Fishing Report Archives Of 2008
Fishing Report Archives Of 2008
I've been on the river all but one day this past week and have fished several different stretches of water, including: Bull Shoals Dam, Wildcat, Norfork River, and Rim Shoals. With Bull Shoals averaging 7 units and Norfork running 2, drift fishing from the boat has been most productive. Working the banks, islands and any grassbeds you can find will produce fish in these high water conditions. Although we've caught some nice fish on shad patterns, the shad kill seems to be tapering off on both rivers. When not targeting the shad kill, san juan worms have been the way to go and egg patterns, copper johns and AR. beadheads are producing fish as well.
I'm starting see more caddis in the afternoons. We've landed a fair number of fish on soft hackles and elk hair dries the past three days. Doing this on high water requires working the downstream end of the islands and the back eddies. It hasn't been the most productive means of fishing right now, but everyone enjoys it and it does give you an afternoon break from casting the giant nymph rigs.
March 13
As a general rule the Norfork River doesn't fish as well once it reaches it's peak water flows (two full units). However this did not hold true the past few days. The fishing has been great! We've landed many fish, browns and bows alike and the average size have been a little larger than normal. The hot flies were shad patterns, egg patterns and san juan worms.
Sorry this report didn't get published until the 23rd. I clicked the wrong box on the screen and didn't notice. I tell ya, I've really got the computer skills!! Not that it'll do much good now, but here's the simplified report for March 18.
March 18
Due to the recent rains or what some of the locals are calling "the flood of 08", the White and the Norfork were practically unfishable Wednesday. With much of the North AR. area averaging twelve inches of rain in about a day and a half, plus the ground already being saturated from the previous rains and snow, there's been a great deal of flooding. All of the flood water from the creeks and streams caused the rivers to become very dirty, with almost zero visibility.
Now the good news! By Friday morning the corps were able to generate enough water through the Bull Shoals Dam to clean the upper 3-5 miles of river. So I took my clients up river to the only clean water available and I'm glad I did. Although it was very crowded the fishing was fantastic. We fished from the boat in the morning and waded the entire afternoon. The best fish were three browns in the 17 to 19 inch range and many fat and sassy bows. We caught fish on white and pink AR. beadheads, egg patterns, san juan worms and several different soft hackles.
Yesterday we attempted to get away from the crowds by fishing the Norfork and by the number of boats, so did everyone else. Norfork has been generating 1 to 1.5 genertors since 10:00 am friday morning and the fishing has been the best I seen in quit a while! We had one slow period yesterday afternoon for about 45 minutes. But other than that, we caught fish steady all weekend. Between the two days we landed around 20 browns, 8 cutthroat, 2 brooks and no telling how many rainbows. Rob, one of my clients, got lucky enough to grand slam two days in a row. The best fish were several bows in the 17 to 18 inch range and a 19 inch brown. Keeping it simple, the hot flies were egg patterns and san juan worms.
March 23
The national press along with some of the fly fishing website chat rooms and forums have hit this area hard lately regarding the recent heavy rains, flooding and high water generations. I have received so many emails and phone calls about how the high water is going to effect the fishing on the White and Norfork Rivers. Well it's true, we did get a lot of rain, the rivers did flood and get pretty muddy for a short period of time. But, the actual flooding happened on the lower White River due to the flooding from Crooked Creek and Buffalo River!
In fact, the White's first 21 miles below Bull Shoals Dam has NOT flooded since before 1951 when the dam was completed. Within two days after the heavy rains, the upper section of the White River was very fishable and the fishing was very good! As for the Norfork River It took a little longer because the muddy high water from Crooked Creek and the Buffalo had backed up into it, all the way to the dam. But even the Norfork was very good fishing within four days of the flood!
On to the information floating around on the website forums and chat rooms. You would think it was 9/11 all over again! So many are concerned about the anticipated high water generation after the flood waters resolve down stream on the White River. Yes, more than likely, we are going to see higher water flows this year than in recent years. And yes, I would also be concerned about it,... IF I had no experience fishing and guiding on the higher water flows! This is not the first flood we've seen and it will not be the last! All I see are positive things coming from it! One, the fish will grow larger, due to less fishing pressure because many people don't know how to deal with the higher water. Two, it will give some of the less experienced anglers a chance to get out and learn how to be productive on higher water. And three, it will help consumers identify any fly-by-night guide service giving false information, likely because of it's inexperience or inability to produce during our high water conditions!
I've guided the last seven days at the Norfork River on high water and the fishing was absolutely fantastic, until this cold front moved in yesterday afternoon! My clients got the Arkansas grand slam (landing a brown, rainbow, cutthroat, and brook trout, all in the same day) 5 out of the last seven days. The hot flies continue to be egg patterns and san juan worms. I'm also starting to see an increase in caddis hatches!
MARCH 29
"White River Could Hit 100-yr Flood Mark"
"AR. now epicenter of widespread flooding"
Headlines like these are causing fly fishermen to miss some of the best fishing in years!
The heavy rains caused rising lake levels and forced the Corps of Engineers to run both dams at higher generation, even periodically opening flood gates on both rivers. But don't let this keep you from fishing- because the fishing continues to be as good as I've seen in years! Although the heavy rains and additional dam generation has been intermittently running just over a month, I've already noticed an increase in the quality of fish that we're landing! With less fishing pressure and higher water levels, the fish are feeding like crazy! The "go-to" flies continue to be egg patterns and san juan worms, both in several different colors and sizes. The caddis hatch is really taking off on the White River. But with very few fish rising up 8 to 12 ft. to take the dry flies, I suggest a caddis nymph or even a soft hackle as a dropper below an attractor fly, such as an egg pattern.
Although the higher water flows have not changed the White River itself, I can't say the same for the Norfork. After opening the flood gates for about four days at over 83,000 CFS, my wild guess is that 60 percent of the Norfork River has changed. Along with the shoals being different, there are also several new gravel bars which remind me a lot of Crooked Creek. The weed beds and other vegetation took a pretty hard hit. I've heard some say that this will have a negative impact on the insect population. I'm not an entomologist, but after seeing tons of scuds and sow bugs on the Norfork since it flooded, it would be hard to convince me of a negative impact on the food source for the fish thus far. Any silt that was in the river is positively gone! From what I've been able to see of the "New" Norfork River, so far looks great and although it looks like it might be a while before we'll see it wadable, I'm looking forward to getting out there on low water and exploring these new stretches of river. Regardless of the water level, though, I can tell you there is great fishing to enjoy!
April 27
Other than a few minor thunderstorms, mother nature has been good to the fly fishers in northern Arkansas for the past couple of weeks. The White and Norfork Rivers continue to run higher water levels, but surprisingly not as high as you would think considering the lakes are so full. While the Norfork has been running 1 to 2 units, the White has been running 3 to 7 units. Either situation makes for some good fly fishing and both rivers continue to be fishing great! Lately, I've been spending most of my days on the upper White River. The fish have been very cooperative and it seems that these higher water levels have helped improve the quality of the fish that we're landing!! The caddis hatches have been very good, but few fish will swim 8 ft. up to take the dry fly. Therefore, using a caddis nymph below an attractor pattern continues to be working very well. As in the last report, the "go to" flies are egg patterns and san juan worms. Both in several different colors and sizes (too many to mention). On lower water levels Green Butt soft hackles, green and partridge soft hackles, and olive green or tan caddis nymphs are working very well. There is great fishing to enjoy!!
May 11
Sorry for the late post! Being on the water almost every day for the past few weeks has left little time for fishing reports. So, I'll get right to it. Due to a couple of slow mornings and the reports I've been getting from some of my guide friends, I've not spent much time on the Norfork River. The fishing was good one of the three days I spent on the Norfork and the other two days I took out at lunch to finish up on the White River were we hammered fish all afternoon! The best word to describe the Norfork for the past few weeks is inconsistent! I believe it has to do with the amount of traffic on the river. If you can catch it when there's not many people on it, the bite seems to be better. Unfortunately, the Norfork has seen a lot of traffic lately because of the higher water levels on the White River.
The best way to describe the White River at this time is consistently good fishing!! From Buffalo Shoals up to the Bull Shoals Dam, the fishing has been good every day and the boat traffic is less than normal. There seems to be more big browns caught on the upper White than the lower. The number of quality fish are better than recent years and will only get better with these higher water flows! The water flows have been between 4 and 7 units. This means fishing deep with larger than normal flies and sometimes using droppers. There are tons of mayflies coming off, but same as the caddis, few fish are coming up 8 to 10 feet for them. Copper johns, bh pheasant tails, and one fly soft Hackles are working well when the Maylies are hatching. The most consistent flies continue to be egg patterns, san juan worms, san juan worms and did I mention san juan worms!! There is great fishing to enjoy!!
June 3
The fishing reports, that I've been getting from some of my guide friends about the Norfork River, are improving. However, it still seems to be inconsistent. As I mentioned in the last report, I believe it has something to do with the number of boats and fishermen. Wish I had more info. for you on the Norfork River, but haven't spent much time on it lately.
The upper White River continues to fish very well! I've fished all but 3 days there since the last report. The water levels remain in the 5 to 7 unit range. At times there have been short periods of dirty water that you can escape from by simply running up or down river. Although I've used the same flies for the past six weeks, they continue to produce more and bigger fish than any other (If it aint broke, don't fix it.). The number and quality of the fish continue to improve. We are still seeing some mayflies in the afternoons. Wish the fish would focus on them as much as us fishermen!! Seems like such a waste to see all the mayflies coming off the water and your fishing nymph rigs 8 ft. deep. But, then you catch another nice rainbow or brown and forget about the dry fly fishing for a while!! The go to flies are egg patterns and san juan worms. While the mayflies are hatching: copper johns, prince nymphs and soft hackles can produce some nice fish as well. There is great fishing to enjoy!!
June 21
For several weeks, the Norfork River has had wadable water until early afternoon. But, the bite has been hit or miss. The bite is better during the week days, when there's less people. Due to constant high water on the White River, wade fishing during the weekends can be very crowded on the Norfork. The go to flies are copper johns, zebra midges, trout crack, san jaun worms and egg patterns.
The White River continues to fish very well!! The water level have been consistently in the 5 to 8 unit range and the fish are growing as I type this. The dirty water periods that I discussed in the last report have improved a great deal. Although the wade fishing is not as productive during these high water conditions, drift fishing the White River from a boat is as good or better than anywhere on this planet!! The go to flies are egg patterns and san juan worms.
There is great fishing to enjoy!!
July 21
For the past few days the Norfork River has had wadable water unit mid morning. However, I wouldn't recommend making a very long drive to the Norfork in hopes of wading. Due to the water levels further down stream falling, I expect the generation on the Norfork to increase to 24 hrs a day. The days I've fished the Norfork, have landed good numbers of fish but their size are not as good as the fish we've been landing on the White River. There's been rumors of pouching in the catch and release area, which I'm sure is true to some degree. But, it also makes a good excuse for those that are not landing quality fish. Although we've landed quit a few fish on prince nymphs, copper johns, hares ears and midge patterns, the go to flies remain san juan worms and egg patterns.
My White River fishing reports are starting to sound like a broken record! The fishing on the White has been fantastic (check out the photo gallery)!! There's been reports of the lower and middle sections doing well, but the results I'm getting from the upper White has kept me there. I'm starting to see a little more surface activity, which may only be "stockers in training" because I've not done very well on hoppers the past couple of times that I've tried them. However, I do believe our hopper season will kick off anytime now!! I'm so looking forward to it!!! As for now the go to flies on the White River remain san juan worms and egg patterns. There is great fishing to enjoy!!
August 23
Water levels: The COE (Corps Of Engineers) has reduced the generation on both Bull Shoals and Norfork Dams due to the rain events we were handed by hurricane Gustave and Ike. While the Norfork river continues to have wadable water until around noon each day, the White River has been running 2-3 units over night and increasing to 5-6 units in early morning.
As for numbers of fish, I've heard good reports on the Norfork River, but not much in the way of quality fish. With only 4.7 miles of river it can get pretty crowded on low water when the White River is generating. Therefore, I've spent most of my days on the White River. The go to flies for the Norfork at this time are zebra midges, san juan worms #16, red ass #16 and woolly buggers. Hoppers should also produce this time of year on the lower water.
Wadable water on the White River has been hit or miss for the past few weeks. During those periods of wadable water the red ass and woolly buggers have produced some very nice fish, but you couldn't go wrong with a hopper and dropper. A red ass tied about 2-3 ft. below a hopper was as good as it gets. Unfortunately, with the COE slowly increasing the generation on the White River, I doubt we'll see much (if any) wadable water for a while. As earlier mentioned, the White River has been running 2-3 units over night and increasing to 5-6 units early morning. The early morning increase in generation was causing the river to get "trashy" down river from the dam, but that has improved dramatically. Fishing the first few miles below Bull Shoals Dam has been very productive with san juan worms, red ass kelsos, gray sow bugs and egg patterns. There is great fishing to enjoy!! 
Sept. 22
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WHITE RIVER FLYGUIDE
WHITE RIVER FLYGUIDE
Ron Yarborough's
Ron Yarborough's
LLC
Phone: (870) 688-1755
Email: ronflyfish@gmail.com
10644 Hwy 62E Harrison, AR 72601
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Oct.30
Water Level: The White River continues to run 6-7 units and the Norfork River 1-2. While the wading possibilities are decreased on the White at this time, there's been plenty of wadable water on the Norfork River, however you need a boat to access it. The water will rise much faster on these partial unit runs, so if wading the Norfork, make sure to keep an eye out for the rising water.
Fall is here and due to the rains we've had through out the year, the Fall foliage is as pretty as it gets!! Unfortunately, the cooler weather that brings our beautiful Fall colors, also causes the lakes to turn over. The lakes turning over causes periodic problems with low dissolved oxygen (D.O.) in the water. This in turn, makes the fish appear sluggish and also slows the bite. This happens every year and this year is no different. The two best ways to avoid this problem is 1: Study and keep up to date with the daily D.O. reports for both rivers (You can find these reports on my web site at the left side of the page under River D.O. & Temp). The lakes turn over in sections, not all at once. So you may see several days or even a week of low or high D.O. levels, then over night they'll change drastically. Supposedly, the magic number is 6 ppm(parts per million). But, I've seen some great fishing this year with D.O. levels running 4ppm to 5ppm. I usually try to stay away from D.O. levels of 3ppm or under. This information is a great way to determine the best sections of river to fish for the day!! 2: Fish further down stream from the dams. The sun light along with the water churning over boulders and other objects in the river usually helps increase the D.O. levels in the water. This is one of the reasons for the partial unit run that's happening on the Norfork at this time.
Both Rivers have been fishing very well the past few weeks. I've fished in the Rim Shoals area during the periods of low D.O. on the White River and continue to do well with san juan worms and egg patterns(no surprise there)!! While fishing the upper White during periods of decent D.O. the best flies again have been san juan worms and egg patterns, but caddis emergers, gray sow bugs, soft hackles and copper johns have also been producing some nice fish. The Norfork River has been great the past few weeks. The over all size of the fish are not quite as good as the White River, but we're landing good numbers of fish, including browns and cutthroats! There's also been some really good caddis hatches during the afternoons. The most productive rig for the norfork at this time is a red ass fished below an egg pattern. There is great fishing to enjoy!!
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