OPENING DAY THIS WEEKEND BY JOHN BERRY

This Sunday, February 1, 2015 is opening day. The Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam has been closed from November 1, 2014 through January 31, 2015 to help protect the annual brown trout spawn that occurs there. During the spawn, the brown trout do not feed. Therefore these big fish are concentrated in one area, have not been fished over in three months and have not fed in that time. This sounds like the best time of the year to land a big brown.

This information is widely shared and there are a lot of anglers that are interested, in fishing, on opening day. If past years can be an indicator, it can get a bit crowded. If there is no generation, there will be a lot of anglers jockeying for position. I was talking to a fellow angler a few years ago that had arrived there a minute or two after midnight, to ensure that he got the spot that he wanted. That is dedication. The best advice that I can give you is, to not dawdle over that third cup of coffee before you head to the river. A lot of anglers do not like to fish in congested situations and will wait a few days for the crowds to thin out.

If they are running water, the situation can be just as crowded. I call these situations, anything that floats days, because it seems to draw a great variety of watercraft. We have the usual White River Jon boats, drift boats and the occasional camouflaged duck hunting boats. There always seems to be a few anglers that show up with their bass boats. It doesn’t seem to matter that these watercraft are not designed to be used in a tight stream. I have seen a bass boat tear out a transom on the ever present rocks in the White River. The thing that bothers me is that a bass boat moving back upstream as fast as possible can throw up a pretty big wake. My Jon boat is not designed to operate in such conditions and I can be tossed around a bit. Despite all of this there are usually several nice browns that are caught on opening day.

Fly choices are generally simple. Since this is following a spawn there are a lot of trout eggs in the water. I generally fish a double fly rig with an egg pattern on top with a midge dropper. My most productive midge pattern for the past few months has been a ruby midge (size 18). When fishing opening day with my wife, Lori, she prefers to bang the bank with big streamers. Whatever fly you choose, remember to carry a big net.

Be aware that there will be a large number of redds, where the browns have laid and fertilized their eggs. They will appear as clean depressions in the water. It is important that you avoid wading or dragging a chain through them to prevent damaging the eggs. They will be vulnerable to damage for about ninety days.

I have not fished below the dam in over three months and I look forward to returning there.

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

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 1/30/2015

During the past week, we have had a trace of rain, warmer temperatures and heavy winds (to include lake wind advisories). The lake level at Bull Shoals fell eight tenths of an inch to rest at five and one tenth feet below seasonal power pool of 659 feet. This is forty one and one tenth feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock fell one tenth of a foot to rest at five and six tenths feet below seasonal power pool and twenty one and six tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell three tenths of a foot to rest at six and eight tenths feet below seasonal power pool or sixteen and four tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we had brief periods of heavy generation in the morning and afternoon with precious little wadable water. Norfork Lake fell five tenths of a foot to rest at three and seven tenths feet below seasonal power pool of 553.7 feet and twenty nine and nine tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we had wadable water every day with generation most mornings.

The water level for the top of power pool has been reset for the lakes in the White River system. All of the lakes on this system are well below seasonal power pool.

The Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam will close from November 1, 2014 to January 31, 2015 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. Sunday February 1, 2015 is opening day.

On the White, the hot spot was the State Park. The hot flies were olive woolly buggers (#8, #10), Y2Ks (#14, #12), prince nymphs (#14), zebra midges (black with silver wire and silver bead or red with silver wire and silver bead #16, #18), pheasant tails (#14), ruby midges (#18), root beer midges (#18), pink and cerise San Juan worms (#10), and sowbugs (#16). Double fly nymph rigs have been very effective (try a flashback beadhead pheasant tail nymph with a ruby midge or red fan tail midge suspended below it). Egg patterns have been very effective.

Conventional wisdom states that hopper fishing ends with the first frost (we had several heavy frosts this past week). I reject this idea and fish them during the winter. I favor shorter leaders (seven and a half foot 3X) and a stiff six weight rod to proper deliver these weighty flies. My favorite flies are Dave’s hoppers (#10) and the western pink lady (#8). To increase hook ups I always use a dropper. I am currently using a ruby or root beer midge in size eighteen on a three foot or longer tippet (depending on the depth of the water I am fishing).

The higher flows on some mornings and afternoons have been conducive to fishing large streamers. You need a fast sinking sink tip line and an eight weight or better rod. This is a heavy lift that requires casting skills and patience. Streamer season starts on opening day!

The Buffalo National River and Crooked Creek have cleared and are navigable. With the colder weather, the smallmouths are not active. Carefully check the water level before entering Crooked Creek or the Buffalo River. There are no dams on these streams. They both have large drainages and are prone to flooding during and following any rain event. The water can rise very quickly.

The Norfork River has fished poorly recently. With the warmer weather there was more fishing pressure on the Norfork.  The most productive flies have been small midge patterns (#18, #20, #22)  like ruby midges, root beer midges, zebra midges (black or red with silver wire and silver bead) and soft hackles (#14, #16) like the green butt. Egg patterns have also been productive. 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 #10). There have been reliable hatches of small midges (try a size 24 Adams parachute) and caddis (try a size 18 elk hair caddis). The fishing is better in the morning and late afternoon and tapers off midday.

There was little fishing pressure on Dry Run Creek despite the warmer weather. It has been a great time to fish there. The hot flies have been sowbugs (#14), Y2Ks (#12) and various colored San Juan worms (worm brown, red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise #10). 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. Take a break from time to time to keep your youngsters warm. Bring some cocoa!

The water on the Spring River has cleared some. This is a great place to wade fish, when they are running water on the White and Norfork Rivers. Canoe season is over and there are fewer boats on the river to interfere with your fishing. 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 (#10), cerise and hot pink San Juan worms (#10) and Y2Ks (#10).

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.

Don’t forget to sign up for my fly tying class at Arkansas State University Mountain Home beginning February, 5 and make plans to attend the White River Chapter of Trout Unlimited Annual Fund Raiser at the Elks Club on February, 7.

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

TROUT UNLIMITED FUND RAISING BANQUET COMING UP BY JOHN BERRY

The Annual Fund Raising Banquet for the White River Trout Unlimited Chapter #698 is scheduled for Saturday February 7, 2015 at the Elks Club. The Elks club is located at Highway 62 and Buzzard Roost Road in Mountain Home, Arkansas. The doors open at 5:30 PM and the live auction begins at 7:00 PM. Tickets are $35.00 for an individual or $50.00 for a couple. You can purchase your tickets at Dally’s Ozark Angler, Wishes and Fishes and the Two Rivers Fly Shop. They can also be purchased on the TU website, http://www.whiterivertu.com. For those who have never attended, this is the social event of the year. My wife, Lori, and I have a severe case of cabin fever and we are ready for a night on the town.

There is a cash bar and a light buffet. In the past, there was a sit down dinner but I think the light buffet works out a lot better. It allows for more mobility and social interaction. There is also music and dancing. This seems to be the only place where I get to dance with Lori. We both enjoy it.

The live auction is always a hit with plenty of quality items. The donated artwork is always spectacular. There are always some great guide trips to bid on. There is a silent auction with items for everyone. Lori always finds something nice there.

The question is always, what do they do with the money they raise? The White River Trout Unlimited Chapter # 698 is an incredibly active organization that concentrates on education and conservation for our local streams. They have a large base of volunteers but require funding for their projects.

They have two major education projects and both are directed to children. They are the future conservationists in our area. My favorite is their Annual Summer Youth Camp. This is held at the Norfork National Fish Hatchery. This is a fun and fact filled time that is truly enjoyed by the participants. They learn about the trout’s life cycle, entomology, fly tying, fly casting and fly fishing. It is done in a casual atmosphere and includes plenty of time on the water. There trout in the classroom is geared toward providing aquariums for local schools to give our students a unique look at aquatic environments.

Their conservation projects are first rate. My favorite is the Bonneville Cutthroat trout stocking project. We are in the third year of a five year program where we annually stock Bonneville Cutthroat trout eggs in Whitlock Vibert boxes in Catch and Release sections of the White and Norfork Rivers. The idea is to develop a sustainable strain of trout that will spawn in our rivers and offer a diversity of wild trout. This could make a very positive impact on our trout fisheries. They also have a commitment to help fund bank stabilization projects to help prevent the siltation of our trout streams.

If you want to have a good time and also help a conservation organization that is having a positive impact in our area, join me at the White River Trout Unlimited Fund Raising Banquet.

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

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 1/23/2015

During the past week, we have had no rain, warmer temperatures and moderate winds. The lake level at Bull Shoals fell three tenths of an inch to rest at four and three tenths feet below seasonal power pool of 659 feet. This is forty and three tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock remained steady at five and five tenths feet below seasonal power pool and twenty one and five tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell one tenth of a foot to rest at six and five tenths feet below seasonal power pool or sixteen and one tenth feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we had brief periods of heavy generation in the morning and afternoon with some wadable water. Norfork Lake fell one tenth of a foot to rest at three and two tenths feet below seasonal power pool of 553.7 feet and twenty nine and four tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we had wadable water every day with generation most mornings.

The water level for the top of power pool has been reset for the lakes in the White River system. All of the lakes on this system are well below seasonal power pool.

The Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam will close from November 1, 2014 to January 31, 2015 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 was the State Park. The hot flies were olive woolly buggers (#8, #10), Y2Ks (#14, #12), prince nymphs (#14), zebra midges (black with silver wire and silver bead or red with silver wire and silver bead #16, #18), pheasant tails (#14), ruby midges (#18), root beer midges (#18), pink and cerise San Juan worms (#10), and sowbugs (#16). Double fly nymph rigs have been very effective (try a flashback beadhead pheasant tail nymph with a ruby midge or red fan tail midge suspended below it). Egg patterns have been very effective.

Conventional wisdom states that hopper fishing ends with the first frost (we had several heavy frosts this past week). I reject this idea and fish them during the winter. I favor shorter leaders (seven and a half foot 3X) and a stiff six weight rod to proper deliver these weighty flies. My favorite flies are Dave’s hoppers (#10) and the western pink lady (#8). To increase hook ups I always use a dropper. I am currently using a ruby or root beer midge in size eighteen on a three foot or longer tippet (depending on the depth of the water I am fishing).

The higher flows on some mornings and afternoons have been conducive to fishing large streamers. You need a fast sinking sink tip line and an eight weight or better rod. This is a heavy lift that requires casting skills and patience.

The Buffalo National River and Crooked Creek have cleared and are navigable. With the colder weather, the smallmouths are not active. Carefully check the water level before entering Crooked Creek or the Buffalo River. There are no dams on these streams. They both have large drainages and are prone to flooding during and following any rain event. The water can rise very quickly.

The Norfork River has fished poorly recently. With the warmer weather there was more fishing pressure on the Norfork.  The most productive flies have been small midge patterns (#18, #20, #22)  like ruby midges, root beer midges, zebra midges (black or red with silver wire and silver bead) and soft hackles (#14, #16) like the green butt. Egg patterns have also been productive. 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 #10). There have been reliable hatches of small midges (try a size 24 Adams parachute) and caddis (try a size 18 elk hair caddis).The fishing is better in the morning and late afternoon and tapers off midday.

There was little fishing pressure on Dry Run Creek despite the warmer weather. It has been a great time to fish there. The hot flies have been sowbugs (#14), Y2Ks (#12) and various colored San Juan worms (worm brown, red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise #10). 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. Take a break from time to time to keep your youngsters warm. Bring some cocoa!

The water on the Spring River has cleared some. This is a great place to wade fish, when they are running water on the White and Norfork Rivers. Canoe season is over and there are fewer boats on the river to interfere with your fishing. 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 (#10), cerise and hot pink San Juan worms (#10) and Y2Ks (#10).

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.

Don’t forget to sign up for my fly tying class at Arkansas State University Mountain Home beginning February, 5 and make plans to attend the White River Chapter of Trout Unlimited Annual Fund Raiser at the Elks Club on February, 7.

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

FLY TYING CLASS COMING UP BY JOHN BERRY

Yesterday I tied forty two flies. On the day before, I tied thirty and the day before that I tied forty flies. For a commercial fly tyer this is nothing. I am not a commercial tyer. I don’t sell them. I tie for my own use and for my clients. I think that I would starve to death if I tied flies for a living. I am way too slow and I usually only tie for a couple of hours at a time before I get tired. I enjoy tying and I fear that I would get burned out quickly. This is the time of year, when I do the most tying. There are many days when I can’t talk my wife, Lori, into braving the cold to catch a few trout. Fly tying is a feature of the sport that I can enjoy in inclement weather.


There are a lot of other reasons that I tie my own flies. I enjoy working with my hands. When I am not fishing or tying flies, I seem to always be working on some small project in my shop, either refinishing an old piece of furniture or cutting a trout out of copper. I also think that fly tying is a creative outlet. From time to time, I observe an insect on the water and go home to create a fly to imitate it. That is how I developed the green butt, my signature fly. I do have certain patterns tied by local tyers because they are too complex for me to tie. Berry’s law of fly tying is; you have to tie them faster than you can lose them.


You can tie a better fly than you can buy. You can use the best hooks available (I prefer Tiemco factory barbless hooks), the best materials and take the time to add extra features. By extra features, I mean an extra whip finish, glue on the thread base or a metal rib to add to a fly’s durability. Or you can tie the same nymph with several different sizes of tungsten beads so that the same fly can have multiple sink rates for varied water conditions. When you are tying a fly, it is a great time to pinch down the barb (so you don’t forget). I keep a pair of barb mashers handy when I am tying.


What I like the best about fly tying is teaching it. There is something special about introducing someone to the art. The excitement in their eyes, when they catch a fish on a fly that they tied themselves, is a reward, in itself. I have been teaching fly tying for over twenty five years and I really look forward to each class. As a result, I have scheduled a fly tying class at Arkansas State University Mountain Home on Thursday February 5, 12, 19 and 26 through the Department of Communication and Institutional Development. There is a nominal fee. The classes are scheduled from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on the ASU campus. Contact Sarah Sikes at (870) 508- 6105 to enroll.


You will need to furnish your own fly tying tools. You will need a fly tying vise, fly tying scissors, bobbin, hackle pliers and a spool of 6/0 fly tying thread. All can be purchased at reasonable cost at a local fly shop, Dally’s Ozark Angler, Twin Rivers Fly Shop or Wishes and Fishes. If you are not sure what to buy, just come to the class. I will bring extra tools to the first class. I have limited the size of the class so that my students get a lot of individual attention.


The course will concentrate on learning basic techniques that you will use to tie all flies and the course is designed for the complete novice, who has never tied a fly. We will learn to tie the basic flies that I use the most when fishing the White and Norfork Rivers. These are what I call guide flies that are designed and tied to specifically catch fish.


If this sounds like something that would be of interest to you, please call ASU and sign up. I will see you there.


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

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 1/16/2015

During the past week, we have had rain (a trace here in Cotter), brutally cold temperatures and heavy winds (to include lake wind advisories). The lake level at Bull Shoals rose four tenths of an inch to rest at four feet below seasonal power pool of 659 feet. This is forty feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock fell five tenths of a foot to rest at five and five tenths feet below seasonal power pool and twenty one and five tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell two tenths of a foot to rest at six and four tenths feet below seasonal power pool or sixteen feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we had brief periods of heavy generation in the morning and afternoon with some wadable water. Norfork Lake fell one tenth of a foot to rest at three and one tenth feet below seasonal power pool of 553.7 feet and twenty nine and three tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we had wadable water every day with limited generation most mornings.

 
The water level for the top of power pool has been reset for the lakes in the White River system. All of the lakes on this system are well below seasonal power pool.

 
The Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam will close from November 1, 2014 to January 31, 2015 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 was Wildcat Shoals. The hot flies were olive woolly buggers (#8, #10), Y2Ks (#14, #12), prince nymphs (#14), zebra midges (black with silver wire and silver bead or red with silver wire and silver bead #16, #18), pheasant tails (#14), ruby midges (#18), root beer midges (#18), pink and cerise San Juan worms (#10), and sowbugs (#16). Double fly nymph rigs have been very effective (try a flashback beadhead pheasant tail nymph with a ruby midge or red fan tail midge suspended below it). Egg patterns have been very effective.

 
Conventional wisdom states that hopper fishing ends with the first frost (we had several heavy frosts this past week). I reject this idea and fish them during the winter. I favor shorter leaders (seven and a half foot 3X) and a stiff six weight rod to proper deliver these weighty flies. My favorite flies are Dave’s hoppers (#10) and the western pink lady (#8). To increase hook ups I always use a dropper. I am currently using a ruby or root beer midge in size eighteen on a three foot or longer tippet (depending on the depth of the water I am fishing).

 
The higher flows on some mornings and afternoons have been conducive to fishing large streamers. You need a fast sinking sink tip line and an eight weight or better rod. This is a heavy lift that requires casting skills and patience.

 
The Buffalo National River and Crooked Creek have cleared and are navigable. With the colder weather, the smallmouths are not active. Carefully check the water level before entering Crooked Creek or the Buffalo River. There are no dams on these streams. They both have large drainages and are prone to flooding during and following any rain event. The water can rise very quickly.


The Norfork River has fished well recently. With the cold weather there was less pressure on the Norfork.  The most productive flies have been small midge patterns (#18, #20, #22)  like ruby midges, root beer midges, zebra midges (black or red with silver wire and silver bead) and soft hackles (#14, #16) like the green butt. Egg patterns have also been productive. 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 #10). There have been reliable hatches of small midges (try a size 24 Adams parachute) and caddis (try a size 18 elk hair caddis).The fishing is better in the morning and late afternoon and tapers off midday.

With the cold weather, there was little fishing pressure on Dry Run Creek. It has been a great time to fish there. The hot flies have been sowbugs (#14), Y2Ks (#12) and various colored San Juan worms (worm brown, red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise #10). 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. Take a break from time to time to keep your youngsters warm. Bring some cocoa!

The water on the Spring River has cleared some. This is a great place to wade fish, when they are running water on the White and Norfork Rivers. Canoe season is over and there are fewer boats on the river to interfere with your fishing. 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 (#10), cerise and hot pink San Juan worms (#10) and Y2Ks (#10).

 
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.

DENNIS TYING THE MATTHEWS ZELON MIDGE - THANKS DENNIS!

SOWBUG ROUNDUP FLY TYING CONTEST 2015 BY JOHN BERRY

As many of you know, the Sowbug Roundup, a fly tying show that is put on by the North Arkansas Fly Fishers, (our local fly fishing club), is the premier fly fishing function that is held in the Twin Lakes area. This year’s Sowbug will be held on March 26, 27 and 28 at the Baxter County Fairgrounds. The hours are from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM. Admission is only $5.00 for all three days. A new feature that we added last year is a Fly Tying Contest. This is to identify and honor the best fly tyers among us.

The contest is open to all and there is no registration fee. All you have to do is to tie your best flies and submit them for judging. The flies will be judged by experienced tiers and they will not know whose fly they are judging. This year’s head judge is Tony Spezio, a Buz Buzek award winner (the highest award for fly tying that is awarded by the Federation of Fly Fishers) and founder of the Sowbug Roundup. Other judges include Tom Schmuecker the owner of Wapsi, the largest supplier of fly tying materials in the world, and me.

The flies will be divided into ten categories. There will be four categories for trout flies, dry flies, nymphs, wet flies and streamers. Then there are categories for small mouth, warm water and bass flies. In addition there are categories for saltwater and Salmon/Steelhead flies. These categories are new additions to the contest. There will be a separate category for youths (under sixteen years of age). In addition to these categories, there will be an overall best in show winner. You can submit flies in as many categories as you want.

Rules are being kept to a minimum. The entrant must tie the fly submitted for judging. Each entry must include the name, address, phone number and email address along with two flies for each pattern submitted with a recipe for the fly and instructions on how to fish it. You may submit as many patterns for as many categories as you want. All flies submitted for judging will become the property of the contest and will not be returned. Any fly that contains natural insect parts (wings, legs, etc.) will be eliminated from competition. Commercially tied patterns will not be accepted. The decision of the judges is final. Committee members and judges are not eligible to participate in the contest. To participate all you have to do is send the flies to John Berry at 408 Combs Ave. Cotter, Arkansas 72626. All entries must be post marked no later than March 9, 2015.

There will be plaques awarded for each category and for best in show. The big award is bragging rights for your prowess as a fly tier. The winners for all categories will be announced on Friday March 27 at the Sowbug Roundup Shindig which will be held at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church beginning at 6:00 PM. This event could become the top fly fishing social event of the year.

You cannot win unless you enter! My only regret in this whole process is that I cannot enter the contest because I am a judge.

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 1/09/2015

During the past week, we have had a significant rain (over two inches here in Cotter), brutally cold temperatures and heavy winds (to include lake wind advisories). The lake level at Bull Shoals rose five tenths of an inch to rest at four and four tenths feet below seasonal power pool of 659 feet. This is forty and four tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock rose four tenths of a foot to rest at five feet below seasonal power pool and twenty one feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake rose seven tenths of a foot to rest at six and two tenths feet below seasonal power pool or fifteen and eight tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we had brief periods of heavy generation in the morning and afternoon with some wadable water. Norfork Lake rose one and eight tenths feet to rest at three feet below seasonal power pool of 553.7 feet and twenty nine and two tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we had wadable water every day with limited generation most mornings.

The water level for the top of power pool has been reset for the lakes in the White River system. All of the lakes on this system are well below seasonal power pool.

The Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam will close from November 1, 2014 to January 31, 2015 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 was the section from State Park down to White Hole. The hot flies were olive woolly buggers (#8, #10), Y2Ks (#14, #12), prince nymphs (#14), zebra midges (black with silver wire and silver bead or red with silver wire and silver bead #16, #18), pheasant tails (#14), ruby midges (#18), root beer midges (#18), pink and cerise San Juan worms (#10), and sowbugs (#16). Double fly nymph rigs have been very effective (try a flashback beadhead pheasant tail nymph with a ruby midge or red fan tail midge suspended below it). Egg patterns have been very effective.

Conventional wisdom states that hopper fishing ends with the first frost (we had several heavy frosts this past week). I reject this idea and fish them during the winter. I favor shorter leaders (seven and a half foot 3X) and a stiff six weight rod to proper deliver these weighty flies. My favorite flies are Dave’s hoppers (#10) and the western pink lady (#8). To increase hook ups I always use a dropper. I am currently using a ruby or root beer midge in size eighteen on a three foot or longer tippet (depending on the depth of the water I am fishing).

The higher flows on some mornings and afternoons have been conducive to fishing large streamers. You need a fast sinking sink tip line and an eight weight or better rod. This is a heavy lift that requires casting skills and patience.

The Buffalo National River and Crooked Creek are high and off color. With the colder weather, the smallmouths are not active. Carefully check the water level before entering Crooked Creek or the Buffalo River. There are no dams on these streams. They both have large drainages and are prone to flooding during and following any rain event. The water can rise very quickly.

The Norfork River has fished well recently. With the cold weather there was less pressure on the Norfork.  The most productive flies have been small midge patterns (#18, #20, #22)  like ruby midges, root beer midges, zebra midges (black or red with silver wire and silver bead) and soft hackles (#14, #16) like the green butt. Egg patterns have also been productive. 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 #10). There have been reliable hatches of small midges (try a size 24 Adams parachute) and caddis (try a size 18 elk hair caddis).The fishing is better in the morning and late afternoon and tapers off midday.

With the cold weather, there was little fishing pressure on Dry Run Creek. It has been a great time to fish there. The hot flies have been sowbugs (#14), Y2Ks (#12) and various colored San Juan worms (worm brown, red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise #10). 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 on the Spring River is high and off color. This is a great place to wade fish, when they are running water on the White and Norfork Rivers. Canoe season is over and there are fewer boats on the river to interfere with your fishing. 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 (#10), cerise and hot pink San Juan worms (#10) and Y2Ks (#10).

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. John is partnered in Blue Ribbon Guides with his wife, Lori Sloas, as well as Dennis Schule.

TOMMY AND ANDY HIT THE WHITE RIVER BY DENNIS SCHULE

Winter has arrived in the Ozarks and I'm not sure I really like it.  The positives are that it really thins out the herds of fly fishermen on the rivers and it brings out the really hard core dedicated fly fishermen who live to fly fish no matter what the weather throws at them.  On the negative side, well, it's just darn cold.

 

January 2nd and 4th brought two really dedicated hard core fly fishermen to my boat.  Tommy and Andy are from the Boulder, Colorado area and these guys live to fly fish. It's been a while since I have had the pleasure of having two really good fly fishermen in my boat and these guys fit that bill.  Both Tommy and Andy could cast the lights out with streamer rods and required very little instruction.  All I had to do was row the boat into position and they took care of the rest.  Both could drop a big articulated streamer in the perfect spot.  Unfortunately, the big browns didn't appreciate their casting skills.

January 2nd brought cold temps with rain the entire day.  By the end of the day I had gone through three pair of gloves and all three pair were dripping wet.  The temps were cold but we were all dressed with great rain gear and layers of clothing that kept us warm. 

Our first day was a float on the White River from the State Park down to White Hole.  On our second drift through the State Park Andy managed to hook two nice browns in the 20" range but he was unable to get them to the net.  We fished down to White Hole access and saw several other browns who gave short takes but they were not able to stick any of them.  We took a lunch break at White Hole and then ran back up river above the Three Chutes area.  We fished this section hard and worked our way down through the Narrows.  Finally at around 4:15 I told the guys that it was getting late and we would make one more drift.  Finally, Tommy got a good hook set in a 20" brown and we got it to the net.  After a quick picture we released the fish and headed to the ramp.  By this time we were all starting to get cold -- me especially.

 The next day Tommy and Andy decided to fish on their own.  It had rained all night so they were faced with unfavorable fishing conditions.  I suggested they give the Norfork a try.  Upon their arrival they found the Norfork running like chocolate milk.  They called me from the Ackerman access and I directed them up to the dam area.  They managed to find clear water close to the dam above Dry Run Creek.  They managed to catch a lot of, as they called them, "dinkers"  Then later in the day they moved back down to the Ackerman access and found that the river had cleared enough to fish.  They managed to catch a number of fish but nothing of any size.

January 4th I had them for the day.  The water was at minimum flow in the morning so we headed down river to an area where the water would be a little deeper.  It was cold and the wind was howling.  We fished this area until noon and headed back to the ramp where we were treated to a hot chili lunch and apple pie served by my wife Mary.  She really spoiled us with a hot lunch.  I then noticed that the generation was up so I decided to head back up river to the State Park.  We made several passes through the State Park and the guys had several follows but no takers.  We then moved down river to a couple of spots that always hold nice browns.  Once again the browns had lockjaw. Finally, Andy was able to hook into a nice brown and brought it to the net.  It was a 20" female that was fairly thin after the spawn but still a beautiful fish.  A quick photo was taken and she was returned to fight another day.

 

As the sun started to disappear and we were making our last drift, I started to think about what a great two days I had with two really great guys who weren't too shabby at throwing big streamers. They both had a good sense of humor but also took their fishing seriously.  It's really a pleasure to have two guys like this in my boat.  

So thank you, Tommy and Andy, for two great days on the water.              

NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS 2015 BY JOHN BERRY

It is the New Year and time for me to make my New Year’s resolutions. Last year my main resolution was to get into shape. I joined a gym and went on a diet. I lost twenty pounds, gained quite a bit of muscle mass and increased my stamina. This year I want to bump up my fitness program. I would like to lose a little more weight and minimize my body fat. It is important for me to stay in shape. Guiding is an active physical business. I am sixty eight and I am competing with guides half my age.

I want to fish new water. Like everyone else, when I am fishing on my own, I get in a rut and mostly fish the same four or five spots almost every day. I am catching plenty of fish but it is time to get out of my comfort zone. For instance, when I kayak the Norfork River, I launch my boat at the dam and sprint to McClellan’s to fish my favorite spots. In doing so, I pass a lot of really good trout water. I need to slow down and fish my way down stream. I do it when I am guiding from my river boat and I need to do it, when I am kayaking on my own.

On the White, my wife, Lori, and I tend to always fish Round House Shoals, on our days off. It is only four blocks from our house and really easy to access. We still need to venture into other spots. There is a lot of fly fishable water in Cotter and we need to fish it. Lori likes to kayak from the Blue Heron Campground down to Big Spring Park in Cotter with her girlfriends, when I am guiding and she is not. I only floated once last year and really enjoyed the lure of different water.

I will not buy any more fly rods or reels in the coming year. I don’t care what nifty new gear comes out or how good a deal I am offered by a major manufacturer or fishing buddy. I have more gear than I can possibly use in a lifetime. Now I will still buy equipment to loan to clients. This gear gets a lot of abuse and I have to replace stuff from time to time. A fly line will only last this use for about a year and I go through tippet and leaders at an amazing pace. The rods and reels are warranted for life and they are often returned to the manufacturer for repair.

This year I will get an EBay account and sell some of the gear that I have never used. I have a Hardy multiplier fly reel that I bought after attending a Dave Whitlock Bass Fishing Seminar over twenty five years ago and never put on a fly rod. The same goes for the Sage fly rod that I bought at the same time. I also have an Orvis two weight fly rod that has never been fished and a Richardson fly box that I have never taken fishing. It is time to clear out the idle equipment and maybe generate a little cash, so that Lori and I can take a trip to Montana.

It is time to make a few changes. Happy New Year!

John Berry is a fly fishing guide in Cotter, Arkansas and has fished our local streams for over thirty years. John is a partner in Blue Ribbon Guides with his wife, Lori, as well as Dennis Schule.