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Flys and Guides Newsletter – February, 1st 2010
February Newsletter
January seemed to fly by, as I spent a lot of time working on my Web site and enjoying my new son. On the White River, Norfork Tailwater and LakeTaneycomo, it has been a month characterized by near-constant power generation. This is atypical for January; a month that usually gives up plenty of low water. During a "normal" year (if there is such a thing), the water in the lakes will be low going into the fall and winter. In an effort to let the reservoirs fill back up, the Corp of Engineers will usually run minimal amounts of water through the dams from October until late February. Every year is different, but this has been one of the few times in recent memory that high water has persisted for so long during the cooler months of the year. We are due for a change, and many anglers will welcome the opportunity to embrace a fresh outlook. No matter what the water conditions are, there is always productive fishing on the WhiteRiver Basin trout fisheries, but it is nice to experience some variety.
February fly fishing forecast
Local guides and fly anglers in the Ozarks are chattering away about when exactly this year's shad kill will commence. There is no question that the lakes are getting cold enough to start the chain of events that will cause millions of lethargic shad to get pulled into the rivers, but there are still many variables at play. With lake levels on Bull Shoals, Norfork and Table Rock near power pool (Table Rock is almost three feet low as of this writing), it is hard to say how much power will be generated - without high water on the rivers, most of the shad will remain in the lake. I've seen incredible shad kill fishing on all water levels (including low water), so there is no reason to speculate on how the actual fishing will be, but barring heavy rains, releases will be primary based on power demand. The odds are that flows will be moderate to heavy for at least a few hours most mornings throughout February, and generation may also increase late in the afternoon - this pattern will especially hold true if cold air is entrenched across the region. If any sort of decent rains fall, the high water cycle will start anew.
Once all of the lakes - including Beaver - are down to power pool, it is hard to predict exactly how water conditions will play out from that point forward. If we do see a low water trend develop, look for great action fishing with all of the standard patterns like scuds, midges and micro San Juan worms drifted through the riffles. Because the rivers have been so high for so long, the trout are not familiar with most of the flies and techniques that are utilized when the water is off. The top-three Ozark coldwater tailwaters (Taneycomo, the White, Norfork) are poised to give up "hey-day" fishing over the next month. January was very good, but February will be exceptional, regardless of the prevailing flow conditions.
Web site changes and other enhancements
Hopefully, all of my readers recognize my commitment to providing the very best in fly fishing content and updated information through Taneycomo Trout. My Web site has become a personal passion, and it has been a great learning experience working on all of the recent enhancements. I will always let everyone know when I post a new article, and the piece in this newsletter about fishing our rivers in the wind will open the door to many productive experiences on our waters. The area needs a definitive fly fishing resource, so that is what I plan on creating. My readers mean everything to me, and this is why I am going through the effort to only publish professional-level writing.
Everyone gains when my site's content and newsletter is interesting and fun to read.
I will also be selling fly boxes exclusively in an effort to give my customers a chance to assemble a complete arsenal of flies tied by a full-time guide. Look for an "al-la-carte" box very soon that will allow anglers to choose exactly what they want. My blog is also a lot of fun, and be sure to check it out to follow my journey through the fly fishing world.
New for 2010 - Owyhee River fly fishing trips out of Boise, Idaho
One of my good friends moved to Boise, Idaho last year, and all he can talk about is the incredible brown trout fishing on the nearby OwyheeRiver. He was a guide on the White and Norfork for nine years, so this guy knows a thing or two about quality rivers. The "O" is a desert tailwater that is technically located in Oregon, but the best fishing starts just 70 miles from downtown Boise. The browns here average 19-inches in length, and catch and release regulations ensure extremely healthy populations of large trout. In all honesty, the OwyheeRiver may have trophy fish concentrations that rival the San Juan in New Mexico. The fishing is much easier on the "O" compared to the San Juan due to less crowding, a more diverse food-base and the fact that the water on the Owyhee is always slightly off color.
The Owyhee is quickly gaining the reputation on the West Coast for being a beautiful place to hook into lots of three to five-pound browns (along with many much bigger ones), but this fishery is relatively unknown to most fly anglers east of the Rockies. This is because browns were stocked experimentally on the Owhyhee less than ten years ago, and they have been thriving ever since. It takes awhile for the word to really spread, especially considering the fact that many locals want to keep this river a secret. Most of the fish are wild on the "O", except for the rare rainbow trout - these 'bows are BIG and FAT, though.
We plan on offering two fully-hosted trips to Boise this year. We are only going to take six anglers per excursion. The plan is to stay right downtown and we will fish the Owyhee with guides on the first two days. The third and fourth days will be open to unguided fishing other great local rivers like Silver Creek and the South Fork of the Boise, or to return to the Owyhee to fish with or without a guide. The group will utilize a van and another SUV to get around. There will be learning opportunities through presentations each evening, and my friend and I will always be available to make sure that everything runs smoothly. We will also spend time fishing with our guests, and we will be accessible to teach and discuss fly fishing throughout the time in Boise.
These trips offer a great opportunity to experience several of the country's best trophy trout rivers with passionate hosts, while enjoying the amenities and fun of Boise - for those who don't know, Boise is a really cool city, and there is a viable trout stream that runs through the middle of town. Please go to the Owyhee Trips page on the Taneycomo Trout Web site for more information on these packages, and if you are at all interested or have questions, please give me a call. There have been several reports from associates who have fished the Owyhee with my Boise friend, and they have all had a blast. It is only a matter of time until Boise is recognized as one of the country's premiere outdoor destinations, so come with us to experience this incredible fly fishing before the rest of the pack catches on. This overall experience will be fun in so many ways, and the prices we are throwing around are relatively inexpensive. Give me a call or drop me an email for specific information.
Guide Tips: Weighted versus non-weighted nymphs
There is definitely a time and place for both weighted and unweighted nymph patterns. Much of an angler's decision regarding which style to use depends a lot on the type of water they are fishing. Because we have such a diverse range of dynamics on the White River, the Norfork Tailwater and on LakeTaneycomo, I have had quite a bit of time to experiment with both weighted and unweighted nymphs.
My philosophy is to fish with a weighted nymph instead of a non-weighted nymph whenever it is appropriate. This is because the split-shot (or weighted point fly) required to effectively fish an unweighted fly makes tangles much more likely. A weighted fly by itself allows for a clean presentation. In most slow-water situations, weighted patterns will work better than a fly below some form of weight affixed to the tippet. In really slow and deep water, two weighted patterns can work very well on larger fish. A split shot or a two-fly rig does not look right to the fish in most slow-flow areas.
The right place for fishing an unweighted fly below a shot or a dropper is in areas where the water has some current like riffles and runs, but a weighted fly will also suffice in the faster water because the depth is normally shallow. Certain flies like San Juan Worms, midge pupas and emergers (like soft hackles) catch more fish when the hook is unweighted, especially in areas where trout receive heavy pressure. This is because a non-weighted fly drifted just off the bottom in a riffle or run looks very natural.
Weighted flies are used for precision angling in slow water and for simplicity in moving water, whereas, unweighted flies fished under some sort of weight in fast sections will help create a very life-like illusion. Both strategies have their time and place. Keep in mind that the faster the water is, the less the fish will notice the split-shot. Gaining an understanding of when to utilize each type of nymph will make you a more versatile angler.
Arkansas Conservation Trends: It's time to pounce
2009 was a bittersweet year for conservation-minded anglers and businesses on the White River and Norfork Tailwater. On one hand, the well-established catch and release area on the Norfork was lengthened to include the prolific water around the McClellen's area, but the overall scope of this regulation change was lessened significantly as a result of back-room dealings and blatant favoritism. Initially, the catch and release zone was to also be extended downstream from the Bill Ackerman Access to the island above the River Ridge Inn, but at the last second, several Arkansas Game and Fish (AGFC) Commissioners met privately with a few disgruntled business owners, and weeks before the regulation went to vote, a new proposal was placed on the agenda. As many of you know, the Commission went against the desires of the people and the advice of their biologist by passing the regulation that favored those who riled up fear and threatened to take the AGFC to court.
There are several good things that came out of this travesty. Obviously, any extension of catch and release waters will help the river's population of big fish. At least ground was not lost, although the way the process failed the people of Arkansas [and beyond] has left a nasty taste in many mouths. The subsequent public outcry has been encouraging to see, and there is most likely going to be an official investigation into whether or not these clandestine meetings amongst Commissioners and private business owners were indeed conducted legally. There is a law that says that the public must be notified of gatherings involving two or more high-ranking state officials. It will be interesting to see how this turns out.
Because the interests of many were swept aside in lieu of the interests of a few, now is the time to voice opinions on the entire unethical situation. This injustice should be used as a crux or focal-point, and the momentum can shift completely, if the pressure favoring change remains steady. It is important to keep up any and all efforts, and the powers that be must constantly be reminded of the shortcomings of this current class of Commissioners. The stretch of river that was "lost" as a result of this fiasco should be used as a bargaining chip to get the bait-restricted water pushed up closer (or to) the dam. Considering the current state of affairs, now is the time to claim the water below Norfork Dam for the good of the fishery. If a regulation proposing an upstream extension of the catch and release area came up now, I do not see how the Commission could once again buckle to the desires of commercial interests. The first mile and a half of water below Norfork Dam is the area that could reap the most benefits from restrictive regulations, despite what a few one-sided business owners might say.
Please let me know if you are interested in learning how to help the cause. The White River and Norfork Tailwater have the potential to be the best trophy trout rivers in the world because of the extremely rich food base. If just half of the prime habitat waters were managed for big fish, anglers from around the world would flock to Arkansas to get in on the action. It's time to fight fire with fire publically, while trying to work rationally with the opposition to come up with a compromise behind closed doors. The bait versus large trout debate is complex and layered, but the bottom line is that everyone wins if Arkansas reclaims the reputation as the place to go for huge browns and rainbows. It will take a shift in management to get to this point, but if enough concerned individuals let the AGFC know that enough is enough, the message may finally get across.
February flies and guide trip specials
Every streamer fisherman planning a trip to the Ozarks needs to have a few crawfish patterns that can be utilized to target large fish. Crawdad flies can entice strikes on otherwise slow days. Almost all freshwater sport fish will feed on these crustaceans if they are available, and I've even heard reports of crawfish patterns working well on saltwater fish. I like to have two types of crawdad imitations on me at all times: a finesse pattern and a depth-charger.
Each month I will be rolling out a new fly box that will be available to purchase, from that point on, through the Taneycomo Trout Web site. I will also be offering a limited-time discount for newsletter subscribers in every issue. This month's box is - you guessed it: the Perfect Crawdad Collection. Here is what is included:
- Nine (#9) Hybrid Crawfish Flies: These patterns retail for $4.95 at fly shops. This striking imitation represents my finesse fly, as it is only lightly weighted. The best way to fish the Hybrid Craw is to strip it in or dead-drift the pattern through riffles and in areas of current. Never be afraid to let this fly swing.
- Nine (#9) Pine Craw Flies: This is my depth-charger, as the lead eyes will get this pattern down in a hurry. Use this fly in heavy water or in areas where you want to crawl a crawfish along the bottom. These flies retail for $3.50.
The price for the eighteen (#18) crawfish patterns and the box is $92. A Morell foam fly box is included, and inferior patterns would cost over $100 at a fly shop. Simply send me an email if you are interested in ordering the Perfect Crawdad Collection.
Until next time...
I really hope you enjoyed the February newsletter. In next month's issue, we will catch up with the events of the shad kill, and hopefully I will have a few stories to share. There will also be an article that describes the dry fly opportunities on the White River, Norfork Tailwater and Lake Taneycomo during the spring and summer, and this piece will reveal the best exact spots for coaxing large fish to the surface.
Please let me know what you think of this last edition, and always feel free to make suggestions - if you have a topic that you would like covered, I'll be sure to give it consideration. I want my readers to become involved in any way possible.