John Berry's Report: Erratic flows affect fly-fishing
During the past week, we have had no rain, cold temperatures and heavy wind (to include lake-wind advisories). The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam fell .4 of a foot to rest at 4.5 feet below the power pool of 654 feet. This is 45.5 feet below the top of the flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock Lake fell .7 of a foot to rest at 5.7 feet below the power pool or 21.7 feet below the top of the flood pool.
Beaver Lake fell .6 of a foot to rest at 6.7 feet below the power pool or 16.3 feet below the top of the flood pool. On the White, we had an erratic schedule with a burst of heavy water in the morning and again in the afternoon with some wadable water in between.
Norfork Lake fell .5 of a foot to rest at 6.4 feet below the power pool of 552 feet or 34.4 feet below the top of the flood pool.
On the North Fork, we have had a similar pattern with less generation and reliable wadable water. All of the lakes on the White River System are significantly below power pool and we should have more wadable water. This week's heavy generation is considered to be the result of our frigid temperatures.
The catch-and-release section below Bull Shoals Dam is closed until Jan. 31 to accommodate the brown trout spawn. The state park from the bottom of the catch-and-release section down to the wing wall will be seasonal catch-and-release for the same period.
On the White, the browns are in spawn. There are spawning beds in various locations. Please try to avoid these areas. On high water, do not drag chains through them. On low water, carefully avoid them when wading.
Overall the fishing has been a bit slow and there here have been few anglers. The fishing has centered on some pretty reliable midge hatches, our most prolific insect this time of year.
When there is no topwater action concentrate on midge larva or pupa imitations. The hot flies have been red or black zebra midges with silver wire and silver beads in size 20 or 22. When there is active feeding on the surface, try midge emergers. Dan's turkey tail emerger has been very productive.
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