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White River - May 15th, 2010
supplied by: Blue Ribbon Fly Shop
RECORDED: 
72 °
FISHING: Excellent
Blue Ribbon Fly Shop Fishing Report for 5-14-10
NOW is the time to take advantage of the best fishing we’ve seen in years
The seemingly steady rains that have pounded the Ozark region over the last week have pretty much avoided a “direct hit” on the Bull Shoals Lake and Norfork Lake watersheds. This means that reservoir levels have gone up slightly, but not enough to change the ways the dams are currently operating. Because much of the heavy flooding was far to the south on the White, the Corp is holding water back at Bull Shoals and Norfork Dams in an effort to help farming concerns. No one can accurately predict how long the flows will be held back, so the best way to get in on the great fishing and wonderful conditions is to try and get down here as soon as you can.
Caddis hatches have still been thick on the White, but with so many naturals on the water, it pays to have a couple strategies for fishing the hatch periods. During breaks in the hatch or if the trout turn off the surface bite, caddis pupa, green Copper Johns and midges in gold, brown, tan, copper, green, chartreuse and black remain consistently productive. Blue Ribbon Fly Shop now stocks a bead head hare’s ear pattern tied with a soft hackle collar – this fly is the perfect caddis and sulphur emerger, and has been the fly of choice for fishing during the mornings or when adult insects are sparse.
Surface activity on the Norfork is still sporadic, but that is likely to change any day now. Once we start seeing sulphurs and little yellow craneflies every afternoon, it will be dry fly heaven over there. The river is loaded with beautiful and healthy cutthroats (and brookies, ‘bows and browns), and this species is known for preferring dries. Every year is different, but if water flows remain wader-friendly, the dry fly action on the Norfork is primed to explode. Please call the shop for more details.
Although it will be tough to beat the spectacular fishing of the last few weeks, if the hatches and water flows line up just right, the action could get even more intense from now through Memorial Day Weekend. Even with the prolific caddis and steady sulphur hatches on the White, the rivers are relatively devoid of fly fishermen – especially during the week. We’ve had clients slamming rainbows, cutthroats and browns on the surface for hours on end; and they are doing this in virtual solitude. The fish are beautifully colored and they are fighting like they’ve never been hooked before.
Opportunities for this type of diverse and productive fishing do not come along every day, so be sure to take advantage, if it is at all a possibility. Besides the random spring shower, the weather is extremely comfortable. These are truly magical times on the White and Norfork; please let us show you how to make the most out of your fly fishing trip. It will not be long before the heat of summer settles in, and while fishing will still be great, the chance to fish lower flows during the spring on the White and Norfork is something every true fly angler should experience at least once in their ‘career’.
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White River - May 1st, 2010
supplied by: Blue Ribbon Fly Shop
RECORDED: 
69 °
FISHING: Great
Blue Ribbon Fly Shop
Fishing Report 5-1-10
It's a rarity, but every now and again, a little extra rain can be of benefit to anglers on the White River and Norfork Tailwater. Over the last week, heavy precipitation has inundated the central and southern parts of Arkansas. This means that our lakes have not seen a huge influx of water, but the Corp of Engineers is holding water back at the dams to keep from aggravating the flooding far downstream. The current release schedule is a perfect example of how water is managed for many different purposes in the White River Basin. Being at the right place at the right time is an art on these rivers, and a lot of people end up moving to the area just so they never miss out on those perfect conditions. Bull Shoals and Norfork Lakes are slightly high and while the forecast for this weekend calls for rain it is expected to be short lived. Wading has been excellent on Norfork during the middle of the day, and the caddis and sulphurs are starting to pop. This is just the beginning, and any low-water day on the Norfork has the potential to be a dry-fly heyday for the next month and a half. Concentrate dry fly fishing on the middle sections of the Norfork, and if the water shuts off at 10am, the best bite will not usually start until 1pm. Until then, midge fishing near the dam has been excellent.
The White is starting to look a lot better with respect to clarity, and recent flows in the two to three-unit levels (3,000cfs to 6000cfs) have been perfect for floating. Caddis emergers are the ticket most mornings, and by afternoon, you will need a mask to keep the bugs out of your mouth. A Green-bellied (or cream) Elk Hair Caddis is the perfect floating choice of pattern, and a small dropper will increase productivity if the trout are not quite keyed-in on the adults yet. The green belly really does make a difference, and this will make a lot of sense if you examine the nymphs and adults currently in the rivers - many early spring caddis have a lot of fluorescent green on their body.
Most of the other standard patterns are working on both rivers, so be sure to stock up on some Cracklebacks, soft hackles, Anna K's, Prince Nymphs, Copper Johns, green firebugs, olive v-rib midges and a good selection of dry flies - the guys at the shop are always happy to point you in the right direction. The weather and fishing rarely gets better than it is now, and this low-water window has been a blast for those who enjoy wading. There is no way to tell how long this trend will last, so try and get in on it while you can. If the rivers are high on the day you hope to dry fly fish, do not fret - caddis action in slack water areas on the White has been "as good as it gets" lately, so there really are a myriad of exciting fly fishing options currently available...just take your pick.
www.blueribbonflyfish.com or blueribbonflyfish@hotmail.com
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White River - April 21st, 2010
supplied by: Blue Ribbon Fly Shop
RECORDED: 
67 °
FISHING: Great
Fishing Report 4-21-10
After the heavy rains of a few weeks ago, both Bull Shoals and Norfork Lakes are dropping steadily. As of this writing, Bull Shoals is around 4-feet high and Norfork is about 3-feet high. Both dams are releasing about 50% of maximum flows, and this has made for some decent floating conditions on certain parts of the rivers. The only real issues we have faced of late have been trashy water.
Last week, I had a trip up at Bull Shoals, and the fishing was fair. This is because the water is getting extremely junky by the time you get down to Gaston’s Resort (approx 4 miles), so most of the boat pressure is concentrated on the first three miles of the river. This can make for crowded fishing and turbulent water. The saving-grace is that releases have rarely exceeded the five-unit level, so getting a fly in front of fish is not that difficult.
We are all guilty of writing the Norfork off from time to time. No other river seems to be so fickle – this is because fish move freely between the White and the ‘Fork, and this stretch is subject to quite a bit of harvest. Right now, fishing has been excellent on the one unit they are running. Most of the action is concentrated on the upper end because the Norfork is also getting trashy when you get down into the catch and release area if the water is high. Most days, the water is off until mid morning, and then one unit will begin operating. Those who get to the Bill Ackerman access early in the morning can often wade until 10 or 11am, but its boat time after that. The bigger fish are getting aggressive when the water is high, and we’ve been slamming rainbows in the 18-inch range with regularity. Also, the cutthroats are doing very well this year, and fish up to 17-inches have been coming regularly. The Norfork has not fished this well in several years, and we are all very excited about what the rest of the season has in store over there.
Many types of midges are producing on the ‘Fork, but some are more consistent than others - rusty midges, Psycho Midges (primrose & pearl), Prince Nymphs and olive zebra-midges seem to be working best. It is amazing how small midges can produce in high water, but this food source is considered ‘safe’, so when the river is crowded, the bigger fish will seek out small offerings.
Because Norfork Lake is only three feet low, there could be some extended wading water in the next few weeks. The dry fly fishing that we touted on the White and Norfork last month is still a possibility if we don’t see a lot of heavy rain. The peak action on the Norfork is usually from the middle to the end of May, so there is still plenty of time for the conditions to become favorable. Some guys are hammering trout on caddis patterns fished in slack water on the White, so there is more than one way to get a dry fly fix. We will keep everyone updated on the potential hatches, and also be on the lookout for an article about dry fly fishing on the Norfork in the near future.
The trashy water should clear up very soon, and there are still plenty of nice, clear areas to fish. Every day lately has offered up very comfortable fishing conditions, and when the Norfork is on fire, there is hardly a better place to wet a line in the country. We are in the midst of some of the year’s best fishing, so do not hesitate to call if you have questions not addressed in this report. April is such a fun and exciting month to fish the White and Norfork.
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White River - April 2nd, 2010
supplied by: Blue Ribbon Fly Shop
RECORDED:
80 °
FISHING: Good
White River and Norfork Fly Fishing Report
April 2nd, 2010
The month of March was all about “waiting and seeing” in the Ozarks this year. As long as the rains stayed away, there was going to be a chance for some prolonged low water on both the White and Norfork. Hoping for a dry March usually doesn’t work out too well, but it actually did come together this year, and those fortunate enough to be in the area a couple of weeks ago were blessed with the opportunity to fish extended wading water on both rivers. It was a great time to be in the Ozarks, but like so often happens down here, optimal fly fishing conditions prove to be fleeting.
Like clockwork, several rounds of moderate to heavy rainfall battered the entire region just after almost a week of no power generation on the White, and almost immediately, the Corp started pumping water. The lakes have now stabilized after coming up several feet, so we did not experience any sort of flooding in the least. It will take some time to run this current water through, but there is still a decent chance of seeing some low water later on this month and throughout the rest of the spring.
Fishing often gets tough when conditions change drastically, and this is exactly what is happening right now. The White gets murky as you get away from the dam, but the Norfork has been running just one unit, so it’s in good shape. The only problem with this is the fact that the Norfork has been pretty overrun with boats since it’s the only clear river around. It will not take long for the White to improve though, and at that point, fishing pressure will disperse and the Norfork will get a break. Fishing has been hit or miss on both rivers, and much of this has to do with a fluctuating barometer. One day will be filled with action, and then the following day on the same stretch of water will be tough. San Juan Worms have been very productive with the recent influx of high water, and I have also done well using tandem rigs. A caddis pupa as a dropper below an attractor pattern has been a setup I have used quite a bit over my recent long string of guide trips; this presentation really pays dividends during crowded or clear conditions because the fly is so natural.
Area weather has been fantastic of late, with highs today breaking 80-degrees. It can be a roller-coaster ride this time of year, but you will rarely encounter a full day where the weather makes fishing impossible. Another positive to this early warm, windy and dry weather is that it will help speed up the rate at which the lakes drop due to increased evaporation.
Arkansas’ trout fishing resources often overshadow many of the other great outdoor recreational activities available in the state. There are several wonderful smallmouth bass fisheries within 20 miles of the fly shop that can be a blast to fish, and on most days you will have the river all to yourself. The Buffalo River is a primary warm water tributary to the lower White River, and a float trip down the Buffalo is truly a chance to step back in time. High flows can be an issue in the early spring, but once water levels remain below 400cfs for a week or so, it’s time to get out on this wonderful and historic waterway. Crooked Creek is another awesome bass fishery that offers primarily wade-in fishing during the summer and fall. In the spring, there can be prime opportunities to float Crooked Creek in a small pontoon boat or canoe. Flows in the 100 to 200cfs range are what you will need to take advantage of this brief floating window. Please feel free to contact us at the shop for more information on the local bass fishing rivers and for guide trip options. Because of the recent years of high water, fishing is going to be great on the Buffalo River and Crooked Creek for quite awhile.
It’s always a bit disappointing when low water comes to an end, but it will be back – that’s a guarantee. In the meantime, fishing has still been worth the trip for almost everyone who has been on the water. April is gorgeous in the Ozarks, and the action on large trout is usually excellent this month because there is so much food available. Flows have not run at maximum levels since the lakes started rising a few weeks ago, so there is a chance that there will be some moderate water to fish during the current release period.
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White River - March 22nd, 2010
supplied by: Blue Ribbon Fly Shop
RECORDED:
50 °
FISHING: Excellent
The pivotal swing into spring is currently taking place here on the White River and Norfork Tailwater. After enduring what seemed to be an endlessly long winter, we’re finally receiving a taste of what warm weather and sunshine feels like again. Over the past three years during March, both Bull Shoals and Norfork Lakes have almost always been high. Since we are actually at the power pool level (for now) this year, generation schedules have been light over the past two weeks. Anglers have been able to treat their cabin fever by taking advantage of wading conditions and a welcome surge of insect activity along the White and Norfork. Daylight savings came just in time to give us an extra hour to fish the early evening hatches – it has been refreshing to fish with dry flies for extended periods of time. Soft hackles are producing incredibly well in an assortment of colors, while midges in various shades are also working very well. Look for the soft hackle and emerger fishing to improve as the hatches start to evolve – using the proper corresponding nymph or emerger will help produce fish during periods of little surface activity.
This past weekend’s foul weather, which included plenty of rain and snow, was mostly concentrated in parts of southern Missouri. Still, northern Arkansas received its share of winter precipitation. Hopefully, this is the last we’ll see of the white stuff this year, but crazier things have happened. Due to these recent meteorological events, generation may increase slightly over the next few weeks, as the Corp will have to release a bit more water to keep reservoir levels steady. However, there is very little rain is in the immediate forecast, and this dry pattern combined with pleasantly warm temperatures should make for comfortable and productive fishing as we approach April. Expect to see temporary, early-morning releases followed by zero-generation for the better part of the day on both tailwaters. In general, the Norfork will be dead-low more often than the White. Ultimately, we expect wading water to become consistent below Bull Shoals Dam over the next month, but it is always best to plan for “anything and everything” when approaching these unpredictable rivers.
Be sure to check in with your friends at Blue Ribbon for up to the minute reports and conditions, and we are always available to answer any questions you may have. The White and Norfork are in the midst of the hottest bite and best conditions that have been experienced in years, so you can see why we are so excited about the prospect of getting as many people out on the water as possible for this upcoming season. There should be a little bit of something for everyone this spring, and the next three months are going to be hard to beat on these rivers. If you have not experienced the prolific nature of these fisheries yet, come on down and get in on the fun!
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White River - February 23rd, 2010
supplied by: Blue Ribbon Fly Shop
RECORDED: 
40 °
FISHING: Great
Life has certainly been busy in our little corner of the world as of late; it seems as though the majority of people in this country start looking for relief from their cabin fever in late February and early March. The fly shop has been peppered with inquiries, guide bookings and requests for information. It is nice to see that the interest in fly fishing that really exploded in the early 2000’s is coming back strong. There really are few other activities that provide so much enjoyment at a relatively low cost. The fly fishing industry is focused on creating high-quality equipment at affordable prices, so there has never been a ‘cheaper’ time to get involved in the sport.
Lake levels continue to drop slowly, despite near-constant generation at Bull shoals and Norfork Dams. We have had some rain of late, but nothing to cause flooding and major runoff. Because it looks like the weather will be dry for awhile, we will most likely start seeing wading opportunities open up this week. Norfork has started shutting down around noon just recently, and the water is staying low for most of the afternoon, so wading is already becoming a possibility. This trend on the Norfork just started, but as long as lake levels stay near power pool, there should be plenty of low water fun in store. I do not want to jump the gun, but maybe…just maybe, we are on the cusp of a dramatic shift in water conditions. There are scores of anglers chomping at the bit to get out there and wade, but there is no sense in me stressing out about something so out of my control like water flows. Regardless of what happens over the next month, I have to be ready to produce fish on all water conditions. Still, I wouldn’t mind some slow-paced, low water fishing about now – my motor needs a break.
I’ve been out on the water several times over the last week, and the fishing is really good on the upper White right now. The shad are not coming through, which is most likely a reflection of the warmer weather that we saw from the 18th to the 21st of February. The weather has cooled off significantly, so I seriously doubt that the shad kill is over – if that was the case, this would have been one of the shortest shad kills ever to occur. White streamers are still working at times, especially if the flow surges upward. The consistent shad pattern bite is on hold temporarily, but ‘standard’ high-water flies like San Juan Worms, Miracle Flies and eggs are really producing. I’ve also tried a bead head soft hackle as a dropper, and that pattern is also picking up plenty of chunky trout.
Please feel free to drop us a line if you have any questions about the upcoming fishing. March is typically an amazing month, whether the water is high or low. When the lakes are holding at or near power pool levels, releases become even more unpredictable, so be ready to jump from spot to spot based on current conditions if you come to the area for a trip. There should be some wading available on both rivers over the next couple of weeks, but Norfork will offer up longer periods of low water than the White will. The new brown trout regulations put into place just over a year ago are starting to show their merit on both rivers, so there are scores of browns in the 17 to 22-inch range ready to be caught. Our fisheries are by no means perfect, but at times like these, when decent conditions and hot fishing converge, there may be a no more fun place to fly fish in the country. Most folks are still looking at two or three more months before trout fishing is even a possibility, so we are truly lucky to experience incredible action all year long.
Blue Ribbon Fly Shop
www.blueribbonflyfish.com
blueribbonflyfish@hotmail.com
870.425.0447
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White River - February 1st, 2010
supplied by: Blue Ribbon Fly Shop
RECORDED:
39 °
FISHING: Great
February 1st Fly Fishing Report from Bull Shoals Dam.
February 1st, 2010: This is a date that all local Ozarks anglers know well, as it is a big day on our tailwaters. For those who are not in the “know”, the first of February marks the official opening of the one-mile catch and release area immediately below Bull Shoals Dam on the White River – the special regulations start 100-yards below the dam and extend to the upstream boundary of Bull Shoals State Park. Beginning November 1st, this section of river is closed to the fishing public in an effort to protect the legendary brown trout that spawn on the river’s upper reaches. This year’s opening day at Bull Shoals Dam fell on a Monday, and there was still plenty of snow left on the ground from the 12-inches that fell during the last week of January. I decided to get a crew together and take this opportunity to investigate the status of this immensely popular fly fishing zone. Jeremy Hunt, a fellow Blue Ribbon Fly Shop guide, and Darren, an HD-video and photography guru, joined me (Larry) for a day on the White.
We got off to a late start due to series of mundane circumstances that should be addressed, but we won’t go into that now. Having arrived at the dam first – the other guys were on their way to meet me –I took the chance to drive around the near vicinity looking for picture-taking opportunities. With snow still heavily blanketing the ground, there was plenty of great photo fodder. Surprisingly, there were very few vehicles using the ramp on the Marion County side, even though this launch was free of ice and snow. The Baxter County boat ramp is in the shade almost all day, so it is hardly useable due to being covered up and frozen. Only a few anglers lined the banks trying to wade the heavy flows, and even fewer boats were out drifting the seven-unit flow, which was quick and heavy. While we were rigging up, one of the spin fisherman we could see landed a nice walleye. These predators are still prevalent in this upper stretch of river after a bunch of them came over Bull Shoals Dam when the flood gates were opened in 2008.
It was 10:30 when we finally launched the boat, and we had a game plan in place. The first goal was to locate, turn or potentially land a big brown with a streamer pattern on a nine-weight rod and a 450-grain full-sinking line. Due to the fact that a shad kill could start up at any moment – and there was a good chance the fish had seen shad already – the obvious first color of streamer to try was going to be white. There has been a positive, new regulation change which allows two barbless hooks to be used in catch and release areas – this means that we now have the opportunity to fish with droppers and articulated streamers that incorporate a trailing hook. We pounded the banks for several hours and shot footage on the Marion County side of the river from the dam down to the state park. A few pesky rainbows wanted to play, but ultimately they would just get in the way. Getting the fly to sink fast enough became an issue, so we added a 1/4ounce tungsten cones to our tippet for more weight. This rig would hit the water like a ton of bricks, and at one point, Jeremy got smacked on the arm. Ouch. I’m not sure if hurts more or less when you do it to yourself. This was a perfect time to use the line, "I feel for you but can't quite reach you!”. After about two hours of working hard at throwing streamers, we were not able to land any sizable browns, but we did have a few big fish chase our flies, and we saw some really big fish at the State Park point.
Around noon, the water began to fall out very quickly. Some of regulars on the river do not like falling water in the least, as the bite slows when the fish must work to situate themselves in deeper, safer lies. I have experienced great fishing when they cut way back on the water while I was in the dam area, and this was indeed the case on this day once we rigged up with nymph rigs. Bite after bite after bite ensued, and we were able to record some very productive video footage - it is currently being edited, but check www.blueribbonflyfish.com soon for the link. Seriously, this fishing was unbelievable. The water wasn’t just dropping - it was drastically dropping. I figure the depth dropped by at least six-feet from the time we started fishing and when we left around 3:30pm. The rainbows were plentiful, to say the least, and the largest one came in at 18-inches. This fish was remarkably colorful. Even the increased boat traffic had little effect on the bite, as we were doubling (and even tripling) up all afternoon. No large browns were to be landed, as I believe the majority of the big guys are further down river. Still, the mission of this day was to conduct research and development on the catch and release zone below the dam, and what we found was a fishery that is loaded with healthy and vibrant rainbows. It is going to be a great year up there, and the fish we catch in the Bull Shoals Dam area seem to get bigger as we progress into March and April.
I’m guessing that a lot of you are interested in learning about the exact fly that we used to hammer triple-digit numbers of fish up by the dam. With trepidation, I will say that we fished a pattern we like to call the “Miracle Fly”. It is an adaptation of an egg pattern, and it absolutely slams fish throughout the year. The Miracle Fly is not for those who prefer subtle presentations, but this pattern will catch one fish after another, even at times when no other flies seem to be working. This fly has little bit of history in the Ozarks, so we decided to come up with an article that explains more about what the Miracle Fly is and the best ways to fish it.
Click here to read this groundbreaking content that details a coveted guide fly pattern and fishing technique.
Blue Ribbon Fly Shop & Professional Guide Service
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White River - January 15th, 2010
supplied by: Blue Ribbon Fly Shop
RECORDED:
48 °
FISHING: Excellent
Due to an unusually frigid beginning of the year, fishing pressure on both the White and Norfork Rivers has been non-existent due to the uncomfortable conditions that have persisted for so long. Another reason that angler numbers are down relates to the fact that both Bull Shoals and the Norfork Dams are generating near full capacity, and as a result, wading opportunities are few and far between. Unless, of course, you enjoy the privilege of having access to private sections of the river where anglers can safely cast to concentrations of nice trout. There are places where it is possible to effectively wade during high water periods. While we wait on low water, the steady flows have made for consistently stellar boat fishing due to the influx of concentrated dissolved oxygen and the abundant food sources. The trout are feeding steadily all day long. Nymph fishing from a boat requires making constant adjustments to the faster flows. Utilizing proficient mending techniques, setting your rig depth properly and choosing a sensitive, but buoyant strike indicator will all contribute to a productive day on the water. High water drift fishing is quite a deadly method in fast-moving currents, and fly fishing during these conditions offers a very good chance of hooking into a large trout.
Tandem/two-fly rigs are now legal in the catch and release areas (effective January 1st, 2010) and we have been catching lots of good fish with a pink or cerise San Juan worm dropped below another attractor fly like a bright egg pattern. Hiring a guide is highly recommended because it is difficult to navigate the boat safely and locate fish while actively engaged in fishing – a guide will make for a safer and more meaningful experience. Lake levels are close to reaching power pool which may cause the Corp of Engineers to decrease power generation. After the lakes drop to lower levels, releases are primarily contingent on the prevailing electrical demand patterns. This means we will see periods of lower water once the lakes stabilize at or below power pool. Ultimately, this latest high water spell has greatly enhanced trout growth rates and this is quite evident in the fight and healthy appearance of the trout as they continue to gorge on all of the available food sources. Over the past week alone, we were fortunate enough to land countless rosy-cheeked rainbows, several brilliantly colored cutthroats and some gorgeous browns displaying vibrant hues of fire orange and gold. The brown trout we caught were all between 14 to 22-inches.
We are eagerly awaiting the start of the shad kill. It could happen any day, so long as we don’t experience an extended period of much warmer temperatures. Keep an eye on this page for updated shad kill reports. There most likely will be a significant shad kill this year. Once the surface temperatures of a White River Basin lake drop to 42-degrees, it means that the entire upper section of the reservoir is cold - this is the catalyst for the shad kill phenomenon. Shad are temperate fish, so it makes sense that when the lower depths of the lake are warmer than the surface of the lake, the shad will swim deep in order to survive. During the process, these forage fish get drawn to the dam, and when the current pulling towards the powerhouse increases, millions of these lethargic shad will get sucked into the river. This is why heavy generation is also necessary to take full advantage of this bite. Often, the best shad kill fishing will occur early on cold mornings when the water rises at the dams due to people using electricity for heat across the region.
Hopefully, all of the necessary ingredients for a prolonged shad kill will come together in a way that aligns with the February 1st opening of the catch and release area below Bull Shoals Dam. This is where many monster trout lie in wait for a good meal after three months of not being bothered by persistent anglers. We are in the midst of one of the best seasons for catching trophy fish on the White and the Norfork. Experienced Ozark anglers know what the end of a long high water period means: great fishing with many big trout around and the prospects for a shad kill make the upcoming month all the more exciting.
It looks like the Corp is not going to lower Beaver Lake until January 19th which means that it could be awhile before the water stabilizes below Bull Shoals Dam on the White. The entire White River System is built around following specific flood control plans. Beaver Lake is always the last reservoir to be drained. Hopefully, the region will not see any major rain events for awhile. There is no doubt that high water is good for the fisheries, but enough is enough. It is about time that everyone gets the opportunity to take advantage of the tremendous growth rates that have been realized over the last three high-water years. The best overall fly fishing seems to occur at times when we see a nice mix of low water to moderate flows, but the key to White River Basin fly fishing success is to adapt to the conditions at hand.
We hope you join us soon to experience the best of Arkansas’ Tailwater fly fishing jewels. Blue Ribbon Guide Service is here to help you make the most out of an Ozark fly fishing adventure. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
Larry
www.blueribbonflyfish.com
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White River - January 1st, 2010
supplied by: Blue Ribbon Fly Shop
RECORDED:
39 °
FISHING: Excellent
No other Ozark tailwater event gets local and visiting anglers more excited than the annual shad kill. This is when the dynamics of the water in the lakes causes millions of threadfin and gizzard shad (these are a forage fish that are usually silver or white) to congregate by the dam’s stock pens on the lake side. The stock pens are the tubes that take water to the generators. The shad end up at these depths because that is where the warmest water in the lake is (@50 degrees). When power is generated, tons of the shad get sucked through the turbines and they end up in the river. The harrowing ride and change in pressure usually leaves the shad crippled, and as they float along the surface they are easy prey for the river’s trout. In order for a shad kill to occur, the winter must have some cold periods, and there must be enough water in the lakes to allow for power generation. Growth rates of the trout are amazing during these times and it is also a great opportunity to catch a huge fish. When a food source becomes readily available, our trout will ‘key-in’, and they soon learn to feed very opportunistically. During the shad kill, the fishing is usually excellent throughout the White as many of the river’s elusive browns begin feeding aggressively. Norfork can also be exciting during the shad kill, and it is fun because you don’t know what species the next fish may be. On some days you catch mainly brook trout, cutthroats, and browns on the Norfork which is a rare treat.
Because a shad kill only occurs during high water periods, the most effective way to fish at these times is from a boat at first light. Much of the action occurs at or near the surface, and it can get pretty intense during the right conditions. If you are interested, please be sure to call early because we are usually booked if the shad kill is ‘on’. Although shad kills have began as early as October and have lasted through May, usually the best months for taking advantage of this phenomenon are January, February, March, and April. March is usually the peak because early spring rains can supply the fuel for extended high water periods. Even after the shad stop coming through the generators, many big fish still recognize this food source and shad imitations will work during certain conditions throughout the summer. If this intense high water trophy fishing seems right up your alley, make sure you bring several back up rods (in case you snap one on a brown as long as your leg), a couple extra flies, and plenty of Tylenol for sore muscles. Then give us a call for the latest conditions. If you hit it right, the shad kill can provide memories for a lifetime.
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White River - December 6th, 2009
supplied by: Blue Ribbon Fly Shop
RECORDED:
44 °
FISHING: Great
Report from 12-05-09
Make no mistake about it; the fishing in Northern Arkansas is considered some of the most productive in the country for a good reason. This area offers a wide-range of opportunities to catch and release variety of fish species in the local lakes, rivers, and streams. Plus, these prolific fisheries are all within a short drive of one another. The relatively mild climate of the Ozark region has its advantages, as anglers have the opportunity to enjoy amazing recreation when it is far too cold for these type of activities in other areas that are further north. Although most anglers associate the Mountain Home area with the legendary trout fishing on the White River and Norfork Tailwater, almost all of the tributaries will hold trout this time of year. For those time-honored, traditional anglers that appreciate the challenge of stealth, approach, presentation, and perhaps a hike, there is Crooked Creek and Sylamore Creek which offer small-water fishing opportunities that most do not realize exist. In addition, the Spring River and the North Fork of the White River are within an hour's drive and the low water of this time of year makes them prime spots to sight-fish to large browns and rainbows. December is a great month to get off the beaten-path and try some different areas – be sure no to miss out!
Currently, the trout in the White River and Norfork Tailwater are gorging themselves in a feeding frenzy due to the full-bore releases at Bull Shoals and Norfork Dams. The maximum-release regime commenced on December first and the water will probably remain high for the next month or so. It is typical for the trout to feed consistently and aggressively when massive amounts of water are released after extended periods of lower water. The higher water levels not only flush the banks which are loaded with nutrient-rich food sources like worms and insects, but the grass beds that would typically be exposed under lower water conditions become flooded and offer good habitat where the fish can feed unabashed. Ultimately, the conditions are perfect for expedient trout growth and fishermen who are willing to drift-fish often reap the rewards. During extended periods of high water, especially during the cooler months, fishing pressure is drastically reduced creating a perfect opportunity for anglers who like to pursue our larger fish in near solitude. The plentiful food sources available when the water is up results in high concentrations of fat and healthy trout.
A new development this year is that the Corp of Engineers have decided to experiment with spillway/floodgate releases in an effort to lower the lakes quickly while increasing oxygen levels in the rivers. Early December is typically the time of year in which oxygen levels drop to alarmingly low levels. These levels are worst during periods of heavy power generation, so the Corp of Engineers hopes that the turbulence created by letting water through the gates will keep the trout in good shape until the lakes “turn over” and oxygen levels return to normal. According the oxygen gauges, this effort is working and the fish are really fighting hard. The downside to this scenario is that the rivers are running very fast and this is a short-term solution only available when abnormally high lake levels exist. Keep an eye on this page as we will post several updates on how the spillway release is affecting fishing.
The floodgates will only remain open for another week or so and at that point, they will close them and continue generating electricity around the clock until the lakes drop to seasonal levels. This could take another month, but the fishing out of a boat will be excellent. Look for a shad kill to start by early January and please read our website page that describes this event which brings the biggest trout on the rivers out of the woodwork. San Juan worms, egg patterns and streamers will be the ticket until the shad kill starts up – then it will be all about large, white shad imitations. Give us a call if you have any questions and be sure to book your guide trip early if you want to get in on the unique trophy opportunity that fishing the shad kill presents. Once the word gets out, things will get very busy around here.
If heavy rains hold off for the next few months, low water fishing could be incredible by the beginning of February. The first week after the water slows down is always amazing for catching both numbers of fish and trophy fish. We will be updating the reports page regularly, so keep an eye on it so that you can take advantage of the change in conditions. At Blue Ribbon Fly Shop, our guides know how to fish productively on all water – high or low – so we tend to not worry about what is coming. If the water remains high throughout the rest of the winter, fishing will become very steady and many huge fish will be caught. For those the like to wade, as mentioned above, the smaller creeks and tributaries will offer chances to fly fish in a more traditional fashion. Winter truly offers the opportunity to fly fish a variety of different ways.
Be sure to give us a call if you have any questions about the fishing or anything else and we are really looking forward to another great fishing year in 2010!
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