At last we have now low water flows, in fact for the past 2 days zero, on the White.

Needles to say the locals who have been restricted from wade fishing have been out in force.

I can only say from my point of view and some of the other reports that l have that the fishing is out of this world . The White river is loaded with fish at this time.

How long this will continue, who knows, hopefully we will not suffer the deluge of rainfall that we had this past year.

High water may not be every bodies cup of tea, but it does benefit the fishery in may ways.

Fish survive and grow fast.

Amongst the regular size Bows, there have been a number in the 18 ins class, same also for Browns and Cutts, some of those up to 20 to 21 ins.

This past 2 days we have started to see the early stages of the caddis emergences, and before long that should increase and bring the fish to the surface to feed. It does take the fish a while to adjust to the lower flows and also to realize that the caddis are there to be taken . After which you will have some great dry fly fishing.

If low water flows continue then the main body of water will warm up some and this will bring about more active feeding from the fish during the day time periods, and of course many of the food sources will also start to move around and become active.

Best options overall for fishing at this time is with dead drift nymph, sows and scuds. If you see any activity to ward caddis then gold ribbed hares ear, SLF caddis emerger in olive, Elk hair caddis should do well for you there. Sizes 12 and 14.

So as nymph fishing in general such flies as Hares ear, Pheasant tails, Prince, in sizes 12 and 14, with and without bead heads, Scuds in gray and gray olive, sowbugs in tan and gray. Sizes 14 and 16. San Juan worms, in tan, red .

For Bull shoals dam zone, sowbugs in sizes 16 and 18, same also for scuds. You may well encounter a midge hatch here early morning and for that you will need midge pupa, emergers and some midge dries in sizes 18 to 22, being best. Colors in black, gray, gray olive.

Very small soft hackle dead drift can be also a good bet here at this time.

Remember that fish here when the water is off are spooky, and you need long leaders and fine tipett at times to deceive these fish. With of course perfect presentations of no drag or lining fish Avoid also wading around too much as this will also send the fish well away from you.

Norfork river should provide some great midge fishing at this time on low water levels, and scuds and sows will also work well here. Here also when the water is low fish are far less tolerant of bad presentations and dragged fly lines. Not to mention careless wading.

Many fly fishers tend to disregard the initial approach to the water and more or less destroy the chances they may have had to catch fish because of that.

Not to mention the fact that other anglers may not be cautious as they move around in the zone you are fishing, not only do they mess it up for themselves, they do so for you also.

For those of you who choose to float, then you may well at times be better off to pull to boat to shore and wade fish many of the shallow faster water zones. You are far less likely to spook the fish this way , and you can cover water more effectively by this means.

To day was a typical scenario of that, fishing Buffalo shoals. Used the boat for access and wade fished. Many fish will be found in pocket water which is not easy to fish from a drifting boat in shallow zones . More to the point you will stick out like a sore thumb against the sky line.

Ok, guys that’s about it for now. Lets hope we see continued lower flows and look forward to some great fishing to come for the year.

Good fishing for the month and see you on the river,
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.