CASTING CLASS ON APRIL 26, 2014 AT ASUMH WITH LORI SLOAS

Lori Sloas has scheduled a casting class on April 26, 2014, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Arkansas State University Mountain Home campus, for beginner/novice fly casters to identify problems and offer "fixes".

The cost of the class is $25.00 per person and class limit is 8.   If you are interested, please contact the Community Education Department at ASUMH at 508-6280 to register.  You can bring your own rod or use one of Lori’s.

BEGINNING FLY FISHING SCHOOL STARTING MAY 1ST, 2014

The next beginning fly fishing school that John Berry and his wife, Lori Sloas will teach at Arkansas State University Mountain Home will be May 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd.  This class covers:  gear selection/equipment, fly casting, entomology, reading water, knots and water safety.

Anyone interested can register by contacting ASUMH at 508-6280.

No equipment is required.  You will be able to use John and Lori's rods.  The cost of the class is $75.00.

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 4/11/2014

During the past week, we have had several rain events (for a combined total of less than an inch here in Cotter), warmer temperatures and heavy winds (to include lake wind advisories). The lake level at Bull Shoals rose two tenths of a foot to rest at two tenths of a foot above seasonal power pool of 659 feet. This is thirty five and eight tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock Lake rose six tenths of a foot to rest at six tenths of a foot above seasonal power pool and fifteen and four tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake rose nine tenths of a foot to rest at one and four tenths of a foot above seasonal power pool or eight and two tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we had no wadable water. Norfork Lake remained steady at one tenth of a foot below seasonal power pool of 553.75 feet and twenty six and three tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we had no wadable water.

The water level for the top of power pool has been reset lower for some of the lakes in the White River system. All of the lakes on this system are at or near power pool.

The Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam was closed from November 1, 2013 to January 31, 2014 to accommodate the brown trout spawn. The State Park was seasonal Catch and Release for the same period. There are numerous redds around the area. Please use care, when wading, to avoid disturbing them.

On the White, the hot spot was Rim Shoals. The hot flies were olive woolly buggers, 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 (ruby midge) suspended below it).

The Corps of Engineers have been running much more water and that has been an advantage to streamer fishermen. 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 advanced casting skills. Some effective patterns are sex dungeons and circus peanuts.

We have had numerous reports of caddis hatches. Though sparse, the trout did not key in on them mostly due to the high volume of water. It is a harbinger of spring and a promise of what is to come. This is our best hatch of the year. Before the hatch, fish green caddis pupa size fourteen. You will often get more strikes at the end of the drift as the fly rises. When the move to the surface and begin keying in on emergers switch over to a green butt soft hackle size fifteen. When they start taking adult insects off the water’s surface, you should switch to a green elk hair caddis pattern size fourteen.

The Buffalo National River and Crooked Creek are navigable and clear. With the cool temperatures, the smallmouth are still inactive. 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 Norfork has not fished well of late. This is possibly due to cold water temperatures on the lake. The most productive flies have been small midge patterns like zebra midges (black or red with silver wire and silver bead) and soft hackles like the green butt. 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 very small caddis (try a size 24 Adams parachute).The fishing is better in the morning and late afternoon and tapers off midday. Some anglers have been fishing heavy articulated streamers on sink tip lines on the higher flows.

With Spring Break, there has been a lot of action on Dry Run Creek. Now would be a great time to fish it. The weather has warmed substantially and it is more comfortable for young anglers. The hot flies have been sowbugs, Y2Ks and various colored San Juan worms (worm brown, red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise). While you are there be sure and take a tour of the adjacent Norfork National Fish Hatchery. It is fascinating. Be sure to remove your waders before entering to prevent the spread of aquatic diseases.

The water level on the Spring River is wadable and clearer. 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. 

PLANNING SOWBUG

BY JOHN BERRY

For those of you that attended the Sowbug Roundup, it was yet another flawless gathering of fly tyers that has become the best fly tying event in the southeastern United States. The truly miraculous thing was that it went off without a hitch or any drama. The North Arkansas Fly Fishers, the sponsoring group and our local fly fishing club, just makes it look easy. The truth of the matter is that this show doesn’t just happen. It is meticulously planned and carefully orchestrated. 

Yesterday I attended the last meeting of the 2014 Sowbug Committee and the first meeting of the 2015 Sowbug Committee. It was the same meeting. Terry Briggs, the 2014 chairman, started the meeting. He called on each subcommittee chairman for an overview of their area responsibility, an analysis of what went well and to discuss any areas for improvement. All were encouraged to offer constructive criticism. 

We went over the revenue and expenses and compared them to the previous years (from 1998 forward) and discussed trends, changes and possible changes for 2015. The show is still growing. Based on how other fly fishing shows have declined in recent years, there is some concern among the committee that we should tweak the festival to keep it growing. At the same time, there is a respect for the past and a commitment to continue some of the great traditions that have made the festival a major success for almost two decades. 

We discussed the vendors and how to draw new ones as space becomes available. There was quite a discussion on how to best use the space and optimize it for future festivals. We continue to add to our base group of fly tyers and are always looking for new tyers. 

We talked about the seminars and how to bring in some new talent. One idea is for my wife, Lori, to teach fly casting every day instead of having multiple classes on one day. One seminar that will remain unchanged is mine on How to Fish the White and Norfork Rivers. We also talked about how to soundproof the seminar room. 

There was quite a bit of talk about the Friday night tyers dinner. We want to make it more inclusive by bringing in the general public. That means finding a new venue and the possibility of having an open bar. There was a bit of talk about having a small auction of premium items at the dinner. 

I talked about the success of our first fly tying contest and plans for growing the event in the future. The plan is to market it more effectively on YouTube, Face book and the North Arkansas Fly Fishers website. There is also some interest in adding new fly categories to the contest. 

Near the end of the meeting Mike Tipton took over chairing the meeting to schedule the meetings for the 2015 festival. We will meet every month to plan and coordinate the next festival. 

Success is no accident. It is the result of a lot of work and this group is ready for the challenge. They want to keep the festival fresh and current while maintaining a respect for the traditions of the past. I think that the Sowbug Roundup will improve with age. If you attended this year’s festival and have a suggestion, please contact me. 

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

GREEN BUTT SOFT HACKLE FLY TIE OF THE WEEK

Thanks, Dennis, for the video and thanks, John, for creating the Green Butt Soft Hackle!

JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 4/04/2014

During the past week, we have had rain, warmer temperatures and heavy winds (to include lake wind advisories). The lake level at Bull Shoals remained one tenth 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 remained steady at seasonal power pool and sixteen feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake rose five tenths of a foot to rest at five tenths of a foot above seasonal power pool or nine and one tenth feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we had some wadable water. Norfork Lake remained steady at one tenth of a foot below seasonal power pool of 553.75 feet and twenty six and three tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we had more wadable water.

The water level for the top of power pool has been reset lower for some of the lakes in the White River system. All of the lakes on this system are at or near power pool.

The Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam was closed from November 1, 2013 to January 31, 2014 to accommodate the brown trout spawn. The State Park was seasonal Catch and Release for the same period. There are numerous redds around the area. Please use care, when wading, to avoid disturbing them.

On the White, the hot spot was the section from Cotter down to Rim Shoals. The hot flies were olive woolly buggers, 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 (ruby midge) suspended below it).

The Corps of Engineers have been running a bit more water and that has been an advantage to streamer fishermen. 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 advanced casting skills. Some effective patterns are sex dungeons and circus peanuts.

We have had a few reports of caddis hatches. Though sparse, the trout did key in on them, it is a harbinger of spring and a promise of what is to come. This is our best hatch of the year. Before the hatch, fish green caddis pupa size fourteen. You will often get more strikes at the end of the drift as the fly rises. When the move to the surface and begin keying in on emergers switch over to a green butt soft hackle size fifteen. When they start taking adult insects off the water’s surface, you should switch to a green elk hair caddis pattern size fourteen.

The Buffalo National River and Crooked Creek are navigable and clear. With the cool temperatures, the smallmouth are inactive. 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 Norfork has not fished well of late. This is possibly due to cold water temperatures on the lake. The most productive flies have been small midge patterns like zebra midges (black or red with silver wire and silver bead) and soft hackles like the green butt. 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 very small caddis (try a size 24 Adams parachute).The fishing is better in the morning and late afternoon and tapers off midday. Some anglers have been fishing heavy articulated streamers on sink tip lines on the higher flows.

With Spring Break, there has been a lot of action on Dry Run Creek. Now would be a great time to fish it. The weather has warmed substantially and it is more comfortable for young anglers. The hot flies have been sowbugs, Y2Ks and various colored San Juan worms (worm brown, red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise). While you are there be sure and take a tour of the adjacent Norfork National Fish Hatchery. It is fascinating. Be sure to remove your waders before entering to prevent the spread of aquatic diseases.

The water level on the Spring River is wadable and clearer. 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. 

A PRINCE OF A DAY

BY JOHN BERRY

I had two anglers, Don and Rick from Albuquerque, New Mexico last week. They had decided to take their March fishing trip here this year. They regularly fish the San Juan but wanted a different experience from the western rivers that they fish. They considered several options but decided on the White because of the promise of some warmer weather and our legendary Brown trout. 

I picked them up early at River Ridge Inn and drove them over to Rim Shoals. We pretty much had the place to ourselves and that suited them just fine. It was sunny and reasonably warm with some moderate wind. They water was running at about 3,000 CFS (cubic feet per second or a little less than one full generator). There was a promise of a large push of water that would hit us around 1:00 PM. I rigged them up with double fly rigs, a prince nymph below a pink San Juan worm suspended under a strike indicator and a bit of lead. Ron was fishing a five weight Sage graphite rod and Ron was fishing a really nice five weight custom bamboo.  

The going was brutally slow in the morning. At lunch we had boated four fish and I was getting a little concerned. These guys had come a long way to fish with me and I did not want to disappoint them. As we sat there eating our sandwiches, I saw the water begin to rise. It was time to try a different section that I had done well in a few days before. We launched our boat and headed down stream. 

The surge of water invigorated the trout and we picked up five trout on our first drift. At first, the trout were keying in on the pink San Juan worms. They had never fished pink worms, so it was an epiphany for them. After a while though, the trout began keying in on the prince nymphs. We finished the day with well over fifty trout. Most were rainbows with a few small browns thrown in to keep it interesting. Around three thirty a storm cell began moving in. We saw a bolt of lightning and headed for the ramp. About the time I got the boat on the trailer, a heavy rain began,with lots of lightning. Our timing had been perfect. 

The next day we wanted to wade the Norfork but they were running water so we opted to return to Rim Shoals. We were surprised to see the parking lot at capacity. We found out later that there was a corporate group fishing there. Just like the day before the going was slow in the morning. This was compounded by the large volume of boat traffic. When we stopped for lunch almost all of the boats left as they were only fishing a half day. Once they left, we had the place to ourselves and I must say we enjoyed a bit of solitude. 

 A major push of water hit us a little after noon and once again turned on the trout. It was all prince nymphs for the rest of the day. There was a good caddis hatch coming off but there was no top water action to speak of. The trout were concentrating on the emerging pupa and the prince nymph was red hot. We landed a lot of trout but no big fish to speak of until Ron hooked a big brown. This was a really fat healthy fish and we all wanted to land it. It was on the prince nymph. 

I pulled up the chain and the motor to keep it from having anything to wrap around. Ron kept even pressure on it. After an epic ten minute struggle he got it close enough to me so that I could get it in the net. It just about filled my big Brodin boat net. We pulled out our cameras. Rick got a couple of nice shots of it in the net. As Ron picked it up for a shot of him holding it, he dropped it over the side of the boat. It was still hooked but it broke the line like a twig. Ron was a bit disappointed but still glad that he had landed it. 

I was glad that I was not the one that had lost the fish. That would have been a major guide error. We didn’t get a chance to put a tape measure on him but Don thought that it was the best brown that he had caught in a while. I made a guide estimate that it exceeded twenty five inches in length and with its heavy girth it went several pounds. We finished the day with several more fish but nothing like that. 

The important thing was that he had the satisfaction of landing a trophy brown and got to see what our fishery is all about. They will be back. 

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