JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 11/29/2013 

During the past week, we have had a rain event, much colder temperatures and heavy winds (to include lake wind advisories). The lake level at Bull Shoals rose five tenths of a foot to rest at one and nine tenths feet below seasonal power pool of 659 feet. This is thirty seven and nine tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock Lake fell one tenth of a foot to rest at a foot below power pool and fifteen feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell one tenth of a foot to rest at two and two tenths feet below seasonal power pool or eleven and eight tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we have had higher levels of generation in the morning and lower generation in the afternoon. There has been no wadable water. Norfork Lake fell one tenth of a foot to rest at one and three tenths feet below seasonal power pool of 553.75 feet and twenty seven and five tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we have had wadable water every day and moderate generation in the evening.

The water level for the top of power pool has been reset lower for some of the lakes in the White River system. With all of the lakes in the White River system below power pool and the temperatures moderating, I predict that we will receive more wadable water, in the coming weeks.

The Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam will close fromNovember 1, 2013 to January 31, 2014 to accommodate the brown trout spawn. The State Park will be seasonal Catch and Release for the same period. All brown trout must be immediately released. In addition, night fishing is prohibited in this area during this period.

  

On the White, the hot spot has been the section from White Hole down to Wildcat Shoals. The best time to fish is early morning or late in the afternoon. The hot flies were Y2Ks, prince nymphs, zebra midges (black with silver wire and silver bead or red with silver wire and silver bead), pheasant tails, ruby midges, pink and cerise San Juan worms, and sowbugs. Double fly nymph rigs have been very effective. Try a small bead headed pheasant tail suspended eighteen inches below a brightly colored San Juan worm (hot fluorescent pink or cerise).

Some anglers have been fishing large streamers on the heavy flows we have been getting and having success. This requires heavy sink tip lines (250 grain or heavier), heavy rods (eight weights or better) and advanced casting skills. The hot flies have been large articulated streamers in various colors.

The Buffalo National River and Crooked Creek are extremely low. With colder temperatures, the smallmouth are much less active. The most effective fly has been a tan and brown Clouser minnow. Carefully check the water level before entering Crooked Creek or the Buffalo River. There are no dams on these streams. They both have large drainages and are prone to flooding during and following any rain event. The water can rise very quickly.

There has been wadable water on the Norfork every day and it has been pounded mercilessly. Fish early or during the week to avoid the crowds. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is working on a bank stabilization project near the Ackerman access, which is causing some severely stained water conditions, when they are working. The most productive flies have been small midge patterns like zebra midges (black or red with silver wire and silver bead). Double fly nymph rigs have been very effective. Try a small bead headed nymph (zebra midge, copper John or pheasant tail) suspended eighteen inches below a brightly colored San Juan worm (hot fluorescent pink or cerise). The fishing is much better in the morning and late afternoon and tapers off midday.

Dry Run Creek has fished particularly well. School is back in session and now is a great time to fish it, particularly during the week, when there is no one there. Weekends can get a bit crowded. Numerous brown trout have moved into the creek.The hot flies have been sowbugs, Y2Ks and various colored San Juan worms (worm brown, red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise). Use at least 4X tippet (I prefer fluorocarbon) to maximize your youngsters chance at landing a big one. Carry the largest net that you can lay your hands on and do not forget the camera. While you are there take a few minutes and tour the adjacent Norfork National Fish Hatchery. It is fascinating. Be sure and remove your waders before entering, to prevent the spread of aquatic diseases.

 The water level on the Spring River is fishable. This is a great place to wade fish, when they are running water on the White and Norfork Rivers. Be sure to wear cleated boots and carry a wading staff. There is a lot of bedrock that can get very slick. The hot flies have been olive woolly buggers with a bit of flash, cerise and hot pink San Juan worms and Y2Ks.

Remember that the White and Norfork Rivers and Dry Run Creek are infected with didymo, an invasive alga. Be sure and thoroughly clean and dry your waders (especially the felt soles on wading boots) before using them in any other water. Many manufacturers are now making rubber soled wading boots that are easier to clean and are not as likely to harbor didymo.

John Berry is a fly fishing guide in Cotter, Arkansas and has fished our local streams for over thirty years. 

FLY ROD WARRANTY

          BY JOHN BERRY

Last week my wife, Lori, had a guide trip with Kaylee, a teenage girl, on Dry Run Creek. They did quite well landing several nice fish, including a trophy rainbow and brown trout. Somehow during the day her client broke Lori’s Orvis fly rod. It was her first fly rod and at seven feet nine inches it was perfect for Dry Run Creek. Luckily Lori had brought a spare rod for the trip and had Kaylee back in action in a matter of minutes. Her dad was concerned and offered to pay for the rod. Lori explained that the rod had a warranty and there would be a minimal shipping fee to have the rod repaired. It was not Lori’s first rodeo. I had personally caught the tip of the same rod in the hatchback of my old Volvo station wagon, when we were fishing at McClellan’s many years ago. 

We found out then that Orvis had one of the best warranty programs in the business. They were the first to establish a no-questions-asked warranty program a couple of decades ago and were quickly followed by most, if not all, of the major rod manufacturers. The warranty covers the original owner for twenty five years. You have to pay shipping to get the rod to the Orvis rod repair shop but there is no charge for the repairs and Orvis pays for the shipping back to you. The turnaround for the repairs was about two to three weeks and they were done flawlessly. 

Unfortunately, I have close personal knowledge of the inner workings of several rod manufacturers’ warranty programs. I have come to this stage by using them. The manufacturer that I am the most familiar with is Temple Fork Outfitter (TFO). They are a supplier of low cost, high performance fly rods. Between Lori and me, we have four nine foot five weight professional series fly rods that we use for client loaner rods. These rods are subject to an incredible amount of abuse and near constant use. I generally send about three rods back every year for some sort of repair. TFO has a really good warranty program. It is for the life of the original owner. There is a twenty five dollar fee for repair and you have to pay for shipping the rod to TFO. The turnaround is fantastic. I generally get mine back in less than a week. I discussed the great service with Rick Pope, president of TFO, at a fly fishing show a few years ago. He said that they usually had a twenty four hour turn around but they did not advertise it. 

When I fish on my own, I generally fish with one of my Sage rods. Somehow, I have not broken a rod since they came out with their lifetime warranty. I did manage to break my beloved Sage Light Line nine foot four weight, which I bought before they began warranting their rods. It was my hands down favorite rod and I had fished it for over twenty years. I broke the tip and sent it back to Sage. They sent me an email and said that the graphite II used to originally manufacture it was no longer available but they would make me a new one out of graphite III for $175.00. It took a couple of months in all but it was worth the cost and the wait.

I often say that I am involved in a mixed marriage. My wife fishes Winston and I fish Sage. After fishing her various Winston rods for a bit over a dozen years, Lori had a handle come loose. We sent it back to Winston and they charged us $50.00 for the repair. It took almost two months but the repair was flawless. 

As you can see, breaking your fly rod is not the end of the world. All of the top manufacturers offer a solid warranty program and some pretty good service. 

John Berry is a fly fishing guide in Cotter, Arkansas and has fished our local streams for over thirty years. 

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 11/22/2013

During the past week, we have had a minor rain event, colder temperatures (including heavy frost warnings) and heavy winds (to include lake wind advisories). The lake level at Bull Shoals fell three tenths of a foot to rest at two and four tenths feet below seasonal power pool of 659 feet. This is thirty eight and four tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock Lake rose one tenth of a foot to rest at nine tenths of a foot below power pool and fourteen and nine tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell one tenth of a foot to rest at two and one tenth feet below seasonal power pool or eleven and seven tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we have had higher levels of generation in the morning and lower generation in the afternoon. There has been no wadable water. Norfork Lake remained steady at one and two tenths feet below seasonal power pool of 553.75 feet and twenty seven and four tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we have had wadable water most days and moderate generation in the evening.

The water level for the top of power pool has been reset lower for some of the lakes in the White River system. With all of the lakes in the White River system below power pool and the temperatures moderating, I predict that we will receive more wadable water, in the coming weeks.

The Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam will close fromNovember 1, 2013 to January 31, 2014 to accommodate the brown trout spawn. The State Park will be seasonal Catch and Release for the same period. All brown trout must be immediately released. In addition, night fishing is prohibited in this area during this period.

On the White, the hot spot has been the section from The State Park down to White Hole. The best time to fish is early morning or late in the afternoon. The hot flies were Y2Ks, prince nymphs, zebra midges (black with silver wire and silver bead or red with silver wire and silver bead), pheasant tails, ruby midges, pink and cerise San Juan worms, and sowbugs. Double fly nymph rigs have been very effective. Try a small bead headed pheasant tail suspended eighteen inches below a brightly colored San Juan worm (hot fluorescent pink or cerise).

Some anglers have been fishing large streamers on the heavy flows we have been getting and having success. This requires heavy sink tip lines (250 grain or heavier), heavy rods (eight weights or better) and advanced casting skills. The hot flies have been large articulated streamers in various colors.

The Buffalo National River and Crooked Creek are extremely low. With colder temperatures, the smallmouth are much less active. The most effective fly has been a tan and brown Clouser minnow. Carefully check the water level before entering Crooked Creek or the Buffalo River. There are no dams on these streams. They both have large drainages and are prone to flooding during and following any rain event. The water can rise very quickly.

There has been wadable water on the Norfork every day and it has been pounded mercilessly. Fish early or during the week to avoid the crowds. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is working on a bank stabilization project near the Ackerman access, which is causing some severely stained water conditions, when they are working. The most productive flies have been small midge patterns like zebra midges (black or red with silver wire and silver bead). Grasshoppers have produced fish, particularly when used in conjunction with a small nymph dropper (try a size 20 black zebra midge). Double fly nymph rigs have been very effective. Try a small bead headed nymph (zebra midge, copper John or pheasant tail) suspended eighteen inches below a brightly colored San Juan worm (hot fluorescent pink or cerise). The fishing is much better in the morning and late afternoon and tapers off midday.

Dry Run Creek has fished particularly well. School is back in session and now is a great time to fish it, particularly during the week, when there is no one there. Weekends can get a bit crowded. Numerous brown trout have moved into the creek.The hot flies have been sowbugs, Y2Ks and various colored San Juan worms (worm brown, red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise). Use at least 4X tippet (I prefer fluorocarbon) to maximize your youngsters chance at landing a big one. Carry the largest net that you can lay your hands on and do not forget the camera.

The water level on the Spring River is fishable. This is a great place to wade fish, when they are running water on the White and Norfork Rivers. Be sure to wear cleated boots and carry a wading staff. There is a lot of bedrock that can get very slick. The hot flies have been olive woolly buggers with a bit of flash, cerise and hot pink San Juan worms and Y2Ks.

Remember that the White and Norfork Rivers and Dry Run Creek are infected with didymo, an invasive alga. Be sure and thoroughly clean and dry your waders (especially the felt soles on wading boots) before using them in any other water. Many manufacturers are now making rubber soled wading boots that are easier to clean and are not as likely to harbor didymo.

John Berry is a fly fishing guide in Cotter, Arkansas and has fished our local streams for over thirty years.

ARE YOU READY FOR COLD WEATHER?

BY JOHN BERRY

When I left the house to pick up my clients the other day, it was thirty one degrees and there was a heavy coating of frost on my windshield that I had to scrape off, before I could leave the house. This is supposed to be fall. Technically speaking winter is not to begin for another month. Despite this information, I found myself having to prepare for a very cold morning and a tough day. The temperature was to stay in the thirties and, with lake wind advisories, I could expect a wind chill in the low twenties. I had to carefully dress for the day and it made me think about the best way to accomplish this. 

The secret is to dress in layers. You need a base layer, a mid layer and an outside shell.  The base layer is the one next to your skin.  For the past few years the material of choice has been polypropylene.  It is highly breathable and can easily wick moisture away from your body. When you are dry you are warm.

What is old is new and the new miracle fiber for base layers is wool. Wool long underwear is what my grandfather wore to survive working outside in the cold. It is what I was issued in the Army in 1966 to survive the winter at FT. Leonardwood. Now manufacturers like Patagonia have rediscovered wool as the base layer of choice. The new stuff is knit from merino wool which is not as itchy and can be thrown into the washing machine. It also maintains about sixty percent of its insulation value when wet. I have acquired a few pieces and find them to be very comfortable and warm. 

The mid layer is between the base layer and the outside shell. Its function is to provide the necessary insulation to keep your body warm. Polartec fleece has been the gold standard for the last few years. It is still a solid choice. It wicks moisture away from the body, is a great insulator and dries fast. Wool is a great insulating layer and several of the manufacturers of outdoor clothing are coming out with new merino wool mid layer garments.  Patagonia, Simms, Mountain Khaki and others have great functional layers that fit the bill.

Down has always been a great insulator but it loses its insulating ability when it gets wet.  L. L. Bean has a new garment that features down that has been treated with a waterproofing agent that overcomes a lot of this disadvantage. They, Patagonia and others are also making down sweaters with much less bulk, which makes them much easier to layer.

The outside shell is a key component for your cold weather system. It keeps the wind off of you and helps lock in the heat. I prefer a Gore-Tex rain shell because it can also keep out the rain or snow yet will breathe so it doesn’t get clammy. Buy one with a hood and hand warmer pockets. I generally buy mine a size larger than needed, so that I can wear multiple layers under it. Waxed cotton is also a good choice because it will stop wind, rain and snow and it also breathes. Avoid any shell that does not breathe. 

Make sure and include a good hat. I want something that is water and wind proof and covers the ears. I also want a bill to protect me from the sun and keep the rain off of my glasses. Think Elmer Phud. A low cost alternative is to wear a stocking cap over a baseball cap. It keeps the sun out of your eyes and it is warm. For wind and rain protection, pull up the hood on your rain jacket. 

Your hands really take a hit so don’t forget the gloves. If it is above freezing, I wear wool fingerless gloves. If it is below freezing I wear wind proof fleece fingerless that have pull over mittens attached that cover my finger tips. I also carry disposable hand warmers that I put in the hand warmer pockets of my jacket. Your feet can get cold easily so I wear heavy wool or polypropylene socks with sock liners. Avoid cotton socks as they are not good insulators and do not wick moisture away from your feet. 

If you take these simple suggestions, you will be able to venture out in cold weather and enjoy a day of fishing, when others are huddled around the fireplace. 

John Berry is a fly fishing guide in Cotter, Arkansas and has fished our local streams for over thirty years.

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 11/14/2013

During the past week, we have had no rain, colder temperatures (including heavy frost warnings) and heavy winds (to include lake wind advisories). The lake level at Bull Shoals fell four tenths of a foot to rest at two and one tenth feet below seasonal power pool of 659 feet. This is thirty eight and one tenth feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock Lake rose three tenths of a foot to rest at one foot below power pool and fifteen feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake remained steady at two feet below seasonal power pool or eleven and six tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we have had higher levels of generation in the morning and lower generation in the afternoon. There has been no wadable water. Norfork Lake rose one tenth of a foot to rest at one and two tenths feet below seasonal power pool of 553.75 feet and twenty seven and four tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we have had wadable water most days and moderate generation in the evening.

The water level for the top of power pool has been reset lower for some of the lakes in the White River system. With all of the lakes in the White River system below power pool and the temperatures moderating, I predict that we will receive more wadable water, in the coming weeks.

The Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam will close from November 1, 2013 to January 31, 2014 to accommodate the brown trout spawn. The State Park will be seasonal Catch and Release for the same period. All brown trout must be immediately released. In addition, night fishing is prohibited in this area during this period.

  

On the White, the hot spot has been the section from The State Park down to White Hole. The best time to fish is early morning or late in the afternoon. The hot flies were Y2Ks, prince nymphs, zebra midges (black with silver wire and silver bead or red with silver wire and silver bead), pheasant tails, copper Johns, pink and cerise San Juan worms, gold ribbed hare’s ears and sowbugs. Double fly nymph rigs have been very effective. Try a small bead headed pheasant tail suspended eighteen inches below a brightly colored San Juan worm (hot fluorescent pink or cerise).

Some anglers have been fishing large streamers on the heavy flows we have been getting and having success. This requires heavy sink tip lines (250 grain or heavier), heavy rods (eight weights or better) and advanced casting skills. The hot flies have been large articulated streamers in various colors.

The Buffalo National River and Crooked Creek are extremely low. With colder temperatures, the smallmouth are less active. The most effective fly has been a tan and brown Clouser minnow. Carefully check the water level before entering Crooked Creek or the Buffalo River. There are no dams on these streams. They both have large drainages and are prone to flooding during and following any rain event. The water can rise very quickly.

There has been wadable water on the Norfork every day and it has been pounded. Fish early or during the week to avoid the crowds. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is working on a bank stabilization project near the Ackerman access, which is causing some severely stained water conditions, when they are working. The most productive flies have been small midge patterns like zebra midges (black or red with silver wire and silver bead). Grasshoppers have produced fish, particularly when used in conjunction with a small nymph dropper (try a size 20 black zebra midge). Double fly nymph rigs have been very effective. Try a small bead headed nymph (zebra midge, copper John or pheasant tail) suspended eighteen inches below a brightly colored San Juan worm (hot fluorescent pink or cerise). The fishing is much better in the morning and late afternoon and tapers off midday.

Dry Run Creek has fished well. School is back in session and now is a great time to fish it, particularly during the week when there is no one there. Weekends can get a bit crowded. Numerous brown trout have moved into the creek.The hot flies have been sowbugs and various colored San Juan worms (worm brown, red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise). Small orange or peach eggs have been very effective. While you are there take a few minutes to visit the adjacent Norfork National Fish Hatchery. It is fascinating. Be sure and remove your waders before entering, to prevent the spread of aquatic diseases.

The water level on the Spring River is fishable. This is a great place to wade fish, when they are running water on the White and Norfork Rivers. Be sure to wear cleated boots and carry a wading staff. There is a lot of bedrock that can get very slick. The hot flies have been olive woolly buggers with a bit of flash, cerise and hot pink San Juan worms and Y2Ks.

Remember that the White and Norfork Rivers and Dry Run Creek are infected with didymo, an invasive alga. Be sure and thoroughly clean and dry your waders (especially the felt soles on wading boots) before using them in any other water. Many manufacturers are now making rubber soled wading boots that are easier to clean and are not as likely to harbor didymo.

John Berry is a fly fishing guide in Cotter, Arkansas and has fished our local streams for over thirty years.

I AM HUNG UP

BY JOHN BERRY

I have been fishing with my friend, Richard, for over a decade. He is an executive for a major electrical supply company in Dallas, Texas and he brings his customers and employees to the twin lakes area fishing several times a year. They are sizable groups with generally a dozen anglers and six guides. Most of the anglers have never fly fished before. These are my absolute favorite trips because of the way Richard treats the guides. Usually we are expected to come by at a designated hour, fish all day, catch a bunch of fish, deliver the clients back at the lodge and then leave. With these groups, we are more like family members. We are invited for breakfast, furnished lunch, offered drinks at happy hour and invited to dinner. There is even a group picture with each trip and we are always included in that.

 On our last trip, we fished together on the Norfork. I wrote about the early part of the first day of fly fishing with Richard last week. It involved an incident with poachers on Dry Run Creek at the same time that he was landing a trophy brown trout. We had begun the day at Quarry Park because they ran some water in the morning and we fished there, while the water in the Catch and release section dropped out. Picking up a trophy brown was an unexpected bonus.

 Around noon, we drove to the Ackerman Access. We ate our lunch, checked our gear and made our way upstream. I t was not as crowded as I have seen it recently but there were plenty of anglers there. We caught some nice trout and had a really good time. Mid afternoon the bite slowed and we were ready for a new challenge. I mentioned that several years before we had caught a fine brown (Richards biggest to date) at a spot just upstream. There was no one there and we thought that it was worth a try.

 The spot is located near some really heavy water and it is difficult to get to. This is what makes it a great spot because it doesn’t get much pressure. We carefully waded in and got settled. There was just enough room for both of us to stand. We were fishing a tan scud (#14) under a pink worm. The first trout was an incredibly fat eighteen inch rainbow that fought well. We pulled three others in the sixteen to eighteen range over the next few minutes. This is a tough place to fish with a lot of cover to hang up on. We lost at least one fly per trout landed and we hung up often.

 We had just rerigged with fresh flies after losing them in yet another hang up, when Richard said “I am hung up”. He was jerking the rod up and down in an effort to get the fly free. He handed me the rod and I moved upstream in an effort to back the fly out. The fly seemed to be stuck and I was jerking the rod up and down when the line moved. The fly was in a fish. I handed the rod back to Richard who was immediately into a serious fight with a big trout. He fought the fish for several minutes and finally landed it in the heavy current. I was relieved, when it finally surrendered to the net. It was an incredibly heavy twenty two inch rainbow. Though he had caught longer rainbows, he had never caught one that large.

 How we managed to keep the trout on with both of us jerking the rod up and down, I will never know. My best guess is that the trout took the fly and then sought shelter among the heavy rocks that litter the bottom for this hole. It finally came out and the fight was on.

 Sometimes you get a bit lucky and catch a trout that could have easily got away.

John Berry is a fly fishing guide in Cotter, Arkansas and has fished our local streams for over thirty years.

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 11/09/2013

During the past week, we have had a rain event (about an inch here in Cotter), cooler temperatures and heavy winds (to include lake wind advisories). The lake level at Bull Shoals fell three tenths of a foot to rest at one and seven tenths feet below seasonal power pool of 659 feet. This is thirty seven and seven tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock Lake rose seven tenths of a foot to rest at one and three tenths feet below power pool and fifteen and three tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake rose two tenths of a foot to rest at two feet below seasonal power pool or eleven and six tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we have had low levels of generation in the morning and heavier generation in the afternoon. There has been no wadable water. Norfork Lake rose two tenths of a foot to rest at one and one tenths feet below seasonal power pool of 553.75 feet and twenty seven and three tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we have had wadable water most days and heavy generation in the evening.

The water level for the top of power pool has been reset lower for some of the lakes in the White River system. With all of the lakes in the White River system below power pool and the temperatures moderating, I predict that we will receive more wadable water, in the coming weeks.

The Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam will close from November 1, 2013 to January 31, 2014 to accommodate the brown trout spawn. The State Park will be seasonal Catch and Release for the same period. All brown trout must be immediately released. In addition, night fishing is prohibited in this area during this period.

On the White, the hot spot has been the section from White Hole down to Cotter. The best time to fish is early morning or late in the afternoon. The hot flies were Y2Ks, prince nymphs, zebra midges (black with silver wire and silver bead or red with silver wire and silver bead), pheasant tails, copper Johns, pink and cerise San Juan worms, gold ribbed hare’s ears and sowbugs. Double fly nymph rigs have been very effective. Try a small bead headed pheasant tail suspended eighteen inches below a brightly colored San Juan worm (hot fluorescent pink or cerise).

Some anglers have been fishing large streamers on the heavy flows we have been getting later in the day and having success. This requires heavy sink tip lines (250 grain or heavier), heavy rods (eight weights or better) and advanced casting skills. The hot flies have been large articulated streamers in various colors.

The Buffalo National River and Crooked Creek are extremely low. With cooler temperatures, the smallmouth are less active. The most effective fly has been a tan and brown Clouser minnow. Carefully check the water level before entering Crooked Creek or the Buffalo River. There are no dams on these streams. They both have large drainages and are prone to flooding during and following any rain event. The water can rise very quickly.

There has been wadable water on the Norfork and it has been pounded. Fish early or during the week to avoid the crowds. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is working on a bank stabilization project downstream from the Ackerman access, which is causing some severely stained water conditions, when they are working. The most productive flies have been small midge patterns like zebra midges (black or red with silver wire and silver bead). Grasshoppers have produced fish, particularly when used in conjunction with a small nymph dropper (try a size 20 black zebra midge). Double fly nymph rigs have been very effective. Try a small bead headed nymph (zebra midge, copper John or pheasant tail) suspended eighteen inches below a brightly colored San Juan worm (hot fluorescent pink or cerise). The fishing is much better in the morning and late afternoon and tapers off midday.

Dry Run Creek has fished well. School is back in session and now is a great time to fish it, particularly during the week when there is no one there. Weekends can get a bit crowded. Numerous brown trout have moved into the creek.The hot flies have been sowbugs and various colored San Juan worms (worm brown, red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise). Small orange or peach eggs have been very effective. While you are there take a few minutes to visit the adjacent Norfork National Fish Hatchery. It is fascinating. Be sure and remove your waders before entering, to prevent the spread of aquatic diseases.

The water level on the Spring River is fishable. This is a great place to wade fish, when they are running water on the White and Norfork Rivers. Be sure to wear cleated boots and carry a wading staff. There is a lot of bedrock that can get very slick. The hot flies have been olive woolly buggers with a bit of flash, cerise and hot pink San Juan worms and Y2Ks.

Remember that the White and Norfork Rivers and Dry Run Creek are infected with didymo, an invasive alga. Be sure and thoroughly clean and dry your waders (especially the felt soles on wading boots) before using them in any other water. Many manufacturers are now making rubber soled wading boots that are easier to clean and are not as likely to harbor didymo.

John Berry is a fly fishing guide in Cotter, Arkansas and has fished our local streams for over thirty years. 

POACHERS HOTLINE

BY JOHN BERRY

I am sitting here writing this at three AM. I can’t sleep until I get this story down. Last week I guided a couple of anglers that were part of a corporate group that I work with several times a year near the confluence of Dry Run Creek and the Norfork River. We looked up the creek and noticed two anglers fishing on the lower section. Dry Run Creek is a Catch and Release section that has been set aside for children under sixteen years of age and the handicapped. From our vantage point the anglers appeared to be well over sixteen and to get into the rugged section they were fishing in they could not be handicapped. 

Like most fly fishing guides, I am very protective of our Catch and Release waters and if anything I am overly protective of Dry Run Creek. This is the gem of our trout waters. The place is teeming with huge trout and it is the perfect place to introduce your children or grand children to trout fishing. I have been guiding on it for around twenty five years.  

I began taking my daughter, Katherine, there, when she was twelve. We spent many days there during her childhood and one of our most cherished memories is when she landed a twenty seven inch rainbow on a frigid winter day on our last trip there. Years later we returned with her children. She wanted them to experience the thrill that she had on the creek. It all came home, when her son, John, landed a twenty one inch brown trout, when he was five years old. This is also the place where we took a group of Wounded Warriors and a group of cancer survivors from Casting for Recovery (both with the written permission of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission). It was a moving experience for them and for us! 

I decided to wade up the creek and determine if these anglers were poaching on the creek. I checked with my clients and they agreed that I should take the time to investigate the situation. As I was walking away, one of my clients, Richard, hooked a nice twenty one inch brown. We took a few minutes to fight, land and photograph the trout. 

I continued on my trip upstream on the creek. It was a slow go as the terrain was tough. There was no way that the anglers were handicapped. When I arrived at their location, I noted that the man and woman appeared to be around thirty years of age. I noted that they were fishing with bait on barbed hooks and had a twenty inch brown trout on a stringer (too small to harvest). They were definitely too old and healthy to fish there. They had at least five game violations between them. I was personally disgusted. Their actions were degrading the quality of fishing there and messing it up for children and the handicapped.  

I wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt. In a non confrontational way, I explained to them that what they were doing was very illegal and should they be caught they would be subject to stiff fines. They said that they had no idea that they were in a restricted area. I pointed to the various signs that clearly said that this was a Catch and Release section and suggested that they cease fishing, release the tethered trout and leave the area. They complied. 

Later that day we returned to the lodge. Several of the guides were talking and the subject of poaching came up. Three of us had confronted poachers that day and we all had stories of past confrontations with poachers. We all agreed that is a major problem and that the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission enforcement officers were spread thin. The general consensus was that I was probably too accommodating and that the best course of action would have been for me to call the Poaching Hotline and let the enforcement officers know what was happening. They could then respond and give out a few citations, which would have a much greater impact on the problem.

We have to do more about poaching, which is rampant. From now on I will call the Poaching Hotline (1-800-482-9262) and report game violations. You can remain anonymous, if you prefer. Let’s all work together and help the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission solve this problem.

John Berry is a fly fishing guide in Cotter, Arkansas and has fished our local streams for over thirty years. 

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 11/02/2013

During the past week, we have had two rain events (over an inch here in Cotter), cool temperatures and heavy winds (to include lake wind advisories). The lake level at Bull Shoals fell three tenths of a foot to rest at one and four tenths feet below seasonal power pool of 659 feet. This is thirty seven and four tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock Lake fell six tenths of a foot to rest at two feet below power pool and sixteen feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell four tenths of a foot to rest at two and two tenths feet below seasonal power pool or eleven and eight tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we have had low levels of generation in the morning and heavier generation in the afternoon. There has been no wadable water. Norfork Lake fell three tenths of a foot to rest at one and three tenths feet below seasonal power pool of 553.75 feet and twenty seven and five tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we have had wadable water most mornings and heavy generation in the afternoon. 

The water level for the top of power pool has been reset lower for some of the lakes in the White River system. With all of the lakes in the White River system below power pool and the temperatures moderating, I predict that we will receive more wadable water, in the coming weeks. 

The Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam will close from November 1, 2013 to January 31, 2014 to accommodate the brown trout spawn. The State Park will be seasonal Catch and Release for the same period. All brown trout must be immediately released. In addition, night fishing is prohibited in this area during this period.  

On the White, the hot spot has been the section below the State park. The best time to fish is early morning or late in the afternoon. The hot flies were Y2Ks, prince nymphs, zebra midges (black with silver wire and silver bead or red with silver wire and silver bead), pheasant tails, copper Johns, pink and cerise San Juan worms, gold ribbed hare’s ears and sowbugs. Double fly nymph rigs have been very effective. Try a small bead headed pheasant tail suspended eighteen inches below a brightly colored San Juan worm (hot fluorescent pink or cerise). 

Some anglers have been fishing large streamers on the heavy flows we have been getting later in the day and having success. This requires heavy sink tip lines (250 grain or heavier), heavy rods (eight weights or better) and advanced casting skills. The hot flies have been large articulated streamers in various colors. 

The Buffalo National River and Crooked Creek are extremely low. The smallmouth are less active. The most effective fly has been a tan and brown Clouser minnow. Carefully check the water level before entering Crooked Creek or the Buffalo River. There are no dams on these streams. They both have large drainages and are prone to flooding during and following any rain event. The water can rise very quickly. 

There has been wadable water on the Norfork and it has been pounded. Fish early or during the week to avoid the crowds. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is working on a bank stabilization project downstream from the Ackerman access, which is causing some severely stained water conditions, when they are working. The most productive flies have been small midge patterns like zebra midges (black or red with silver wire and silver bead). Grasshoppers have produced fish, particularly when used in conjunction with a small nymph dropper (try a size 20 black zebra midge). Double fly nymph rigs have been very effective. Try a small bead headed nymph (zebra midge, copper John or pheasant tail) suspended eighteen inches below a brightly colored San Juan worm (hot fluorescent pink or cerise). The fishing is much better in the morning and late afternoon and tapers off midday. 

Dry Run Creek has fished well. School is back in session and now is a great time to fish it, particularly during the week when there is no one there. Weekends can get a bit crowded. Numerous brown trout have moved into the creek.The hot flies have been sowbugs and various colored San Juan worms (worm brown, red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise). Small orange or peach eggs have been very effective. 

The water level on the Spring River is fishable. This is a great place to wade fish, when they are running water on the White and Norfork Rivers. Be sure to wear cleated boots and carry a wading staff. There is a lot of bedrock that can get very slick. The hot flies have been olive woolly buggers with a bit of flash, cerise and hot pink San Juan worms and Y2Ks. 

Remember that the White and Norfork Rivers and Dry Run Creek are infected with didymo, an invasive alga. Be sure and thoroughly clean and dry your waders (especially the felt soles on wading boots) before using them in any other water. Many manufacturers are now making rubber soled wading boots that are easier to clean and are not as likely to harbor didymo. 

The North Arkansas Fly Fishers have scheduled celebrated fly tyer, A. K. Best, to present several programs and tie flies at the Bull Shoals White River State Park Visitors Center on November 2 and 3. These programs are open to the public and free of charge. 

John Berry is a fly fishing guide in Cotter, Arkansas and has fished our local streams for over thirty years.