During the past week, we have had a minor rain event (just a trace
here in Cotter), warmer temperatures and moderate winds. The lake level at Bull
Shoals remained steady at twenty seven and seven tenths feet above seasonal
power pool of 662 feet. This is five and three tenths feet below the top of
flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock fell one and four tenths feet to rest at seven
and two tenths feet above seasonal power pool and six and eight tenths feet
above the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell two tenths of a foot to rest at
seven and three tenths feet above seasonal power pool and one and three tenths
feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we had no wadable water with
more moderate generation. Norfork Lake fell seven tenths of a foot to rest at seventeen
and six tenths feet above seasonal power pool of 556.72 feet and five and four
tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we had limited 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. The Corps of Engineers has closed the flood gates on all of the
lakes in the White River system. We should expect a lot of generation, with
some wadable water in the near future.
On the White, the hot spot has been Rim 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 (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. With
the warmer weather the smallmouths are 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, the water is stained. It fishes well one day and
poorly the next. 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 cerise San Juan
worm with a ruby midge dropper.
Dry Run Creek has been affected by the flooding but has returned
to its banks and is fishing well. 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 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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