Your one-stop website for fly fishing the White River, the Norfork Tailwater, and Lake Taneycomo
Late February/Early March Newsletter 2011 The likely low-water spring will open up new options and make for the best fishing in years if conditions hold
The winter season is quickly slipping away, and Bull Shoals, Norfork and Table Rock Lakes are still very low. Bull Shoals and Table Rock have not been this low going into March in many years, and Norfork Reservoir is down six feet from what it was during the epic draught of 2000. Although low water on the rivers coupled with the gorgeous weather of spring makes for happy wade fly fishermen, it is still important to keep an eye on the lakes because we do not want to see a repeat of 2000 when low reservoir levels going into the summer gave us all a scare – if the Corp of Engineers cannot run water during the summer, it puts a deadly strain on the trout that live in areas eight or more miles away from the dams. A lot of nice fish died in 2000, and quite a few big browns were victims during the “Norfork Slaughter of 2000”, when hoards of big boys that lived below the Norfork swam upstream until they found water temperatures that were cold enough for them to live. These brown trout ended up stacking near the Norfork’s confluence with the White and it was a real blood-bath, and bait guides were blatantly teaming up with other guides in a disgusting practice where they ‘trap or herd’ schools of fish and use any means (including snagging) to hook them. It’s illegal, but the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (and local judges) seem to not care or have the resources to get the worst of violators off the rivers permanently – that’s a whole different topic that I’ll tackle at the appropriate times. Lake Taneycomo also took a big-time hit in 2000, as it seemed that most of the big rainbows in the slot-limit area below the dam went into shock when four units started running in July, so they left that upper stretch where they were then subject to being harvested. The situation is not yet critical – in fact, it’s ideal – but we will be singing a different tune if the water in the lakes is this low going into May and June.
Because March is the windiest month in the Ozarks, and since wind makes for outstanding fishing during dead-low water conditions, anglers can expect nymph fishing to be out of this world when the water is off. Scuds, sow bugs and Zebra Midges will all do the trick fished below a strike indicator in the long, slow pools. Streamer fishing will be tougher from a big-fish perspective than it was during the higher water of December and January on the White, but there will still be opportunities for those willing to scale down their tackle, and slowly strip small patterns that are lightly or unweighted using floating lines. If this bite is on, it can be a blast because many of the strikes will be visible, especially if fishing from the higher vantage-point of a drift or river boat. Dry fly fishing will just be starting to come into play, especially if air temperatures are higher than average during March and the water has a chance to warm up on stretches away from the dams. Look for some medium-sized caddis and lots of midges in March, but the peak of the hatch activity usually occurs between late April and Memorial Day on the White and Norfork.
It is a very exciting time to be fly fishing the Ozarks, and it has been a long while since there has been such a good chance to see a low-water spring. Unless the lakes get above power pool, the Corp will remain in water-conservation mode in anticipation for the high power demand of summer, but there will still be random days where some water will be released on any of the rivers, so as always, come prepared for anything with respect to flows. Considering how many browns there are on the White and Norfork as a result of the new minimum-length limit of 24 inches that went into effect at the start 2009, fishermen will be catching both lots of fish and some really big fish. If you have been putting off making a fly fishing trip to the Ozarks for whatever reason, now is the time to take initiative and book a trip. It is definitely a coveted occurrence when low water and spring weather come together simultaneously, and we are all getting giddy about the way the rivers are fishing now and what is likely in store.
Promotions for the late February/early March Newsletter
There are no promotions set up for this month, but be sure to check the “Guides Tips” section right below this section where we will be discussing a unique and value-oriented opportunity to fish a variety of water based out of Dawt Mill and the Cotton Gin Inn near Tecumseh, Missouri. I know how hard it can be to get everyone together to commit to a fishing trip, but we have offered a bunch of great deals that received marginal responses, so we’ll stick to making our best offers during the slower guiding times of year.
To everyone who did take advantage of the deals offered this winter and went through the end of January, thank you for participating, and we will likely offer something similar next year. It’s hard to say when our next deal will be put up – most likely it will be during mid-summer because the next few months are peak times for guiding in the Ozarks, and there will be plenty of people in the area to the point that it will be hard to find an available guide on a busy weekend. So, if you are thinking at all about fishing with a guide from now through June, be sure and book your trip as soon as you possibly can.
Guide Tips Section
With the high likelihood of a low-water spring, there will be many new and interesting places to fish over the next three months, barring any prolonged and significant rain events. There are scores of great smallmouth and largemouth rivers in southern Missouri and northern Arkansas, including Crooked Creek, Bryant Creek, the Current River and parts of the Buffalo River. Regional temperatures were somewhat on the mild side for much of February, so the bass fishing should be starting to heat up by early to mid March and it will not peak until after the late-spring spawn. Also, many of the creek mouths on Table Rock, Bull Shoals and Norfork Lakes offer up action-filled white bass fishing in the spring, and when the whites are stacked up, it’s nothing to catch these extremely hard-fighting fish until your arms are tired, plus, they are not usually really picky as far as the flies they will take, so this is a good chance to try out your own streamer creations.
Besides the plethora of bass fishing opportunities in the central Ozarks, there are also several trout fisheries in far south central Missouri that are worth checking out, especially during the rare times when these rivers are low during the spring. The Eleven Point can be an excellent trout stream depending on water levels, and most of the cold water is protected with trophy regulations intended to allow the fish to grow surprisingly big – eighteen inch rainbows and browns are not uncommon on this gem that usually gets very little attention due to all the great trout fishing on the nearby White River Basin Tailwaters. Those of you who keep up with my reports hopefully read about the amazing days that I have been experiencing on the North Fork of the White River over the last few weeks. This classic stream is the longest free-flowing trout fishery in Missouri. Like the Eleven Point, many of the best trout fishing stretches on the North Fork of the White have areas where special regulations are in place that encourage conservation, and the heavy canoe season does not usually kick off until Memorial Day Weekend. From a fly fishing perspective, the best times for this river are typically in the fall through the winter due to all the summer canoeing and tubers, but this March should be great for floating. Many compare to the fishing on the North Fork of the White to what you would expect on many Western rivers, and we did catch some gorgeous, wild rainbows along with some healthy browns in the 18 to 21-inch range – and we saw many that were much bigger than that in the deep holes, but they didn’t get this way by stupidly eating every fly or lure that comes their way, so we didn’t land anything huge, but it is nice to know that they are there.
Basing a fly fishing trip out of the wonderful and interesting resort at Dawt Mill offers anglers more nearby world-class trout fishing opportunities than almost anywhere in the Midwest (or East Coast, for that matter), especially when one considers the fact that the White River and Norfork Tailwater are less than an hour away. I will be offering two day/ two night and three day/ two or three night trips based out of the amenity-packed, brand new Cotton Gin Inn located at Dawt Mill. We will be dining each evening at the resort, and Dawt Mill will also provide shuttle services for the day (or days) we decide to fish the North Fork of the White. I don’t expect this option to really take off until next fall, but considering that water conditions are unusually perfect for this time of year, please give me a call to discuss the options available this late winter and early spring.
The prices for the hosted trips based on the North Fork of the White have not been completely worked out as of yet, but the fine folks at Dawt Mill are generously offering a deep discount on lodging (around $40 a night for two anglers) and shuttle services. The guide rates will be the same as they always are for any of other places I guide, and the chance to stay at such a historic and cozy resort right one of the most scenic rivers in the Ozarks should be considered by those new to fly fishing or anyone else who wants to try something different. I will be putting on casual fishing and fly tying demonstrations during and after dinner, so there is a learning component to these trips that make them all the more appealing. Plus, I will work diligently with my clients to set up fishing itineraries and the nightly program themes so that they are in the position to basically choose the type of fishing they want to experience along with the aspects of fly fishing they are interested in learning more about.
Conservation Corner
There has been a lot of recent talk regarding low water conditions that will likely occur over the next few months, and with all due respect, I just want to make a few suggestions that will help anglers be more successful at releasing the fish they catch in good shape. When the White River System experiences long stints of low flows, more people – fly and spin fishermen, alike – are able to gain access to the rivers. This means that fishing pressure is going to be exponentially higher than it is when the water is a raging torrent. So, I thought I would put together as unpretentious a list of suggestions as possible to help anglers of all skill levels do as little damage as possible to our favorite part of the Ozark’s coldwater resources: the gorgeous trout.
- Never place a trout on dry ground for the sake of taking a picture. If you are alone, and desperately want a shot to prove to your friends that you actually caught a fish (smile), look for moist grass or rocks that are submerged by an inch or two of water, and then lay the trout down with care while only handling the creature with wet hands.
- When posing for a picture, try to get down on a knee (preferably in the water); this way, if the fish flops free, the impact of its fall is minimal. Have a friend hold a net under the fish if the hero-shot is being taken in a boat, when possible.
- Only take pictures of benchmark fish; I mean how many shots of 14-inchers does an angler need? So, limit added stress on the trout population as a whole by just taking pics sparingly, like when the fish is a personal best or an extremely beautiful and unique specimen.
- Even if you are taking a picture for a magazine article or getting video footage for a big-time production, it doesn’t give you the liberty to mishandle the trout that you espouse to care so much about. If a big one gets away before the perfect shot is taken, perhaps use the opportunity to discuss that it is better to let a large fish swim free instead of squeezing it until it you regain control of it for the sake of vanity and personal gain.
-Never put your life or the life of others to catch a fish.
- It is never, ever acceptable to shuffle your feel while wading in a trout stream to attract fish to be caught at your feet. That isn’t acceptable anywhere it’s done, and those that wish to dislodge river habitat to catch a trout would do less harm using a can of corn and a spinning rod and fishing from a boat or a lawn chair on the bank.
Well, I could go on for hours with my list, but the doctor says I have to keep my blood pressure low. If you are just starting out in fly fishing, there is no shame in asking a guide or someone at a fly shop about proper etiquette and conservation. Some of the best anglers I know spent years asking questions to anyone and everyone that would give them a response. Have fun and be safe out there…the Ozark Tailwaters are by far at their most dangerous point when they are low. Just a sobering thought to end on, and if everyone just makes a little effort to handle fish properly, it can make a huge difference in the quality of a fishery.
And in conclusion…
We are all getting pretty pumped up about what the months ahead have in store. Low water in itself is not overly rare and special, but the numbers of big, healthy trout that are in all the rivers is worth getting excited about. My guide schedule and the schedules of guides I associate with are filling up for March, April and May quite quickly, so if you want to book a trip with Taneycomo Trout, try and get that done as soon as your dates are in order. Please be safe when fishing on your own, as the Ozark Tailwaters are always volatile and dangerous rivers, and my ear or email is always open for those who want to ask questions and get honest answers – the only attitude I have is a ‘good’ attitude, especially towards those wishing to learn more about any aspect of the sport of fly fishing or those who are willing to shed their HFNO (humiliation for no reason) and ask questions of the folks that know the correct answers.
Some final points…
* I will be putting on an extensive streamer presentation at this year’s Sow Bug Round up on Saturday morning (March 19th). This annual event held in Mountain Home, Arkansas is like a small fly fishing convention, and it is a great chance to learn more about the sport, try all the latest gear and equipment, and to meet many of the sport’s luminaries.
Be sure to stop by and check out as many presentations as you can before hitting the water, and if the lakes stay low, both rivers should be perfect for wading during the entire event. My seminar is called “Streamer Fishing for Big Fish”, and it is designed to quickly help interested anglers become proficient at all the different ways that streamers can be fished, along with basic explanations on how to tie some of my most effective patterns.
* There is still time to sign up for the on-stream skills workshop on March 12th , which is a full day of learning as much about fly fishing the Ozarks as possible. To check out more about what this value-oriented day is all about, please click this link.
* I will also be hosting one class a month during the prime time season of my guiding schedule because these classes are getting some great response so I feel it is important to keep them going all year. The classes are held at Shepherd of the Hills trout hatchery from 2pm to 4pm on Saturdays only. March 12th is our next class for the month of March, and it will be tied in to the on-stream skills workshop, as well.
* Please give me a call or drop me an email if you need any more information about any of these fun, upcoming learning opportunities or if you have any detailed questions.
