PROPOSED REGULATION CHANGES BY JOHN BERRY

This year the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) is updating the Trout Management Plan, for the White and Norfork Rivers. The plan was last updated about ten years ago. The first public meeting was held a few weeks ago at the Sheid Center at Arkansas State University Mountain Home. I attended and we were asked what we disliked and liked. Based on those likes and dislikes the AGFC put together a number of proposals for regulation changes that affected our trout fisheries. 

Last week the AGFC had another meeting where they presented these proposals and the public was able to vote for their favorites. I was there. The first thing that I noticed is that there were about half of the number of attendees that were there for the first meeting. 

Second there was a question and answer period, for each proposed change, where the public was allowed, to ask questions and make comments. The format of the first meeting did not allow for this. I was intrigued by some of the comments and was amazed by others. Several attendees complained about Blue Herons and the number of trout that they ate. One attendee suggested a bounty on them. It was noted by an AGFC employee that blue herons are a federally protected species. 

Most of the proposed regulations related to protecting rainbow, brook and cutthroat trout on the White and Norfork Rivers. At the first Trout Management Plan meeting it was noted the regulation limiting the harvest of brown to those trout twenty four inches or larger had been a great success and the public wanted similar regulations protecting other species particularly the rainbows. We are just not catching larger Rainbows, brook and cutthroats. There were several proposed regulations for each species and we were asked to vote on our favorite. 

I was glad to see more restrictive regulations on these species but did not think they went far enough except for a proposed change to protect all cutthroats under twenty four inches. I think a similar regulation on brook trout is called for. My big disappointment was the proposed change on rainbows. The propose changes centered on allowing anglers keep one rainbow over fourteen inches and another proposal for one sixteen inch trout. There were also proposals allowing the angler to keep two such trout. I would rather see a regulation calling for rainbow trout between fourteen inches and twenty four inches to be released. 

Other proposed regulations concerned Catch and Release Sections. The AGFC recommended closing the Monkey Island section because it is not working. I agree. The section in the State Park below the Bull Shoals Catch and release section is closed from November, 1 through January, 31, to accommodate the brown trout spawn. The section below that is seasonally Catch and Release during the same period. The AGFC wants to simplify the regulations and make both sections in the State Park seasonal Catch and Release. This sounds logical. 

The AGFC had the University of Arkansas study the Catch and Release section at Rim Shoals. The study concluded that the section was too small and should be enlarged to make it more effective. They recommended a one mile extension upstream or a two mile extension downstream. I fish at Rim Shoals more than any other piece of water in the area. I totally support either of these proposals. 

It will be interesting, to see how this all turns out.

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOAT BY JOHN BERRY

One of the things that I hear every day is where can I fish, on this high water? The best advice that I can give is, to fish from a boat. They are safer, more comfortable and a more effective fishing platform than wading. However there are many anglers that do not have access to a boat or they just don’t like, to fish from one. Some fly fishers just prefer to wade fish. I am one of them. When I wade, I feel that I am one, with the river. I am one, of a few local guides, that will book wade trips. Sometimes I feel like I am the only fly fishing guide, in Baxter County, that owns a pair, of waders.

What do you do when they are running a lot, of water, and you don’t own a boat? I say think outside the boat. We are lucky here in that we have a lot of alternatives to wade, when they are running big water here, in the Twin Lakes Area.

The first stream that I think of is the Norfork Tail Water, the stream below Norfork Dam. Unlike Bull Shoals Dam there is no series of dams above Norfork Dam and as a result the Norfork draws down more quickly and is wadable more often and more consistently than the White. The trick here is that you need to carefully monitor, the SWPA (Southwestern Power Administration) website, to see, when the prediction indicates a period, of wadable water. I do this every day. I caught a nice opportunity yesterday. The Norfork was scheduled to be off until 10:00 AM. I got there at 6:00 AM and got in four hours of fishing before the water came up.

You can fish the North Fork of the White. This is the same stream but is the river above Norfork Dam. This is a great trout stream with some really nice wild rainbows. There is no dam on this section. It is a free flow stream, until it gets, to Norfork Dam. My wife Lori and I fish it from time to time and always enjoy it. My favorite fly here is a big stone fly nymph.

If you feel like driving a bit further, try the Spring River. This is a very special stream to me. It is a spring fed river stocked, with trout. This is where I learned, to fly fish, and where I met Lori. The only problem, with this river, is that it is very popular, with canoeists and kayakers. During warm weather it can get quite crowded with boaters that have little concern about disturbing your fishing. I generally reserve the Spring River, for colder weather, when there are fewer boats. My favorite fly here is an olive woolly bugger.

If you want something a bit closer try Crooked Creek. It is a free flow smallmouth bass stream. It is Lori’s favorite. The most convenient place for me to fish is at the Fred Berry Conservation Center. There is a Catch and Release Section there that fishes well. Make sure that your vehicle is outside the Fred Berry Conservation fence before 4:30 PM because they lock the gate then. My favorite fly for this section is the Clouser Minnow.

Finally another spot that probably has some of the most spectacular scenery around is the Buffalo River. This is a National River and is basically a National Park surrounding the Buffalo River. There are loads of accesses and 135 miles of river to take in. I prefer to fish the lower forty or so miles. In warm weather, there can be canoes and kayaks on the water but not as many as the Spring River. There is even a herd of Elk. My favorite fly here is the Clouser Minnow.

As you can see, there are plenty, of alternatives, to wade, when they are running water. I fish all, of them, from time to time, when I want some wadable water. Go out there and give them a try.

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 8/18/2017

During the past week, we have had several rain events (combined for about an inch here in Cotter), cooler temperatures and moderate winds. The lake level at Bull Shoals dropped two and five tenths feet to rest at eighteen feet above seasonal power pool of 661 feet. This is sixteen feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock rose one tenth of a foot to rest at one tenth of a foot below seasonal power pool and fourteen feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake rose five tenths of a foot to rest at five and six tenths feet above seasonal power pool and three feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we had no wadable water with heavy generation. Norfork Lake fell eight tenths feet to rest at ten and three tenths feet above seasonal power pool of 555.75 feet and thirteen and nine 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. We should expect a lot of generation, with limited wadable water in the near future.

Hopper season is here. Many guides are banging the bank with grasshopper patterns. Add a nymph dropper (ruby midge) to increase takes. If the grasshopper is hit or sinks, set the hook. My favorite grasshopper pattern is a western pink lady.

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 bead head pheasant tail nymph (#14) with a ruby midge suspended below it). Use lots of lead and long leaders to get your flies down.

The Buffalo National River and Crooked Creek are low and clear. 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 is fishing well one day and poorly the next. 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 better. 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.

TROUT MANAGEMENT BY JOHN BERRY

Last Thursday I participated, in the Bull Shoals/Norfork Trout Management Plan Workshop. It was held at the Sheid Center, on the campus, of Arkansas State University Mountain Home, from 6:00 PM until 8:30 PM. The idea was, to update the Trout Management Plan that was first implemented about ten years ago. I participated, in that plan, and am interested, in the outcome, of this one. The meeting was designed, to get input, from the public.

There were over one hundred attendees at the meeting. They were mostly fishing guides, resort owners and other concerned parties. I knew most of them. There was also a large contingent from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission that included two commissioners.

We were seated at over a dozen round tables, in the room. We were asked, to list our likes and dislikes, on large sheets, of paper. We had a sheet titled Bull Shoals Likes, Bull Shoals Dislikes, Norfork Likes and Norfork Dislikes. We were then asked to indicate our top two items, on each sheet.

There was a lot of discussion at our table and I am sure that the same thing happened at every table. We had eight people and each had different opinions about what was a like or dislike. There was even more discussion, when we had to choose the two most important items, for each sheet. When there was a major disagreement, we took a simple vote and the item, with the most votes, won.

The moderator then went around the room and asked, for the top two likes and dislikes, for both tailwaters, which were then written down, on another set, of four sheets, configured just like the sheets, on each table. After completion those summary sheets were then hung, on the wall. All of the sheets, from the various tables, were collected for future reference.

We were the asked to vote, on what items interested us the most. We were giver six dots (stickers) and we were asked to put the dots, on the items listed, on the sheets, of paper hung, on the wall that we most cared about either likes or dislikes. They asked that we use three stickers, for each river. This took a little time because all, of the attendees, had to vote.

In looking and listening, I heard that the most generally approved like was the twenty four inch size limit, on Brown trout. This was a product, from the last Trout Management Plan, which requires that all brown trout below twenty four inches, in length, be released. The result, of this change, has been that we have more brown trout, in the below twenty four inch size, including many that are nineteen, twenty, twenty one, twenty two and twenty three inches long. This is a great fish anywhere and it is very popular here, with all anglers.

At the same time, the general consensus is that there is no protection for rainbow trout. As a result, we do not have many large rainbows, in our streams. Many groups suggested a protective slot limit. This would allow rainbow trout below a given length (say sixteen inches) and above a given length (say twenty four inches), to be harvested. The trout between the two sizes would be released resulting in more rainbows in the sixteen to twenty three inch slot. I really like this idea.

The follow up meeting will be August 24 where we will review the findings and see where to go from there. It will be held at the same time and place. I hope to attend.

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT FOR 8/11/2017

During the past week, we have had a trace of rain here in Cotter, warm temperatures and moderate winds. The lake level at Bull Shoals dropped two and three tenths feet to rest at twenty and five tenths feet above seasonal power pool of 661 feet. This is thirteen and five tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock remained steady at one tenth of a foot below seasonal power pool and fourteen and one tenth feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell three tenths of a foot to rest at five and one tenth feet above seasonal power pool and three and five tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we had no wadable water with heavy generation. Norfork Lake fell one and four tenths feet to rest at eleven and one tenths feet above seasonal power pool of 555.75 feet and thirteen and one tenth feet below the top of flood pool. 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 limited wadable water in the near future.

Hopper season is here. Many guides are banging the bank with grasshopper patterns. Add a nymph dropper (ruby midge) to increase takes. If the grasshopper is hit or sinks, set the hook. My favorite grasshopper pattern is a western pink lady.

On the White, the hot spot has been the Narrows. 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 bead head pheasant tail nymph (#14) with a ruby midge suspended below it). Use lots of lead and long leaders to get your flies down.

The Buffalo National River and Crooked Creek are low and clear. 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 is fishing well one day and poorly the next. With school out, it can get a bit crowded. 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 better. 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.

WHEN WILL WE GET WADABLE WATER? BY JOHN BERRY

The most often asked question that both local and out of town anglers ask me is, when will we get wadable water? I understand their concern. We have received precious little this summer. I myself prefer wade fishing and I can count the days that I have been able to wade this summer, on one hand. To say that there is some pent up demand is an understatement.

Our troubles began in early April. Before that we had some really great wading conditions that had me wading low water several times a week. The out of nowhere we had a series, of major rain events. There was a lot of runoff and the lake levels surged upward. At one time, all of the lakes in the White River System (Beaver, Table Rock, Bull Shoals and Norfork) were over the top of flood pool. The Corps of Engineers open the spill gates, on all of the dams, in an effort to get the dams below flood pool. This resulted, in severe flooding, on the White and Norfork Rivers. Now after four months, of high water, I can see light at the end of the tunnel. The lakes are beginning to drop.

The White River is a series of lakes. Normal procedures call for the lake level at Table Rock to be dropped first. Today the lake level at table rock is only an inch or two above the top of power pool. That means that all of the water that has been running to draw down Table Rock will not be coming into Bull Shoals Lake. This will allow Bull Shoals to fall more quickly. Beaver is usually down when Bull is near to Power pool. This happens fast.

Then there is the funnel effect. As the water in a lake falls, the surface area of the lake is reduced. As this occurs the water level, of the lake, falls quicker just like the water, in a funnel. Therefore, as the lake level comes down, it will fall faster, with the same level, of generation.

In addition, they have increased the level of generation this week. The lake level at Bull Shoals is a bit less than twenty four feet above the top of power pool. The lake level is currently falling about one and a half feet per week. At that rate, it would take about sixteen weeks for Bull Shoals to fall to the top of power pool but with the funnel effect that could be substantially quicker. I predict that Bull Shoals could drop to power pool in ten to twelve weeks. They usually draw down Norfork at about the same rate. That would result in the possibility of wadable water in mid to late October.

This prediction is based on the same level of generation that we now have and that we do not have a major rain event. I know that that sounds like a long time but it will be here before you know it. In the meantime, the fly fishing from a boat is good some days and excellent on others.

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT FOR 8/4/17

During the past week, we have had a trace of rain here in Cotter, warm temperatures and moderate winds. The lake level at Bull Shoals dropped two feet to rest at twenty two and eight tenths feet above seasonal power pool of 661 feet. This is eleven and two tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock fell one and four tenths feet to rest at one tenth of a foot below seasonal power pool and fourteen and one tenth feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell four tenths of a foot to rest at five and four tenths feet above seasonal power pool and three and two tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we had no wadable water with heavier generation. Norfork Lake fell one and seven tenths feet to rest at twelve and five tenths feet above seasonal power pool of 555.75 feet and eleven and seven tenths feet below the top of flood pool. 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 limited wadable water in the near future.

Hopper season is here. Many guides are banging the bank with grasshopper patterns. Add a nymph dropper (ruby midge) to increase takes. If the grasshopper is hit or sinks, set the hook. My favorite grasshopper pattern is a western pink lady.

On the White, the hot spot has been the 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 bead head pheasant tail nymph (#14) with a ruby midge suspended below it). Use lots of lead and long leaders to get your flies down.

The Buffalo National River and Crooked Creek are low and clear. 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 is fishing well one day and poorly the next. With school out, it can get a bit crowded. 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 better. 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.