RECORDED:95 °FISHING: Great Fishing Report 7-21-10
Fishing continues to be amazing despite heavy rains. This is the second July in a row where unusual heavy rain events have swept across the region. Lake levels came up several feet, but considering that some pretty large areas saw over 8-inches, it could have been worse. Because of the thick foliage that is present during the summer, much of the runoff is absorbed before it ever reaches the water. If nothing else, it was nice to cool down for a few days.
The recent rains have caused a shift in generation patterns on both the White and Norfork. Normally, flow regimes this time of year are relatively predictable, but ever since last week's influx of water into the system, releases have been inconsistent. There has been some low water available - especially in the mornings, but every day has been different. No matter what happens early, expect heavy water when temperatures get hot across the region in the afternoon.
Regardless of what kind of conditions we have encountered, the fishing has been spectacular. Midges and nymphs have been killers during low-water mornings. As the afternoon progresses, there have been steady hatches of sulphurs and caddis up and down the White. On certain days, it's possible to find low water into the evening, and these times are magical if you are a dry fly enthusiast. High-water fishing has also been very good, with San Juan Worms and big nymphs doing the trick on some bigger fish. Hoppers fished in seams and along slack-water banks are attracting the attention of some nice browns, as well - the takes have been breathtaking.
There has been a little something for all types of anglers over the first part of this month, and this has been the best July in many years. We look for the action to continue for at least a couple more weeks, so this is a great time to come check out these blossoming fisheries. Please drop us a line if you need more detailed information, and we are always here to help fly fishermen make the most of their time on the White and Norfork. The power generation aspect of these rivers is a little tricky to understand at first, but rarely is the fishing overly difficult. Whether you like to wade or prefer to cover lots of water drift fishing, Blue Ribbon Fly Shop will do all we can to point you in the right direction.
RECORDED:88 °FISHING: Excellent
Fly Fishing Report- July 1st, 2010
In order to survive as a White River Basin fly fishing guide, one must have the patience of a Saint, a keen eye for observation and they must have the uncanny ability to make the best out of a [seemingly] poor situation. All three of these attributes have been utilized by Blue Ribbon Fly Shop guides over the last two weeks with much success. We knew the water would be high until the lakes get down to power pool (which should happen in a little over a week), but what was unexpected were the hoards of sulphurs hatching-away, even with 20,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) cranking out of Bull Shoals Dam on the White.
To catch the sulphurs just right, anglers are best served using a drift boat, but that's not to say it can't be done from a motorized jon boat. Sneaking up on spooky fish in slack water is of the highest priority. When the water gets really high as it has through June, the slack water along the banks extends out quite a bit in many spots, so it is easy to row the vessel back upstream and slowly drift back through active fish. As of today, Bull Shoals Lake is less than 3' from power pool and generation ceased from midnight until late afternoon. July should provide some of the best dry fly action these tailwaters have seen in years!
Currently the hatch seems to get rolling around 2pm and it peaks at around 5pm. On our day off, we drifted from Bull Shoals State Park to Wildcat Shoals and saw pod after pod of fish feeding on sulphurs in all the likely looking spots. At one point during the feeding frenzy it was not uncommon to have two fish at once on the tandem dry fly rigs- there is no denying that these fish are incredibly indifferent to what patterns are being used. If it floats and has a yellowish/pale color, it is likely to produce a rise on virtually every cast when the hatch is 'on'. Sulphurs hatch all summer long on the White River and Norfork Tailwater, and it is simply amazing how few guides (and other fly fishermen) are taking advantage of this bite and focus on bobber rigs directly below the dam.
Of course as guides, we must produce fish before the hatches start, and the "standard" nymph techniques are working very well in the mornings. Also, trout are starting to take notice of ants, beetles, and hoppers along banks lined with any type of foliage. Slow water has also been productive with this technique. It's a little early in the season for this type of terrestrial action, but considering the hot and dry weather of late, it is easy to see why these critters are making their way to water already - the action on this bite will only increase as we get further into summer. For now, any big hopper with a Copper John dropper will do the trick.
If the described prolific nymph, dry fly and terrestrial fishing isn't enough to get folks excited, there is also a special streamer bite that starts around 7pm and goes on until the evening fog makes boating unsafe. We are having the most success pounding banks that have just gone shady with the dropping sun. This just goes to show how a change in light conditions - either at dusk or dawn - can trigger a feeding response. Streamers in yellow, copper and white have been the best; olive imitations have not fared as well in these conditions lately.
Blue Ribbon Fly Shop is always prepared to put their clients on the best bites, and we like to think our creativity and eagerness to try new techniques sets us apart from some of the other services out there. Our guides always take meticulous care when studying the water and current conditions. This commitment definitely increases the odds of being at the right place at the right time.
RECORDED:90 °FISHING: Great Fishing Report 6-16-10
The heat of summer has crept upon us, and now we are in the midst of a classic Midwest heat wave - since it's only mid-way through June, hopefully this is not indicative of steady hot weather for the rest of the summer. Actually, early heat waves do not necessarily mean that the entire summer will follow suit. Last year was a perfect example, as June was hot, but the rest of the summer was abnormally wet and cool.
We are starting our fishing days early in the morning, and we usually finish late into the afternoon after a brief respite to avoid the peak heat hours of mid-afternoon. The fishing later in the day has been very productive, and this trend of "hot" afternoons is a common summer theme - especially on the Norfork. Although a catastrophic flash flood in west/central Arkansas has grabbed national news headlines as of late, northern Arkansas has not seen much rain over the last few weeks. Considering how humid our climate is in the Ozarks, a few weeks without rain (coupled with heat) can make it feel really dry.
Both Bull Shoals and Norfork Lakes continue to drop daily, primarily as a result of moderate to heavy generation most days. The arid weather also helps the lakes recede because quite a bit of water evaporates from the surface when it's dry and hot. Both reservoirs are less than eight-feet above power pool and their levels are falling at a rate of approximately 6-inches per day. Barring any heavy rains and subsequent runoff over the next few weeks, low-water opportunities should start popping up around the Fourth of July. If this scenario plays out, July will be an awesome month for waders and drift anglers. Of course, we can't count on anything for certain, so the best strategy is to employ the most productive and safe methods for the day at hand. If you are planning on fishing the White or Norfork in the next two weeks, feel free to give us a call or email - conditions are a bit tricky right now, but as always, there are some possibilities for those willing to get creative.
Algae issues persist downriver from Bull Shoals Dam on the White, but this "scourge" should begin to dissipate as the summer heat intensifies. Even though the influx of algae may make fishing difficult at times, this problem pales in comparison to the trouble we've experienced due to didymo recently. Algae is usually much healthier than didymo for the river's habitat, and if you would rather not deal with any of it, fish the Norfork. For some reason, that river rarely gets choked with moss, algae or didymo, so there is [almost] always debris-free water available over there.
The usual suspects of nymphs like Bead Head Sowbugs, red Zebra Midges, red Copper Johns, Xelon Sowbugs, Ultra Violet Midges and other local patterns are pulling most of the fish right now. Terrestrials are starting to illicit some aggressive responses when fished along brushy, slack-water banks. Ants, beetles and hoppers are the flies to have for this exciting top-water action, and when this fun bite is combined with the sporadic sulfur hatch, it's not hard to keep busy on the surface for hours on end. Most fly anglers overlook these exceptionally enjoyable opportunities because they are hesitant to use a boat to get into position. A guide can show you the ropes, and the knowledge gained in one day with a professional may just translate into years of "fishing with an edge".
Late June is a transition time, but the fishing and conditions are remarkably steady this year. We are extremely excited about how the summer will pan out if the action is already so steady during a time of year when things typically slow down slightly.
RECORDED:88 °FISHING: Excellent Blue Ribbon Fly Shop Fishing Report 6-1-10
Fishing continues to remain excellent, and this is most likely a result of the fact we are in the midst of a very fishable and extended flow regime. There was some extended low water on both the White and Norfork throughout the month of May, and neither river ran "hard and heavy" at all. This could all be changing any day, as the regulating stage at Newport just dropped below 12-feet. The Corp of Engineers uses the Newport gauge to keep track of flooding on the White, and this is the first time in awhile it's been this low. Still, June is a month of both seasonal change and a period of water-control flux, so there may be plenty of lower water available for the month of June... or there may be none. This "always changing" aspect of these fisheries keeps both anglers and the fish on their toes, and it would be wise to come prepared to fish a variety of flow conditions over the next month.
As of this writing, the Norfork has been offering up some good chunks of low water during the day, and when the dam does generate electricity, it is normally does not exceed the one-unit (40 mw) level. Fishing on the upper White at the Narrows, Wildcat Shoals, Cotter and Roundhouse Shoals has been excellent most mornings when the water is lower. Flies of choice for the Blue Ribbon Staff are: xelon sow bugs, bead head sow bugs, zebra midges, Psycho Midges, and soft hackles ; basically, the best bet is to fish deep until the trout move upwards in the water column as a result of a hatch. The dam area at Norfork has been slow as a result of skinny water and above-average fishing pressure, but the middle and lower stretches have been on fire. If you find yourself on the 'Fork during low water, look for areas where few other people (or boats) are fishing - there are trout literally everywhere, and the best feeders are usually the ones who have not been fished to in awhile.
The sulphurs are just starting to hatch [which is a little late this year], and we just hope there is some low water available to fish this hatch on the Norfork. Action should be good during the afternoons on the White in slack-water areas when less than four units are running, but it often takes dead-low water for the dry fly fishing to really get going on the Norfork. June is a tricky month to predict, and this year will be no different because both lakes are still five (or more) feet above pool. Sometimes the Corp will hold impounded water on mild June days in an effort to store the energy for more lucrative "high demand" periods, so do not be surprised if there is some wading water on mild days - expect full releases during any afternoon when local air temperatures exceed 85-degrees.
June is a great month for big browns, and with so many three to eight-pound fish around, it is easy to see why we are excited. As long as you come with an open mind and are able to constructively react to any water flow changes, June can be one of the best months of the year. The fish will be most active after the fog burns off in the mornings, and be sure to avoid getting caught in trashy, rising water on the White. Ozark trout are very active this month because there is simply a ton of food available, so they are always stimulated to feed. The weather should be comfortable and there is no doubt that the fishing will continue to excel on all water levels.
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 BullShoalsLake and NorforkLake 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’.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
