During the past week, we have had rain and snow (combined for about half
an inch here in Cotter), cold temperatures to include freeze advisories) and
heavy winds. The lake level at Bull Shoals rose three tenths of a foot to rest
at seven and three tenths feet below seasonal power pool of 659 feet. This is
forty three and three tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table
Rock rose two tenths of a foot to rest at eight feet below seasonal power pool
and twenty four feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake rose eight tenths
of a foot to rest at eight and five tenths feet below seasonal power pool and
eighteen and one tenth feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we had
significant wadable water with more generation. Norfork Lake fell five tenths
of a foot to rest at seven and five tenths feet below seasonal power pool of
553.75 feet and thirty three and seven tenths feet below the top of flood pool.
On the Norfork, we had less generation with more wadable water.
Seasonal power pool has been reset for the lakes in the White
River system. All of the lakes on this system are below seasonable power pool.
With colder weather and a higher demand for power, we should see less wadable
water.
On the White, the bite has been spotty. Some days have been
excellent and some poor. The hot spot has been the Catch and Release section at
Rim Shoals. We have had more wadable water. 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 (my current favorite is a hare and copper nymph (#14) with a
ruby midge (#18) suspended below it).
Caddis season is upon us. This is our best hatch of the year and
it should arrive soon. I have already observed a few caddis on the Norfork
tailwater and on the White. With the lower lake levels we should have perfect
flows to target this hatch. Before the hatch when the trout are feeding on the
surface but you see no insects use a soft hackle like my green butt or a
partridge and orange. When the trout begin to target insects, on the surface of
the water, switch over to an elk hair caddis. Match your fly to the hatching
insect based on size, shape and color.
The Buffalo National River and Crooked Creek are navigable. With
warm weather the smallmouths should be more active. My favorite fly is a
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 more wadable water on the Norfork but it has fished
poorly. Daphnia has been spotted on the upper river and could adversely affect
the bite. The most productive flies have been small midge patterns (#18, #20, #22) like ruby idges, 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. My favorite rig has been a hare and copper with a ruby midge dropper.
Dry Run Creek has been very crowded due to spring break. 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 at the
creek you should visit the Norfork National Fish Hatchery. It is fascinating.
Be sure and remove your waders before entering to prevent the spread of aquatic
diseases.
The Spring River is fishing well. 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. 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.
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