During the past week, we have had a several rain event (about a
half inch here in Cotter), warm temperatures and moderate winds. The lake level
at Bull Shoals rose three and six tenths feet to rest at thirty and four tenths
feet above seasonal power pool of 660.57 feet. This is two and eight tenths
feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock fell five tenths of a
foot to rest at fourteen and three tenths feet above seasonal power pool and
one and one tenth feet above the top of flood pool. The Corps of Engineers has
opened several flood gates to release an additional 13,800 cubic feet per
second in an effort to lower the lake. Beaver Lake fell six tenths of a foot to
rest at seven and two tenths feet above seasonal power pool and one and four
tenths feet below the top of flood pool. The Corps of Engineers has closed the
flood gates and returned the dam to normal generation. On the White, we had no
wadable water with more generation. Norfork Lake fell two and seven tenths feet
to rest at twenty and nine tenths feet above seasonal power pool of 555.32 feet
and two and eight tenths feet below the top of flood pool. The Corps of
Engineers has closed the flood gates and returned the dam to normal generation. On
the Norfork, we had no wadable water.
Seasonal power pool has been reset for the lakes in the White
River system. All of the lakes in the White River System are now below the top
of flood pool. We should expect a lot of generation with little if any wadable
water in the near future.
On the White, the water below Crooked Creek and the Buffalo has
cleared up some. 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 on the wane. This is our best hatch of the year
and it is going fast. 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 not navigable.
With the warmer 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 was flooding but the river is back in its banks and the
flood gates have been closed. Navigate this stream with caution as things have
changed a bit during the recent flooding. 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). The
fishing is better in the morning. My favorite rig has been a hare and copper
nymph with a ruby midge dropper.
Dry Run Creek has been affected by the flooding but has returned
to its banks. 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 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. 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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