During the past week, we have had a rain event (about an inch here
in Cotter), warm temperatures and moderate winds. The lake level at Bull Shoals
rose six tenths of a foot to rest at thirty and six tenths feet above seasonal
power pool of 662 feet. This is two and four tenths feet below the top of flood
pool. The Corps of Engineers has opened seventeen flood gates to release 13,300
cubic feet per second to augment generation and lower the lake. Upstream, Table
Rock rose one foot to rest at eleven and one tenth feet above seasonal power
pool and three and one tenth feet above the top of flood pool. The Corps of
Engineers has opened flood gates to release 9,800 cubic feet per second to
augment generation and lower the lake. Beaver Lake rose one tenth of a foot to
rest at seven and seven tenths feet above seasonal power pool and nine tenths
of a foot below the top of flood pool. On the White, we had no wadable water
with high generation. Norfork Lake rose five tenths of a foot to rest at twenty
and seven tenths feet above seasonal power pool of 556.75 feet and two and five
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 some wadable water at night and early morning.
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. 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). Use lots of lead and long leaders to get your flies down
The Buffalo National River and Crooked Creek are navigable but
high. 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.
On the Norfork 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. There has been major
gravel recruitment at the bottom of Mill Pond and the dock hole. 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 fishing well. This is a great place to wade
fish, when they are running water on the White and Norfork Rivers. Canoe season
is on and there many 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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