During the past week, we have had several rain events (combined
for five inches here in Cotter, which included a flash flood watch), warm
temperatures and heavy winds (to include lake wind advisories). The lake level
at Bull Shoals rose twenty two and two tenths feet to rest at twenty six and nine
tenths feet above seasonal power pool of 660.57 feet. This is seven and six
tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock rose twelve and
two tenths feet to rest at fifteen and six tenths feet above seasonal power
pool and six tenths of a foot 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 rose two and seven
tenths feet to rest at eight feet above seasonal power pool and six tenths of a
foot below the top of flood pool. The Corps of Engineers has opened several
flood gates to release an additional 3,700 cubic feet per second in an effort
to lower the lake. On the White, we had no wadable water with some generation.
Norfork Lake rose nine feet to rest at six and seven tenths feet above seasonal
power pool of 555.32 feet and one tenth of a foot below the top of flood pool.
The Corps of Engineers has opened several flood gates to release an additional
6,600 cubic feet per second in an effort to lower the lake. 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 over or near 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 is
high and muddy. There has been some flooding. 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 still here. I fished the caddis hatch on the Norfork, with great
success. 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 at flood and 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 has been flooding on the Norfork and the river level is
quite high due to the flood gates being open in an effort to drop the lake
level. The ramps have been closed due to flooding and debris on them. Navigate
this stream with extreme caution. 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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