Newsletter for September
This issue is dedicated to one of the best and misunderstood fly fishing months of the year: September
***2011 has definitely been a very strange years from a guiding perspective as a result of extremely unique weather conditions, a roller coaster economy and the fact that fishing conditions were even more difficult to prognosticate than normal for the always enigmatic trout fisheries below Table Rock and Bull Shoals Dam on the White River. The Norfork Tailwater was even crazier with respect to flow regimes and the subsequent water conditions. For these reasons, it was difficult for my team and me to put out a consistent newsletter month after month. Now that things have calmed down, look for monthly newsletters of the highest of quality with respect to truthful and frank information to resume with the overall goal of enabling our readership the opportunity to learn as much as possible about the amazing trout fishing opportunities in the Ozarks…and as always, we are here to help anglers of all skill levels have a productive and enjoyable time while on any waterway they choose to fish. If you can learn to be consistently productive on the White River Basin coldwater rivers, there are very few other fisheries in the world that you will not be prepared for.
Please feel free to suggest ideas for the newsletter or articles for the Web site, as we are more than happy to consider your ideas because the site, blog, newsletter and any of our other writings are for YOU, and we are always here to be of assistance to you in any way we possibly can.
August 2011: A great month for learning but a tough month for fishing
Anyone who fishes the White River, the Norfork Tailwater, Lake Taneycomo or any other coldwater fishery on a regular basis either professionally or just for fun knows that all waters that hold trout are especially inconsistent, and so many factors – both visible (like weather, hatches, etc.) and invisible (like what is going on subsurface) – can negatively or positively affect the fishing on a daily basis. Because the releases that come from the dams are so significant with respect to how they influence fly fishing conditions, and August flows were steadily high below Bull Shoals and Norfork Dams because those reservoirs are still holding water from our record-breaking wet spring, expect to find very little low water on the lower White (unless there is a freak occurrence like the dam needs repairs, very heavy rains caused by tropical storms, etc.), and moderate to heavy flows will continue for at least another month (or longer) until Bull Shoals Lake drops down to within a foot or two of power pool. The reservoir is about 20 feet high, and even though Table Rock is not releasing a bunch of water into Bull Shoals, the lake is dropping slower than what I would expect; right now, even with heavy flows being released around the clock, on average, the impoundment is only dropping 6 inches or less a day. This is likely because there have been some heavy thunderstorms over the last few weeks and this has slowed the draining process.
Lake Norfork is only about ten feet above power pool, and it’s possible that power pool could be reached within the next two to four weeks. We will keep people updated on the prospect of experiencing dead-low water over there soon, as when (or if) this occurs, the fishing will be fantastic. This newsletter is devoted to the fly fishing in September because it is such a special month, so read on to learn more about why we are really excited about the big fish opportunities that will be rampant once the Norfork becomes consistently low. If you think you might want to get in on this potential hey-day, be sure to start tying plenty of big terrestrial patterns like beetles, cicadas and hoppers, along with all the other usual nymph patterns. Click here to check out the big dries I am selling through the Web site, and this link will take you to the section of my site where I have created videos and tying instructions for those who prefer to tie their own flies. Plus, always feel free to call or email me if you have any specific fly tying questions or if you need to know what patterns (both dries and nymphs) are currently working. I pride myself on going above and beyond typical ‘guide duties’, and I am happy to next day air personally tied flies to your residence or to wherever you may be staying on the river if you decide you need something urgently at the spur of the moment. Taneycomotrout.com is devoted to helping all fly fishermen who come to our area have the most productive trip as possible, and we are open to sharing information with anyone eager to learn (whether they hire a guide or not), as that is what the sport of fly fishing is all about. There isn’t an angler on the water anywhere who hasn’t benefitted from the help of a bona fide mentor, a helpful fellow fisherman, an experienced friend or anyone else who understands that the future of the sport depends greatly on new anglers and neophytes (or those just new to a particular body of water). A fly fisherman is destined to become more passionate about the sport if they have fun, and it is important to learn how to learn by not being shy when it comes to seeking information.
Until the water slows significantly down in Arkansas, I will be spending the majority of my time in early September on Lake Taneycomo. The first three miles below the dam are loaded with chunky rainbows, and I’m starting to see some really big browns beginning to stage in the deeper sections from Fall Creek up to the KOA Campground section. These fish are likely staging for the upcoming ‘false’ spawn on Taneycomo, and this is what makes the next month so cool; while the rainbow fishing will inevitably be excellent when conditions are right, there is also an above average chance of hooking into a cruising brown that is fresh and looking to put on some weight before they expend a bunch of energy during the procreation process. August of 2011 was an interesting month, and I fished and guided predominantly on Lake Taneycomo. Conditions were perfect for wade and drift fishing with the water being low until 11am to 2pm most days, and when releases began, rarely did flows exceed the two-unit level. But I guess someone forgot to tell the fish that they should be eating our flies on every cast, and the fishing was quite a bit slower than I expected it would be most days. My theory on this is that the water was still a bit dingyin the lake from all the flooding in April and May (but it’s clearing quickly right now) and Taneycomo is a quirky stretch of water because of the fact that it is actually a small, narrow reservoir that resembles the slow sections of the lower White when no power is being generated at Table Rock Dam. Throughout August, the tailwater below the dam was consistently six to eight inches higher than what it normally is during dead-low conditions, and this was likely a result of water not being released from Powersite Dam at the lower end of the impoundment. Releases (or the lack thereof) at Powersite Dam, which is about 22 miles downstream of Table Rock, can affect the fishing in the shallow areas that comprise the upper first three miles of the tailwater, and there was very little current up there. Plus, if the wind blew upstream, the river would flow backwards towards Table Rock Dam. This strange dynamic always makes the bite tricky, but if you could find the few areas where there was at least a little current, the fishing was great. Once generation started at Table Rock Dam, the fishing was more consistent, but dissolved oxygen levels begin to drop this time of year, and it takes awhile or the fish to get used to this change. Don’t worry though…Table Rock Dam is equipped to infuse liquid oxygen into the river if oxygen levels get too low, and this process is beginning and will turn the fish on in a major way.
Much of what makes trout fishing so fun is how complex these critters with brains smaller than a pea can cause us to shake our heads in bewilderment. Just when you think that conditions are perfect and the fish are going to feed like crazy, they remind us of who is really in charge. I like to say that the trout tell me what to do, and it is never the other way around. It took quite a bit of trying new, old and improvised techniques to realize success over the last month, but all of my clients were very happy to have the chance to see how a professional guide reacts when the fishing gets tough, and that, coupled with the opportunity to learn a myriad of advanced techniques, made everyone (myself included) better anglers. Slamming a 100 fish in a day is always a blast, but if you really want to learn, it’s imperative to relish the times when the fish are committed to making you work for every bite. I would take a large wager that the fishing will improve exponentially on Lake Taneycomo as we get into September. This is why the majority of this newsletter is devoted to how to make the best out of one of the top three fishing months of the year. September is all about diverse fly fishing conditions and the chance to utilize a variety of flies and techniques. Also, September is a big fish month, and with all the oversized trout stacked on each of the rivers I frequent, I can’t wait for one of my favorite times to fish anywhere is upon us and in full swing.
September Promotion: A bit of complimentary extra time on the water***
Starting immediately, I will be offering a free half day of fishing (three to four hours) for anglers who make multi-day bookings. This bonus time on the water can be redeemed either when you get into town or on the day you are leaving – if you choose to take advantage of this promotion at the start of your full days on the water, night fishing is also an option, and the next five weeks are perfect for fishing beneath the stars while pursuing big browns on the move with streamer patterns.
***This promotion will be honored until October first. If I happen to be booked the day before and after your scheduled trip, and I am unable to find a member of my guide team to do the free half day, I will knock $75 off of the price of your multi-day trip and throw in a dozen personally-tied flies that will include at least two of my favorite streamer patterns for big trout (and they work well on almost any other predatory species like bass and even saltwater fish). The only thing that you must do to take advantage of the complimentary half day on the water (or the discount and fly selection if everyone is busy) is to mention this offer when you book your trip. This promotion is for both subscribers and for those who are not subscribers, but it is recommended that you sign up for the newsletter because most promos and a good chunk of content is usually exclusively available for subscribers ONLY – there are places to join (by simply entering your email address) on virtually every page of the http://www.TaneycomoTrout.com Web site.
Guide Tips – “September Surprise”: What to expect on the White River, the Norfork Tailwater and Lake Taneycomo during one of the top three fly fishing months for trout in the Ozarks
Everyone has their own opinions formulated when it comes to when they think the best times to fish the Ozark tailwaters are. I really love April, as the weather is normally perfect (less wind than March, temperatures in the ‘70’s), crowds are significantly less of an issue than in March and there are lots of gorgeous trout on the White River, Norfork Tailwater and on Lake Taneycomo. Still, April can also be a nightmare if flooding rains are common or if the rivers run high all day …plus, if the weather and conditions are not just right, good luck finding a decent hatch.
October can be a fantastic month on all three of the tailwaters I frequent, but it is not without its own set of potential pitfalls, as well. There are hoards of anglers who visit the Norfork or Taneycomo in October with the hopes of finding pods of actively spawning brown trout in the shallow runs and traditional spawning grounds. This unsavory behavior typically occurs near the dams, and I stay as far away from that unethical ‘mob’ as possible, instead choosing to utilize my boat to find empty stretches of water that are loaded with active fish that are not in ‘spawning mode’. The weather in October is almost always nice at least 75% of the time, and there is nothing quite as spectacular as catching scores of fat and colorful trout when the Ozark Mountains are popping with brilliant fall colors. Of course, as the foliage show fades, those leaves have to go somewhere, and a bunch end up in the rivers on windy days, which can be a slight nuisance, but it is certainly not as annoying as what you will find on smaller trout rivers and streams where most of the trees are right on the water’s edge. The tailwater nature of the Ozark trout fisheries (where the best fly water is quite away from the shore) ensures that most leaves move downstream relatively fast and there are only leaf issues on really windy days or in slack water areas along the banks. Finally, low oxygen can start to cause the fish to be lethargic towards the end of October, and the rivers fish their best if there is some water being released from the dam, on windy days (if the water is dead low) or when the rivers are dropping. If very little water is released throughout October, the tailwaters can get ‘stale’,and during really bad years, fish kills can occur, especially on the Norfork and on Lake Taneycomo. Luckily, the Corp of Engineers is working diligently with environmental agencies in the state of Arkansas, and the Corp has started taking a proactive approach that has helped keep oxygen levels above 4 parts per million almost all day – the fish seem to do quite well at these levels, and hopefully atrocities like avoidable fish kills are a distant memory. Low dissolved oxygen should not be much of an issue in 2011 because there is plenty of water in the lakes, so expect daily light releases that will keep the fish fresh and healthy.
I’m not going to blow smoke up where the sun doesn’t shine and say that September is always fly fishing Nirvana, but this month does offer several distinct advantages over the other two months I mentioned that can offer up spectacular fishing opportunities. First of all, on a typical water year, the dams start to release significantly less water in September, and after three solid months of heavy summer flows, the fish definitely react positively when extended periods of light or minimal releases become the norm. The weather starts to cool down and there are large pods of big fish on the move as they begin to stage for the spawn – especially on the Norfork and Lake Taneycomo. This means that it is very possible to ‘chance’ into a huge brown on any given cast. Numbers of fishermen on the rivers decreases significantly in September, and there is usually quite a variety of water types available to fish. For whatever reason, anglers don’t give September a fair shot, and that means they often miss out on some of the year’s fishing.
Perhaps the most exciting aspect of fly fishing in the Ozarks during September is that the terrestrial action using patterns like beetles, cicadas and hoppers is the best of the year. It is quite common to catch 20-inch plus browns and rainbows with flies ranging from size #2 to size #8. I have worked shallow runs for hours without moving while getting one rise after another, and often, there are few other people in sight. Smaller dries like yellow midges, caddis and mayfly imitations can also work well in softer riffles and runs, especially on calm days.
Unfortunately, September of 2011 is likely to be quite different than what we experience on a typical year, especially on the White and Norfork. Bull Shoals and Norfork reservoirs are still very high for late summer, so subsequently, low-water opportunities will not be as common as they have been in past years on the rivers below those lakes. Still, flows will likely decrease, but expect to see releases in the three to six unit range on the White, and the Norfork will run a half to one full unit most of the time. By using a boat, excellent fishing will be available, and savvy anglers will search out the abundant slow and slack water spots where it will still be possible to anchor and take advantage of catching big fish on the surface using large terrestrial flies. As of right now, Taneycomo will be the best area for fishing this September, as flows will be light or low most days, and by doing a little bit of walking (or by using a boat), it will be easy to find active rainbows, fresh browns and relative solitude on Lake Taneycomo, which is a busy tailwater in the zones up by the dam near the hatchery outlets. Plus, if it does appear that conditions are looking good on the White or Norfork on a particular day, it’s an easy 1.5 hour drive to get to the best trout fishing areas in Arkansas, so come prepared to move around, if necessary.
Just because it is going to be an atypical September in 2011with respect to Ozark fly fishing, the action is going to be the best it’s been since June. Also, for those of you who follow the lunar tables, it looks like the new moon is coming up at the end of August, and this means that ideal conditions for night fishing will be found over the first couple weeks of September (we like it dark, and of course, low water is pivotal if you are going to be walking in). I offer nighttime float trips, so please let me know if this unique experience is something that sounds interesting to you, especially if you are looking for a shot at one of Taneycomo’s HUGE brown trout. Feel free to call or email me for up to the minute reports, and I will be frequently updating the Web site to keep my readers informed of how the fishing is transpiring during [perhaps] my favorite month of the year for fly fishing the Ozark coldwater tailwater trout fisheries.
Guide Secrets*** -Strategies and locations for making the most out of a September 2011 fly fishing trip on the White River, the Norfork Tailwater and Lake Taneycomo
***This section is only available for those who have subscribed to the TaneycomoTrout newsletter. If you would like to gain access to this information, sign up by entering your email address in the area/box located on virtually every page of the TaneycomoTrout.com Web site (there is a sign up box on the home page). To ensure that you receive this article as quickly as possible, please send me a brief email at flytiehunt@hotmail.com(or call me at 417-294-0759) to let me know that you have signed up for the subscriber-only edition of the newsletter and I will send this version out to you as soon as I possibly can, and you will also receive future subscriber-only newsletters and promotions in the future.
As I’ve mentioned several times throughout this newsletter, the fly fishing this year during September will be a little bit different than what is experienced during a typical year. This is because Bull Shoals and Norfork Lakes are currently much higher than they normally are as a result of the massive rainfall that fell this spring that is still being stored in those reservoirs. Still, there is a good chance that there will be some light flows or dead low water (especially on the Norfork) this September, but the most consistent wading opportunities will exist on Lake Taneycomo in the trophy slot-limit section that encompasses the first three miles below Table Rock Dam.
That said, there will still be some excellent trophy fishing opportunities on the White and Norfork for those anglers using a boat to get to the best spots, and if you are the type of fisherman who prefers to have plenty of room to spread out, a vessel will also come in handy on Lake Taneycomo by allowing you to focus on fishing from the boat ramp down to Fall Creek (Fall Creek is where the trophy area ends). It will take some work and a bit of“inside knowledge” in order to take full advantage of the great fishing that September will offer this year, and hiring a guide for at least one day is well worth the cost if you want to ensure that you will be able to stay on the fish all day. Also, the night fishing should be great over the next month or so, but the majority of big browns on Lake Taneyomo will be staging below the boat ramp in deep water during the day, but they will move into the shallower runs and submerged gravel bars to feed at night. Since I have been spending the majority of my time fishing and guiding on Lake Taneycomo this last August, I know where there are quite a few pods of really big fish hanging out, and feel free to drop me a line if you are in need of this extremely detailed information. If you are interested in a nighttime guide trip, know that I typically use my drift boat to get into the best areas, and we will fish from the boat and get out and wade, depending on the type of water we are in. Be sure to bring some warm clothes with you when fishing at night because if it is foggy, temperatures can be quite chilly (below 60 degrees), and as always, it pays to be prepared for anything on these tailwaters, so if you do walk in on your own, be sure to scout the area where you are going to be fishing during daylight hours so that you know the quickest way to get back to the safety of your walk-in area (or vehicle) in case the water unexpectedly comes up.
