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White River - April 23rd, 2008
supplied by: Blue Ribbon Fly Shop
RECORDED: 
68 °
FISHING: Excellent
The flood gates were opened temporarily on both Bull Shoals and Norfork Dam this month creating very high waters and in Norfork's case severe flooding. The Bull Shoals power house is expected to continuously run all eight units for months to come while Norfork is running two with only sporadic intermissions of no generation. Because of the open flood gates, there have been reports of stripers and walleye below the Norfork dam. John Gulley, Orvis Guide, recently reported that a client of his caught a 7 pound striper on a 7 weight rod that fought from the dam to the vicinity of Gene's on a red San Juan worm. There is no doubt that both river systems will be changed forever. The Norfork more than the White since tons of sediment have flushed out creating deep holes that will now be homes to many large cutts, browns, bows, and brooks. The fish will reap the benefits of what has become so inconvenient and miserable to the fisherman and property owners. An abundance of food sources will certainly stimulate feeding habits resulting in larger and healthier fish; not to mention the influx of oxygen rich waters. There will be extremely limited opportunities, if any, to wade any time soon. As mentioned in previous reports, high water fishing techniques are crucial to making the best of this new situation. Heavily weighted rigs and high visibility, buoyant strike indicators are a must in addition to a brightly colored fly selection. San Juan worms and egg patterns in pink and red have been the ticket recently.The following is a report and photos from our resident guide, Jeremy Hunt, on a recent guide excursion with Blue Ribbon clients...April 19th 2008
Rim Shoals & Bull Shoals Dam
I had my first official trip with Blue Ribbon today, that included a group of four from Oklahoma. The other guide was Steve Nelson who has been guiding with this shop for 17 years. We decided to start the day at Rim and meet back for lunch. I noticed right off the water had a green tint to it so I was iffy about this spot. It was this morning's generation coming through. Since the water was off color I decided to throw loud flies they could see. Paul was fishing my egg pattern that I use on Taneycomo and Richard had on a red San Juan worm. It looked like four units so we set about eight feet deep with a BB size split shot. We caught fish, but I must say they were few and far between. By lunch time we had seven landed and missed about that many. The other group had twelve with about that many missed also.
All I can say is, I was ready to blow this popsicle stand. I didn't know what the other group wanted to do so we discussed our options. Steve wanted to go fish Norfork and I wanted to fish right up at the dam on the White. Everyone was game so that's what we did. I never saw the other group so I don't know how they did; but our day got better. We began by fishing a fire orange San Juan worm tied in micro chenille. The water was clear and the current was good. They had six wheels online, but it was equivalent to four max units. That's always been good water for me and, to tell you the truth, some of the best fishing conditions for bigger fish caught throughout the day. Most of the water was coming from the generators to the left so that was the lane the fish were feeding. I would say for the majority of the day every drift we made someone or both caught fish. The quality was definitely there too. We caught all rainbows with most in the 14-18 inch range.
I know people are debating whether to travel here and fish these tailwaters because of high generation. Truth is, the conditions are great. However, you will need a boat if you want to stay on the drift long enough to get in front of fish for a long period of time. That's the key for hooking more fish.
Big fish should be caught more than once!!
Jeremy Hunt
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White River - April 1st, 2008
supplied by: Blue Ribbon Fly Shop
RECORDED:
60 °
FISHING: Great
Immediately following the heavy rains that drenched Northern Arkansas this last week of March, low levels of generation on the White made wading access possible immediately below the dam. As days passed, the water clarity continued to improve down river and fishing was excellent. Unfortunately some anglers were deterred by national media reports and stayed close to home during this time. Ironically this was probably the last window of opportunity for wade fishermen to access the river in the near future. Weather forecasts include more precipitation for Northern Arkansas as well as Southern Missouri. It's been reported that dam generation will steadily increase until all units are operational once the lower White has receded. Fishing high water can be extremely productive when the right techniques are implemented. Heavily weighted flies and long leaders are a must. Fluctuating water levels have provided fish ample food sources including scuds, sow bugs, and worms; but the key is presentation at the fish's sight line. Bright colors are recommended and will certainly attact attention. Although this time of year can be especially conducive to Caddis imitations, high water levels will undoubtedly handicap surface presentations. Consider sinking tip line with streamers cast towards the bank or soft hackles such as the bead head red ass. Although the current developments will impede fishing access by means of wading, this is an excellent time for fish to fatten up with many sources of food to choose from. Stay tuned for more reports and consistenly larger fish...
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White River - March 25th, 2008
supplied by: Blue Ribbon Fly Shop
RECORDED: 
56 °
FISHING: Great
Although the national media suggests that ALL of Arkansas is flooded, that is just not the case! The White River water clarity is currently clear from Bull Shoals Dam down to Buffalo City with two generators online for the past three days. The Norfork is consistently running both units around the clock which limits this area to boat fishing. Once the lower flooded areas of the White has receded, you can expect the generation to steadily increase during the weeks to come. So if you had plans to visit here in the near future, now is the time before higher generation begins.
One can expect to be successful with an assortment of midges and scuds in size #18, San Juan worms in red or pink, and soft hackles with hints of red or green. March is also known for great Caddis hatches so don't leave those behind!
For more information on flooded areas of AR, click... http://tinyurl.com/2ujyrw
Blue Ribbon Fly Shop
www.blueribbonflyfish.com
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White River - March 1st, 2008
supplied by: Blue Ribbon Fly Shop
RECORDED:
58 °
FISHING: Great
Dam generation is heavy these last two weeks of February due in part to torrential rains, ice, sleet, snow, etc. here in northern Arkansas as well as southern Missouri. In fact, we've seen continued generation of up to six units for continuous days at Bull Shoals and two at Norfork. As a result there are reports of a shad kill at BSD which created congestion for boaters attempting to land a trophy beginning on 2/23. We've received reports of nice fish but not the quantity expected as it relates to a shad kill... yet. If you plan to fish the BSD dam area in the near future make sure you're well equipped with an assortment of white shad imitations such as Arkansas beadheads. Some anglers are fishing from the banks during these high generation periods but we advise extreme caution if you choose to do so. Further down river successful fly patterns include an assortment of midges including zebra midges (black, gray, and olive), green soft hackles, submarine soft hackles #16, bead head caddis pupa #16, green copper johns #14, #16, #18, olive scuds, sowbugs, and red or pink San Juan worms. We've fished Norfork from the boat during high generation recently and were most successful with worms and light colored egg patterns. We landed and released many quality browns, rainbows, and cutts in the14" to 18" range as well as a few smaller brooks below the dam. Recent reports indicate wade fishing near the dam has resulted in quality browns on the fly.
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White River - February 15th, 2008
supplied by: Blue Ribbon Fly Shop
RECORDED: 
38 °
FISHING: Great
Both the weather and the generation schedule remained equally inconsistent these first two weeks of February. Icy conditions prevailed for days now with occasional temperature spikes in the 50s and lows in the 20s. Bull Shoals generation schedule fluctuates between 4+ units in the morning following a lesser 1-2 units for the remainder of the day. Expect higher generation patterns in the weeks ahead. Norfork is still light on the generation schedule. Maybe 1-2 units in the early am hours following shut down throughout the day. Whether you're heading to Wildcat, Rim, or the dam, all fishing great, be prepared to arm yourself with an assortment of midge patterns in #18s or so. Choosing the right color midge makes all the difference lately. Zebra midges in olive, tan, and gray, are three colors making the rotation. Great reports on Psycho midges, Hank's wooly, sculpin imitations, and olive coneheads. Overcast skies combined with agitated waters may dictate your color selection. Don't hesitate to make the change when the conditions change.Book your guide trip now! Warmer temperatures are just around the corner and our guide books fill quickly.
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White River - February 1st, 2008
supplied by: Blue Ribbon Fly Shop
RECORDED: 
34 °
FISHING: Great
Frigid temperatures prevailed throughout the last two weeks of January making the fishing opportunities few and far between for this angler. There were some afternoons of which the temperature peaked in the mid-forties but the wind chill dictated the my fishing method. I admit I'm not a big a fan of extreme cold but I'm REALLY not a fan of the evil cold wind chill. No shad kill to report as of this date but that's not to say it is an impossibility. Bull Shoals Dam began an erratic generation schedule mid-month by releasing as much as six+ units in the early morning hours typically followed by a more manageable 2-3 units making boat fishing a possibility. Unfortunately the freezing temperatures deterred most anglers from choosing this option as seen by little traffic on the White. Norfork tends to be more consistent with an average of 2 units running in the early morning hours but usually shuts down by 9 am. As of late the fishing here has been hit or miss. We've had a few decent excursions with an average of 2-4 fish per hour and other times 1 per hour. Due to the water release on the White, we've noticed quite a few more anglers below the dam area and above the handicap access. Warmer temperatures are in the forecast for the first few weeks in February and no immediate threat of another cold front.Hot flies continute to be tan or olive midges in sizes 18-22, gray micro scuds, jujubee midges, DW's white tail midges, pheasant tail nymphs, Arkansas beadhead, BH Brassies, and olive wooleys.
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White River - December 3rd, 2007
supplied by: Blue Ribbon Fly Shop
RECORDED: 
42 °
FISHING: Great
The warm weather seems to be officially over and winter is looming. Recent wet weather combined with bitter cold may damper one’s efforts to get out there but the fishing is great and worth the effort! The foot traffic and fishing pressure has dropped considerably.
Both the White and Norfork Rivers are fishing pretty typically for this time of year. Standard patterns: Glo Bugs, Y2K Bug, San Juan Worms in pink and tan, Olive Wooly Buggers, Orange eggs with red dot, BH Olive midges in olive, Copper Johns, ‘56ers, and Sculpins are working well. A late afternoon suggestion would be soft hackles… particularly the Red Ass. It’s been working well in both the White and Norfork in size 14 and 16.
As far as water levels in the rivers, both dams have been running little or no water each day. The White is running one unit on average around the clock while suspending flow for short increments and the Norfork remains shut down during the day with usually only one unit running in the early morning for one hour. Wading is not a problem in most areas but it should be noted that the frigid air and high winds require a layer of clothing.
This is the quiet season, from now until March, so if you like a little solitude and can stand the weather, put on your warmest clothes and bring it on! Remember too that we can get a powerful amount of rain in the next couple of months and that may change the good wading conditions we have now. So take advantage while you can!
The Blue Ribbon Staff Bob Cooke, Larry Babin, Ron Yarborough, Steve Nelson
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White River - October 30th, 2007
supplied by: Blue Ribbon Fly Shop
RECORDED:
69 °
FISHING: Great
The Norfork recent low water generation has attracted lots of wading anglers but at the same time created dissolved oxygen levels below the dam. That being said, be sure to release fish quickly and carefully.
Flies: Psycho & Zebra midges- red, black, and grey in 18s. Tan sowbugs & scuds. Egg patterns: beige w/orange glo bugs. San Juan worms in pink and natural colors.
Late afternoon try soft hackles such as a Red Ass!
It may not be a bad idea to have an extra spool with sink tip line…
The White continues to generate at least one unit around the clock making wading opportunities few and far between.
Flies: Olive wooley buggers in #10s and #14s, Orange scuds, Y2Ks, near nuff sculpins, 56’ers.
Careful where you walk… browns are spawning!
Make a difference! Teach someone to fly fish!
Blue Ribbon Staff
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White River - October 3rd, 2007
supplied by: Blue Ribbon Fly Shop
RECORDED:
78 °
FISHING: Great
Fall is a special time on our tail waters, and it’s finally here! If you like to fish terrestrials, then get out there. It’s still hopper time! September through the first week or two of October is prime time to be out plying our waters with your big ugly bugs. Watch for micro caddis in the evenings. Those little jerky flying insects that the trout are making splashy rises to are not midges. Although midges may be hatching at the same time, the trout will often key on the small (#18-22) cinnamon colored caddis that you will see during fall evenings. They require fine tippets, perfect drifts and sharp eyes, but will often reward you with some exciting evenings of dry fly fishing. On cloudy days , during a light drizzle or right after a rain, be on the lookout for blue winged olives! Be prepared with a size 18 or 20 immitation. Soft hackles work well during the early stages of both the above hatches--especially the caddis. As the days get shorter and fall moves along, streamer fishing will become more and more productive. Concentrate on early mornings, evenings and periods of fog or inclement weather. When fishing streamers, keep your rod tip within 2” of the water and pointed in the direction of your fly. Practice strip striking and not only will you feel and hook more of your strikes, but you will also get a lot of second chances at missed strikes that you would never have gotten had you jerked your fly away with an overhead strike. Nymphers: You should be stocked up with the usual scuds, PT’s, Copper Johns, Zebra midges, North Fork bead heads, Hare’s ears, San Juan worms and the like. Remember: “The deader the drift, the livelier the fishing!” As always, water releases will dictate a lot of your water choices. Also, as always, these releases are unpredictable. We can usually count on more wading water in the Fall, but ALWAYS be prepared for rapidly rising water! (Call 870-431-5311 for current conditions.)
We have some of the year’s best weather, water conditions and fall color to look forward to between now and Thanksgiving. The trout fishing on the White and North Fork Rivers give us all much to be thankful for. Those wonderful resources also give us all a shared responsibility to care for them and use them responsibly so that we can pass them down to future generations in as good, or better condition than we received them. Stop by and see us. We’ll give you a map and get you fixed up!
Bob & Larry
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White River - June 25th, 2007
supplied by: Blue Ribbon Fly Shop
FISHING: Great
Summer generally means periods of heavy power generation on our tail waters. This is very good for the trout. Trout in our rivers have their highest growth rates during periods of sustained generation, so they’ll be fat and sassy. High water on our tail waters is usually crystal clear, so power generation can also be good for fly fishers—if they know what to do! Large trout loose much of their caution in high water. Fishing during generation is the best time for a chance at landing a trophy. (Fishing for spawners doesn’t count. We would never do that and we trust that you wouldn’t either). High water fly fishing means boat fishing—with a few rare and closely guarded exceptions that you will need to discover on your own! Most western guide trips are float trips with good reason—your chances of success are improved dramatically. The same applies to a day on our rivers. If you’ve never floated the river with one of our guides, you owe it to yourself to give it a try. You will learn a lot about the fishery, see more country and fish more of the river(s) than you ever have in one day! It’s a blast, and you will learn things that will apply to and help your wade fishing as well.
If you’re going to try boat fishing on your own, please be careful! Designate one person as a boat operator or take turns operating the boat and fishing. The person(s) fishing will get a better drift this way and everyone will be safer. Our rivers are really not the best places to learn your boating skills. Lessons can be hard. Every year boats capsize and sink in our rivers and the results can be deadly. Also every year people bring their big power boats only to have the water fall out and leave them stranded on a gravel bar (or worse) and unable to make it back to the ramp. Drift boats or wide, flat bottomed fiberglass jon boats are the best tools for our rivers. Aluminum sticks on rocks. Motors over 15 hp are unnecessary. If your boat needs more than 6” of water to float or 14” of water to run, it’s the wrong tool for the job. It is illegal to drag a chain, an anchor or anything else that hits bottom on the North Fork. It can also be dangerous to do so on the White. Never drag an anchor! Do not anchor in high or rising water! We want you to have fun and do it safely so that you can stop back by the shop and tell fishing stories on your way home. Remember, a good guide is worth his weight in trout—double his weight in high water!
Bull Shoals powerhouse has been generating around the clock for a couple of weeks now. As noted above, there is still some great fishing to be had on the White River—even some dry fly fishing! Mostly however, it’s deep nymphing that will be bringing your trout to the boat. Because of the clarity of the water, all of your low water nymphs, scuds, sow bugs and midge larva patterns still work—just use larger sizes and/or drop them below a larger or brighter attractor pattern (remember, droppers are not legal in catch and release areas). You will need to vary your weight, the size of your indicator and the length/depth of your tippet. Whatever it takes to get down near the bottom and stay down near the bottom is what you will have to do. This will tell you a lot about your ability to “dead drift”. A poor drift will quickly plane to the surface. You will need a lot more weight and catch a lot fewer trout if you’re not paying constant attention to your drift. This is a great time and opportunity to perfect your mending skills. That’s just one of many things that will apply to your wade fishing later.
Most days, there is still some wading water to be found on the North Fork, of course you will be sharing that water with a number of people most days. Lighter tippets and smaller flies are the rule—especially on sunny days. Midge larva like the Zebra Midge or the Norfork Beadhead tend to be the best producers. Various scud and sow bug patterns work too. Be prepared for various small caddis, mayfly, crane fly and midge hatches as well. If you’re not much on nymphing (work on that dead drift!) assorted streamers, including wooly buggers work best during low light conditions or during a rain. Try swinging a crackle back or soft hackles when it’s sunny. Watch for rising water! It’s almost sure to come up at some point during the day this time of year. When it does—get out! If you’ve got a kid (15 years old or less) with you, that’s a good time to head over to Dry Run Creek. It will make you wish you were a kid again—but don’t get tempted. You are not allowed to have a rod in your hands. Watching a youngster fish to those whoppers can sometimes be more fun that fishing yourself. Remember to wet your hands, crimp your barbs and have a blast. Stop by and see us. We’ll give you a map and get you fixed up!
Don Adams
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