
13.2 feet at Georgetown (flood stage 21 feet)
21.6 feet at Clarendon (flood stage 26 feet)
Statewide Family and Community Fishing Report: Trout fishing
continues to be great on Power Bait, white curly-tailed grubs
and Trout Magnets. Black woolly buggers are catching fish for
fly-anglers at Rock Creek. Several hybrids have been caught on
chicken liver fished near the bottom. A few crappie have been
caught this week with minnows. Fishing for catfish and bream
is poor. For more information on trout stockings, call toll-free
1-866-540-FISH (3474).
CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Little Red River:Lindsey's
Resort (501-302-3139) said the water is low and muddy. Trout
fishing is still very good on waxworms and marshmallow combinations,
Power Bait and artificial jigs.
Jed Hollan at
the Little Red Fly Shop said the Greers Ferry powerhouse is releasing
water twice per day except on the weekends. Generation is beginning
at 6 a.m., lasting for 2-3 hours before resuming at 5 p.m. for
2-4 hours. In most cases, both generators are being brought on
line. This schedule is keeping the river gin clear and, if you
are willing to "leap frog" from shoal to shoal, it
is possible to wade fish most of the day. The best bet is to
start at dawn at Winkley Shoal. Rising water should arrive about
9:30 a.m. Hop down to Libby Shoal for another hour or so of wade
fishing. If the water release ends at 8 a.m., you will be able
to go to JFK Park and wade fish in the early afternoon. You can
finish the day with an early evening fishing expedition at Cow
Shoal. Keep in mind that, at Cow Shoal, night fishing is taboo.
You must stop fishing one-half hour after sunset. The brown trout
are still spawning. Many fish larger than 10 lbs. are being landed
every day. Midges are hatching on the river, golf courses, parking
lots and anywhere else you find a puddle. Small midge dry flies
in cream or black (size 22) are working well when trout are rising
to the hatch. Zebra midges in sizes 16-22 in red, black or olive
are working very well subsurface. Midges aren't the only hatch
in town however. Blue winged olive mayflies are also coming off
so try a size 18-20 BWO dry fly or Adams. Sow bugs (size 14-16,
UV tan or peacock), pheasant tails (size 16), princes (size16),
copper johns (size 14-16 copper, red or green), and woolly buggers
(size 10-12 olive or black) are all catching trout every day.
Since the river is clear right now, using fluorocarbon tippet
is an excellent idea.
NORTH ARKANSAS
White River:
Anglers Resort will be closed until Jan. 3, 2008. No report.
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
SpringRiver:www.marksflyshop.com
said there have been heavy rains and fluctuating temperatures
this week. The fishing is great with all the food available to
trout. Schools of minnows, crawfish, sculpins, freshwater shrimp,
bloodworms, sow bugs, snails, year 'round mayfly and caddis hatches
drive the food chain here, so any imitators of these sources
work well. Anglers are also catching trout on Power Bait.
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Lake Catherine:
Shane Goodner, owner of Catch'em All Guide Service, reports that
the lake has returned to the normal 5-foot winter drawdown level.
The tailrace is now much safer to navigate; however, caution
is still advised when attempting to travel to the dam. The shoal
areas are still very shallow and are only passable by boat during
periods of generation. The water temperature has dropped from
59 degrees to the mid-40s after the cold rains and power generation.
Rainbow trout fishing continues to be good and will become much
better in the upcoming months. Fly-anglers are still able to
wade and are catching limits of fish casting streamers and woolly
buggers. San Juan worms are another excellent choice. Egg patterns
are a perfect presentation as rainbows have an inborn instinct
to feed on fish eggs. Spin fishermen are doing well throwing
Rooster Tails in white and brown. Super dupers and Little Cleo's
fished in the current will catch trout as they actively feed
on threadfin shad. White and silver colors produce the best results
fished on light line. Trolling the channels with small crankbaits
has landed trout in the 2-pound range and male walleye in the
5 to 6-pound range. Stripers continue to be caught - most of
which are in the 10 to 12-pound range. Fishermen using large
top-water baits are having some success, but the biggest fish
are being hooked on live bait rigs. Gizzard shad or brood shad
are the baits of choice. Live baits always are more productive
in winter at Carpenter Dam. As the water warms in May, jigs and
top-water presentations will draw heart-stopping strikes from
fish 20 pounds and larger.
December 27, 2007 - Norfork and White River - Submitted by Mountain River Fly Shop
WHITE RIVER: Apparently the
weather reports around us have been pretty ugly. In the last
few weeks there have been ice storms to the east and north, snow
up north the next weekend, and last night snow to the south of
us. Well these are the reports we are getting, as we've stayed
snow and ice free. Its been a little chilly on a couple of mornings,
but if you have some decent fleece, waders, socks and a jacket
the fishing has been very, very good.
Both the White and Norfork have
been off for a couple of days now so there is plenty of low water
available for wading.
We have been having a run on
Davy Wotton's Whitetail Super Midges, particularly the red, after
we kitted out a couple of fly fishers recently and they returned
this week with big grins and great reports. The whitetails were
greeted by some midge fishers with some raised eyebrows, given
the white marabou tail is so different to what they were used
to. But they flat out work!
As we mentioned the red is very
good right now, try the Bloodworm Super Midge as well, but don't
forget about the Black and Silver and Black and Pearl Whitetails.
Actually we like fishing red
colored midges through the winter months anyway, so kit yourself
out with Super Midges, re Poison Tungs, standard Red-Gold Zebras
and our Red/Silver Zebra, and the red Cadion Midge.
But the regular Black and Silver
Zebras have been very well received in recent weeks. Don't forget
the woolly buggers and other bulky, mobile streamer patterns
at this time of year. The trout are coming off the spawning beds
and a big hunk of protein can be just the ticket. Black and Olive
woollies, and don't just dink around with the 10s, try 4s to
8s, are always good to carry. Add in some Flash Bunny's, Tungsten
Slump Busters and some Whitlock Near Nuff Sculpins to your boxes.
NORFORK: If you are a bugger
fisher then you are going to be a happy chappy, or chapess, on
Norfork it seems. We don't think we have seen a fly fisher who
has been on Norfork without slaying them on buggers this week.
Black 10s or 8s seem to be popular. But there has been a strong
run on Ruby Midges and DW Super Midges as well.
Scuds and Sowbugs have also
been popular and so have egg patterns. Generation has been light.
Tightlines from all at the Mountain
River Fly Shop
Gary, Cindy, Jim, Kevin,
Marc, Faye, Mike and Steve
December 27, 2007 - White River
- Submitted by Berry
Brothers Guides- JOHN BERRY
FISHING REPORT 12/27/2007
We have had several days of
rain and the lake levels on the White River system have continued
their rise. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam rose one tenth
of a foot to rest at three and five tenths of a foot below power
pool at 654.00 feet. Up stream, Table Rock Lake rose two tenths
of a foot to settle at four and six tenths feet below power pool.
Beaver Lake has risen one tenth of a foot to rest at seven feet
below pool. There has been virtually no generation on the White
for a week. This has severely hampered boat navigation but has
created excellent wading conditions on the White River . We had
a few windy days where there were lake wind advisories. Norfork
Lake has risen five tenths of a foot to rest four and seven tenths
feet below power pool of 552.00 feet. The pattern on the Norfolk
has been for no discernable generation all week. This has created
excellent wading conditions. The forecast is for cooler weather
with the possibility of precipitation. With the existing conditions,
we should have wadable water on both rivers.
With the low water, the fishing
on the White River has been excellent. There have been precious
few anglers and the ones that have shown up have had the river
to themselves. Wildcat Shoals has been fishing very well. The
deeper holes have produced some good fish with zebra midges in
black with silver wire and silver bead and in brown with copper
wire and copper bead. The slower water below the riffles has
been a great place to fish soft hackles. The most productive
soft hackles have been partridge and orange, green butts, and
hares ear soft hackles.
Round house Shoals has fished
very well. The water is so low that the back of the island has
fished a bit slow but the front of the island has fished quite
well. Beware of the bedrock bottom. It is very slick and studded
boots are highly recommended. The deeper water has been a great
place to nymph with Y2Ks, olive scuds and zebra midges. Soft
hackles have also worked well here, particularly the partridge
and orange and the green butt.
Rim Shoals has been a hot spot.
There have been some really nice trout caught there recently.
The deeper holes have fished well. The hot nymphs have been zebra
midges, Y2Ks, olive scuds, egg patterns and pheasant tail nymphs.
There has also been some nice streamer fishing. The streamers
of choice have been the olive woolly bugger and the wool head
sculpin in olive.
With no generation for such
a long time, areas that are not normally wadable are now very
accessible. One of the best is Buffalo Shoals. It is fairly remote
and does not get a lot of pressure. It has incredibly good trout
habitat and holds a lot of fish. Some anglers walk the railroad
tracks up stream from the Buffalo City Access and scramble the
bank down to the shoals. This is not for the feint of heart.
I recommend taking a boat up stream from the Buffalo City Access
and then wading around to find the best spots to fish. Anglers
have been doing well on zebra midges, small olive scuds, Y2Ks,
and red San Juan worms.
The Norfork has fished a bit
better of late. With the low water on the White, wading anglers
are more spread out and the crowds are gone. The dissolved oxygen
levels are greatly improved. At the quarry park access, just
below the Norfork Dam sowbugs and soft hackles like the partridge
and orange and the green butt have been the go to flies. The
Handicap Access has also fished a bit better. Here the flies
of choice have been midges. Nymphs like the zebra midge and Norfork
bead head have accounted for some nice fish. When the trout are
hitting the top, Dan's turkey tail emerger has been the go to
fly. When you get tired of fishing with small flies try San Juan
worms in worm brown or red, a Y2K or a western foam hopper.
Dry Run Creek has been fishing
well. There has been virtually no one there. Now is a great time
to plan an outing during the school break. It is a bit cold but
there are plenty of trophy trout to make for the trip of a life
time. The most productive method for fishing the creek is to
high stick sowbugs, the main food supply there. Other productive
flies are San Juan worms in worm brown or red and olive woolly
buggers. Be sure and use at least 4X tippet and pinch down the
barbs on all flies used. Take a camera!
John Berry
December 20, 2007 - Norfork and White River - Submitted by Mountain River Fly Shop
WHITE RIVER: Well we haven't seen low water since Monday, as
the cooler temperatures drawn in, raising demand for additional
power generation. The glory days of fall fishing might be at
an end. But hopefully the weather won't be too cruel and we will
get some decent wade fishing in. Chad Johnson, the former Mississippi
mini-guide, and the Journal snuck out last Saturday. It had been
a tough week, the weather was chilly and to be honest bed sounded
a better prospect but a commitment is a commitment and cold weather
fishing can be fun. You know you aren't going to be seeing crowds
on the river.
But to be honest I fished ugly,
while Chad was hooking up, your humbled scribe was dropping flies,
tangling leaders and struggling to find the critical depth. It
was just as much fun watching Chad whack fish after fish on egg
patterns in the fast shoal. I even managed to miss the 10lb-er,
which he rolled twice. Finally when I did get a fish, a really
nice fish on and screaming downstream, oh boy a rookie mistake,
letting a loop of line end up around the reel seat. All I could
do was look at Chad and laugh, some days are just like that.
So what is working, well eggs.
It doesn't seems to matter, Y2Ks, Veiled Eggs, Anvil Eggs, Glo
Bugs all will work in the fast water. If you have big fish in
slower water try the Unreal Egg or a Flashtail Mini Egg which
will trip up the more experienced fish.
Buggers are performing well, particularly the usual olives and
blacks, and we have caught some fish on a Chernobyl Ant in the
past few weeks, strange but true.
Kaufmanns and McLellan's Scuds
have been particularly good of late. The Camel Midge has been
killer, along with blue Poison Tungs, Ruby Midges, Davy Wotton's
Red Bloodworm Super Midges. Just rug up and get out there!.
NORFORK: More people have been
hitting Norfork in the past week with the generation levels on
Bull. Short bursts or generation either in the morning or mid
afternoon seem the norm. Get in fish hard and get out when the
water starts coming is the trick. We have seen reports of some
serious pigs being caught on Norfork, the uglier the day the
better. Fish eggs patterns below the spawning beds, and midges
everywhere else. Again we have had good reports on the Camel
Midge, the Ruby Midge (always worth carrying at this time of
year) WD40s and regular everyday Zebras.
Don't forget to pack Davy's
Sowbugs.
Tightlines from all at the Mountain
River Fly Shop
Gary, Cindy, Jim, Kevin,
Marc, Faye, Mike and Steve
December 20, 2007 - White River
- Submitted by Berry
Brothers Guides- JOHN BERRY
HOLIDAY FISHING REPORT
We have had several days of
rain and the lake levels on the White River system have raised
a bit. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam rose eight tenths of
a foot to rest at three and four tenths of a foot below power
pool at 654.00 feet. Up stream, Table Rock Lake has fallen two
tenths of a foot to settle at four and eight tenths feet below
power pool. Beaver Lake has risen four tenths of a foot to rest
at seven and one tenth of a foot below pool. The generation pattern
on the White River has been erratic. There has been a forty-eight
hour period of no generation followed by several days of generation
where the levels have yo-yoed up and down with some brief periods
of very heavy water flow. This has improved boat navigation.
There have been some limited wading opportunities on the White
River . We had a few windy days where there were lake wind advisories.
Norfork Lake has risen six tenths of a foot to rest five and
two tenths feet below power pool of 552.00 feet. The pattern
on the Norfolk has been for several short pulses of generation
daily. The level of generation has been a bit higher than the
previous week's. This has created some limited but excellent
wading conditions. The forecast is for warmer weather with the
possibility of rain. With the existing conditions, we should
have some wadable water on both rivers.
With the colder weather during
the past week, the dissolved oxygen levels on both rivers greatly
improved. Both rivers, the White and the Norfork, are now in
compliance with the state standard of six parts per million.
The White has fished very well
on low water but has not done as well during the erratic generation.
The weather and the season have kept most anglers away. As a
result there is a lot of solitude out there. There have been
several hot spots along the river. Wildcat Shoals has fished
very well especially during low water. The most effective tactic
here has been to fish soft hackles on the lower end of the shoals.
The best flies are the partridge and orange, green butt and hare's
ear soft hackles. Other flies for this section would be black
and silver zebra midges, red San Juan worms, and olive woolly
buggers.
Round House Shoals has also
fished well. Here again soft hackles have been very productive
in the gentle riffle water. In the heavier water, use weighted
nymphs. The Y2K has been especially productive here. On some
days there has been a blue wing olive hatch. The flies are very
small. Use light tippets and work close so that you can see the
fly. A good pattern for this is the parachute Adams in size twenty
or smaller (match the hatch).
Rim Shoals has been productive.
On low water the fishing has been best with nymphs. The go to
fly has been the olive scud in size eighteen. The zebra midge
in black with silver wire and silver bead and in brown with copper
wire and copper bead has also been hot. The partridge and orange
soft hackle, olive woolly bugger and Y2K have also produced fish.
The Norfork has fished very
well during the last week. The crowds from last fall are gone
and it is possible to pretty much fish where you want. With the
dramatic improvement in the dissolved oxygen levels, the Quarry
park access near the dam has been a great place to fish. After
the recent rain, this area remained clear while the lower river
got fairly muddy. The hot fly here is the sowbug in size sixteen.
Other hot flies have been the partridge and orange and green
butt soft hackles.
The handicap access has fished
well when the water has been clear. There is some siltation occurring
during heavy rain. The source seems to be Otter creek. Small
midge nymphs have done well here. The most productive patterns
have been the zebra midge and the Norfork bead head. There have
been some great midge hatches in the afternoon but the flies
are incredibly small. My clients were catching fish on size twenty
six dry flies. Work close in order to see anything this small.
Dry Run Creek is fishing well.
During the holidays would be a great time to take your youngster
fishing. There are several places where they can fish from the
bank. With the cold weather we have had, it is important to keep
them dry. Carry a camera and a big net!
John Berry
(870) 435-2169
December 13, 2007 - Norfork and White River - Submitted by Mountain River Fly Shop
WHITE RIVER: WELL the Journal
has been off the river for the past couple of weeks sad to say
and almost everyone we have been seeing regularly has been off
the river as well. The fly fisher's we are missing have been
on the river all the time because the fishing has been very,
very good in these dark overcast conditions.
Midges, eggs and woolly buggers
have been the ticket. Marc Poulos has been fishing his new All
American zebra-style midges to great effect between Cotter and
Cane Island. He waved one under our nose yesterday on his way
to the river and it looks good _ more to come on this pattern
once we nail his feet to the floor on the tie. Lots of browns
have finished the spawn and are hungry, were his words, having
caught browns up to 20", but he reports having spotted one
20 pound-brown in the upper river.
Copper beads on the midges seem
to be particularly effective. Egg patterns like Thorne's Fire
Egg, Unreal Eggs and Flashtail Eggs, now in the store, are going
to be particularly effective.
NORFORK: Little news again off
the Fork this week, thought there have been some dabblers. The
grey skies and gloomy weagther are keeping people away, despite
the fact it's a great time to nail an Arkansas trophy.
Tightlines from all at the Mountain
River Fly Shop
Gary, Cindy, Jim, Kevin,
Marc, Faye, Mike and Steve
December 7, 2007 - Norfork and White River - Submitted by Mountain River Fly Shop
WHITE RIVER: THERE is nothing
like the stark beauty of the White River in late fall and winter.
The Journal, his wife Bec (who took the pic) and a couple of
friends from Fayetteville, Chris and Elizabeth dragged out the
rain jackets last Sunday morning at Wildcat. The morning was
warm (t-shirt weather) except for the at times torrential rain.
Barely a soul out, the fish
were hungry early for our Camel Midge and not to many other folks
on the river. Of course, the Journal, after last week's Dry Fly
epic, was keen to toss a few small midges, but conspicuously
failed to land one. Them's the breaks!
Of course, it pays to keep your
eye on the weather map; the plummeting barometer whipped up some
serious winds, and falling temperatures, as the front pushed
through, slowing the fishing markedly. The clouds became seriously
funky, prompting half-hearted jokes about Dorothy and Toto. It
was only on Monday we discovered that a tornado had touched down
only 20 miles away.
So with the lasses retiring
for some warmth, the boys headed to Roundhouse to join in the
woolly bugger bonanza that has been going on for a couple of
weeks. Chris' black FlashABugger seemed to spent more time in
the mouth of trout than out of it.
We keep getting asked which
is the best bugger to use? Frankly, to the Journal it seems to
matter little if you choose between olive or black, given we
see acolytes of both hues absolute in their commitment to a particular
fly, often only minutes between their purchases.
Then we will have the more secretive
loners skulking up to our Woolly Bugger Tower sneaking out the
Chilli Peppers, Yellow and Blacks, or Red Heads. It's a toss-up
who is more color obsessed, the Bugger faithful or the Midge
followers, or the Scud sect. Suffice to say that if you are packing
a White River fly box, you aren't going to be often skunked if
you have a nice range of Scuds, Midges and Buggers.
There was a certain a masochistic
pleasure to be fishing in the wind and rain on Sunday, while
behind us, people were sitting warm and cosy around fires in
their living rooms. The Journal, having left his bugger box in
his boat bag (it was that kind of morning), was making do with
a Chernobyl Ant.
Every time it floated over a
drop-off or ledge it seemed to get hammered. Sometimes it's best
not to ponder why the fish are monstering an "illogical"
fly choice, rather just accept the blessing.
NORFORK: WELL it was nice to
hear some reports off Norfork this week, even if some were a
little down. The water is still stained, according to the Doc
who fished it yesterday. An earlier customer did very well last
week but found life harder this week. Norfork could still be
suffering some up and down with lake turnover, some days good
others not so well. Doc did very well on a Copper and Brown Midge
in a 20. Maybe this weekend we'll get a chance to fish it at
some length for a more detailed report next week.
Tightlines from all at the Mountain
River Fly Shop
Gary, Cindy, Jim, Kevin, Marc, Faye, Mike and Steve
December 6, 2007 - 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:
4.1 feet at Calico Rock (flood stage 19 feet)
6.4 feet at Batesville (flood stage 15 feet)
0.5 feet at Newport (flood stage 26 feet)
11.6 feet at Augusta (flood stage 26 feet)
0 feet at Georgetown (flood stage 21 feet)
11.1 feet at Clarendon (flood stage 26 feet)
CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Little Red River:Lindsey's Resort (501-302-3139)
said the water is clear and the level varies. There has been
little generation in the mornings. Trout fishing is still good
on Power Eggs, wax worms and nightcrawlers. Fly-fishing is picking
up.
Jed Hollan at the Little Red Fly Shop said The
Greers Ferry powerhouse has been releasing water most days. Most
often, one generator is being run for 2-3 hours beginning about
5 p.m. The temperature of the water driving the turbines has
averaged 47 degrees with dissolved oxygen at 7.0 mg/l. Daily
reports of anglers landing large brown trout in the Little Red
are being heard in the shop. Jamie Rouse, an Orvis endorsed guide,
had a client that caught and released a brown trout that was
33 inches long with a 21 inch girth. The estimated weight of
the fish was 20 pounds! A 34 inch long brown trout was caught
and released at Cow Shoal last week with reports of 24-30 inch
long browns being caught regularly on other shoals. Most of the
big fish have been on egg patterns. Except at Cow Shoal, where
multiple hooking points are forbidden, most egg patterns also
had a dropper fly. The droppers of choice have been hare's ears,
pheasant tails or San Juan worms. The most popular rig has been
an egg pattern with a dropper 12-18 inches below with sink putty
in between the two flies. Caddis fly hatches are beginning to
wane but the blue winged olive mayfly and midge hatches are exploding.
NORTH ARKANSAS
White River: Angler's White River Resort said the
water conditions are normal. Trout fishing has been excellent
on Power Bait and spinnerbaits. The average is about 40 fish
per day and anglers are catching bigger trout as the water cools
down.
Norfork Tailwater: Gene's Trout Dock (870-499-5381)
the water conditions are about normal with no generation. Trout
fishing is still good on wax worms and corn.
SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS
Little Missouri River: Jeff Guerin of Little Missouri
Fly Fishing said generation has been minimal and fish are very
line shy. An A and W emerger is working well just under the surface.
The action is steady, but the fish are very spooky.
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Lake Catherine: Shane Goodner, owner of Catch'em
All Guide Service, reports that rainbow trout fishing below the
dam is better than ever before at this time of year. The low
water has created pools that hold good numbers of fish without
trapping or hindering their movement or feeding patterns. Trout
over 15 inches have been caught which is unheard of this early
in the year. The cooler weather is keeping the water temperature
in the high 50s which is vital to the growth and good health
of the trout. Fly-anglers are catching limits of fish casting
olive woolly buggers in areas of current. Streamers are another
good choice as small threadfin shad are being targeted as a food
source. Spin fishermen are doing well using Roostertails and
small crawdad crankbaits. Bank fishermen are hooking trout with
wax worms and redworms floated under a bobber. Now that the trout
are back in the tailrace, big stripers are now cruising the area
feeding on the trout and threadfin shad schools. Large top-water
baits in rainbow trout colors are the baits of choice as these
predator fish are looking to feed. Wade fishermen should use
caution as extremely slick rocks are the norm at Carpenter Dam.
December 6, 2007 - White River
- Submitted by Berry
Brothers Guides- JOHN BERRY
FISHING REPORT 12/06/2007
Despite a major rain event,
the lake levels on the White River system have continued to drop.
The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam, however, rose three tenths
of a foot to rest at five and four tenths of a foot below power
pool at 654.00 feet. Up stream, Table Rock Lake has fallen four
tenths of a foot to settle at four and four tenths feet below
power pool. Beaver Lake has fallen five tenths of a foot to rest
at seven and four tenths of a foot below pool. The pattern on
the White River has been for very little generation with long
periods of no generation. This has created some difficult water
to boat on. On the other hand there have been some excellent
wading opportunities on the White River . We had a few windy
days where there were lake wind advisories. Norfork Lake has
fallen two tenths of a foot to rest five and six tenths feet
below power pool of 552.00 feet. The pattern on the Norfolk has
been for several short pulses of generation daily. The level
of generation has been a bit higher than the previous week's.
This has created some excellent wading conditions. The forecast
is for cooler weather and sunny skies. With the existing conditions,
we should have a lot of low water on both rivers.
On the Norfork, the dissolved
oxygen levels have improved a bit. The dissolved oxygen level
was around three tenths parts per million. The state standard
is six parts per million. On the White River , the dissolved
oxygen has declined. It has averaged five tenths part per million.
The oxygen level is at the critical stage on the Norfork. Once
the water has traveled a bit down stream and runs over rocks
and riffles, it picks up oxygen. Great care should be taken to
prevent stressing the trout particularly near the dam where the
dissolved oxygen will be the lowest. Fish should be quickly landed
and carefully revived before release.
The low water on the White River
has made for some excellent fishing. Wildcat Shoals has been
fishing very well. The deeper holes have been fishing well with
zebra midges in black with silver wire and silver beads and in
brown with copper wire and copper beads both in size eighteen.
Other effective flies have been olive scuds, sowbugs, trout crack
and Y2Ks. In the lower end of the shoals soft hackles like the
partridge and orange and green butts have been the go to flies.
The section from Cotter to Rim
Shoals has been very productive. Rim Shoals has been a particular
hot spot. The hot fly has been the olive scud in sizes sixteen
and eighteen. There has been a fairly predictable blue wing olive
hatch most afternoons which can create some spectacular top water
action. Other good flies for this section would be zebra midges
in brown and black, red San Juan worms, Y2Ks, and sow bugs.
The real story on the White
River has been the ability to fish some of the very productive
shoals down stream that have not been wadable for some time.
Places like Buffalo Shoals have been quite wadable and fishing
quite well. To reach this shoal, you will need to boat up stream
from the Buffalo City access. Hot flies have been olive scuds,
zebra midges, prince nymphs and San Juan worms. Another such
spot is Steamboat Shoals which is located between the confluence
of the White and Norfork Rivers and Red's Landing. It is accessible
only by boat and you must consider both generation from the White
and Norfork River when planning a trip there.
The Norfork has been fishing
a bit better. The lower water on the White River has drawn a
lot of the wading traffic from the Norfork and eased the overcrowded
conditions from earlier in the year. The hot flies have been
zebra midges in black and brown, Norfork bead heads, olive scuds,
trout crack, and San Juan worms. It should be noted that, in
general, the flies should be a size or two smaller on the Norfork.
I also find that smaller tippet sizes like 6X or 7X are required
for success.
Dry Run Creek is fishing very
well. The higher oxygen content of the water has kept the resident
fish comfortable and drawn other trout seeking acceptable conditions.
In addition there are still some spawning browns in the creek.
The hot flies here are sow bugs in size fourteen, egg patterns,
San Juan worms and olive woolly buggers. I generally fish heavier
tippets here, at least 4X to ensure that the kids land the fish
they hook. Always carry a big net and a camera.
John Berry
November 28, 2007 - White River
- Submitted by Berry
Brothers Guides- JOHN BERRY
FISHING REPORT 11/29/2007
Overall, the lake levels on
the White River system have continued to drop. The lake level
at Bull Shoals Dam dropped one tenth of a foot to rest at five
and seven tenths of a foot below power pool at 654.00 feet. Up
stream, Table Rock Lake has risen two tenths of a foot to settle
at four feet below power pool. Beaver Lake has fallen eight tenths
of a foot to rest at six and nine tenths of a foot below pool.
The pattern on the White River has been for very little generation
with long periods of no generation. This has created some difficult
water to boat on. On the other hand there have been some excellent
wading opportunities on the White River . Norfork Lake has remained
steady at five and four tenths feet below power pool of 552.00
feet. The pattern on the Norfolk has been for several short pulses
of low level generation daily. This has created some excellent
wading conditions. The forecast is for cooler weather and sunny
skies. With the existing conditions, we should have a lot of
low water on both rivers.
On the Norfork, the dissolved
oxygen levels have improved a bit. The dissolved oxygen level
was around three tenths parts per million. The state standard
is six parts per million. On the White River , the dissolved
oxygen has declined. It has averaged six tenths part per million
and dropped below four tenths parts per million on occasion.
The oxygen level is at the critical stage on the Norfork. Once
the water has traveled a bit down stream and runs over rocks
and riffles, it picks up oxygen. Great care should be taken to
prevent stressing the trout particularly near the dam where the
dissolved oxygen will be the lowest. Fish should be quickly landed
and carefully revived before release.
The low water on the White River
has made for some excellent fishing. With no generation there
have been some opportunities to fish excellent water down stream
that has not been available for wading for some time. Places
like Buffalo Shoals are fishing very well. The best way to get
there is to launch a boat at Buffalo City access and motor up
to the shoals. Some anglers walk the railroad tracks from Buffalo
City upstream to the shoals. This necessitates a tough scramble
down a steep bank and then back up when the day is over. There
are loads of fish in the shoals. I like to fish scuds, San Juan
worms and prince nymphs in this section.
The popular spots have also
been fishing well. There are many more places to fish now and
the anglers are much more spread out. Wildcat Shoals has been
fishing very well. There has been excellent wading here even
during the low levels of generation we have been getting on some
days. The better fishing has been on the lower section with soft
hackles and woolly buggers. The best soft hackles have been partridge
and orange and green butts. The woolly bugger of choice has been
olive bead heads with a bit of flash. In the upper shoals, nymphs
like the zebra midge and olive scud have been the ticket.
Rim Shoals has been another
hot spot. The low water has made for easy wading. The crowds
from earlier in the fall have certainly thinned and the trout
have been cooperative. The Jenkins Creek area has fished very
well as well as the White Shoals area. Hot flies have been zebra
midges (particularly black with silver wire and silver bead),
Y2Ks, sowbugs, scuds and San Juan worms. The Anna K soft hackle
in green has also been producing.
Upstream at Round House Shoals,
there have been some pretty reliable blue wing olive hatches
in the afternoon. These are pretty small flies and they will
be difficult to see in the waning light. The best flies for this
situation are blue wing olive quick sight parachutes. The best
sizes are eighteen and twenty. A reasonable substitute is a parachute
Adams in the proper size. With flies this small you will need
to work a fairly short line. Before the hatch try pheasant tail
nymphs in size eighteen and twenty.
The lower water on the White
River has greatly benefited the Norfork. With more wadable water
available, there is much less crowding on the Norfork. Norfork
bead heads, small scuds and large San Juan worms have been the
hot flies.
Dry Run Creek has been very
productive. This place is stacked with huge fish. The browns
have come upstream to spawn and other fish have gone upstream
to find oxygenated water. The best fly is a size fourteen gray
sowbug. Other productive flies are olive bead head woolly buggers,
San Juan worms and egg patterns. Carry the biggest net you can
lay your hands on and a camera. There will be photo opportunities.
John Berry
November 28, 2007 - 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:
2.8 feet at Calico Rock (flood
stage 19 feet)
6.2 feet at Batesville (flood stage 15 feet)
0.8 feet at Newport (flood stage 26 feet)
12.3 feet at Augusta (flood stage 26 feet)
0.8 feet at Georgetown (flood stage 21 feet)
10.6 feet at Clarendon (flood stage 26 feet)
Statewide Family and Community Fishing Report: Hybrid striped
bass are biting well on white, 2-inch Mister Twister grubs with
1/16-ounce jigheads and on spoons. White and silver Rooster Tails
are also catching fish. Use a slow retrieve with occasional pauses
for the best chance at a strike. Trout fishing has been excellent
in Lake Atalanta, Murphy Lake, Wells Lake and Craighead Forest
Youth and Senior's Pond. Green or yellow Power Bait and corn
are catching most of the fish. Central Arkansas locations will
be stocked with trout in early December. For stocking information,
call 1-866-540-FISH (3474) toll-free.
CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Little Red River:Lindsey's Resort
(501-302-3139) said the river is clear and low with no generation.
Trout fishing has been excellent on wax worms, Power Eggs and
nightcrawlers. Fly-anglers are doing well with sow bugs and egg
patterns.
Jed Hollan at the Little Red
Fly Shop said has released no water in seven days. The river
is dead low and wading opportunities are great. There are multiple
aquatic insect hatches with caddis flies, mayflies and midges
coming off most days. Many large brown trout and rainbows are
being caught and released in the Little Red around shoals areas.
Caddis flies (looks like a small cream moth), mayflies (small
insect with upright wings) and midges (looks like a tiny mosquito
but doesn't bite) are abundant. Adams (sizes 18-20), BWO (sizes
18-20), midges (size 22, cream) and elk hair caddis (sizes 18-20)
are the dry flies of choice. For subsurface flies try a sow bug
(size 14-16, peacock, purple haze, light gray or tan), pheasant
tail (size 16), hare's ear nymph (sizes 14-16), zebra midge (sizes
16-22, red, black or copper), or woolly bugger (sizes 10-12,
olive or black). A size 12 olive wooly bugger stripped fast just
under the surface has proven to be not only productive but fun!
If a big brown takes your wooly bugger, hang on! An egg pattern
is a go-to fly during the spawn. The best size is 14 and the
best colors vary from salmon, bubble gum, peach to cerise (red).
To me, a chartreuse egg pattern represents an infertile egg and
there are always lots of them in the river. You should have several
different colors of egg patterns including chartreuse. After
you have caught a few fish in one spot, put on a different color
egg and continue fishing.
NORTH ARKANSAS
White River: Angler's White
River Resort said the water conditions are normal. Trout fishing
has been excellent on Power Bait and spinnerbaits. The average
is about 40 fish per day and anglers are catching bigger trout
as the water cools down.
Sportsman's White River Resort
said water conditions are normal with little generation. Bait
fishing is a little slow, but anglers are having some luck on
Little Cleos, Power Bait, and Buoyant Spoons. Fly-anglers are
using egg patterns and black or olive woolly buggers.
Norfork Tailwater: Gene's Trout
Dock (870-499-5381) said the water is clear and low with no generation.
Fishing has slowed down, but browns are still being caught on
nightcrawlers.
November 21, 2007 - Norfork and White River - Courtesty
of Mountain
River Fly Shop
-
WHITE RIVER: Well we have a
taste of winter in the air, a forecast of the first snow flurries
in the air, and all we can think of is WooooHoooooo. Now we are
really getting to serious time. The crowds leave, the bait fishing
boats leave the rivers deserted and its time to go trophy hunting.
Cloudy days are best, like Saturdays forecast. Tomorrow (Thanksgiving
Day) might be a little windy and Sunday for the best of the fishing,
but if you can sneak out before the turkey it could be worthwhile.
Everyone through the store today described the fishing as spectacular.
And it didn't really seem to
matter what people were fishing. Olive woolly buggers declared
one early customer, another stood by Midges and a third the Trout
Crack. No harm in having any of them in your boxes. Particularly
if the bugger is a size 8 Olive Flashabou, the Trout Crack is
our custom tie, (bead head in the faster water) and the midge
is the one with the long name we told you about last week.
Actually I was going to write
unfortunately we haven't come up with a better name _ but I had
a minor epiphany _so henceforth we are calling this copper bead,
black rib and thread midge the Camel Midge. Now if we told you
what color thread it might be a giveaway as to where this very
minor epiphany came from. So you'll just have to ask for the
fixin's.
The Journal and fellow guide
Marc Poulos are also keen to give Davy Wotton's Super Midges
a serious workout. Talking to Davy this week he is very scientific
about when to fish each variety, basically on the prevailing
light conditions. We'll are scheduling Davy to give presentation
on how he developed these flies, why he did and how he fishes
these flies, once we get into the new store. Until then we are
sure going to be working on our own theories. These flies look
superb.
We have been exploring fast
water runs around the place with egg patterns, seeking some of
the big rainbows hunting out brown trout eggs swept free from
the redds. The big bow has eluded the Journal so far but a nice
18" rainbow fell to our fishing companion Sunday. The fishing
was still good. When you can swing a Dead Scud like a soft hackle
and still bonk fish well you are on a good day.
NORFORK: Now even though the
forecast is for nasty cold winds of 10-15 mph we can promise
that the Journal will be on the Norfork. Yep curled up on the
couch watching cable sport, eating turkey and no doubt snoozing
off an over-stuff belly. If boredom sets in I might tie a few
flies but purely for giggles. Instead of travelling back and
forth across Northern Arkansas for a couple of days, we chose
to park the family in a comfy cabin with a view of the river,
and a serious kitchen.
If the wind isn't ridiculous
then we may run the "ankle-biters" (though at their
age it's more like wallet-biters) up to Dry Run Creek for a crack
at a pig or two. Lynsey and Derrick have paid their dues and
are cherry ripe for a picture with a really nice fish.
With so much low water on the
White this week reports from Norfork have been spotty. We still
haven't heard whether the Blue Winged Olives and Crane flies
are still coming off, the cold turn won't dampen the BWO's enthusiasm
but it might slow the Crane flies. Comparaduns and Sparkle Duns
remain the fly of choice alongside a Parachute Adams. Davy's
Sowbug and SowScud are musts for any Norfork nympher.
Tightlines from all at the Mountain
River Fly Shop
Gary, Cindy, Jim, Kevin,
Marc, Faye, Mike and Steve
November 21, 2007 - White River - Submitted by Berry
Brothers Guides
-
JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT THANKSGIVING
EDITION
With the exception of Beaver
Lake , the lake levels on the White River system have remained
constant. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam is at five and six
tenths of a foot below power pool at 654.00 feet. Up stream,
Table Rock Lake is at four and two tenths of a foot below power
pool. Beaver Lake has fallen two tenths of a foot to rest at
six and one tenths of a foot below pool. The pattern on the White
River has been for very little generation with long periods of
no generation. This has created some difficult water to boat
on. On the other hand there have been some excellent wading opportunities
on the White River . Norfork Lake has remained steady at five
and four tenths feet below power pool of 552.00 feet. The pattern
on the Norfolk has been for several short pulses of low level
generation daily. This has created some excellent wading conditions.
The forecast is for cooler weather and sunny skies. With the
existing conditions, we should have a lot of low water on both
rivers.
On the Norfork, the dissolved
oxygen levels have remained low. The dissolved oxygen level was
around two tenths parts per million. The state standard is six
parts per million. On the White River , the dissolved oxygen
has also declined. It has averaged one part per million and dropped
below eight tenths parts per million. The oxygen level is at
the critical stage on the Norfork. Once the water has traveled
a bit down stream and runs over rocks and riffles, it picks up
oxygen. Great care should be taken to prevent stressing the trout
particularly near the dam where the dissolved oxygen will be
the lowest. Fish should be quickly landed and carefully revived
before release.
The low water on the White river
has made for some truly excellent fly fishing. The water is the
lowest it has been all year and this has allowed anglers to wade
fish in spots that have not been available to them for months.
As a result, everyone is spread out and individual spots are
not over crowded. Great fishing has been reported up and down
the river.
Wildcat Shoals has been a hot
spot. In the riffles, nymphing with black zebra midges with silver
wire and silver beads and brown with copper wire and copper beads
has been excellent. Below the riffles the most effective flies
have been soft hackles. The most productive flies have been partridge
and orange, green butts and hares ear soft hackles. The best
sizes have been fourteens and sixteens.
Further down stream just above
Round House Shoals in Cotter there have been some spectacular
blue wing olive hatches. These mayflies are very small, around
size twenty. With flies this small you will have a lot of trouble
seeing the fly unless you are fishing pretty close. A good match
for this hatch would be a parachute Adams in the proper size,
if you do not have a good blue wing olive pattern with you. You
may find small soft hackles like the hares ear soft hackle in
size eighteen to be effective and easier to fish than dry flies
during this hatch.
Rim Shoals has been another
hot spot. The Jenkin's creek area has fished particular well.
The go to fly has been the black zebra midge in size eighteen.
Down along the island, the fishing has been good on a variety
of flies. In the riffles here, the hot flies have been zebra
midges, olive scuds and sow bugs all in size eighteen. Partridge
and orange soft hackles have also been effective. Below the first
island, the go to fly was the tan egg with a red spot.
The Norfork River is much less
crowded, with the excellent wading conditions on the White River
drawing a lot of waders there. You should avoid the upper river
just below Norfork Dam due to the low dissolved Oxygen there.
The Handicap access has yielded some nice fish but angling has
been slow overall. The most productive flies have been the olive
Norfork bead head, small olive scuds, and worm brown San Juan
worms.
Dry Run Creek has fished extremely
well. The dissolved oxygen content on the creek is much higher
than the upper Norfork River and a lot of good fish have sought
sanctuary there. In addition Brown trout have gone up the creek
to spawn. The best flies to fish there are sowbugs size sixteen,
egg patterns, and large San Juan worms. Take your camera. This
is where memories are made.
John Berry
November 16, 2007 - Norfork and White River - Courtesty
of Mountain
River Fly Shop
-WHITE RIVER: WELL rug yourself
up to the gills to stave off the wind chill, and go fishing.
Now is the time when the fair weather fishers have fled the river
and are sitting home bundled up with a soothing beverage watching
college football. Not that it doesn't sound appealing, but hey
you earn your stripes on those cold dank days when the mad dogs
and Australians are out on the river. Big fish time is here,
and the softies are home are wishing they were fishing. Its time
to "Flyfisher Up" as we think they say down in Texas.
Though perhaps we misheard; it was late and the bar was noisy.
The White hasn't exactly been
high conditions, but low water has been a little hard to find
of a weekend. The Journal guided a couple of longtime customers
Bob and Tandy on the river for some exploration last weekend.
The morning was spent upriver fishing scuds and midges to a variety
of standard issue stockers, some a little heftier and one nice
brown in the mid-teens for Bob. When the water rose, it was into
the boat for an afternoon drifting midges and other fare above
Rim Shoal.
Our thin-bodied, copper-bead,
brown body, black rib midge, (one day we are going to get a better
name for this one) was a winner most of the day. So much so,
we had to prevail on Crystal to whip out a batch midway through
the day. Things got tougher as the front moved in; we probed
deeper holes with Kev's Pink Lady, a source of much amusement
and a bunch of fish as well. Finally, the surprise of day came
with Bob's own tie, a white floss bodied jig which was absolutely
hammered as the day closed. One of these was donated to the "jewelry"
collection of what must be one monster brown. The Journal and
Bob himself, won't forget in a hurry the way his rod slammed
down and how quickly 5x fluorocarbon was sundered.
By Tuesday we were back into
2-unit generation, and Gary, our sinking line and streamer devotee,
took the Journal down to Roundhouse, a mile or so from the store,
to fish streamers in some decent flow. Wading the shallow gravel
bars along the bank was manageable and providing you grabbed
the right fly line the fish were eager. The Journal packed one
line a type 4 for a 6wt full sink line. Gary, with more choices,
started with an intermediate sink then jumped to a type 3 to
really whack some fish. Both of us selected 10' 6wt rods, Gary
a Scott E2, while I swung a TFO Professional. Longer rods make
managing the heavy lines a little easier when you are waist deep
in flowing water. A stripping basket to control the excess line
is pretty handy as well. The colors along the river were gorgeous.
The Journal then jumped in his
Supreme and picked up Kevin Brandtonies, one of our guides and
shop hands. You will see more and more of him this winter in
Chad's absence, for some high water drifting. Kevin is a Chicago
boy with a passion for trout and baseball, and good fun to fish
with. Of course the water was turned off, and the fishing was
somewhat slow above White Hole. We drifted down to the Narrows
where we started whacking fish on BIG heavy zebras, size 14s
and the like. These flies sink fast and attract attention in
the high water. Then as the day slowed, we started to see fish
hitting caddis emergers as the water quickened right above the
Narrows Shoal. We would have liked to stay longer. It's worth
checking above, below and in the fast water later in the day
for any emergence. The cold turn may have killed it off, but
maybe not. Egg patterns are coming on stronger as fall progresses,
and eggs will be swept off the redds and generally lose their
way. These are a great foods source for rainbows and those browns
whose urges have not yet reached full bloom.
NORFORK: Reports we have been
getting are sounding a little mixed for Norfork, then someone
will wander in and tell us how well they have done, usually on
dry flies. We aren't certain if the Blue Wing Olive mayfly hatches
and small yellow Cranefly hatches will survive the cold turn,
but if they do, it seems like having a few small sulphurs and
some Bwo patterns in your box is a must. Sparkle Duns, Comparaduns
and Parachute styles seem to be working best.
Don't forget, as we mentioned
last week, to have a few Micro Mayfly or Real Meal nymphs in
your box in brown and olive to match up to the naturals. If there
are hatching bugs at any time during the day, then there are
nymphs in the water column most of the day, certainly well before.
But otherwise the Norfork remains
a steady nymphing water, whether you are fishing midge patterns,
black and silver, black and copper or blue dun and silver, or
scud and sowbug patterns. We have heard good things off the tiny
Rainy Micro Scud in Olive, McLellan's Scud in Olive and Gray
and of course the ubiquitous Trout Crack.
Tightlines from all at the Mountain
River Fly Shop
Gary, Cindy, Jim, Kevin, Marc,
Faye, Mike and Steve
November 15, 2007 - White River - Submitted by Berry
Brothers Guides
- JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 11/15/2007
Overall the lake levels continue
to fall. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam has fallen six tenths
of a foot to rest at five and six tenths of a foot below power
pool at 654.00 feet. Up stream, Table Rock Lake has remained
steady at four and two tenths of a foot below power pool. Beaver
Lake has fallen two tenths of a foot to rest at five and nine
tenths of a foot below pool. The pattern on the White River has
been for low levels of generation around the clock or no generation.
There have been several very windy days that included lake wind
advisories which resulted in some difficult drift fishing. There
have been some excellent wading opportunities on the White River
. Norfork Lake has remained steady at five and four tenths feet
below power pool of 552.00 feet. The pattern on the Norfolk has
been for several pulses of low level generation daily. This has
created some excellent wading conditions. The forecast is for
cooler weather and sunny skies. With the existing conditions,
we should have low water on both rivers.
On the Norfork, the dissolved
oxygen levels have dropped lower. The dissolved oxygen level
was around two tenths parts per million and dropped below this
zero on two occasions. The state standard is six parts per million.
On the White River , the dissolved oxygen has also declined.
It has averaged one and two tenths parts per million and dropped
below eight tenths parts per million. The oxygen level is at
the critical stage on the Norfork. Once the water has traveled
a bit down stream and runs over rocks and riffles, it picks up
oxygen. Great care should be taken to prevent stressing the trout
particularly near the dam where the dissolved oxygen will be
the lowest. Fish should be quickly landed and carefully revived
before release.
With the Catch and Release section
at Bull Shoals Dam closed for the brown trout spawn, the action
has moved down stream. There are fewer campers at Bull Shoals
State Park and that has reduced the crowding in that area. The
section from the State Park to White Hole access has fished very
well. This section has fished particularly well on no generation.
The most productive flies have been black zebra midges with silver
wire and silver beads and brown with copper wire and copper beads.
Soft hackles like the partridge and orange and the green butt
have also produced fish. Olive woolly buggers were also accounting
for good fish in deeper water.
Further down stream, the Wildcat
Shoals section fished well. In addition to the zebra midges,
Y2Ks and egg patterns have been effective as well as size twenty
olive scuds. Soft hackles and olive woolly buggers have also
done well particularly well in the lower end of the shoals. At
higher flows, the best flies have been zebra midges in size fourteen
and San Juan worms in hot fluorescent pink.
The section from Cotter to Buffalo
Shoals has been a mixed bag. Some days have been good and some
slow. The fishing has been a bit better at no generation. The
most productive flies have been zebra midges, Y2Ks, San Juan
worms, and olive scuds. There have been fairly reliable blue
wing olive hatches in the late afternoon and size eighteen pheasant
tail nymphs have been productive before the hatch and size twenty
parachute Adams have worked during the hatch, if you can see
them. Since this hatch has occurred late during low light they
have been hard to fish.
The Norfork has been fishing
poorly. The crowds of early fall have thinned down a lot, particularly
during the week, but the heavy pressure from earlier has put
the fish down. The river is still grudgingly yielding a few fish.
The best flies have been zebra midges, Norfork bead heads, pheasant
tail nymphs and Y2Ks. There have been good hatches of blue wing
olives and crane flies. The best fly for the crane fly hatch
has been the size fourteen sulphur parachute.
Dry Run Creek has been red hot.
The highly oxygenated water has provided a perfect environment
for the large trout that reside there. There are a lot of big
browns that have moved up there to spawn. The most productive
flies have been size fourteen sow bugs, Y2Ks, olive woolly buggers,
and San Juan worms. Be sure and use heavy tippets (4X) and check
your knots carefully to give the kids a good chance to land a
big one. Most fish are lost at the net. A big net is a definite
asset. Try to land the fish quickly and lovingly release them.
Be very gentle when handling the fish and always wet your hands
before doing so.
John Berry
November 7, 2007 - 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:
3.3 feet at Calico Rock (flood
stage 19 feet)
6.4 feet at Batesville (flood stage 15 feet)
0.9 feet at Newport (flood stage 26 feet)
12.2 feet at Augusta (flood stage 26 feet)
0.2 feet at Georgetown (flood stage 21 feet)
10.0 feet at Clarendon (flood stage 26 feet)
Statewide Family and Community Fishing Report: Fishing for catfish
has been fair this week on chicken liver with the weather rollercoaster.
Bream are good on worms. Trout fishing has been outstanding in
northern Arkansas on any color Power Bait, marshmallows and gold
spinners. For more information on trout 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 low with very
little generation. Trout fishing is fair on wax worms, power
eggs and corn.
Jed Hollan at the Little Red
Fly Shop said small water releases have been the norm at the
Greers Ferry Powerhouse. Hydroelectric generation occurred only
four times in the last seven days with each period lasting 1-2
hours. There are three special regulation areas of the Little
Red: JFK Park, Cow Shoal and Mossy Shoal. In the special-regulation
area of JFK Park and on Mossy Shoal, it is unlawful to fish with
live bait, Power Eggs and barbed hooks. It is legal to use treble
hooks and dropper flies but the barbs must be smashed. On Cow
Shoal, only one single hooking point per angler is permitted
and the barb must be smashed. Cow Shoal is the only area of the
river that is catch and release. This is a seasonal regulation
Oct. 1-Dec. 31.
NORTH ARKANSAS
White River: Angler's White River Resort said the water conditions
are normal. Trout fishing has been excellent on Power Bait and
spinnerbaits. The average is about 40 fish per day and anglers
are catching bigger trout as the water cools down.
Sportsman's White River Resort
said water conditions are normal with little generation. Fly
fishing is excellent on woolly buggers. Bait fishing is good
on Power Bait, red buoyant spoons and Rapalas.
Mountain River Fly Shop said
it's been tough to find low water during the last week, though
there was a hint of it this morning for the wading fly fisher.
Fishing has been good. Zebra midges have been consistently good,
the silver and black is very reliable and the black and copper
has been our go-to fly for several weeks. Trout crack in either
the bead head or standard versions has been very popular, with
good reason, it gets eaten consistently probably as a scud, but
it could represent several food sources. Egg patterns work extremely
well at this time of year; look for rainbows to stack up in the
fast water behind spawning redds, picking off the dislodged eggs.
Wooly buggers and larger streamers can be very effective, particularly
on cloudy days, in three units and up. Bunny Leeches, Zoo Cougars,
and bigger buggers fished on sinking lines can draw better fish
looking for a meal.
Mountain River Fly Shop said
Norfork's crowds have slowed somewhat, but there is still plenty
of comradeship when the White is running. Fishing is patchy,
coming in bursts. Better action is coming from swift water. Zebra
midges, again in black and silver and black and copper have worked
best. There are a bunch of redds, scattered above handicap (and
higher we are sure) watch out for those lighter patches of gravel
and please avoid wading through them. They can be a little easier
to detect on Norfork than the White, but it still pays to keep
your eyes open, and protect the spawners' efforts.
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Lake Catherine: Shane Goodner,
owner of Catch'em All Guide Service, reports that the 5-foot
winter drawdown is complete. On Nov. 18 -21, the lake will be
lowered another 3 feet for work to be done on the dam. During
this period, the tailrace area will be will be very dangerous
to navigate for boaters and wade fishermen alike. Generation
will continue while the drawdowns are in effect which will create
hazardous conditions in the extremely shallow water. Carpenter
Dam has many rock piles and underwater islands beneath it that
make the area extremely dangerous. Rainbow trout stockings will
resume by next week, and by the middle of January, trout fishing
and walleye fishing will be in full swing.
November 9, 2007 - Norfork and White River - Courtesty
of Mountain
River Fly Shop
-
WHITE RIVER: It's been tough
to find low water over the past week, though there was a hint
of it this morning, for the wading fly fisher. From what we have
heard from our guides and other fly fishers the fishing has been
good.
Zebra midges have been consistently
good, the silver and black is very reliable and the black and
copper has been our go to fly for several weeks now. Don't be
afraid of trying the red and silver either. This time of year
the bloodworm phase of the midge becomes common, and this can
be a very effective pattern on bright fall-winter days.
Trout Crack in either the bead
head or standard versions has been very popular, with good reason,
it gets eaten consistently probably as a scud, but it could represent
several food sources.
Egg patterns work extremely
well at this time of year; look for rainbows to stack up in the
fast water behind spawning redds, picking off the dislodged eggs.
Buggers and larger streamers
can be very effective, particularly on cloudy days, in 3 units
and up. Bunny Leeches, Zoo Cougars, and bigger buggers fished
on sinking lines can draw better fish looking for a meal.
NORFORK: Norfork's crowds have
slowed somewhat, but there is still plenty of comradeship when
the White is running. The Journal fished Norfork on Monday with
a slight stain in the water. Fishing was patchy, coming in bursts.
Better action came from the fast water sections, indicating probably
some low Dissolved Oxygen levels. To Check on current conditions
click this link. Daily bursts of water have been able to keep
the DO levels most of the day.
Zebra midges, again in black
and silver and black and copper have worked best. But if you
dabble in tying your own zebras, try olive or brown thread instead
of black.
There are a bunch of redds,
scattered above handicap (and higher we are sure) watch out for
those lighter patches of gravel and please avoid wading through
them. They can be a little easier to detect on Norfork than the
White, but it still pays to keep your eyes open, and protect
the spawners' efforts.
Tightlines from all at the Mountain
River Fly Shop
Gary, Cindy, Kevin, Jim, Marc, Faye, Mike and Steve
November 8, 2007 - White River - Submitted by Berry
Brothers Guides
- JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 11/08/2007
Overall the lake levels fallen
slightly. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam has fallen two tenths
of a foot to rest at five feet below power pool at 654.00 feet.
Up stream, Table Rock Lake has fallen four tenths of a foot to
four and two tenths of a foot below power pool. Beaver Lake has
fallen two tenths of a foot to rest at five and seven tenths
of a foot below pool. The pattern on the White River has been
for low levels of generation around the clock or no generation.
There have been several very windy days that included lake wind
advisories which resulted in some difficult drift fishing. There
have been some excellent wading opportunities on the White River
. Norfork Lake has risen one tenth of a foot to rest at five
and four tenths feet below power pool of 552.00 feet. The pattern
on the Norfolk has been for very limited generation. This has
created some excellent wading conditions. The forecast is for
cooler weather and sunny skies. With the existing conditions,
we should have low water on both rivers.
On the Norfork, the dissolved
oxygen levels have dropped lower. The dissolved oxygen level
was around two tenths parts per million and dropped well below
this level on several occasions. The state standard is six parts
per million. On the White River , the dissolved oxygen has also
declined. It has averaged one and six tenths parts per million
and dropped below one and four tenths parts per million. The
oxygen level is at the critical stage on the Norfork. Great care
should be taken to prevent stressing the trout particularly near
the dam where the dissolved oxygen will be the lowest. Fish should
be quickly landed and carefully revived before release.
With the Catch and Release Section
at Bull Shoals Dam closed until February, 1, the action has moved
down stream. The Wild Cat Shoals area has been fishing very well.
On higher water the hot flies have been black zebra midges with
silver wire and silver beads, brown zebra midges with copper
wire and copper beads, Y2Ks and hot fluorescent pink San Juan
worms. On lower flows soft hackles like the partridge and orange
and green butt have been effective.
The section from Rim Shoals
to Buffalo Shoals has been hot. There have been nice blue wing
olive and caddis hatches late in the afternoon. At higher flows,
the best flies have been the black and brown zebra midges in
size fourteen, olive scuds, Y2Ks, and San Juan Worms. Grass hopper
patterns are still producing fish as are Chernobyl ants. The
Jenkin's Creek area has fished well with olive woolly buggers.
If you need to access wadable water during generation, stop by
Rim Shoals Trout Dock to arrange for a water taxi for a nominal
charge.
The section from the confluence
to Reds landing has been the hot spot. The fish are stacked up
in there and several anglers have reported spectacular days.
This section does not generally get as much pressure as the upper
river but fishes well on two generators. Here again the best
flies have been zebra midges, olive scuds and San Juan worms.
The Norfork has not been as
crowded lately. The sometimes lower water on the White has helped
to prevent overcrowding here. The fishing has been a bit slow.
There have been some blue wing olive hatches. The generation
has been a bit erratic but has been limited to low flows. The
most productive flies have been olive Norfork bead heads, Y2Ks,
zebra midges, and olive scuds. There have been some nice midge
hatches that the trout have been keying on. The best fly for
this has been Dan's turkey tail emerger in size twenty two. To
fish some thing this small you will have to go down to at least
6X tippet. In order to thread the eye of this small a hook, clip
your tippet at a forty-five degree angle to form a point on the
tag end.
Dry Run Creek has been red hot.
There are loads of fish stacked up in it to take advantage of
the high oxygen content in the creek. The most effective fly
for here is a gray sow bug in size fourteen. Use at least 5X
tippet and be sure and test your knots. The trout are huge here!
My young clients have also done well on olive woolly buggers
fished under an indicator. Carry the biggest net you can lay
your hands on.
John Berry
November 7, 2007 - 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:
3.3 feet at Calico Rock (flood
stage 19 feet)
6.1 feet at Batesville (flood stage 15 feet)
1.1 feet at Newport (flood stage 26 feet)
10.7 feet at Augusta (flood stage 26 feet)
0.4 feet at Georgetown (flood stage 21 feet)
10.6 feet at Clarendon (flood stage 26 feet)
Statewide Family and Community Fishing Report: Catfishing has
been excellent on stinkbait and shrimp in the afternoons. Fish
are feeding up before winter. Bream are good on worms. Trout
fishing has been outstanding in northern Arkansas program ponds
on any color Power Bait, marshmallows and gold spinners. For
more information on trout 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 at normal level.
Generation is at an absolute minimum. Trout fishing has been
really good on chartreuse Power Bait, buoyant spoons, and black
or olive marabou jigs.
Jed Hollan at the Little Red
Fly Shop said the Greers Ferry Power House released water only
two days last week. These releases were about three hours long
with only one generator being used. Water temperature averaged
47 degrees. The brown trout spawn is on and they're stacked in
the river right now. Twenty-inch long brown trout are all over
the shoals eating chartreuse egg patterns like candy. There are
some regulations that must be followed and common courtesies
that should be extended to protect the fishery and still enjoy
fishing. All brown trout 16 to 24 inches long must be released
immediately. Please watch where you put your feet. Do not walk
in the redds (clean areas of river bed specially prepared by
the female trout for egg laying). The skies above the Little
Red are dotted with blue winged olive, caddis and midge hatches.
This trout food is best imitated on the surface with a tan elk
hair caddis (sizes 18-20), BWO (sizes 18-20), Adams (sizes 18-20)
or midge (sizes 18-22, cream). In the sub-surface realm, use
sow bugs (sizes 14-16, tan, purple haze, peacock or light gray),
zebra midges (sizes 16-22, red or black), gold ribbed hare's
ears (sizes 14-16), pheasant tails (size 16), wooly buggers (sizes
10-12, olive or black) and most any color egg pattern. Eggs with
hare's ear droppers and eggs with San Juan worm droppers are
proving especially effective. Don't use a dropper in the special
regulations area where only one hooking point per angler is permitted.
NORTH ARKANSAS
White River: Gaston's White River Resort said Eagle Claw Nitro
Worms are still reeling in great catches. Pink, orange, and white
are good colors to try (This bait is scented and cannot be used
in the Catch-and-Release Area.). The most popular baits the guides
are using are live nightcrawlers and redworms. Artificial lures
that are catching trout well are red/gold Buoyant Spoons, and
gold/nickel Colorado Spoons. Silver or Rainbow patterned countdown
Rapalas are hit or miss, but can bring in a wall-hanger.
Sportsman's White River Resort
said the water conditions are normal. Generators are running
in the afternoons. Trout fishing has been excellent. Fly fishing
is starting to pick up a lot more.
Angler's White River Resort
said the water is clear and a little low. The generators have
been turned off and are just now being turned back on. Trout
fishing has been fair on Power Bait.
Norfork Tailwater: Gene's Trout
Dock (870-499-5381) said the water is clear and the generators
have slowed. Fly fishing is picking up on zebra midges and green
woolly buggers. Brown and rainbow trout are being caught on Power
Bait.
McLellan's Fly Shop said generation
has been very sporadic. Fall is the best time of year to fish
egg patterns as the brown trout leave the deeper water for the
shallow gravel flats to spawn. Best flies have been McClellan's
hunchback scud (sizes 14-16, tan, rainbow and copper, flashback
scud (sizes 12-16, tan, olive and gray), McClellan's woven sow
bug (sizes 14-16), mercury brassie (sizes 18-20), flashtail mini
egg (sizes 16-18) and unreal egg (size 16).
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
Beaver Tailwater: McLellan's
Fly Shop said there has been very little generation during the
last few days, providing plenty of wade-fishing opportunities.
Scuds, sow bugs, midge pupae patterns and cream midge adult patterns
have been very productive. Fall and winter are great times to
fish egg patterns as the brown trout make their annual spawning
run. The best flies have been McClellan's hunchback scud (sizes
14-16, gray or olive), McClellan's woven sow bug (sizes 14-16),
zebra midge (sizes 16-20, black/copper or olive), poison tung
(size 20, gray/blue or black), cream midge adult (sizes 22-24),
flashtail mini egg (sizes 16-18), unreal egg (size 16).
SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS
Darryl Morris of Family Fishing
Trips Guide Service said fishing has been good on the river lately
with emerger patterns, especially a "smidge" or A&W
emerger. The best action has come from deeper pools, but many
fish have been seen roaming the flats.
Little Missouri River: Jeff
Guerin of Little Missouri Fly Fishing said evening fishing is
nothing short of excellent on sub-surface flies such as the smidge
pattern. The front came through, but bright, sunny skies are
still the order of the day. When you can get a little breeze
to add some chop to the water, try a light Cahill..
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Lake Catherine: Shane Goodner,
owner of Catch'em All Guide Service, reports that the 5-foot
winter drawdown is underway and will be completed Nov. 9. An
additional 3 feet will be taken Nov. 18-21. This water will be
returned to the initial 5-foot level Dec. 10-13. During this
process, the tailwater area will be dangerous to boaters and
wade fishermen alike. Generation will continue throughout this
period and the whole area is filled with shallow rock and other
underwater hazards. Beginning mid-November, the rainbow trout
stocking program will begin and fishing conditions will be back
to normal.
November 2, 2007 - Norfork and White River - Courtesty
of Mountain
River Fly Shop
-
WHITE RIVER: This week's Journal
started with this very pretty brown, and we couldn't resist another
shot from the last day before the closure of the Catch and Release
section below the Bull Shoals Dam. It was otherwise relatively
uneventful apart from the warmth. Pretty day, midgeing fish,
no monsters but several nice browns, some red flanked bows and
the trees just starting to change color and fun fishing. Yep
it was low water too, two days of it so far this week and perhaps
more to come, but I'm not going to put the curse on it.
Anyway that's a little copper
bead midge in the upper jaw; copper beads just seem to be the
absolute trick right now, no matter whether you are on the White
or Norfork. Seriously, don't head to the river without them.
The second fly you absolutely
need is the Trout Crack, bead head versions if you are going
to be fishing the fast water, the standard tie in the slow water.
Otherwise pick up the standards
Black and silver Zebras, try the red zebra as winter approaches,
Anna K soft hackles for emerger eaters. Y2Ks and other eggs if
you are fishing anywhere in the system but particularly the fast
water. We like brighter hues now, graduating to the pastels later
in winter.
But some of our better fun still
has been coming on dries. Griffiths Gnats, parachute Adams and
of course our favorite Morgan's CDC Para Midge.
But even sweeter have been the
mayfly hatches, up and down the White and Norfork. We have been
finding, and hearing about, oodles of Blue Wing Olives and even
Sulphurs. The Olives we saw Sunday on the White between Cotter
and Rim Shoal were about a 2o, with very large slate gray wings.
A parachute Adams presented to risers, only smaller fish in our
area at least, produced a bunch of takes and hookups. Then at
Rim later in the week we saw the yellowish mayfly being described
as a sulphur. It was very light in color, about a 22 with 2 long
tail filaments, and the more entomologically correct among us
may have a better idea on its correct nomenclature.
Anyway our suggestion is carry
some small mayfly nymphs, like PTs, Copper Johns, real Deal Nymphs
or better yet the Micro Mayfly alongside your regular midges.
The numbers of adults we are seeing on the surface, it makes
sense to fish the water column with this style of nymph. It may
also explain some of the reports we have had of "picky fish"
refusing their standard fare.
NORFORK: Fishing very well.
Early morning (5am-ish) blasts of water seem to be doing the
fishing the world of good. But you better have packed your small
dries. Parachute Adams, Sparks Duns in yellow and olive, BWO
and PMD Comparaduns, have all made the difference for many fly
fishers. But as we mentioned above, if your midges stop working,
switch to mayfly nymphs under an indicator and work the riffles.
You may have to vary the depth if the bugs are truly emerging,
but otherwise fish them deep.
We tried yesterday for a bit
as an experiment and tied briefly to a very heavy fish that showed
a distinct lack of respect of our need for nice pictures for
this report and promptly spat the hook.
Scuds continue to work well
on Norfork particularly in olive and tan. Don't leave home without
the Trout Crack or Copper bead midges. Olive, black or brown
thread behind the bead it doesn't seem to matter.
Tightlines from all at the Mountain
River Fly Shop
Gary, Cindy, Chad, Jim, Marc, Faye, Mike and Steve
November 2, 2007 - White River - Submitted by Berry
Brothers Guides
- JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 11/01/2007
Overall the lake levels fallen
slightly. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam has fallen eight
tenths of a foot to rest at four and eight tenths of a foot below
power pool at 654.00 feet. Up stream, Table Rock Lake has fallen
two tenths of a foot to three and eight tenths of a foot below
power pool. Beaver Lake has fallen one tenth of a foot to rest
at five and five tenths of a foot below pool. The pattern on
the White River has been for low levels of generation around
the clock or no generation. There have been several very windy
days that included lake wind advisories which resulted in some
difficult drift fishing. There have been some excellent wading
opportunities on the White River . Norfork Lake has fallen one
tenth of a foot to rest at five and five tenths feet below power
pool of 552.00 feet. The pattern on the Norfolk has been for
a substantial period of generation in the morning. This has created
some excellent wading conditions in the afternoon. The forecast
is for cooler weather and sunny skies. With the existing conditions,
we should have low water on both rivers.
On the Norfork, the dissolved
oxygen levels have dropped lower. The dissolved oxygen level
was around two tenths parts per million. On the White River the
dissolved oxygen has also declined. It has averaged one and six
tenths parts per million. The oxygen level is at the critical
stage on the Norfork. Great care should be taken to prevent stressing
the trout particularly near the dam where the dissolved oxygen
will be the lowest. Fish should be quickly landed and carefully
revived before release.
On the White River the Bull
Shoals Catch-and-Release Area from 100 yards below Bull Shoals
Dam to the upstream boundary of Bull Shoals White River State
Park is Catch-and-release from February 1 until October 31 is
closed to fishing from November 1 to January 31 downstream to
the wing dike at the Bull Shoals White River State Park Trout
Dock. In addition the Bull Shoals Seasonal Brown Trout Catch-and-Release
Area: From the wing dike at the Bull Shoals White River State
Park trout dock to the downstream boundary of the park is designated
a Catch-and-release area for brown trout from November 1 through
January 31. Brown trout must be released immediately. No fishing
from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
The brown trout are spawning in this area and the regulations
are designed to protect them.
The fishing on the White River
has definitely improved in the last week. The weather has cooled
off and the trout are feeding. On the upper river, egg patterns
in the Bull Shoals Dam State Park and below should be effective.
Wildcat Shoals has been very productive with worm brown San Juan
worms and Y2Ks. Soft hackles such as partridge and orange and
green butts have been fishing well particularly after the fog
burns off in the morning. This section has also fished well with
grass hoppers. Add a small nymph such as a zebra midge or a pheasant
tail and hang on.
Rim Shoals has also fished very
well. On lower flows the Y2K and traditional egg patterns have
accounted for a lot of fish. On higher flows the San Juan worm
in hot pink has been effective. Grasshoppers have done well but
do not use a dropper in this section as Catch and Release regulations
only allow a single hook.
The Ranchette section has been
really hot. Here it is nymphs lit the zebra midge in brown with
copper wire and copper bead and in black with silver wire and
silver bead. San Juan worms in bright colors like hot pink and
fire orange have also been producing fish.
On the Norfork River , the low
water on the White this week has eased the crowding a bit. Fishing
has been good but not great. Midges rule. Norfork bead heads
and zebra midges have been the go to flies. There have been blue
wing olive hatches in the afternoon that have created some very
nice top water action. The flies are pretty small, size eighteen
or twenty. To fish something this small you will need to work
it fairly close. If you can't see it, you can't fish it.
Dry Run Creek is fishing well.
There are a large number of big brown trout that have moved into
the creek. Egg patterns are the way to go. Also try sow bugs
and olive woolly buggers. Be sure and carry the biggest net you
can lay your hands on and carry a camera.
John Berry
October 31, 2007 - 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:
2.4 feet at Calico Rock (flood
stage 19 feet)
6.5 feet at Batesville (flood stage 15 feet)
2.3 feet at Newport (flood stage 26 feet)
14 feet at Augusta (flood stage 26 feet)
1.8 feet at Georgetown (flood stage 21 feet)
12.6 feet at Clarendon (flood stage 26 feet)
Statewide Family and Community Fishing Report: Rainbow trout
will be stocked in the Fort Smith, Springdale, Rogers and Jonesboro
ponds by Nov. 3 with a trout kick-off event held at Murphy Pond
in Springdale Nov. 3 at 9 a.m. Trout will be stocked in the other
community ponds by the first week of December. For more information,
call the fish stocking hotline, 1-866-540-FISH(3474) toll-free.
CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Little Red River: Lindsey's
Resort (501-302-3139) said the water is clear and at normal level.
Generation is at an absolute minimum. Trout fishing has been
really good on chartreuse Power Bait, buoyant spoons, and black
or olive marabou jigs.
Jed Hollan at the Little Red
Fly Shop said the Greers Ferry Power House stopped daily scheduled
releases on Oct. 16, and this protocol should continue until
further notice. The lake level is 5 feet below top power pool,
so some days will have no hydroelectric power generation and
other days will feature small releases. The brown trout spawn
is almost upon us. Browns in full spawn colors are being seen
every day. Many of the males have kiped (hooked) jaws and the
females are full of eggs. Most staged brown trout are in the
pools above and below the shoals. When they move onto the shoals,
the spawn will be on. Watch where you put your feet and don't
walk through the redds (a fish nest). Try to stay at least one
long cast away from the nearest angler. Blue winged olives, caddis
and midges continue to hatch every day along the Little Red.
The caddis population is increasing while the sulphur and pale
morning dun hatches are decreasing. The best dry flies include
caddis (size 18-20), midges (size 22-24), BWO (size 18-22) and
Adams (size 18-20). Sub-surface flies that are working well are
egg patterns (size 14 salmon), sow bugs (size 14-16, light gray
or peacock), zebra midges (size 16-22, red or black), pheasant
tail (size 16) and wooly buggers (size 10-12, olive or black).
NORTH ARKANSAS
White River: Gaston's White
River Resort said Eagle Claw Nitro Worms are still reeling in
great catches. Pink, orange, and white are good colors to try
(This bait is scented and cannot be used in the Catch-and-Release
Area.). The most popular baits the guides are using are live
nightcrawlers and redworms. Artificial lures that are catching
trout well are red/gold Buoyant Spoons, and gold/nickel Colorado
Spoons. Silver or Rainbow patterned countdown Rapalas are hit
or miss, but can bring in a wall-hanger.
Sportsman's White River Resort
said the generators are running, but less during the week. Trout
fishing has been good on silver spoons, red worms, and Power
Bait. Fly fishing is good on zebra midges.
Angler's White River Resort
said the water is clear and normal. The generators are running
in the late afternoon. Trout fishing has been very good on Power
Bait, spinnerbaits, and Rapalas.
Norfork Tailwater: Gene's Trout
Dock (870-499-5381) said water conditions are normal. The generators
are running in the afternoons. Trout fishing has been excellent
on yellow Power Bait and wax worms.
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Lake Catherine:Shane Goodner,
owner of Catch'em All Guide Service, reports that the winter
drawdown will begin Nov. 3-8. The initial draw will be 5 feet,
but an additional 3 feet will be taken Nov. 18-21, so work can
be performed on the dam. This water will be returned to the initial
5-foot level in December and back to normal levels in early March.
Rainbow trout stockings will begin in mid-November, so fishing
will greatly improve during winter.
October 25, 2007 - Norfork and White River - Courtesty
of Mountain
River Fly Shop
-
WHITE RIVER: We haven't seen
much low water this week, but the fishing has been very good
for the boat based fly fisher. We have heard good things from
the lower water levels, one unit mid-week, which augurs well
for any spell of low water this weekend.
The wind certainly has been
a pain in the butt. If there is one tip we can give you to those
gusty, blowy days is wait for the wind to drop then cast. Casting
indicator rigs into 20knot gust is a recipe for disaster and
bad language.
Zebra midges continue to perform
well, darker colors on the cloudy days and silvery tones on the
sunny days. Scuds in tan and gray are very good, olive is working
well and don't forget scud patterns or Trout Crack in both bead
head and non-bead versions.
The Journal has found the bead
head works best in the faster flows try the standard version
in the flatter water.
Woolly buggers are a good bet
in really windy conditions, where you can beat the wind killing
drift. Fish an intermediate or slow sinking line to get below
any wind chop. Eggs are starting to prove popular as the spawn
gets closer. Y2ks and other egg patterns are hard to beat. Watch
out for the redds when you are wading so as to avoid disturbing
the eggs.
NORFORK: Norfork has been the
choice of most fly fishers with so much generation underway on
the White. It has led to some crowds on weekends, particularly
close to the Dam or around the handicap access. The only solution
is to walk up and down and keep in touch with the Generation
telephone number, especially since you can't hear the horn all
the way downstream.
Copper zebra-style midges have
been the go to pattern. Scuds and Sowbugs similarly have been
very, very good.
Tightlines from all at the Mountain
River Fly Shop
Gary, Cindy, Chad, Jim, Marc, Faye, Mike and Steve
October 25, 2007 - White River - Submitted by Berry
Brothers Guides
- JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 10/25/2007
There has been a good bit rain
in the twin lakes area and overall the lake levels fallen slightly.
The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam has risen one tenth of a foot
to rest at four feet below power pool at 654.00 feet. Up stream,
Table Rock Lake has fallen five tenths of a foot to three and
six tenths of a foot below power pool. Beaver Lake has fallen
one tenth of a foot to rest at five and four tenths of a foot
below pool. The pattern on the White River has been for low levels
of generation around the clock. There have been a lot of very
windy days that included lake wind advisories which resulted
in several very difficult days for drift fishing. There have
been few wading opportunities on the White River . Norfork Lake
has remained steady at five and four tenths feet below power
pool of 552.00 feet. The pattern has been for a couple of brief
periods of low generation in the evening and early morning. This
has created some excellent wading conditions. The forecast is
for cooler weather and sunny skies. With the existing conditions,
we should have low water on both rivers.
On the Norfork, the dissolved
oxygen levels have dropped lower. The dissolved oxygen level
was around four tenths parts per million. There was two instances
where it dropped below two tenths of a part per million. On the
White River the dissolved oxygen has also declined. It has averaged
two and two tenths parts per million most of the time but did
drop to one and eight tenths parts per million on one occasion.
The oxygen level is at the critical stage on the Norfork. Great
care should be taken to prevent stressing the trout particularly
near the dam where the dissolved oxygen will be the lowest. Fish
should be quickly landed and carefully revived before release.
On the White River the fishing
has been a bit spotty during the last week. There were some really
good days and some very poor days. The wind for the last week
has been particularly strong and has been an issue for all fly
fishers. Larger rods in five and six weight have been the rule.
The upper river from Bull Shoals
Dam to White Hole has been on average a bit slow. On the lower
flows zebra midges in black with silver wire and silver bead
and in brown with copper wire and copper bead have been effective.
On heavier flows San Juan worms in bright colors and egg patterns
have been the ticket.
The catch and release section
at Rim Shoals has been fishing a bit better. There has been some
really good drift fishing in the Jenkins Creek area. On lower
water olive woolly buggers and zebra midges have been accounting
for a lot of good fish. On higher water San Juan worms in magenta
have been very effective. These flies have also produced well
down stream at the end of the catch and release area just below
the power lines.
Further down stream the section
around the Ranchette and on down to Buffalo Shoals has been fishing
very well. This section has not received as much pressure of
late and there are quite a few fish there. Zebra midges and San
Juan worms in bright colors have been the go to flies. Buffalo
Shoals has fished particularly well.
he Norfork has been fishing
well of late. With the White River running around the clock,
the only reliable wading has been on the Norfork. As a result,
the Norfork has been incredibly crowded. The overcrowding has
been made worse by the closure of McClellan's. The Handicap Access
has been so crowded that all parking spaces are taken and several
people are parking in the road. I should point out that this
road is clearly marked no parking and these cars are subject
to getting towed away. That said, the Norfork is fishing well
in spite of the pressure. The hot flies have been Norfork bead
heads in black and olive, Wilson 's trout crack, and peach eggs.
Dry run Creek has been fishing
very well as usual. A large number of brown trout have moved
up into the creek. The browns tend to be in the lower section.
Remember that this is Catch and Release water and bait fishing
is illegal. You must fish single hook artificial lures. The best
way to fish it is by high sticking sow bug through deep fast
water. San Juan worms, egg patterns, and woolly buggers are also
effective. Gently release the trout as quickly as possible.
October 18, 2007 - Norfork and White River - Courtesty
of Mountain
River Fly Shop
-
WHITE RIVER: Yesterday you could
hear the collective sigh of relief up and down the river yesterday.
Low water was back again; letting the waders have free reign
up and down the White. After a couple of weeks of two units running
pretty consistently, it was so much of a shock one of our regulars
was in the store hanging out yesterday morning without having
checked the water levels, resigned at not fishing. You should
have seen the look on his face when we told him it was off, and
so was he out the door heading for waders and a strung up fly
rod.
Even more of a surprise it was
off all day again today. So the fall slowing of generation may
finally be upon us. But as always we aren't going to be making
any rash predictions. The Journal was predictably in the store
yesterday and not even offering bribes could swing an early minute.
Besides, the Journal has a new guide boat from Supreme so of
course the water is off. And as was pointed out, we were picking
up the girls from school.
However Chad enlivened proceedings
with messages of 4 fish over 20" in an hour or something
like that; we had to hang up on him!
But as he pointed out later,
the Journal managed to fish half a unit Tuesday below the dam
with some very nice, if smaller fish up to 19". Most spectacular
was a 16" cut in full spawned up colors, the crimson slash
was remarkable. Of course, we left the camera at home. Even more
fun was doing it on dry flies and 5x. Foam Ant patterns were
best but parachute ants, also drew takes. We have heard similar
tales up and down the river, with Stimulators and Hoppers performing
well on Rim.
Zebra midges remain the ticket.
Crystal's skinny body tie of Chad's camel and copper midge is
doing particularly well; it's the one with the black rib. The
standard black and silvers, red and gold and the brown are also
doing well.
We are also getting more and
more customers after Y2Ks. The best color combination at present
is the orange/yellow, but the paler shades will come to the fore
as winter sets in. Don't forget your woolly buggers and streamers;
the best fishing of the year is underway.
NORFORK: With wading conditions
opening back up on the White, pressure on the Norfork should
ease now. The Journal had a guide trip with Kevin Brandtonies
and George Peters last Friday and it was hard to find a bathtub
of water without a couple of waders in it. So we hiked well upstream
pretty much to McLellan's, a calculated risk based on generation
patterns last week. It would have been a scramble to get back.
Thankfully the fishing was pretty good with abundant midge hatches
bringing plenty of fish up.
Brady McDonough, of Ok, scored
the fish of the day with a nice brown just under 18", fatter
in the belly than it looks in the pics and beautifully colored.
We were fishing the black rib midge mentioned above, then switched
to black and silver. The fish were definitely in the riffles
but look at the flat water too. We found some very nice fish
well away from the fast water.
George had one of his clients
fishing a Parachute Adams to fish taking emergers and these were
getting eaten readily. There may be fancier midge patterns around,
but the Para Adams in a small size 18s and smaller is very reliable.
Always carry some of these in your box if you like the challenge
of dry fly fishing when the midges are on.
Tightlines from all at the Mountain
River Fly Shop
Gary, Cindy, Chad, Jim, Marc,
Faye, Mike and Steve
October 18, 2007 - White River - Submitted by Berry
Brothers Guides
- JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 10/18/2007
There has been a little rain
in the twin lakes area and overall the lake levels continue to
fall. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam has fallen seven tenths
of a foot to rest at four and one tenth of a foot below power
pool at 654.00 feet. Up stream, Table Rock Lake has fallen two
tenths of a foot to three and one tenth of a foot below power
pool. Beaver Lake has fallen two tenths of a foot to rest at
five and three tenths of a foot below pool. The pattern on the
White River has been for low levels of generation around the
clock early in the week. Then mid week we got some low water
making for excellent wading. Norfork Lake has fallen two tenths
of a foot to rest at five and four tenths feet below power pool
of 552.00 feet. The pattern has been for a couple of brief periods
of low generation in the evening and early morning and a period
of substantial generation in the afternoon. This has created
some excellent wading conditions. The forecast is for cooler
weather and sunny skies. With the existing conditions, we should
have low water on both rivers.
On the Norfork, the dissolved
oxygen levels have remained low. The dissolved oxygen level was
around six tenths parts per million. There was one instance where
it dropped below four tenths of a part per million. On the White
River the dissolved oxygen has declined slightly. It has averaged
two and six tenths parts per million most of the time but did
drop to two and three tenths parts per million on one occasion.
The oxygen level is at the critical stage on the Norfork. Great
care should be taken to prevent stressing the trout particularly
near the dam where the dissolved oxygen will be the lowest. Fish
should be quickly landed and carefully revived before release.
The fishing on the White has
been a bit slow during the last week particularly on the upper
river. The section from the Catch and Release area at the base
of Bull Shoals Dam to White Hole has yielded a few good fish.
The trout have been finicky and it is has been necessary to change
flies often. Be sure and try San Juan worms, zebra midges in
brown with copper wire and copper bead, and black with silver
wire and silver bead. On the top try big foam hoppers, Chernobyl
ants, and small midge emergers in black or peacock. Further down
stream Wildcat Shoals has been fishing poorly. This section has
received a lot of pressure during the last few weeks and a lot
of trout have been harvested.
The section from Cotter to Rim
has fished a bit better. This section has also seen a lot of
pressure and significant harvest. The trout here have also been
finicky. Productive flies have included the brown and the black
zebra midges, sow bugs, partridge and orange soft hackles, olive
woolly buggers and the Y2K. The river below Buffalo Shoals has
fished better. There has been significantly less pressure here.
The Norfork has fished a bit
better but the pressure has been unrelenting. There have been
an inordinate number of anglers on the river from Norfork Dam
to the confluence with the White. With limited wading on the
White River everyone has headed here. It has not been the quality
fly fishing experience that it has been in the past.
Dry Run Creek has been the exception
and has fished incredibly well during the past week. There are
a large number of brown trout that have moved up into the creek
to spawn and there have been a large number of large fish caught.
The hot technique during the past week has been to fish an olive
woolly bugger below a strike indicator. Be sure and use at least
4X tippet. With the heavy tippet and larger hook of the Woolly
bugger it is easier to handle the larger fish here. By fishing
the fly under an indicator you can work a very short line and
stay out of the trees. Most big fish are lost at the net. Be
sure and carry the biggest one that you can lay your hands on.
Other good flies for Dry Run Creek are sow bugs (the dominant
food source in the creek), egg patterns, and San Juan worms.
Be sure and mash down your barbs and handle the fish very gently.
Carefully revive the trout before releasing them.
John Berry
   October 17, 2007
- Bennett Spring State
Park - My
oldest brother, my father and I fished Bennett Spring State Park's
Zone 1 from Oct 4 through Oct 7. Water was very clear and
we had mostly sunny skies. Fishing was slow for us, but we
has some success with Copper Johns, White Wire Jigs, and Brown
Eggs. I had two "firsts" for me during the
trip; first Missouri trout and first fish ever
by fly rod. See attached photos.
Dean
October 17, 2007 - 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:
2.8 feet at Calico Rock (flood
stage 19 feet)
6.5 feet at Batesville (flood stage 15 feet)
2.3 feet at Newport (flood stage 26 feet)
13.4 feet at Augusta (flood stage 26 feet)
1.6 feet at Georgetown (flood stage 21 feet)
10.6 feet at Clarendon (flood stage 26 feet)
CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Little Red River: Lindsey's
Resort (501-302-3139) said the river is normal. Generators are
still running in the afternoons. Trout fishing has been excellent
on chartreuse Power Bait and Power Eggs, wax worms, lures and
olive or brown marabou jigs.
Jed Hollan at the Little Red
Fly Shop said generators are releasing small amounts of water
mid-afternoon. About half of the capacity of one generator has
been the norm (2200 CFS) with generation lasting one to three
hours. Caddis, blue-winged olives and midges continue to hatch
all along the river, especially late afternoons and evenings.
Trout have been seen rising to hatches as late as 10 p.m. This,
in part, explains why our trout are lethargic in the morning.
They are not feeding early the next day because they are not
hungry. When they are actively feeding, you will find that the
following dry flies work well: Caddis (sizes 18-20, tan), BWO
(sizes 18-22), midges (sizes 22-24) and Adams (sizes 18-20).
Sub-surface flies that attract trout include sow bugs (sizes
14-16, light gray, tan, purple haze or peacock), zebra midges
(sizes 16-22, red or black), pheasant tails (size 16), princes
(size 16), P&O or Chuck's emergers (size 16) and wooly buggers
(sizes 10-12, olive or black). Egg patterns in size 14 (salmon
color) are taking fish everywhere because of the rather significant
rainbow spawn that is currently underway.
NORTH ARKANSAS
White River: Gaston's White
River Resort said the generators have been shut down in the morning,
but later in the day, one or two units have been on. With any
amount of flow, fly-fishing or spin fishing for trophy trout
has been very good. Trout can be caught on a variety of different
lures. The most common bait is two Power Eggs or a pink rubber
worm with a single yellow or white power egg called the "Barbie
Bait," set up on a White River rig. Red/gold buoyant spoons
and small spinners are very effective when generators are running.
When the generators really get going, switch to Countdown Rapalas,
pearl shad Excalibur's and pink, green, or brown jigs. Fly-fishermen
are still having excellent catches with 1/64-ounce chrome dome
pink jigs under a large strike indicator. Rising trophy browns
have also been hitting Hank's Bulbous Bivisible or Hank's Quick
Sight Ant. When throwing jigs, remember to set the strike indicator
where the jig is 1-2 inches off the bottom.
Sportsman's White River Resort
said the water is clear and normal. The generators are completely
shut off, but fishing for trout is still pretty good on Power
Bait. Fly fishing is very slow.
Norfork Tailwater: Gene's Trout
Dock (870-499-5381) said the water is clear and normal. Rainbow
and cutthroat trout fishing has been good on nightcrawlers, Power
Bait, corn and a variety of jigs.
Mountain River Fly Shop said
the best wade fishing in the area has been on Norfork, which
has basically been shut down from dawn until mid-afternoon. Norfork
Lake is close to turning over, which will slow the fishing for
a while. Midges, scuds and buggers have been the fare of choice
and there are some big fish out there. Copper beadhead zebra
midges have been killer, whether you are using a black body or
a brown body. Red zebra midges have also been doing well when
the sun gets high. Don't forget the small stuff olive WD40s,
tungsten rainbow warriors and Craven's poison tung on these sunny
days. Black woollies were all the talk earlier this week. Every
other angler through the store had a tale to tell about fishing
black woollies. Most were swinging and stripping the buggers
across the noses of rising fish.
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
Spring River: Many Islands Camp
(870-856-3451) said the water is clear and normal. Trout fishing
has been excellent using Rooster Tails, spinnerbaits and salmon
eggs.
SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS
Little Missouri River: Jeff
Guerin of Little Missouri Fly Fishing said evening fishing is
nothing short of excellent on sub-surface flies such as the smidge
pattern. The front came through, but bright, sunny skies are
still the order of the day. When you can get a little breeze
to add some chop to the water, try a light Cahill.
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Shane Goodner, owner of Catch'em
All Guide Service, reports that the rainbow trout stocking program
will begin again on November 16. These fish will be 11 inches
and longer and are in good condition and ready to be fished for.
As previously reported, the trout population at Carpenter Dam
is minimal at best with most of the tailrace water over 70 degrees.
With the winter drawdown beginning November 3, remaining trout
will be forced completely out of the area. Since the majority
of threadfin shad have migrated out of the tailrace area, the
striper and hybrid activity has been almost non-existent.
October 11, 2007 - White River - Submitted by Berry
Brothers Guides
- JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 10/11/2007
There has been a little rain in the twin lakes area and overall
the lake levels have fallen. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam
has fallen one and one tenth of a foot to rest at three and four
tenths of a foot below power pool at 654.00 feet. Up stream,
Table Rock Lake has risen three tenths of a foot to two and nine
tenths feet below power pool. Beaver Lake has remained fallen
four tenths of a foot to rest at five and one tenth of a foot
below pool. The pattern on the White River has been for low levels
of generation in the morning and then to spike it with a bit
more water in the afternoon and early evening, when there is
peak demand for electricity. This has severely limited
wading on the White. Norfork Lake has fallen four tenths of a
foot to rest at five and two tenths feet below power pool of
552.00 feet. The pattern has been for no generation in the morning
and limited generation in the afternoon. There have been substantial
periods of no generation with excellent wading conditions.
The forecast is for cooler weather and sunny skies. With the
existing conditions, we should have low water on both rivers.
On the Norfork, the dissolved oxygen levels have dropped significantly.
This is most critical during periods of no generation. The dissolved
oxygen level was around six tenths parts per million. There was
one instance where it dropped below four tenths of a part per
million. On the White River the dissolved oxygen has declined
slightly. It has averaged three parts per million most of the
time but did drop to two and six tenths parts per million on
one occasion. The oxygen level is at the critical stage on the
Norfork. Great care should be taken to prevent stressing the
trout particularly near the dam where the dissolved oxygen will
be the lowest. Fish should be quickly landed and carefully revived
before release.
The fishing on the White while good was not excellent like the
previous week. The lack of wading limited the number of fly fishers
on the river. Those anglers fishing from a boat did well. The
Bull Shoals Dam area fished well in the morning on low water
but not as well in the high water in the afternoon. The hot nymphs
were black zebra midges with silver wire and silver beads and
red San Juan worms. Terrestrials such as grass hoppers and Chernobyl
ants have been very productive. Be sure and use 4X tippet and
pretty stiff rods to fish these flies. The takes can be vicious.
Wildcat Shoals has also fished well. Zebra midges and San Juan
worms have been the hot flies there.
Rim Shoals has fished particularly well. On the lower flows small
zebra midges black with silver wire and silver bead and brown
with copper wire and copper bead in size eighteen have done well.
Olive scuds and gray sow bugs in size sixteen and eighteen have
also been productive. Dry flies have also done well. Dave's hoppers
in size ten and yellow stimulators in size ten have accounted
for some fine fish. On the higher flows, San Juan worms in hot
pink, fire orange and blood red all in size eight have produced
fish.
The Norfork was very crowded because it had the only wadable
water during conclave. Despite the pressure, the fishing has
been surprisingly good. I recommend avoiding the area directly
below Norfork Dam because of the low dissolved oxygen. The handicap
access has been fishing well. It is best to wade up stream. That
way, if they begin generating you can walk out with the rising
water not against it. Hot flies have been the Norfork bead head
in black, olive, and amber size twenty. Small bead head olive
woolly buggers have also been effective.
Dry Run Creek has been fishing extremely well. During conclave
a number of trophy trout were landed at the youth conclave. The
most effective technique is to work a very short line and dead
drift sowbugs. Make sure that you use heavy tippet so that the
kids have a chance to land the trout they hook. A shorter rod
is a plus here as there is quite a bit of tree cover and little
room to cast. Also try red San Juan Worms and egg patterns in
various colors. Do not forget to carry the biggest net you can
lay your hands on and a camera.
John Berry
October 11, 2007 - 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:
7.03 feet at Calico Rock (flood
stage 19 feet)
7.37 feet at Batesville (flood stage 15 feet)
2.66 feet at Newport (flood stage 26 feet)
14.35 feet at Augusta (flood stage 26 feet)
2.09 feet at Georgetown (flood stage 21 feet)
10.55 feet at Clarendon (flood stage 26 feet)
CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Little Red River:
Lindsey's Resort (501-302-3139) said the river is clear and low.
Generators are still running in the afternoon. Trout fishing
has been excellent on nightcrawlers, corn, Power Eggs and wax
worms. Fly fishing is starting to really pick up.
Jed Hollan at the Little
Red Fly Shop said the powerhouse is releasing 2,500 to 3,000
cubic feet per second every afternoon around 4p.m. The temperature
of the water coming from the lake is averaging 49 degrees. Caddis,
blue winged olives and midges are ruling the skies over the Little
Red River. Abundant hatches have been reported at JFK Park, Winkley,
Libby, and Mossy Shoals. The dry fly patterns that are catching
the most trout include tan elk hair caddis (size 18), BWO (sizes
18-16), Adams (sizes 16-18) and cream-colored midges (sizes 22-24).
There is an abundance of trout food in our river these days due
to all the aquatic insect hatches and our incredible sow bug
population. Trout do not have to be very aggressive right now
when feeding, so don't expect that type of behavior. Cast dry
flies to the pools and eddies instead of drifting it through
faster riffles. Sub-surface flies that are doing well include
the sow bug (sizes 14-16), zebra midge (sizes 16-22), copper
john (sizes 14-16), pheasant tail (size 16), prince (size 16)
and egg patterns (sizes 14-16). Most egg flies are not weighted,
yet work best when presented on the stream bed, therefore, you
will need to add a split shot on your line about 12-18 inches
above the egg to get it down. Another tactic is to use your egg
pattern as an indicator and tie on a dropper fly about 12 inches
below. Try a pheasant tail, hare's ear or San Juan worm as your
dropper. Keep your casts short so you can see your egg indicator.
We have spawning rainbows in the Little Red. The hens are making
their redds, so if you see an extraordinarily clean spot (a redd)
on the river bed, please wade around it and not through it. A
redd is a fish nest. The word "redd" is a Scottish
word and means "to neaten up."
NORTH ARKANSAS
White River: Gaston's White River Resort said the generators have been shut down in the
morning, but later in the day, one or two units have been on.
With any amount of flow, fly-fishing or spin fishing for trophy
trout has been very good. Trout can be caught on a variety of
different lures. The most common bait is two Power Eggs or a
pink rubber worm with a single yellow or white power egg called
the "Barbie Bait," set up on a White River rig. Red/gold
buoyant spoons and small spinners are very effective when generators
are running. When the generators really get going, switch to
Countdown Rapalas, pearl shad Excalibur's and pink, green, or
brown jigs. Fly-fishermen are still having excellent catches
with 1/64-ounce chrome dome pink jigs under a large strike indicator.
Rising trophy browns have also been hitting Hank's Bulbous Bivisible
or Hank's Quick Sight Ant. When throwing jigs, remember to set
the strike indicator where the jig is 1-2 inches off the bottom.
Sportsman's White River Resort
said the water is clear and normal. Generators are turned on
the afternoon. Trout fishing has been outstanding on palas, Power
Bait, and an assortment of lures. Fly fishing is good on zebra
midges and sow bugs.
Norfork Tailwater:
Gene's Trout Dock (870-499-5381)
said the water is clear and at a normal level. The generators
have not been currently running. Rainbow and brown trout are
biting well on nightcrawlers.
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
Spring River: Many Islands Camp (870-856-3451) said the water
is clear and at normal level. Trout fishing has been excellent
on Rooster Tails, spinnerbaits and salmon eggs.
SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS
Little Missouri River:
Jeff Guerin of Little Missouri
Fly Fishing said evening fishing is nothing short of excellent
on sub-surface flies such as the smidge pattern. The front came
through, but bright, sunny skies are still the order of the day.
When you can get a little breeze to add some chop to the water,
try a light Cahill..
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Lake Catherine:
Shane Goodner, owner of Catch'em
All Guide Service, reports that the rainbow trout bite has
all but disappeared. Trout cannot survive in water over 70 degrees
and much of the tailrace area is over that as the fall season
is beginning. Many fish have migrated downstream in search of
cooler water and the trout that are left are confined in small
areas that remain cold. The good news is that that restocking
begins next month and fishing will be good again by the end of
January. The striper and hybrid activity is hit and miss. There
are enough threadfin shad in the area to attract these fish,
but top-water action is spotty at best. When these fish are present,
Magnum Super Spooks and C-10 Redfins are a good choice to entice
strikes. White jigs in the 1/4-ounce size have caught a few stripers
when the turbines are turning.
September 27, 2007 - 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:
5.2 feet at Calico Rock (flood
stage 19 feet)
6.6 feet at Batesville (flood stage 15 feet)
2.1 feet at Newport (flood stage 26 feet)
13.1 feet at Augusta (flood stage 26 feet)
1.0 feet at Georgetown (flood stage 21 feet)
10.0 feet at Clarendon (flood stage 26 feet)
CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Little Red River: Lindsey's
Resort (501-302-3139) said the river is normal. Generators are
still running in the afternoons. Trout fishing has been excellent
on chartreuse Powerbait and Power eggs and olive or brown marabou
jigs.
NORTH ARKANSAS
White River: Sportsman's White
River Resort said the water is clear and normal. The generators
are on in the afternoon. Trout fishing has been excellent on
yellow powerbait, lures, rapalas and buoyant spoons. Fly fishing
is still good on midge patters.
Angler's White River Resort
(870-585-2226) said the water is normal. Generators are being
turned on in the afternoon. Trout fishing has been excellent
on screaming eagle lures and powerbait.
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
Spring River : Many Islands
Camp (870-856-3451) said the water is clear and normal. Trout
fishing has been excellent using roosertails, spinnerbaits and
salmon eggs.
October 4, 2007 - Norfork and White River - Courtesty
of Mountain
River Fly Shop
-
WHITE RIVER: Water patterns have been quirky but the fishing
has been very, very good. The water is off this morning and going
on recent weeks it should be off tomorrow as well, and hopefully
Saturday as well. Zebra Midges, scuds and woolly buggers have
been very good according to all reports.
Try Zebra's in Black/Copper,
Black/Silver and Gray/Silver. Try 16s in the faster runs and
step down to 18s in the slower stuff.
Hunchback and Kaufmann's Scuds
in olive and tan have been outstanding as well. The Dead Scud
and Rainy's Scuds in orange tones have also been working well.
Streamers are coming into their
own, with a rush on the Autumn Splendor cone-headed rubber legged
streamer this week and don't forget the Barr's Slumpbuster
NORFORK:
On low water, tie on a Zebra Midge and be prepared to get hammered.
The Journal guided Dick from Memphis last weekend and it was
one fish after another. Fish the fast water, and the same story
was being repeated by guides up and down the river. In high water
see our streamer report above.
Tightlines from all at the Mountain River Fly Shop
Gary, Cindy, Chad, Jim, Marc, Faye, Mike and
Steve
October 3, 2007 - White
River - Submitted by Berry
Brothers Guides
- JOHN BERRY CONCLAVE FISHING REPORT
There has been a little rain
in the twin lakes area and overall the lake levels have changed
very little. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam has risen three
tenths of a foot to rest at two and three tenths of a foot below
power pool at 654.00 feet. Up stream, Table Rock Lake has dropped
two tenths of a foot to three and two tenths feet below power
pool. Beaver Lake has remained steady at four and seven tenths
of a foot below pool. The pattern on the White River has been
for no generation or low levels of generation in the morning
and then to spike it with a bit more water in the afternoon and
early evening, when there is peak demand for electricity. This
has created some limited but excellent wading on the White. Norfork
Lake has fallen eight tenths of a foot to rest at four and eight
tenths feet below power pool of 552.00 feet. The pattern has
remained fairly erratic. There have been periods of no generation
with excellent wading conditions on some days. With no predictable
pattern, I would recommend that you check conditions before wading
and carefully monitor the water level when fishing. The forecast
is for warm weather and sunny skies. With the existing conditions,
we should have some low water on both rivers.
On the Norfork, the dissolved
oxygen levels have remained low. This is most critical during
periods of no generation. Last week, the dissolved oxygen level
hovered around one and two tenths parts per million. There was
one instance where it dropped below six tenths of a part per
million. On the White River the dissolved oxygen has remained
steady. It has averaged three and a half parts per million most
of the time. The oxygen level is at the critical stage on the
Norfork. Great care should be taken to prevent stressing the
trout particularly near the dam where the dissolved oxygen will
be the lowest. Fish should be quickly landed and carefully revived
before release.
Anglers visiting from other
states to attend the Federation of Fly Fishers Southern Council
Conclave should be aware that the White and Norfork Rivers are
infected with the invasive alga, Didymo. They should carefully
clean their waders before returning to their home waters to prevent
spreading the didymo. The Federation of Fly Fishers recommends
that you remove any visible alga at the stream. Your waders should
be washed in hot water and then be carefully dried (especially
the felt soles) before being used again.
Fishing on the White River this
past week has been Red Hot! The fishing on the upper river from
Bull Shoals Dam to White Hole has been particularly good. There
have been reports of some really great days and some very nice
browns. The hot flies have been small midge patterns and San
Juan worms. There is still some excellent top water action on
large terrestrials especially grasshoppers and ants.
Wildcat Shoals has been another
hot spot. While the small zebra midges have worked well, soft
hackles like the partridge and orange and green butt have worked
well. Here again the grasshoppers and ants have been productive.
Rim Shoals has also been fishing
particularly well. The same flies effective else where will also
work here. As the waters become more crowded this week with visitors
from Conclave, this is a good place to go because there is quite
a bit of water. To escape the crowds, take the trail that follows
the river down stream. It begins at the walk in access and goes
for some distance providing easy access and exit from some very
productive water. As I mentioned last week, Gary Flipin at Rim
Shoals Trout Dock also runs a water taxi that will deliver you
to remote water for a small fee.
The Norfork has also been red
hot this past week. Here the black zebra midges, black Norfork
bead heads, San Juan worms, and olive woolly buggers have been
the most productive flies. There is very limited access to the
Norfork and it gets crowded quickly. Several anglers have been
walking up to McClellan,s. This area has been fishing well, but
since it closed in January the only way to reach it has been
to wade or float in. With the erratic pattern of generation,
I consider wading in very dangerous. It would be much safer to
float in from the dam by canoe, kayak, river boat, or personal
watercraft.
Dry Run Creek is always a hot
spot. If you have not been there you need to visit just to see
the huge fish. It is Catch and Release that was set aside for
kids and the handicapped. The most effective way to fish it is
by high sticking sowbugs and San Juan worms. Egg patterns are
also effective this time of year. Take the biggest net you can
find and a camera.
John Berry
Back to Zeiner's Fly
Shop
Fly Fishing Reports 2007
Jan
- Mar | Apr - Jun | Jul - Sept | Oct - Dec
Fly Fishing Reports 2006
Jan
- Mar | Apr - Jun | Jul - Sept | Oct - Dec
Pre
2006 Fly Fishing Reports
Fishing
News Archives
Back to Fishing News from
Zeiner's Angler Supply | Kansas
Angler Online |
Swim
Tail Lures
|