The White River is in an interesting phase right now. Overall, water is still hovering in that 40 megawatts range. Afternoon bumps have been more common lately as near-90 degree weather has forced many to kick on the A/C after lunchtime.
With long bouts of 40 megawatts or less is present, caddis try to get going and fish try to start keying in on these bugs. However, any sort of rise in flow immediately shuts down hope of a caddis bite. Pushes are still cold and both the caddis and the trout alike are not responding well to such change in temperature.
Browns are being picked up here and there, but the overall bite is on the slow side. We still await our true blue blanket hatch that will kick the brown bite into a fever pitch.Ultimately, most browns and rainbows are still eating midges, though a healthy mix of caddis eaters remain. Dally’s Tailwater Jigs in black/copper and zebra are still good producers for us out there.
Lately on sunny days, the tried-and-true Knowles’ Ruby Midges and Root beer Midges have been great, too. Lightning Bug Jigs, Rainbow Warrior Jigs, Wotton’s Super Midges, and Zebra Midges need to be in the box, as well.
Lead flies like Sunday Specials, Nick’s Fat Caddass in size 14, Y2Ks, Dally’s Mother’s Day Caddis Jig, Dally’s Tailwater Jigs, Girdle Bugs, Sexton’s Carotene Jig, and Ron’s Crusty for an in-your-face flashy attractor will help round out the tandem nymph rig.
The Norfork closed up its floodgates on Monday for the first time in quite a while. The dam has continued to generate 40 megawatts during fishing hours, but will shut down to nearly minimum flow Friday to Sunday. Fishing was good this week, much like it has been lately.
Slush Eggs, Mop Flies, Y2Ks, and the like remain solid lead flies. For buggier options, larger Sunday Specials and Dally’s Tailwater Jigs are working, too. Trailing these flies with good caddis or midge imitations will keep a consistent bite going throughout the day. Ruby Midges, Root beer Midges, Dally’s Tailwater Jigs, Rainbow Warriors, Sunday Specials, Graphic Caddis, Holy Grails, and the like have been productive.
As the water drops out, wade fishermen will have fun swinging soft hackles and woolly buggers. Anna K’s, Dally’s Mother’s Day Caddis Soft Hackles, Red Asses, and Partridge and Oranges will work. Olive Woolly Buggers are always great sculpin-esque imitations to run on the ‘Fork in low water.
Nymphing will best be accomplished with Sunday Specials, Ron’s Crusty, Y2Ks, GloBugs, Hunchback Scuds, and Wotton’s Sowbugs paired with Ruby Midges, Root beer Midges, Neon Nightmares, and Zebra Midges. The low water will also get fish looking up for caddis and midges. E/C Caddis, Wotton’s Skating Caddis, and Elk Hair Caddis should be kept within arm’s reach.
Crooked Creek is started to wake up from its long winter slumber. Like other streams in the region, it is still running a touch cold. However, fish are starting to sit on beds – seemingly overnight. There are still plenty of fish out roaming looking for a big meal, but those wanting to go after them must be willing to work hard for their quarry.
The water is low and as such fish are wary. Focusing on shadowed boulders and log jams will up your odds. The best bite has been in the afternoon once the water temperature has increased to a desired level. Lately, optimizing bite windows has been critical for success.
Grinding through slow sections or times of day will be rewarded with 20 to 40 minute bite windows where fish eat with abandon. Use heavy Clouser Minnows in the deep troughs and pools.
For shallow, rocky flats use an intermediate sink tip line and small Game Changers, Dally’s Twerking Minnows (6”), CJ’s Little Johnsons, and Cone Head Sparkle Minnows.
We cool back down next week. We will see temperatures in the 60s most day with a few 70s mixed in. The caddis hatch feels so close, yet so far away.
Traditionally, we should be seeing much more caddis action by now than what we are experiencing out there. However, once it officially kicks off, the time spent in eager anticipation will be a distant memory. Hang in there, folks. It’s coming.
In the meantime, spend your days on the river enjoying catching fish, watching the geese protecting their nests, the beavers plopping into the river, and the foxes frolicking on the grassy bank. I was reminded this week by a fellow guide of what a privilege it is to be on our river.
Through thick and thin and the ups and downs, this truly is one of the best places in the world to be a fly fisherman or woman. See you out there.
Tadd Fore
The Ozark Fly Fisher Journal 
You must be logged in to post a comment.