A little late with the report this month, all be it not too much difference from last month other than again we have seen heavy rains fall which has resulted in the 3 lake systems above Bull shoals increasing water height above pool. Both Beaver and Tablerock had flood gates open.

Which has resulted at the time of writing Bull shoals increasing to 10ft above pool, which is at this time way down from flood stage levels.

Consequently we are seeing at this time water release at moderate flow rates around 3 to 5000 cfs, which really is perfect water both for the trout and drift fishing the entire system.

Now l accept that many of the easy walk in wade access points are not a option, saying that if you have the means to float the White river there are miles of shoreline that you can walk and wade fish once you have pulled the boat to shore. This past two days we did just that great numbers of fish caught of all 4 species were very high indeed

Norfork river is seeing some shutdown and low water for extended periods of time. Downside is they will almost certainly run water during the day at some time, which means taking caution of you choose to walk and wade the river, water rises quickly here and you are not going to run it out if you are way above the Ackerman access or have waded downstream to far from the dam, so please beware of this.

Many anglers now choose to use the option of renting canoes to float and wade from the dam to the confluence.

Amongst some of the new regulations we will see next year, the trophy zone on the Norfork has been increased a mile further upstream from the McClelland's upper trophy zone.

Also as of next year you will be allowed to use up to 3 flies in trophy zones, barbless of course, This was a reg l had argued about for many years, the one fly rule was a nonsense to say the least.

The trophy zones that were at Sylamore and Monkey island will no longer be, both of which to be honest were not good habitat for the fish to start with and were consistently subject to illegal fishing.

OK, what's in it for the next month or so.

I can give you no prediction regarding what they may do water release wise. We may see lower flow rates or they may well jump it to high water flows to bring down Bull Shoals lake, as generally we do see some good rain fall during November, who knows, the climate is about nuts worldwide.

Further news is the progress at Dry Run Creek. The AGFC have at this time stabilized most of the hatchery side shoreline. Which will now allow for the Friends of the Norfork National Fish Hatchery to put out the bids for a contractor to build the new handicap boardwalk and fishing platforms. Hopefully we will have this work completed by early spring.

AGFC will again return next spring to complete the instream habitat work.

Back to fishing.

The lower flow rates at this time are just about perfect to float and wade fish the White river. More or less all methods will work in given zones, nymph, streamers, wet fly and soft hackles and dry fly.

Those choices are made related to water depth and speed and the zone you are fishing. If you find your self fishing over grass beds and good moss beds, there you will find some trophy Browns, as a rule when fishing these zones l will opt for Dynamite worms in different colors.

Fishing over rock shoals and slower flow rates water then sowbugs, scuds and generic nymphs such as GRHE, PTN, white tail and prism midges in sizes from 12 to 16.

Both bead head versions and with added split shot when needed.

Working shorelines and soft water zone with a team of soft hackles can be deadly as it was for my customers this past four days, some 30 plus Browns were caught along with the other species, including some surprising Brooks trout way down from the dam zone which is mainly the place we find them.

Bull shoals dam continued to fish well. There is no doubt a great head of fish here at this time, mainly Bows from 10 to 15 on average with a good chance to nail a 20 ins fish. Here again fly of choice should be related to cfs rates at the time as typically we will see the water levels rise and fall during the day for the same number of gates open.

Fly options will be sowbugs, scuds, dynamite worms, white tail and prism midges and at times dries can work well here.

You never know at any time shad may be present. Most look forward to seeing the lake temps in the low 40s before we see shad kills, not so, at this time when the lakes are turning over it can happen at any time.

Streamer fishing thought the entire river system is also a great option with the current water flow rates, again both Bows and Browns will oblige you and may be the odd good cutthroat.

I have not fished the Norfork myself for some time, the reliable reports l get say sowbugs, scuds and chironomids are doing well during low water conditions, and now and again dry fly fishing for midging fish and when the BWO hatch is taking place.

Browns are still moving upstream to the spawning zones, so every chance to hook one of those guys as they hang out for rest periods. Many of the zones l know they will eventually arrive at to spawn as yet they are not there in any great numbers.

There are a number of things that urge the fish to move other than to spawn, both reduced daylight hours and reducing temperatures all contribute to this migration.

OK, guys that all for now, enjoy the fall fishing, it's one of the best times to get out there and fish, both rivers and lakes.