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Additional White River Area Information
Davy Wotton's Web Site | White River Home Page | White River Lodging Directory
Davy Wotton's
White River & North Fork River Fly Fishing Report
Updated about once per month, or as conditions change.
Current Report: Sunday, July 20, 2008
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report click Refresh
Hello Fly Fishers!
Here we are in July, often referred to as the dog days of summer, no
wonder intense heat increases high water temperatures, cold water species such as trout
are reluctant to feed, more so when we see lower water levels here, which by and large is
not the case this summer.
Since my last report we have seen further heavy rains fall and the lakes through the
system are still way up there.
Bull Shoals Lake continues to run all 8 gates open 24/7. Cfs rates are in the region on
average of 15,000 to 18,000 most days and not the max of 24,000. In many ways this is good
for the river and the fish, but accepted for those who wish to wade fish the White there
is very limited options to do so.
Norfork river has been shutting down most days for periods of a few hours and longer
periods of time, and that has certainly allowed great wade fishing opportunity for those
who have fished and wish to fish the river.
More or less there is not much l can tell you that differs from last month for the White
river.
Bull Shoals dam area continues to produce good fishing with catches of many quality fish
both Browns, Bows and Cuts. During the high cfs flows flies' in the order of dynamite
worms, San Juan in colors of red, tan, natural, orange and pink have been the ticket. If
fishing is slow then change the color of the worm, it can make a great deal of difference
at times.
When you see the cfs flow rates slow down, which is determined by watching a drop in the
river level or the water at the dam end becoming less turbulent it than pays to switch
over to smaller flies such as sowbugs and midge pupa, white tail midges in size 12 to 14.
Black and red.
On some occasions dry fly fishing has also been very productive, early and late evening.
Streamer fishing also a good bet late on working the shorelines down the river.
I did see a first at BSD this past month, one of my customers nailed a fat 20 inch Walleye
on a size 14 midge pupa. By the way guys you are legally allowed to harvest Walleye caught
at BSD or further down through the system. Large numbers of Walleye entered the river when
the flood gates were open, not good for the trout. No size limit applies but you must
abide by the State daily limit. Some of these fish have been well into the 4 to 8 lbs
mark, and they are great eating.
This past month l have fished more or less right down to Ranchette, when we have had good
water. Which needs to be clean. Rim Shoals this past week produced for us some fine Brown
trout late on working the banks with 6 ins streamers and sink tip lines. Fishing the
slower seams and backwaters produced good numbers of Bows and one real nice Cutt, all be
it you need to be drift fishing to deal with the high water.
Often as not also the slack water close into the banks will see some good surface feeding
activity early and late. Here soft hackle emergers a dry fly have been the ticket.
I would just add that there has been a great deal of illegal fishing activity at BSD. Game
and Fish have been out there and issued many tickets. If you see illegal activity then
call a enforcement officer, they will if at all possible show up. The Hot line number is
800-482-9262. We do not want to loose our trophy fish. Most of the illegal activity is
bait fishing and taking of fish out of the catch and release zone, particularly the lower
sections above the signs.
Norfork has during the low water periods produced some great midge fishing for surface
feeders, when fish are not active on the surface, midge pupa, sowbugs, scuds, soft hackles
have been the catching flies.
Often as not the river has become crowded during these times and that may well result in
the fish shutting down until they get a break. Try to avoid fishing in the crowds, look
for water that has been rested for periods of time and be cautious in how you approach
that water to fish it. You may well need to scale down to 6x to get a response from these
fish, they are wary. Also avoid the use of large indicators, minimize the size and use
indicators that are not hi vis in color. White being a good options along with other more
natural colors such as tan, gray and olive. For my money l will only use yarn, next best
bet are the stick on pulsar types.
Remember when fishing the Norfork that the river is subject to rise in a hurry when water
is released. As soon as you see it then it's time to leave unless you are real close to an
access to get out.
This past month we also fished the Northfork of the White in MO and the Spring River here
in AR. Both of which produced great fishing. Granted wade fishing access for the Northfork
is limited around the zones of Blair and Patrick bridge, but fish are there. Just be
careful when wading this river, it is very unlike the White and Norfork. Stonefly, soft
hackles and wet fly's were the flies of choice here.
Spring river offers ample opportunity to wade at the upper end and below the Spring river
hatchery. San Juan worms, midge, hares ears did real well for us. There are some big fish
in the river at this time, due to the fact that the flood stages we saw earlier in the
year ran into and over the hatchery which resulted in the fish escaping into the river.
Warm water fishing both at Buffalo and Crooked creek continues to be good for smallmouth
and sun fish, and if you have a mind to fly fish for them carp, if you have never done so
and you manage to hook a big carp you will know in a hurry why is it becoming a popular
fish to seek with the fly rod, all be it they can be very difficult to catch at times, but
then so also is a 10lb plus Brown trout.
Many other warn water creeks we have here in AR will provide some great days of fishing,
all be it in many cases you will have to float then for access.
I was asked to point out here on my report that the incidences of boating accidents during
this high water release have been high and there are many boats at this time sunk in the
rivers. Fortunately we have not seen any lost lives. Much of this is due to not watching
what the boat is drifting into as it moves downstream. Running high water can be dangerous
if you do not pay close attention at all times. Keep the motor running and avoid drifting
to close to structure and boat docks. Do not use anchors unless you really know what you
are doing and like wise drag chains.
Remember also, it is illegal to be in control of a boat if you have been drinking and are
over the legal limit as applies when driving the highway. A enforcement officer will have
no mercy for you, they do not wish to have to deal with looking for your body or others
who may have been with you.
Refer to my June report for further fishing information.
Stay safe and have good fishing.
Davy
American International Schools of Fly FishingAbout 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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