Newsletter June/July 2011
Bringing back a tradition dedicated to educating anglers while revealing the secrets of the enigmatic waters of the White River Basin trout fisheries
The lakes are still very high, and a fluke summer deluge could cause some minor to moderate flooding, but unlike in the early and mid spring when the vegetation along the reservoirs and area rivers and streams is still gaining density, by the first of July, the forests are thick, and this type of vegetation absorbs runoff like a sponge. So, ten inches of rain in April will cause the lakes to rise much more than ten inches of rain in July, August and early September will. Once the air temperatures get hot, we welcome a little shower now and again, but come prepared when fishing the Ozark tailwaters; a small or short rain event can cause fog to shroud the rivers and temperatures can drop into the low 60's in a matter of minutes. This can be a shock and even uncomfortable if it had been 80 or 90 degrees and then the temps fall 30 degrees. This is why I always carry a few raincoats and/or sweatshirts in my dry boxes, even when it's hot - there is no reason to quit fishing if we get a pop-up shower or thunderstorm.
As far as July goes, the fishing is going to be good, especially with respect to big browns and rainbows on the White, Norfork and Lake Taneycomo - the 'Fork is also loaded with some beautiful cutthroats that love to slam a dry fly, even on high water. There will be very little in the way of dead-low water conditions, but that is good for the fisheries during our busiest tourist season. And still, always be prepared for random days when the dams end up doing something unpredictable like keeping the water down well into the afternoon or running very light water all day - there are many factors that determine how, why and when water is released, and you just never know how it will all play out, even during a high-water cycle. The most likely times for lower flows will be on weekends, especially as the lakes really start to drop quickly. All in all, I'm predicting many great days over the next month, and there will be a myriad of different techniques that will work - streamers, nymphs and even dry flies (that correspond with the 13-year cicada hatch that is still going on) will all be productive based on the water and weather conditions.
It was with deep regret that the newsletter was put on hiatus for the last two and a half months, and since I strive to always be honest with my readers so they can learn about me and the life of a guide, I'll explain what happened without boring everyone with too many details. In late April, heavy rains hit the region, and because of some repeated bad press that painted a picture of fisheries in ruin, my guide business struggled (along with many others). I always have a backup plan in place, which for me usually means tying flies commercially and for some select clients. During these times, money becomes very tight, and my time is spent with care; I have to devote a lot of days to my family, the vice becomes my "second home" and I still must go fishing so that I am ready for any last-minute guide trips that come along. Luckily, we don't experience massive flooding every year like they do on some river systems, and the entire debacle of 2011 ended up having a silver-lining that involved fantastic dry fly fishing, cleaned up rivers (flooding is nature's way of moving loose gravel and regenerating a river's habitat), some fantastic fishing with some huge fish being caught and a surge in guide trips.
Guide Tips for late June: the difference between using a drift boat and a motorized Jon boat on the Ozark Tailwaters
The use of drift boats is gaining in popularity on the Ozarks trout fisheries. These vessels utilize oars to move around and control the drift. They have been utilized by some guys for the last 20 years on the White River, Norfork Tailwater and Lake Taneycomo, but they definitely have a time and place, and they do offer up some distinct advantages along with some downsides, as well. Flat-bottom Jon boats outfitted with outboard motors have been the most popular type of boat in the Ozarks for years, and this is the type of vessel that most anglers start with for various reasons. Jon Boats also have pros and cons, and they are probably the more versatile of the two options, but they can leave an angler in a tough spot during certain water conditions or if certain goals regarding the size of the fish you plan on catching are factored into the equation.
While it is relatively easy to get the hang of using a Jon boat on the Ozark Tailwaters during high-water conditions, effectively using a drift boat is considered an art form in the guide community. It takes years to master the process of using oars to get a perfect drift while also guiding and putting people on fish. Also, it is difficult to make a day out of working short stretches of quality water like upper Lake Taneycomo and the Norfork, and a shuttle is always involved. Also, using a drifter during high water is tough, and without a motor, it takes some big-muscles to work a short but productive drift over and over like you can in a Jon boat. This makes using a drift boat an option that isn't for everyone. On the plus side, drift boats are quiet, so they offer a stealth aspect that cannot be accomplished with any other type of watercraft. This is extremely important if big fish are the goal - during low to moderate flow conditions, it's relatively easy to sneak up on fish using a drift boat. This may be the biggest plus to using a drifter. Also, quiet fishing is very important to those anglers who want solitude and a peaceful day on the water just as much as they want to catch a lot of fish. Motors are not allowed on many bodies of water, and a small outboard can be used on a drift boat to increase its versatility in certain conditions. A drifter is not for everyone, especially in the Ozarks, but they are perfect for fishing many rivers around the world and also some small lakes. Remember, a high-sided drift boat is going to be harder to control in the wind, but a low-sided boat is going to offer less stability. Keep this in mind when searching for the right drift boat for you, and a soft (ie rubber raft) can be useful in lieu of a hard boat (fiberglass), especially in very rocky or whitewater situations. Always think hard about the type of water you are going to primarily be fishing before investing in a boat for that water.
Although Jon boats are almost exclusively used in the Ozarks, there are other situations where they could be an economical choice. They can make for an inexpensive saltwater flats boat, and Jon boats with a motor would be perfect on some of the bigger Western rivers where drift boats are the predominant type of craft. With respect to the White, Norfork and Taneycomo, a Jon boat is perfect for fishing high water conditions when fish are not particularly wary of boats, but during low or light flows, a motor can be a disadvantage, and the weight of a Jon boat makes it difficult to pull it up or down a skinny river. On the White River Basin, a Jon boat is the only way to catch a bunch of fish when the rivers are really high, and it's possible to put your boat in, fish miles of water and then motor back to your trailer and vehicle. Using a Jon boat properly will catch the most fish during high water, and it can be used to get to wading spots when the rivers are low. It does take quite a bit of practice to learn how to use a motor to get into the right position on a swift river safely, and it's critical to buy a motor that shifts into forward and reverse on the handle (only Mercury makes such a motor, and they are phasing out this style, so it's important to act if you have the chance to buy one) so that you can always be looking forward while having one-hand control at all times. I've seen guys guide after just a few days getting comfortable with the style of fishing that is done with a Jon boat, so the learning curve is much smaller than with a drift boat. Jon boats are also a better value in many ways, and with some creativity, they can be made to be quite versatile.
Ideally, every fly fishing guide in the Ozarks would have both types of boats available; I do so that I can effectively and SAFELY fish all types of water. It would be interesting to see a Jon boat used on the South Fork of the Snake in Idaho or other big Western tailwaters. You might not make a lot of other friends because of the motor, but you would catch a lot of fish. Everyone thinks they have the best type of boat, and in some ways, that mental hurdle is the most important part of getting used to fishing out of a certain type of vessel; you never want to second-guess your decision, and it's key to research a lot of different types of boats before picking the one that will work best on the waters you fish. Feel free to contact me for further advice on the pros and cons of drift and Jon boats in the Ozarks, as these rivers are very tricky. Good luck!
Conservation Corner
After seeing what the Norfork has been producing throughout 2011 (BIG and beautiful fish), look for yet another attempt to shed light on the Ozark's best overall fishery in next month's newsletter. And as always, if you are ever interested in helping with conservation causes, feel free to give me a call at any time.
And in conclusion...
Summer is quickly coming upon us, and although the air is going to be hot for the majority of the next three months, it is always easy to stay cool on the Ozark tailwaters. This is one of the best features of these rivers, and the summer is also a time of year when many big fish get caught because there is quite a bit of high water, so the river's lager specimens start to feed steadily and with less selectiveness than they do during times when the pressure is high and there are more hours of the day when the water is low. Because of the flooding this spring and the fact that the flood gates were opened for extended periods on all three of the rivers I fish most often, expect this July to fish a little different than July's in the past. The trout have been exposed to many more different food sources than normal, and the fishing pressure has been far lower than during a typical May and June. I expect scores of big fish to be caught using a variety of techniques and patterns. Even though the best shots at lower flows will be in the morning (or at night), there can be some excellent trophy opportunities late in the afternoon and during early evening about two hours before the fog comes onto the water. Don't ask me why this happens, but it does virtually every year.
Please give me a call or write me an email if you have any further questions, and if you missed out on the "Guide Secrets" section because you have not signed up to our mailing list, let me know and I will add you and send you the full copy of the newsletter. If any of you would like to help me out, drop me a note that lets me know what you think of the newsletter along with anything you are interested in seeing written about in future issues. All feedback is greatly appreciated, and I truly hope that everything I publish helps my readership not only catch more fish, but also affects the way they approach the sport of fly fishing.
Promotions for July
Because we are still in the peak of the summer guide season, there will be no promotions this month. Look for something for August, as that is normally a slower month with some great trophy trout fishing - it will likely revolve around two-person father/son trips and group trips, as August is perfect for both those types of experiences.
