THINGS ARE GETTING BETTER BY JOHN BERRY

It finally happened. This week all of the lakes in the White River system are finally below the top of power pool and we are getting more fishable water. If you remember, a couple of months ago I predicted that this would happen, in early or mid October. It is nice to right every once in a while.

The water has been much lower this week and I have been on the river every day and the fishing has been nothing short of spectacular. On Sunday, the flows, on the White, were around 4,500 cubic feet per second (CFS). I was guiding two gentlemen from Missouri. We were rigged up both anglers with a Y2K lead fly and a pheasant tail nymph (size fourteen) dropper. We caught over forty trout with most of them, on the pheasant tail nymph. I started with a ruby midge dropper and we did not hook a fish, on it.  

On Monday, I had two other anglers, from the same group. The generation had decreased to 3,500 CFS which made for even better fishing. I started out one angler out with a ruby midge below a Y2K and the other with a pheasant tail nymph below a Y2K. The ruby midge was working but the pheasant tail was. What a difference a day makes. I always say the one fish on a fly is a fluke, two is a coincidence and three is a trend. It was time to change the pheasant tail for a ruby midge. Both were soon into trout. We finished the day with fifty plus trout with ninety percent of them on the ruby midge and a couple of trout on the Y2K. All in all, it was a great day.

Then, on Tuesday, I guided an angler, from Texas. The generation level was down to 2,800 CFS. This is as low as I have seen the White, in some time. This time I started him with a ruby midge below a Y2K. I was surprised when we caught the first two trout on the Y2K. I generally use it as an attractor, with most of my fish caught on the dropper. This day was the exception. I caught more trout on the Y2K than on the ruby midge. I had fished on three successive days and had the trout keying in on a different fly every day. It is no wonder that I carry so many fly boxes.

During these three days, the Norfork was on the bottom, with absolutely no generation, for the majority, of the time. Though I love to wade it, I declined because it is still extremely off color from the flooding we had last April. In addition, there is low dissolved oxygen, on the Norfork, and the fish are stressed particularly on the upper river. If you choose to fish there be sure and carefully release any fish caught.

We are finally in a position where we can fish lower water. Life is good!

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT FOR 10/12/2017

During the past week, we have had no measurable rain, cooler temperatures and heavier winds. The lake level at Bull Shoals dropped eight tenths of a foot to rest at a foot below seasonal power pool of 659 feet. This is thirty seven feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock dropped two tenths of a foot to rest at seven tenths of a foot below seasonal power pool and fourteen and seven tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake dropped three tenths feet to rest at four tenths of a foot below seasonal power pool and ten feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we had some marginally wadable water with light generation. Norfork Lake fell five tenths of a foot to rest at two tenths of a foot below seasonal power pool of 553.75 feet and twenty six and four tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we had light generation and reliable 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 power pool. We should expect 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 Y2K (#10) with a ruby midge (#14) suspended below it). Use lead 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 pheasant tail dropper (#10).

Dry Run Creek is stained but still fishing well. The brown trout have begun moving in for the spawn. 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.

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT FOR 9/29/2017

During the past week, we have had no rain, warm temperatures and moderate winds. The lake level at Bull Shoals dropped one and eight tenths feet to rest at six tenths of a foot below seasonal power pool of 661 feet. This is thirty four and six tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock rose three tenths of a foot to rest at two tenths of a foot below seasonal power pool and fourteen and two tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake dropped one and nine tenths feet to rest at three tenths of a foot above seasonal power pool and eight and three tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we had no wadable water with moderate generation. Norfork Lake fell one and five tenths feet to rest at three tenths of a foot below seasonal power pool of 555.75 feet and twenty four and five tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we had moderate generation and 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 at or below the top of power pool. We should expect 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 Y2K (#10) with a prince nymph (#14) 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 pheasant tail dropper (#10). 

Dry Run Creek is stained but still 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.

FLY FISHING FAIR NEXT WEEK BY JOHN BERRY

My wife, Lori, and I were fishing, on the White River yesterday. The river was much lower than it has been lately. It is a result of the drop, in lake levels, on the White River system. Bull Shoals, Norfork, and Table Rock are all below power pool and Beaver is nine inches above and dropping six inches a day. We did well and caught a lot, of trout. Lori remarked that it was good that the water was finally down and fishable at the perfect time, with the Southern Council Fly Fishing Fair scheduled for next week.

The Fly Fishing Fair is the Southern Council of the Federation of Fly Fisher’s big show, of the year. This is when all, of the various fly fishing clubs that make up the Southern Council, descend, on the Twin Lakes Area, to celebrate the sport. They meet here for one reason, the quality of the fishing. This has been a high water year with little chance, of wadable water, and now as the Fly Fishing Fair starts we have the chance, for some wadable water. I have attended every fly Fishing Fair (they used to be called Conclave) since 1985 and I am excited about this one.

The Southern Council of the Federation of Fly Fishers Fly Fishing Fair will be held at the Veda Sheid Community Development Center, on the campus of Arkansas State University Mountain Home, on October, 6 and 7. The doors open at 8:00 AM and the show lasts until 4:00 PM. The cost is only $10.00, for both days. A family gets in, for $20.00. A parent with a child under 12 years of age gets in free. This is our second year at the Sheid and we have added a shuttle to help you get from the parking to the show.

The big draw for me has always been the fly tyers. There are tyers there that you read about in all the fly tying magazines. I am talking about real artists with hook, fur and feathers. I like to sit and watch the various tyers. I learn something from each one. It may be a new fly, technique or material. I will be tying this year. Stop by and let me tie one for you.

Another draw, for me, is the seminars. I am the program chair this year and I really worked at scheduling some of our best presenters. I have Duane Hada, Chad Johnson, Davy Wotton, Steve Dally, Mark Crawford and a host of others. I even found a spot for my wife, Lori, to put on a couple of seminars. I also do one each day.

We have a great line up of vendors also. The local fly shops are well represented. My favorite vendor is the Golden Rule Fly Shop. They always have hooks that I cannot get anywhere. I am a vendor again this year and I will be tying flies there. Please stop by.

This is a good show and a great time to run into your friends.