FLY TIE OF THE WEEK -- SAN JUAN WORM

Blue Ribbon Guide, Dennis, with his fly tie of the week -- the San Juan Worm.  It's such an effective fly on the White and Norfork Rivers in our Arkansas Ozarks as well as Dry Run Creek.  

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 12/27/2013

 

During the past week, we have had a significant rain event (several inches here in Cotter), warmer then cooler temperatures and heavy winds. The lake level at Bull Shoals rose six tenths of a foot to rest at seasonal power pool of 659 feet. This is thirty six feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock Lake rose five tenths of a foot to rest at five tenths of a foot below power pool and sixteen and five tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake rose five tenths of a foot to rest at one and four tenths feet below seasonal power pool or eleven feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we have had no wadable water. Norfork Lake rose seven tenths of a foot to rest at seven tenths of a foot below seasonal power pool of 553.75 feet and twenty seven and five tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we have had wadable water every day. The water level for the top of power pool has been reset lower for some of the lakes in the White River system.

The Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam will close from November 1, 2013 to January 31, 2014 to accommodate the brown trout spawn. The State Park will be seasonal Catch and Release for the same period. All brown trout must be immediately released. In addition, night fishing is prohibited in this area during this period.

On the White, the hot spot has been the section from White Hole down to Cotter. The hot flies were Y2Ks, prince nymphs, zebra midges (black with silver wire and silver bead or red with silver wire and silver bead), pheasant tails, ruby midges, pink and cerise San Juan worms, and sowbugs. Double fly nymph rigs have been very effective (try a cerise or pink San Juan worm with a midge pattern suspended below it).

The Corps of Engineers have been running a bit more water and that has benefitted the streamer fishing. To do this you need at least an eight weight fly rod, a heavy sink tip fly line and large articulated streamers. The idea is to bang the bank and strip the fly back to the boat. This is heavy work and requires good casting skills. Some effective patterns are sex dungeons and circus peanuts.

The Buffalo National River and Crooked Creek are high and off color. With the cold temperatures, the smallmouth are not very active. The most effective fly has been a tan and brown 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 wadable water on the Norfork every day. There has been very limited fishing pressure. The most productive flies have been small midge patterns like zebra midges (black or red with silver wire and silver bead). 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). There have been reliable hatches of small midges and caddis (try a size 22 Adams parachute).The fishing is much better in the morning and late afternoon and tapers off midday.

Dry Run Creek has been virtually abandoned. Now would be a great time to fish it. Numerous brown trout have moved into the creek. The hot flies have been sowbugs, Y2Ks and various colored San Juan worms (worm brown, red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise). Use at least 4X tippet (I prefer fluorocarbon) to maximize your youngsters chance at landing a big one. Carry the largest net that you can lay your hands on and do not forget the camera. While you are there take a few minutes and tour the adjacent Norfork National Fish Hatchery. It is fascinating. Be sure and remove your waders before entering, to prevent the spread of aquatic diseases.

The water level on 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. 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, cerise and hot pink San Juan worms and Y2Ks.

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 is a fly fishing guide in Cotter, Arkansas and has fished our local streams for over thirty years. 

SOWBUG ROUNDUP ADDING A FLY TYING CONTEST

BY JOHN BERRY 

As many of you know, our local fly fishing club, the North Arkansas Fly Fishers (an affiliate club of the Federation of Fly Fishers), holds the Sowbug Roundup each year. This year is the seventeenth annual event and promises to be the best ever. It will be held on March 20, 21 and 22 at the Baxter County Fairgrounds and is open to the public. It is a show that celebrates all things fly tying. The main draw is the fly tiers. There are over one hundred of them from all over North America and Europe. Included, in this group, are some of the best fly tiers in the sport. Many of these tiers have written books and articles or developed fly patterns that we all use and take for granted. Some are artists with hook, fur and feather and others are amazing technicians. The obvious question is who is the best? 

In order to honor the fly tiers and determine who is best, The Sowbug Roundup is sponsoring a Fly Tying Contest. The contest is open to all and there is no registration fee. All you have to do is to tie your best flies and submit them for judging. The flies will be judged by experienced tiers and they will not know whose fly they are judging. We are still in the process of recruiting judges. The flies will be divided into eight categories. There will be four categories for trout flies, dry flies, nymphs, wet flies and streamers. Then there are categories for small mouth, warm water and bass flies. There will be a separate category for youths (under sixteen years of age). In addition to these categories, there will be an overall best in show winner. You can submit flies in as many categories as you want. We did not include a category for salt water flies because we want the contest to revolve around the flies our anglers would use locally. 

Rules are being kept to a minimum. The entrant must tie the fly submitted for judging. Each entry must include the name, address, phone number and email address along with two flies for each pattern submitted with a recipe for the fly and instructions on how to fish it. You may submit as many patterns for as many categories as you want. All flies submitted for judging will become the property of the contest and will not be returned. Any fly that contains natural insect parts (wings, legs, etc.) will be eliminated from competition. Commercially tied patterns will not be accepted. The decision of the judges is final. Committee members and judges are not eligible to participate in the contest. To participate all you have to do is send the flies to John Berry at 408 Combs Ave. Cotter, Arkansas 72626. All entries must be post marked no later than March 5, 2014. There will be plaques awarded for each category and for best in show. The big award is bragging rights for your prowess as a fly tier. The winners for all categories will be announced at the Sowbug Roundup. 

This is a new venture for the Sowbug committee and all are excited about this contest. They think this will be a great feature for the Sowbug Roundup. They could even discover an unknown master among us. If this sounds like something you would be interested in, please enter the contest. 

John Berry is a fly fishing guide in Cotter, Arkansas and has fished our local streams for over thirty years.

Guide Shad 12/23/13 Fly Tie of the Week

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 12/20/2013

During the past week, we have had rain (around an inch here in Cotter), warmer temperatures and moderate winds. The lake level at Bull Shoals remained steady at six tenths of a foot below seasonal power pool of 659 feet. This is thirty six and six tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock Lake fell two tenths of a foot to rest at one foot below power pool and seventeen feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake rose three tenths of a foot to rest at one and nine tenths feet below seasonal power pool or eleven and five tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we have had little wadable water. Norfork Lake rose one tenth of a foot to rest at one and four tenths feet below seasonal power pool of 553.75 feet and twenty seven and six tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we have had wadable water every day.

The water level for the top of power pool has been reset lower for some of the lakes in the White River system. With all of the lakes in the White River system below power pool and the temperatures moderating, I predict that we will receive more wadable water, in the coming weeks.

The Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam will close from November 1, 2013 to January 31, 2014 to accommodate the brown trout spawn. The State Park will be seasonal Catch and Release for the same period. All brown trout must be immediately released. In addition, night fishing is prohibited in this area during this period.

On the White, conditions have greatly improved. Access roads and ramps are clear of snow and ice and all are usable. The Corps of Engineers have been running a bit more water and that has benefitted the streamer fishing. There have been very few anglers and most were fishing streamers like sex dungeons and circus peanuts. Other hot flies were Y2Ks, prince nymphs, zebra midges (black with silver wire and silver bead or red with silver wire and silver bead), pheasant tails, ruby midges, pink and cerise San Juan worms, and sowbugs. Double fly nymph rigs have been very effective.

The Buffalo National River and Crooked Creek are low. With the cold temperatures, the smallmouth are not very active. The most effective fly has been a tan and brown 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 wadable water on the Norfork every day. There has been very limited fishing pressure. The most productive flies have been small midge patterns like zebra midges (black or red with silver wire and silver bead). 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). There have been reliable hatches of small midges and caddis (try a size 22 Adams parachute).The fishing is much better in the morning and late afternoon and tapers off midday.

Dry Run Creek has been virtually abandoned. Now would be a great time to fish it. Numerous brown trout have moved into the creek.The hot flies have been sowbugs, Y2Ks and various colored San Juan worms (worm brown, red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise). Use at least 4X tippet (I prefer fluorocarbon) to maximize your youngsters chance at landing a big one. Carry the largest net that you can lay your hands on and do not forget the camera. While you are there take a few minutes and tour the adjacent Norfork National Fish Hatchery. It is fascinating. Be sure and remove your waders before entering, to prevent the spread of aquatic diseases.

The water level on the Spring River is fishable. This is a great place to wade fish, when they are running water on the White and Norfork Rivers. 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, cerise and hot pink San Juan worms and Y2Ks.

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 is a fly fishing guide in Cotter, Arkansas and has fished our local streams for over thirty years.

Dennis with Blue Ribbon Guides tying a Miracle Fly.

 SURPRISE FLY BOX

BY JOHN BERRY

I went out to my mail box the other day to retrieve my bills and was surprised to find a small package. According to the writing on the outside it was to me from my old fishing buddy David Knowles. He is a retired engineering professor (University of Arkansas) form Fayetteville that now spends his time as a serious angler and commercial fly tyer. He is one of the most innovative fly tyers that I know and his patterns have become go to standards here and throughout the United States. 

The package contained a brief note and a small fly box that was jammed full of flies. This is not the first fly box that David has sent me. Over the years, he has occasionally given me boxes of his flies and introduced me to his most productive patterns. The note indicated that he was trying out a new color for his Y2K and that he wanted me to field test it. He went on to say that he had included four other patterns so that the box did not look so empty. The other flies were his ruby midge, diamond midge, root beer midge and his version of Wilson’s sowbug. All were tied with tungsten beads. I salivated with the thought of fishing with them. They were gorgeous! 

The Y2K was particularly interesting. The new color was a combination of yellow and light pink while the original was yellow and orange. I have also fished them in blue and white and a deeper pink and yellow. The Y2K is a conical egg pattern with a bead head. I have fished it for over a decade and it is one of my go to patterns. I have used it with great success on all of our trout streams and had a ten year old client land a sixteen pound brown on Dry Run Creek with it. It is distributed by Umpqua and is one of their most popular patterns. For some inexplicable reason there are several guides and anglers that give this fly no respect and refuse to use it probably due to its appearance. I say forget what it looks like and judge it solely by its ability to catch fish. 

The diamond midges and ruby midges are old friends. I have fished the diamond midges for around ten years and they have consistently produced trout. The ruby is one that I have used for a couple of years. I had heard about it but never tried it until David sent me some. This fly has been one of my go to flies ever since. It is not only popular with me but my fellow guides also swear by it. Whenever I go to the fly shop, I note that the bin containing them is usually empty or near empty. 

The other flies, the root beer midge and David’s version of Wilson’s sowbug, look very interesting and I cannot wait to try them. The weather has been so bad here lately that I have had several guide trip cancellations and I have not been able to talk my wife, Lori, into braving the elements. Tomorrow looks very promising. 

Lori was quick to notice the box of flies. She, of course, wanted several for her own use. As you know, Lori is a guide and serious angler. The problem is that she doesn’t tie her own flies. As a result, I have to tie for two. I was willing to share and also gave her some of my green butts and partridge and orange soft hackles that I had tied that day. 

If you want to improve your angling, you need to try some of David’s effective fly patterns. They are available at Dally’s Ozark Angler, here in Cotter. 

John Berry is a fly fishing guide in Cotter, Arkansas and has fished our local streams for over thirty years.

Watch John Berry, Blue Ribbon Guides, tie his always effective Green Butt Fly for catching those trophy trout on the White and Norfork Rivers in the beautiful Arkansas Ozarks.  

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbSjqYWEOFs

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 12/13/2013

During the past week, we have had the worst winter storm in recent memory to include sleet and snow (sixteen inches here in Cotter), brutally frigid temperatures (single digits on several days) and heavy winds.  The lake level at Bull Shoals rose four tenths of a foot to rest at six tenths of a foot below seasonal power pool of 659 feet.  This is thirty six and six tenths feet below the top of flood pool.  Upstream, Table Rock Lake fell two tenths of a foot to rest at one and two tenths feet below power pool and seventeen and two tenths feet below the top of flood pool.  Beaver Lake remained steady at two and two tenths feet below seasonal power pool or eleven and eight tenths feet below the top of flood pool.  On the White, we have had little wadable water.  Norfork Lake fell three tenths of a foot to rest at one and five tenths feet below seasonal power pool of 553.75 feet and twenty seven and seven tenths feet below the top of flood pool.  On the Norfork, we have had wadable water every day.

The water level for the top of power pool has been reset lower for some of the lakes in the White River system.  With all of the lakes in the White River system below power pool and the temperatures moderating, I predict that we will receive more wadable water, in the coming weeks.

The Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam will close from November 1, 2013 to January 31, 2014 to accommodate the brown trout spawn. The State Park will be seasonal Catch and Release for the same period.  All brown trout must be immediately released.  In addition, night fishing is prohibited in this area during this period. 

On the White, conditions have been treacherous.  Several docks sunk under the weight of the ice and snow.  Access roads and ramps were coated with ice and snow.  Cancelled trips, stuck vehicles and jack-knifed trailers were the order of the day.  There have been very few anglers and most were fishing streamers like sex dungeons and circus peanuts with limited results.  Other hot flies were Y2Ks, prince nymphs, zebra midges (black with silver wire and silver bead or red with silver wire and silver bead), pheasant tails, ruby midges, pink and cerise San Juan worms, and sowbugs.  Double fly nymph rigs have been very effective.

The Buffalo National River and Crooked Creek are low.  With the brutally cold temperatures, the smallmouth are not very active.  The most effective fly has been a tan and brown 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 wadable water on the Norfork every day.  Due to the brutal weather and hazardous road conditions there has been very limited fishing pressure.  The most productive flies have been small midge patterns like zebra midges (black or red with silver wire and silver bead).  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). The fishing is much better in the morning and late afternoon and tapers off midday.

Dry Run Creek has been virtually abandoned. It would be best to wait for warmer weather. Numerous brown trout have moved into the creek. The hot flies have been sowbugs, Y2Ks and various colored San Juan worms (worm brown, red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise). Use at least 4X tippet (I prefer fluorocarbon) to maximize your youngster’s chance at landing a big one. Carry the largest net that you can lay your hands on and do not forget the camera. While you are there, take a few minutes and tour the adjacent Norfork National Fish Hatchery.  It is fascinating.  Be sure and remove your waders before entering, to prevent the spread of aquatic diseases.

The water level on the Spring River is fishable. This is a great place to wade fish, when they are running water on the White and Norfork Rivers. 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, cerise and hot pink San Juan worms and Y2Ks.

Remember that the White and Norfork Rivers and Dry Run Creek are infected with didymo, an invasive algae.  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 is a fly fishing guide in Cotter, Arkansas and has fished our local streams for over thirty years. 

Check out our new fly tying video of the week!  Thanks Dennis for this Blood Midge.

A CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE FOR ANGLERS

BY JOHN BERRY

Christmas is just around the corner and many anglers and spouses and friends of anglers are all thinking about what gift to give their favorite angler for Christmas. If they are like me, they already have all of the cutesy fishing stuff that they will need for this and another lifetime. What I want to give and receive are quality items. I must admit that after the last few days a good snow shovel might be a good idea.

Every angler needs a new fly rod. Okay, maybe not all of us. For those of us that do need a rod, consider an Orvis Helios 2. These rods are the result of advanced rod technology and have won a bunch of awards. They cast like a dream and at a cost of $799.95 they should. Temple Fork Outfitters has a rod, the BVK, which casts just as well and at $225.00 is a bit more affordable.

 I do not know of a single angler that doesn’t need or want more flies. The best flies to give are those that you tie yourself. This year I asked my brother, Dan, to tie me some of his oh-so- effective turkey tail emergers in size 22. I have learned to tie them in size 18 but the 22s are a bit small for me. I am currently tying up a box of flies for my brother-in-law, Larry. Last year I was pressed for time and got him a nice fly box but was unable to fill it. I think he was a bit disappointed. If you don’t tie yourself go to a fly shop and buy a fly box and fill it up. Buy flies that you use yourself. You can follow a theme like flies for the Norfork River.

 If you want to give something special consider giving a collector’s specimen from a master tyer. You can go to Dave Whitlock’s website, davewhitlock.com, and order one of his many innovative patterns tied by the master tyer. My hands-down favorite is the Dave’s Hopper which I still carry with me every time I am on stream. While you are there, take a look at all of the books that he has written or illustrated about fly fishing. No one signs a book like Dave. It is a work of art in itself.

 Speaking of art, how about an original painting? Local artist and fishing guide, Duane Hada, is a great artist that specializes in sporting art. He not only paints landscapes and fish but also includes birds and deer as his subjects. Go to his art gallery, River Town Gallery, to check out his work. You should also consider the work of my friend, Sandy Barksdale. She is the up and coming local artist and her stuff is gorgeous. By the way her husband and my old fishing buddy, Bill Barksdale, does some fine art fishing photos that are incredible.

 The cold weather we are experiencing makes me think about warm clothing. One garment that has kept me warm for the last few days has been my Irish fisherman’s sweater from L. L. Bean. It is like wearing a blanket. I have coupled it with a pair of their fleece-lined blue jeans to create my winter uniform. It is great for fishing from the boat especially when paired with a good wind shell. 

I hope these suggestions help you achieve a very Merry Christmas!

John Berry is a fly fishing guide in Cotter, Arkansas and has fished our local waters for over thirty years. 

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 12/06/2013

 

During the past week, we have had no rain, warmer then colder temperatures and moderate winds. The lake level at Bull Shoals rose nine tenths of a foot to rest at one foot below seasonal power pool of 659 feet. This is thirty seven feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock Lake remained steady at a foot below power pool and sixteen feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake remained steady at two and two tenths feet below seasonal power pool or eleven and eight tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we have had wadable water every day. Norfork Lake fell one tenth of a foot to rest at one and two tenths feet below seasonal power pool of 553.75 feet and twenty seven and four tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we have had wadable water every day and moderate generation in the evening.

The water level for the top of power pool has been reset lower for some of the lakes in the White River system. With all of the lakes in the White River system below power pool and the temperatures moderating, I predict that we will receive more wadable water, in the coming weeks.

The Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam will close from November 1, 2013 to January 31, 2014 to accommodate the brown trout spawn. The State Park will be seasonal Catch and Release for the same period. All brown trout must be immediately released. In addition, night fishing is prohibited in this area during this period.

  

On the White, we have had wadable water days and the hot spot has been the section from White Hole down to the Narrows. The best time to fish is early morning or late in the afternoon. The hot flies were Y2Ks, prince nymphs, zebra midges (black with silver wire and silver bead or red with silver wire and silver bead), pheasant tails, ruby midges, pink and cerise San Juan worms, and sowbugs. Double fly nymph rigs have been very effective. Try a small bead headed pheasant tail suspended eighteen inches below a brightly colored San Juan worm (hot fluorescent pink or cerise). Olive woolly buggers have also produced some nice trout.

The Buffalo National River and Crooked Creek are extremely low. With colder temperatures, the smallmouth are much less active. The most effective fly has been a tan and brown 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 wadable water on the Norfork every day. With wadable water every day on the White River it has received much less pressure. The most productive flies have been small midge patterns like zebra midges (black or red with silver wire and silver bead). 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). The fishing is much better in the morning and late afternoon and tapers off midday.

Dry Run Creek has fished particularly well. School is back in session and now is a great time to fish it, particularly during the week, when there is no one there. Weekends can get a bit crowded. Numerous brown trout have moved into the creek. The hot flies have been sowbugs, Y2Ks and various colored San Juan worms (worm brown, red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise). Use at least 4X tippet (I prefer fluorocarbon) to maximize your youngsters chance at landing a big one. Carry the largest net that you can lay your hands on and do not forget the camera. While you are there take a few minutes and tour the adjacent Norfork National Fish Hatchery. It is fascinating. Be sure and remove your waders before entering, to prevent the spread of aquatic diseases.

The water level on the Spring River is fishable. This is a great place to wade fish, when they are running water on the White and Norfork Rivers. 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, cerise and hot pink San Juan worms and Y2Ks.

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 is a fly fishing guide in Cotter, Arkansas and has fished our local streams for over thirty years.

Dry Run Creek on Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Day 2013 turned out to be a beautiful day – temps in the 60's, very little wind and three youngsters that wanted to try their hand at fly fishing on Dry Run Creek.  The kids, Evie, age 12, Ellie, age 8 and Nicolas, age 3 were eager learners and ready to hit the creek.  I told the kids that only one would be able to fish at a time so that I could give them my full attention.  So, the first dilemma was trying to settle the argument as to who was going first.  I decided that we would go by age, the oldest goes first.  Ellie felt that I should select the middle kid but she did not have much of an argument. 

I wasn't sure how the venture was going to go since I have never taken three kids to Dry Run Creek at the same time.  Fortunately these kids are very well behaved and they have parents that really make them toe the line.  So, Evie and I picked out our first spot on the creek and I showed her how to cast.  Evie picked up the side arm casting right away and on her third cast she hooked her first trout.  I gave her instruction on how to fight the fish and she brought it to the net like a pro. 

Next up was eight year old Ellie.  After a little casting instruction Ellie said she wanted to cast on her own.  She put the two fly combo right where it needed to be and after several casts she had her first trout on the line. 

Unfortunately Ellie lost a few fish before she landed a 17' rainbow.  After netting the fish, Ellie reached in and grabbed the fish and then struck the 'pro' pose for a couple of pictures.

Next to the rod was 3 year old Nicholas.  Nicholas took a little more help with the casting but he quickly caught a really nice rainbow and brought it to the net.  Unfortunately Nicholas didn't want anything to do with holding the fish, which was a really nice rainbow.  Instead he kept his distance for the picture.  

The kids took one more rotation through the fishing and all caught nice fish.  On this particular trip to Dry Run Creek we did not catch any monsters but did see numerous big boys. 

The kids all had a great time and the parents enjoyed watching their kids catch fish and learning the basics of fly fishing.

As for this old guide, I had a blast.  Anytime I have the chance to take a kid fishing, especially on Dry Run Creek, I jump at the chance.  The kids are the future of fly fishing and we need to make their day on the water a memorable one for them.  Thanks Evie, Ellie and Nicholas for a great day on the water.  

Blue Ribbon Guides Fly Tie of the Week Partridge and Orange Soft Hackle

THREE ON DRY RUN CREEK

BY JOHN BERRY

Last Tuesday, I had a guide trip with three boys on Dry Run Creek. Wes was ten, Reese was twelve and Tristan was fourteen. It was a trip put together by their grandfather, Howard, a retired executive from Kansas. 

I was quite apprehensive, as the date drew nearer. The weather forecast was for rain, a high temperature of thirty three degrees and heavy winds. There was a possibility of icing conditions, in the area. Now, I have the proper gear for me to survive harsh conditions but I was concerned for the boy’s ability to cope with the weather. I called Howard a couple of days before the trip and voiced my concerns. I then suggested that we delay the trip for one day. That way we would have much warmer and sunnier conditions. He agreed and we changed the date. 

I was also concerned about the fact that there were to be three anglers. The more anglers that a guide has the less time that he is able to spend with each one. This is a serious concern, when you have young inexperienced anglers. This was mitigated by the fact that Howard put on his waders, grabbed his boat net and pitched in to help me with the boys on-stream. 

Another concern with three anglers is that I have to find three fishing locations that are close together and will produce fish for all three boys. Luckily we arrived at the creek first and had our choice of prime fishing spots. I was able to keep the guys close together and all were able to catch fish. This cut down on my running from one place to another and allowed the boys to share on each other’s successes. 

When we arrived, I tried to start the guys in spots that would complement their abilities. I put the youngest in the easiest spot to fish and the oldest in the most difficult spot with the understanding that we would rotate them through the various spots. I was generally impressed with their casting abilities. They were also willing to set the hook and fought the trout well. Howard had schooled them well. We were into trout immediately and stayed in them all day. All of the boys had their own net and were able to land smaller fish with no help needed. 

Howard rotated among the boys spending quality time with each for a couple of hours at a time. He is an accomplished angler and worked on improving the boy’s technique and helped them land the larger fish. This allowed me to work with the other boys. When there are three fishing, it seems like one has a fish on, one is tangled and one is hung up. I dealt with these issues one at a time and tried to keep them on trout. The plan worked flawlessly and they caught trout after trout. 

By the time we stopped for lunch, the guys had lost count. We talked at length about the success of the morning and all were pleased with the numbers and sizes caught. We decided to concentrate on bigger fish in the afternoon. I took Tristan upstream in search for a big fish. We landed several over twenty inches and then he finally hooked a stout twenty seven inch rainbow. As he was struggling with the huge trout, I realized that I didn’t have a big net with me. I coached him to draw it into a shallow spot out of the current. He lured it in and we were able to gently lift it from the water for a photo. 

When we got back to the others, we learned that Reese had just lost a really big brown (larger than the fish we caught). He had fought it well but it was just too big and eventually broke off. He was disappointed but immediately set out to catch another big brown that was nearby. After about a half hour of casting, he hooked up again. He had this one on for about fifteen minutes before it too broke off. It was not meant to be. 

We fished until dark. I don’t know how many fish we landed but it was a lot. The boys had the best day of fishing they had ever had and granddad got to share it with them. Life is good! 

John Berry is a fly fishing guide in Cotter, Arkansas and has fished our local streams for over thirty years. 

Copper Pheasant Tail Midge fly tying with Blue Ribbon Guides

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 11/29/2013 

During the past week, we have had a rain event, much colder temperatures and heavy winds (to include lake wind advisories). The lake level at Bull Shoals rose five tenths of a foot to rest at one and nine tenths feet below seasonal power pool of 659 feet. This is thirty seven and nine tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock Lake fell one tenth of a foot to rest at a foot below power pool and fifteen feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell one tenth of a foot to rest at two and two tenths feet below seasonal power pool or eleven and eight tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we have had higher levels of generation in the morning and lower generation in the afternoon. There has been no wadable water. Norfork Lake fell one tenth of a foot to rest at one and three tenths feet below seasonal power pool of 553.75 feet and twenty seven and five tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we have had wadable water every day and moderate generation in the evening.

The water level for the top of power pool has been reset lower for some of the lakes in the White River system. With all of the lakes in the White River system below power pool and the temperatures moderating, I predict that we will receive more wadable water, in the coming weeks.

The Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam will close fromNovember 1, 2013 to January 31, 2014 to accommodate the brown trout spawn. The State Park will be seasonal Catch and Release for the same period. All brown trout must be immediately released. In addition, night fishing is prohibited in this area during this period.

  

On the White, the hot spot has been the section from White Hole down to Wildcat Shoals. The best time to fish is early morning or late in the afternoon. The hot flies were Y2Ks, prince nymphs, zebra midges (black with silver wire and silver bead or red with silver wire and silver bead), pheasant tails, ruby midges, pink and cerise San Juan worms, and sowbugs. Double fly nymph rigs have been very effective. Try a small bead headed pheasant tail suspended eighteen inches below a brightly colored San Juan worm (hot fluorescent pink or cerise).

Some anglers have been fishing large streamers on the heavy flows we have been getting and having success. This requires heavy sink tip lines (250 grain or heavier), heavy rods (eight weights or better) and advanced casting skills. The hot flies have been large articulated streamers in various colors.

The Buffalo National River and Crooked Creek are extremely low. With colder temperatures, the smallmouth are much less active. The most effective fly has been a tan and brown 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 wadable water on the Norfork every day and it has been pounded mercilessly. Fish early or during the week to avoid the crowds. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is working on a bank stabilization project near the Ackerman access, which is causing some severely stained water conditions, when they are working. The most productive flies have been small midge patterns like zebra midges (black or red with silver wire and silver bead). 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). The fishing is much better in the morning and late afternoon and tapers off midday.

Dry Run Creek has fished particularly well. School is back in session and now is a great time to fish it, particularly during the week, when there is no one there. Weekends can get a bit crowded. Numerous brown trout have moved into the creek.The hot flies have been sowbugs, Y2Ks and various colored San Juan worms (worm brown, red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise). Use at least 4X tippet (I prefer fluorocarbon) to maximize your youngsters chance at landing a big one. Carry the largest net that you can lay your hands on and do not forget the camera. While you are there take a few minutes and tour the adjacent Norfork National Fish Hatchery. It is fascinating. Be sure and remove your waders before entering, to prevent the spread of aquatic diseases.

 The water level on the Spring River is fishable. This is a great place to wade fish, when they are running water on the White and Norfork Rivers. 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, cerise and hot pink San Juan worms and Y2Ks.

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 is a fly fishing guide in Cotter, Arkansas and has fished our local streams for over thirty years.