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Additional White River Area Information
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Davy Wotton's
White River & North Fork River Fly Fishing Report
Updated about once per month, or as conditions change.
Current Report: March, 2006
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Hello Fly Fishers!
March is here and things a changing out there on the river. The first signs of
caddis emergence this past week, which should increase before too long.
Generation on the White is at this time very moderate. Many days zero, and if they do run
it is not much 1 and maybe two for a short period of time. Norfork does tend to have more
generation, so you will have to keep a check on what goes on there. Bottom line is we need
some big rain this spring as the upper White has to have a good flush of water on a
regular basis as the temperatures increase, and low flow is over all not good for the fish
so far as the food base is concerned. But we have to have the water in the lakes to start
with.
Ok, Bull shoals dam zone. There are many class fish in that zone at this time both
rainbows and browns, and some reasonable cutthoats. Like l said with last February report
the angler activity will slow down and it has. But of course the fish have been wised up
to some extent. Windless blue skies are not the best days to be there. Those that have
some wind and wave action are way better off as that conceals you and does to some extent
let you get away with bad presentations.
Saying that, the general way to fish that zone is with long leaders, 10 to 15 ft, to at
least 5 if not 6 and sometimes 7x. Micro indicators, as large ones will spook those fish,
do not doubt that one. And flies that are in the 16 to 22 range. Sow bugs, scuds and
midges various both pupa and emerger. Mini San Juan worms and also midge larva.
The Didy moss is back there in a big way has not affected the fishing to any extent.
Avoid lining fish, walking around and spooking them , if you want to nail a good one, they
have seen it all many times before.
We have had some shad through but only in small numbers, l doubt this year we will see a
shad kill as such, way too warm at this time. But if you are floating on good running
water always a good bet to throw some shad flies. You never know. A week or so ago we
nailed some very nice fish doing just that.
Generally through the White there are good numbers of Bows. Stocking levels are good at
this time with some very nice fish. Overall they are not that difficult to catch. Regular
nymph patterns, dead drift will work fine, hares ear, PT, San Juan worms, eggs, flies of
that nature.
If you see fish in the surface to caddis then any thing hares ear orientated like soft
hackles, caddis pupa/emergers, Elk hair caddis etc. will work fine. Fish here are not that
fussy most of the time if you get the drifts good to the fishes eye. But they will start
to wise up as the fishing pressure increases and they become more accustomed to seeing the
naturals.
It is more a question of how you wish to fish for them. Dry, wet, nymph etc.
You will also start to see some of the better browns start to show up to surface activity
at this time, as the caddis is more or less the first of the seasons major food sources
for them so far as invertebrates are concerned. One of my personal favorite times of the
year here for that very reason.
One real good way to nail fish here outside of the trophy zones is to double up with two
flies. Fish a caddis pupa and a good size soft hackle as a dropper some 18 ins above the
tail fly. That will work as fished dead drift and also by allowing a moderate downstream
swing and allow the flies to tail out directly below you.
Do not fish too light as fish will often nail you hard fishing this way. Keep the rod high
with a good belly of fly line, that will help to absorb the shock of the take, and you
will also be able to see the line kick before you feel it. It is surprising how hard even
a small fish can take you at times. Look for those zones with broken water, riffles,
shoals, and so on.
Streamer fishing also works great at this time of the year with regulars such as wooly
buggers. Sculpins and crawdads will start to move around as the water temps rise and the
food base becomes more active.
Norfork fishing reasonably well with midge patterns, scuds and sows, San Juan worms, eggs
etc. I have had mixed reports on how the fishing has been there. But that may also be down
to the way the guys have been fishing the water, as at times it can be a difficult river
to fish. The fish can be picky, like sows one day and midge then next or they will change
around during the same day and have feeding spells and shut down for a while. You never
know for sure there.
Ok, what to expect this month, providing the weather stays warm and high generations to
not take place.
Plenty of good wade fishing for the White. Caddis emergence and midge for the White. More
top water action.
for dry and emerger caddis patterns.
Bull Shoals Dam and Norfork more or less as l have written for the month. Those areas do
not change a great deal so far as wade fishing is concerned this time of the year. High
water flows will differ that some.
Enjoy the new spring fishing.
Davy WottonAbout
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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