 |
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: March, 2008
To ensure you are viewing the most current
report click Refresh
Hello Fly Fishers!
To say the least the climatic conditions we have experienced here so
far this year have been nuts. There were days in early January in the high 60s. We have
seen days of bitter cold, ice storms, snow storms and just this past few days very heavy
rain fall.
Let us not forget either those who have lost homes, property, possessions and loved ones
at the mercy of the recent tornadoes that hit our State in a major way this past February.
Hopefully they will all be able to rebuild their lives once again and live in peace.
February 1st saw the annual opening of the trophy zone at Bull Shoals dam. Despite the
cold conditions many anglers braved the elements to catch some of the trophy Browns that
were still present in that zone. Since the opening of the dam zone we have had both low
and high water generation and at times during high water there have been some shad coming
through, kind of hit and miss if you were to be present at the time when they did so.
The recent generation schedules have given us many options fishing the rivers here both
wade and drift fishing, low water days when the climatic conditions have warmed up have
seen catch rates increase big time, cold windy days less so. This past week saw the
appearance of the first caddis emergence for the season, which may well be set back here a
while since the heavy rain that has set the river into flood stage run off. Lake levels
are way over pool also at this time, so we may well see a period of high water generation
for the coming weeks. For both rivers. Which will also help to clean the river from the
effects of the storm water run off and trash.
Fishing in high dirty water is not a option, if the river is running clean water that is a
very different matter, the fish are then able to see your flies or lures.
But there may also be some shut down for limited periods, just have to check up on a
regular basis here. Generation information is obtained by calling 870 431 5311
So our options for the near future may well be restricted to boat fishing and high water
techniques here on the White and Norfork rivers. Remember that there is also the option of
fishing the Spring river, which does provide plenty of options of wade access.
The guidelines here for fishing high water amount to this.
In water that is colored you need to fish flies that are visible, such as marabou jigs,
San Juan worms, in bright colors of red, orange, pink, eggs and flies of that nature.
If the water is clean and you can see at least 5ft to bottom you can then fish flies of a
more natural color here, white tail midge pupa various, San Juan worms in the more natural
colors of tan, scuds and sowbugs, caddis larva and pupa.
This works also real well at times fishing over the flooded grass banks of the shorelines.
Browns love to forage amongst this type of territory rooting for night crawlers and what
ever else they can locate. Here San Juan worms are my first choice, red and tan being the
best
Other options are to fish with streamers into and off the shorelines, over grass beds,
known submerged gravel bars and in areas that do provide the fish with some comfort zones
from the main force of water.
If there was one question l am frequently asked it is how to fish high water conditions,
what do l need rod and line wise and how do l rig up the right way.
Here are the ways to go about it.
Rods. Short light line rods are not a option when fishing high water. Rods in the region
of 9 to 10ft with min line weights of 5 upwards to 7 will allow you to handle long leaders
and added weight, particularly for dead drift techniques, and streamer fishing, where
sinktip and sinking lines are of choice.
Lines. Delicate surface presentations are not as a rule choice when fishing very high
water, lines that carry good weight forward profiles are way easier to deal with weight
loaded systems for fishing fast and deep water.
Indicators. Here we need indicators that are large enough to support the added weight you
will need to fish the fly at the river bed. As a rule when fishing high faster moving
water, when a trout does take the fly the system from the fly to the indicator will within
milliseconds register that a fish has taken the fly, unlike the subtle indications that
are common when fishing lower water conditions.
Weight. You will need shot in sizes from 1-BB-AA.
Leaders. There will be times that the distance from the fly to the indicator should be in
the region of 8 to 14ft depending on water depth and speed. The way l set my systems up
are in this manner.
From the fly line add a 4ft butt section of 15 0r 20lb Amnesia. This will be the butt
section your indicator will be fixed. Add to this butt section on average 5 or 6 ft of 4x
fluorocarbon. To the end of which is attached your fly. 12 to 15 ins above the fly add the
weight and make a single overhand knot around the shot to maintain its position. If you
are using weighted jigs you may not need the added lead shot weight here.
The indicator may be adjusted within the 4ft of butt section to suit depth and speed of
water being fished. It matters not if it be close to the fly line.
This rig system will more or less work for high water that is in the region of 4 to 6ft or
more over and above low water for our rivers.
High water fishing at times can be slow. Big number fish days may not be seen , but there
is always that chance of hooking into one of our trophy Browns at this time.
All being well the high water we see at this time will reduce and we will look forward to
the great caddis hatches we typically see here through mid March and April.
Have at the ready caddis emergers, Elk hair caddis, hares ear soft hackles and flies of
that nature. Dead drift caddis pupa, wet fly swing techniques with soft hackles will all
catch fish when they hatch is taking place, which is about my favorite time to fish our
river here.
Hopefully the April report will see the rivers settled down for some great Spring and
Summer fishing.
One date to add to your calendar this year. June 21st.
The Friends of the Norfork National Fish Hatchery will host the first annual Bull Shoals
tailwater One Fly Tournament. The event will take place at Rim Shoals resort, start and
finish. Prizes and trophy awards for the trophy fish of the 4 species found in both
rivers, Brown, Bow, Cutt and Brook trout.
I will let you have the final details of entry in a later river report.
For now.
Tight lines guys.
Davy Wotton
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.
|
Additional
White River Area Information
Davy Wotton's Web Site | White River Home Page | White River Lodging Directory
© Copyright 2003-2008 Davy Wotton and the Ozark
Mountains Website, Inc. All rights reserved. This report
may not be reproduced in any form, in whole or in part, without written permission. For
use permission phone 870-491-5751.
|
