Fishing Report — 9/20/2009 — White River, Wildcat Shoals to Cotter
Well, it’s been another week of low to very-low water; either no generation or just a couple on. Weather-wise, we did have significant rainfall over the last couple of days.
Bull Shoals Dam Precipitation
We had well over 3.5 inches of rain in the last couple of days… Even this far up river, it significantly muddied the water. Either the Lithia Creek or the Hightower Creek culvert above must have blocked for a time, because when it cleared we had over an hour of significant debris around 3 PM in addition to the muddying water.
Today, (9/20/2009) the middle of the river is still muddy, but edges & pools up are clear, and most feeder creeks are clear water again. Between that and the one generator they’re running right now, I expect it to be clear by tomorrow.
Bull Shoals Dam Lake Level & Tailwater
Bull Shoals Dam Power & Flow
From 9/13-17, they’ve run 1-2 generators, spiking to 4 the nights of the 14th & 17th for just a couple of hours each time. The morning of the 18th, they shut it off. Just 3 little surges of 1 generator since then.
1.) Newport gauge spiked at about 16.5 ft yesterday, but is below 14 today and falling. (This time of year, they regulate to 12 ft, but can run for peak power as long as they don’t exceed 14 ft. for now longer than 3 days, w/ min of 7 days between requests. This spike is mostly from the rainfall.)
2.) The 4-lake system (Beaver, Table Rock, Bull Shoals & Norfork) are all still below pool with the exception of Norfork — about a foot above. We’re fine here.
3.) The weather – mild; not much “peak demand” most likely.
So, for my weekly River Flow Prediction? I’m expecting at least several days of no flow with the occasional flush of water, just like they’ve done the last 3 days.
And for what to fish with? Bait Fisherman — crawdad tail meat and/or shrimp has been the thing in the clear water. But for the less clear water, it’s going to be night-crawlers and red worms for the next couple of days.
For our lure fisherman – keep your spoons bigger than normal & bright; colored Buoyants have been effective, as have the smaller Blue Fox in silver.
For our fly fishermen? The fish are on a “meat kick” here, I guess. I can’t get anyone to even try something other than woolly buggers right now because they’re working so well… So, I’m staying with the old White River staple. Olive is apparently the ONLY color, too – beadhead & non-beadhead. With all the overcast skies, I thought black would be working; but my fishers say not! Stick with the olive, gang… Also, if you’re willing to try something else, zebra midges and San Juan worms will probably work well, too!
Remember, you can always get up to the minute information and explanations to help you interpret it at http://www.hisplaceresort.net/River-flow.htm.
We look forward to serving you!
Your White River Trout Diva
