During the past week, we have had a rain event (less than an inch
here in Cotter), warm temperatures and moderate winds. The lake level at Bull
Shoals fell one and six tenths feet to rest 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. The Corps of Engineers has closed the flood gates
and the volume of water in the White is greatly reduced. Upstream, Table Rock
fell six tenths of a foot to rest at eight and six tenths feet above seasonal
power pool and five and four tenths feet above the top of flood pool. Beaver
Lake rose three tenths of a foot to rest at seven and five tenths feet above
seasonal power pool and one and one tenth feet below the top of flood pool. On the
White, we had no wadable water with high generation. Norfork Lake fell one and
two tenths feet to rest at eighteen and six tenths feet above seasonal power
pool of 556.75 feet and four and seven 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
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. 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, the water is stained but is fishing well. 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 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 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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