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Davy Wotton's
White River & North Fork River Fly Fishing Report
Updated about once per month, or as conditions change.
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May, 2004
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Hello Fly Fishers!
What a interesting month we have seen here on the rivers so far. Starting with
great caddis hatches, fish getting into the normal spring feeding patterns, then a ton of
rain making much of the water unfishable, save the very upper zones of the White river and
to some extent the majority of the North Fork. As l write this report much of the lower
White river is still not good for fly fishing, the fork, due to its short length is much
better. One of the main problems on the White is due to the fact that a great deal of bank
subsidence took place. Each time water is released the push of water washes out the mud
and trash that is in the flow channels. The water becomes so trashy that you may as well
quit that area for the day.
This being the case you need to know what generations have taken place or when to expect a
rise of water within the area you are fishing at the time. You may only have a few hours
of good fishing before you have to move on. Saying this, in between these periods and in
good water the fishing has been very good. I have no doubt that a great many fish are now
relocated downstream and spread out more along the river after the floods and high water.
That is certainly the case from the catch results we have been having. Both dam zones will
give you good water, Bull Shoals has been fishing real well and many good trophy fish have
been caught there.
This past week all water from the dam to Crooked creek has produced good fishing, and l
have seen some class fish caught, Browns, Bows and Cuts in the 15 to 17 ins range. Some
days have produced good rises of Browns in certain zones and if you locate those and fish
the right way you will catch some good fish.
My tips for you this month will include these.
Browns love to forage in colored water. And particularly where you find a seam of clear to
colored water. In these zones fish with streamers and wooly buggers, always a good chance
to nail a trophy. Even in very shallow water these big fish will loose some of their
natural caution with the clarity of water absent. You may well find also better than
average Bows in the same zones. Dry lines and sink tips are the way to go here.
If you notice any surface activity, no matter how small and diminutive the rise forms are,
pay attention. It may well be a pack of Browns. Stay as far as you can away from them or
they will spook. Use dry lines with long leaders. 12 to 15ft and small flies, 14 to 16
hook size is good. Soft hackles, flies that are related to caddis emergers and midges
should do the trick if you fish them dead drift or very slowly, watch the fly line for the
take as they will not always give you a pull. We nailed some 30 fish a few days ago with
this technique. The same will apply also if you see Bows and Cuts doing the same thing.
The bulk of the caddis hatches will be gone now, but there will always be the stragglers
around and the fish will nail them, so keep a eye out for that. Dries and emergers for
this situation.
Both Bull Shoals dam and North Fork will demand, when the water is low, sowbugs, midges
and scuds, and if you have some colored water then San Juan worms, in more natural colors,
with pink and red also doing well.
General fishing with standards such as PT, Hares ear, scuds and sows will work most of the
time. If you see and evidence of sulphurs then fish PT, or sulphur nymph representations.
Browns will gorge on these nymphs as they are very active subsurface before they emerge as
duns. They should start to make a appearance soon. If you are boat fishing then set up for
drift techniques with all of the above techniques. Sink tip swing methods should work real
well casting into and out of the shore lines. Again if the water is colored and high
increase the size of the fly, size 4 or 2 hook with big flies may get you a good one.
Tight lines for now Davy Wotton.
Tight lines for now,
Davy Wotton
About Davy Wotton
Davy has been making his living as a full time fly fisher in one capacity or another for
over 30 years. He has written many articles for all of the fly fishing magazines, created
several unique flies and fly tying materials which he developed into a full scale
manufacturing operation in his native country of Wales, and is a much-sought speaker
around America at fly fishing functions and shows. Over the years Davy has fished in over
40 countries around the world but his choice for base of operation is right here on the
White River. Davy operates his American International Schools of Fly Fishing in Flippin,
Arkansas.
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