Trout Fishing Report-White River-Arkansas
From Arkansas Game and Fish CommissionApril 23, 2008 Edition
White River:
John Berry of Berry Brothers Guides said when the Corps of Engineers first opened the flood gates at Bull Shoals dam there was a lot of trash flowing down stream that made navigation very dangerous. Now that the river has cleared and stabilized a bit boating on the river is a bit better. Several ramps are still flooded and great care should be taken when launching or loading your boat during heavy generation. The use of a personal flotation device is highly recommended when boating on heavy water. The fishing on the upper White has been excellent, particularly the Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals dam. The key to success has been to use conventional high water tactics. Large brightly colored San Juan worms (red, hot pink, cerise and fire orange have all been productive) fished with a lot of lead and, of course, a really big strike indicator to float it all. This is not a delicate proposition and I would recommend larger tippet than normal, at least 4X to handle the larger flies and additional weight. Make sure that your indicator is set on the leader to enable the fly to tick the bottom of the water column. Remember it is a bit deeper than normal. This rig will be difficult to cast with the four weight rod than you fish on low water. I would recommend a stiff five weight or even better a six weight. If you are not fishing in Catch and Release waters, you should consider using a dropper (it is illegal to use more than one hook on your line in Catch and Release waters). The easiest way to do this is to tie a twenty four inch section of tippet to the bend of the lead hook with an improved clinch knot. Then tie on a small nymph or egg pattern to that piece of tippet. This tactic could double your chances of a hook up. Sportsman’s White River Resort said the water is crystal clear with four to eight generators running around the clock. Trout fishing is excellent on Power Bait, Rattling Rogues, Rapalas and imitation worms in natural or red colors. They also recommend lures such as 3/16-ounce Little Cleos and large Rooster Tails. Mountain River Fly Shop said this time last week the Journal was talking about how good low-water midging was going. Seven days later there is 10-feet of water over the same shoals, with all 17 floodgates cracked 6 inches. It equates to just under 2 units of water extra on top of the 8 units of generation, but from most reports this week, the fishing has been excellent. A few things are clear – first, you need a boat and a designated driver. It might be a guide or a buddy. But half the skill is in boat positioning, and using the motor to extend the drift, so the flies are down where they need to be and stay there until they get eaten. This isn’t always easy in the type of winds we have forecast. Fish the grass beds and current seams where fish can hold and find food easily. The high water has flooded acres of fertile grassy fields, river edges which are full of worms. San Juans and variants just work. Fish long leaders and lots of weight and a big indicator to hold them up.
Bull Shoals Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 694.16 feet MSL.
Lake Norfork: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 579.30 feet MSL. Cranfield Junction Bait and Tackle (870-492-5141) reported the water is high. No fishing report. 101 Grocery and Bait said walleye fishing has been good this week on the points and in the coves with running creeks. Most walleye have been caught on live bait. White bass are still biting well. Striper fishing is good on live bait and some are doing well using Rogues fished in less than 30 feet of water. Crappie fishing is picking up using a minnow/jig combo around 20-30 feet deep. The water temperature has been in the high 50s to mid-60s. Catfishing has been good using limb lines and rod-and-reel with live bait. Bass fishing has been fair on trick worms, lizards and flukes in the grassy areas and around the trees and brush.
Norfork Tailwater:
Gene’s Trout Dock (870-499-5381) said most places are underwater and they’ve closed because of flood conditions. Mountain River Fly Shop said the flood gates have closed on the Norfork since we started writing this week's issue and we are keen to get over and have a look. By all reports the river banks look like a hurricane has gone through. You really have to feel for the dock owners on the Norfork, who bore the brunt of the flood impacts in this area. But in a fly-fishing sense, Norfork is going to be pretty exciting to explore. The huge volume of water has reshaped and renewed the river. You have to remember this cycle of flood, disturbance, and renewal is part of the natural life cycle of Arkansas rivers. The flood left a large amount of sandy sediment along the banks, which might result in some dirty water after the next few rains. Our only fishing report so far came while the flood gates were open, and shad patterns were doing well with some nice browns caught in the upper part of the river. Boat access does remain a problem however with the Upper boat ramp car park reportedly heavily damaged and still closed. The boat ramp at the confluence of the White River wasn't all that easy to access either with flood debris necessitating the use of some care while launching. John Berry of Berry Brothers Guides said they have been running two full generators around the clock. The same high water tactics suggested for the White should also work here. The extensive flooding of the Norfork has scoured the river and it has changed. This is the first time that this has happened since Norfork dam was constructed over sixty years ago. There has been much discussion that this flushing will be good for the river in the long run and may actually revitalize it. An interesting side note is that there have been numerous reports of Lake Species such as stripers, walleye and gar being caught on the Norfork tail waters. They were obviously washed through the flood gates during recent operations. Dry Run Creek was flooded also. The water almost got into the Hatchery. This was caused by water backing up from the Norfork and the Creek was not scoured as it was before. Dry Run has returned to normal and once again is fishing well. The hot flies have been sowbugs, San Juan worms (worm brown and red were the hot colors), olive woolly buggers, egg patterns and Y2Ks.