Well, it’s good news for Minimum Flow…  the ink is on the paper!

Read the news release from KTLO Radio below:

AGFC signs ‘historic’ minimum flow document

By: Jim Bodenhamer
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A major milestone yesterday in Little Rock as the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission approved the final piece of an agreement with the Army Corps of Engineers to ensure a steady or minimum flow of water below Bull Shoals Dam on the White River. A similar agreement is already in effect for the North Fork of the White River below Norfork Dam. A news release from the Commisson termed the
document “historic.”
The minimum flow project started in 1999 when then Game and Fish Commissioner Forrest Wood of Flippin broached the project at a commission meeting. At the meeting yesterday, Wood, who is no longer on the Commission, praised the Commission, the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Southwest Power Administration for continuing to work on the project for the past 13 years. He also credited former U. S. Representatives Tim Hutchinson, John Boozeman and Marion Berry for cooperating in a nonpartisan fashion to help secure the necessary support in Congress.
Lakeview resort owner Jim Gaston also played a major behind the scenes role in getting minimum flow implemented.
A multi-million dollar project is already underway at Norfork Dam to alter that structure to allow for the release of cold water into the North Fork River during times when there is very little power generation and help maintain the trout fishery. Very little actual physical change is needed at Bull Shoals Dam to allow for the minimum flow releases. Game and Fish Assistant Director Mike Armstrong said he expects both projects to be operational this fall.

(Copyright © 2009 – 2011 Mountain Lakes Broadcasting Corporation. All rights reserved.)

Just got off the phone with Leon Alexander, spokesman for the Norfork National Fish Hatchery, and he had an update about the progress of the installations of the Diffuser units.

(To read more about the Diffusers and what they do, please read our previous post…)

Norfork National Fish Hatchery Diffuser Unit

As of December, there are 16 Diffusers that are completed and ready to install.

The holdup for final installation was a shortage of 6″ PVC pipe and 6″ PVC elbows.

Finally, the parts have arrived and the first 16 diffusers are scheduled to be installed after the first of the year.

8 more diffusers (for a total of 24) are still scheduled to be built and installed sometime after the first of the year.  The materials for these last diffusers have already been ordered.

Installation of these diffusers will help ensure our trout grow fast and are as healthy as they can be so they can be put in the river for YOU!

If you haven’t stopped by and checked out the hatchery, make it a point to do so on your next visit to the White River!  The hatchery is only 20 minutes from His Place Resort, and you can get a fun & educational tour, and see where our trout come from!

We got some great news about the Norfork National Fish Hatchery.  I don’t know if you remember, but we did a story earlier this year, and put up a webpage about the proposed budget cuts for 2012 that threatened to cut all funding for the Norfork National Fish Hatchery.

(If you’d like to read all of that information, you can visit our main website at http://www.hisplaceresort.net/TroutHatcheries.htm. )

Anyway, Leon Alexander, spokesperson for the local Friends of the Norfork Fish Hatchery, reports that we did indeed get funding in the 2012 budget.  The budget includes a total of $7.2 million for the nine mitigation hatcheries which were de-funded by the US Fish & Wildlife Service in their original budget request.

According to Leon, information submitted by Congressman Rick Crawford’s office says the funding is $3.8 million from  the Corps of Engineers, who will in turn reimburse the Fish & Wildlife Service, with the remainder coming from the Fish & Wildlife Service in the amount of $3.388 million.

(Some interesting things to note:  The Fish & Wildlife Service, who had permanently de-funded all hatchery mitigation, was basically forced by Congress to put that money back into the budget…  The original amount requested was $6.9 million, so the remainder of the $7.2 million will go back into the “deferred maintenance fund”, which was depleted covering operational expenses to date.  Some other funding has still not been reinstated; the TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority) for example, has not recommitted to mitigation funding.  Since they are not a governmental agency, they cannot be forced to start paying again…  they saw the opportunity when USFW Service de-funded mitigation money to follow suit…  and they did…  it will be one of the ongoing fights for the future.  To read the FY 2012 Final consolidated Appropriations Bill, click here. )

Leon says this is really good news for the hatchery employees and all those who depend on the Trout Hatcheries as a source of income, and for Baxter County and the local economy in particular, which relies heavily on trout fishing as a primary source of sales tax income.

Leon goes on to say that this took tremendous effort on the part of the Arkansas Congressional Staffs to accomplish this change in funding given current efforts to reduce all federal budgets.  He says Congressman Crawford and Senators Mark Pryor & John Boozman were tireless in their efforts to secure this funding for the Norfork and Greers Ferry National Fish Hatcheries.

We still have to remember that even though the funding has been approved for this year… We still have the same problem that we had before.  There is still not a permanent provision for future funding.  Until such funding is permanently earmarked, we’re going to come up against this threat every year.

However, we do need to enjoy this victory today!  Thanks to everyone who helped to make this happen, and regardless of where you live, take a minute to thank Congressman Crawford, Senator Mark Pryor, and Senator John Boozman for helping us out…  here is their contact information:

US Senator (from Arkansas) John Boozman (contact)
US Senator (from Arkansas) Mark Pryor (contact)
US Representative (from Arkansas) District 1 – Rick Crawford (contact)

Do you want to help more?  Join the Friends of the Norfork Hatchery!

We all need FRIENDS!

In closing, we want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

see you on the river…

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!  We are still eating leftovers…

We always try to keep you updated on things that we think will be interesting to you, so this week I want to talk to you a little bit about what’s going on at the Norfork National Fish Hatchery.

If you remember, last year we dodged a bullet when the threat of Federal budget cuts threatened the operation of the hatchery itself… We appreciate those of you who took the time to write, call, and basically help us raise holy H**l, in addition to offering to come out and help work the hatchery yourselves…

Anyway, this posting is good news!  I’m taking a snip from the November issue of the hatchery newsletter to share with you about the diffuser installation currently underway.  Enjoy!

Friends of the Norfork National Fish Hatchery – The Raceway – November, 2011

Diffuser Installation in Progress

Norfork National Fish Hatchery Diffuser Unit

Great News!  Given the generosity of our benefactors, construction of 16 diffusers to be placed on Raceway Banks A & B is in full swing.  Our goal is to provide a total of 24 diffusers for banks A, B, C & D.

There has been $7183.70 spent out of the diffuser funds during the past month.  Starting out prior to the purchase of materials, there was $9685 in the account.  Funding analysis of recent and anticipated donations indicates that, with just a little more support, our initial goal for 24 diffusers will be achieved.  The total expense for the 24 diffusers will be pretty close to $21,000.

The hatchery has provided funding for 24 professional six-inch quick release unions at $71 per unit.  A complete list of benefactors will be announced as soon as we achieve our goal for 24 diffusers.  The Norfork National Fish hatchery is very thankful to all those individuals, groups and clubs that have made this important project possible.  Additional material will be ordered during the week of November 14.  During the next stage of construction, an additional jig will be built in order to increase production.  Due to the standard daily demand for specific hatchery duties, the staff is not always available for consistent production.  One or two more volunteers would be most appreciated

Construction of each diffuser is very labor-intensive and time-consuming.  Hatchery staff members, Doug Anderson, Doug Beard and Dale Plumlee, along with FNNFH VP, Joe Salisbury, began work on November 3.  An internal baffle assembly jig was refined and 100 24-inch perforated baffles were cut out from ten 4 x 10′ sheets.  A complete internal baffle component requires about two hours for one person to assemble.  Each completed internal baffle consists of eight baffle discs, four 6-foot rods, 72 nuts, 72 washers, 64 Teflon washers and 72 lock washers.  Four support legs and two cross beams are cut from 16 foot long angle iron.  Outside shells, 5 foot long, are cut from 20 foot, 24 inch tubing.  Six-inch piping is utilized to attach the completed diffuser to the water source.  Each diffuser is designed to manage and treat over 400 gallons of water per minute.

The diffuser’s primary purpose is to dissipate supersaturated nitrogen levels, increase dissolved oxygen, separate and remove sulfide and manganese through the entire year, creating the healthiest environment possible in order for the trout to mature to their healthiest level.

<end of article>

Hope you enjoyed the article…  see you on the White River soon!

As predicted, the lake levels at Bull Shoals have now returned to target level and below.  This has meant significantly lower flows.  Many of you have asked if this has meant “dead-low” water; to answer your question, No, it has not been dead-low, but it has been fairly “wadeable” in the mornings.  Norfork has been off quite a bit, too.

Here’s a look at what it’s been doing for the last several days…

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As you can see, they’ve been running some, but not nearly the amounts they’ve been running through the summer.

As far as what to use?

For our fly fishers, quite a few things have been been working.  Folks are having the best luck with woolly buggers, and red San Juan worms.  Especially in the morning, when the levels have been a little lower, bead head midges have been working as well.

For our spin fishers, even with the lower water, things have not changed too terribly much.  The same white/hot pink mice tails have still been the most productive thing going.  Several of our guests have also reported good luck with the larger nightcrawlers, too.

For those who like lures, pretty much any kind of gold or copper Colorado/Buoyant spoon, or Blue Fox has been producing really well.

The weather has been cool in the morning, and warming up nicely in the afternoon.  It’s a great time to come fishing on the White River, and I hope we see you soon!

I just wanted to share some photos with you taken by one of our guests, Wyatt H., over the last couple of days.

He got some great shots of immature Bald Eagles.  Thanks, Wyatt!

wyatthorscheagle1

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Wyatt H. photo of immature Bald Eagles, taken at His Place Resort, on the White River in Cotter, AR.

I got an e-mail from Jeff Williams, who is our Chief Trout Biologist for AGFC.  From time to time, AGFC requests help from the public for certain projects related to trout management.

If you’re going to be in the area from October 11-13, this marking project is a great way to get involved and learn more about the awesome trout that get put into this River…

If you want to participate, contact Jeff directly at j_williams@agfc.state.ar.us.

Here is Jeff’s e-mail below to tell you a little more…

Hello, everyone:

We will be marking the 2011 cohort of brown trout at the Norfork National Fish Hatchery October 11-13.  These fish will be distributed among the Spring River and the Beaver and Norfork Tailwaters.  If you are willing and able to assist, we could sure use the help.  We will get started on Tuesday, October 11th.  All you will need to bring is rain gear and a lunch.  We will have plenty of water and Gatorade on hand.

Please let me know if you plan on helping so I can schedule.  Also, if you know of anyone else that might be interested feel free pass this e-mail along to them.  Thanks.

Jeff Williams, AGFC

The event will take place at:

Norfork National Fish Hatchery
1414 Highway 177 South
Mountain Home, AR 72653-9799
Phone: 870-499-5255
Fax: 870-499-7755

Just wanted to give you a little update on the fishing conditions here on the White River…

The fishing has been good and consistent, with an average of 7 generators max.  It’s been pretty much the same flow pattern over the last couple of weeks.

Drift fishing with river rigs weighted with 1/4 oz. Sinkers has been the ticket; #4 Aberdeen hooks will take care of most everything you want to put out there to ‘em…

And what to put on the hook???  Well, it’s something that resembles absolutely nothing in nature, actually…  Berkley Mice Tails…  If you haven’t seen them; No…  they don’t look like mice tails…  not to me, anyway… 

But, what they look like to the Trout Diva doesn’t really matter, now does it?

They are simply a scented plastic worm with a Powerbait ball attached to one end; in a different color from the worm.  Doesn’t sound like much, does it?  Well, doesn’t look like much, either…  but they WORK!

White head / bubblegum body and vice-versa are working equally well for the spin/bait crowd…

For the flyfishers, San Juan worms in blood red and hot pink, weighted heavy and drifted deep under an indicator seemed to work the best.

And for Lure chuckin’?  Get those Size 9 Countdowns and Size 10 Extreme Action Slashbaits out of your tackle boxes and throw ‘em TIGHT to the bank…  did I mention TIGHT to the bank???

That’s all for now…

See you on the River!

Your White River Trout Diva

Lots of people have been calling to ask us what’s going on with the River?  Well, I’ve decided this; Dams are Good, and I’m glad I’m near one.

Yes, there has been rain and severe weather in the region, but the worst has missed us for the most part.  No, we haven’t had any tornadoes here, thank God…  Wind did knock down a couple of our trees just the other night.  It’s been lovely the last 2 days, and went back to somewhat overcast today.

The White River in our stretch was muddy for 2 days, and we did have sticks, grass, logs, etc., floating past us on and off for that time, but it cleared up quickly.  They’ve been running 1 to 3 generators for the last couple of days, and the fishing is good.

Folks wonder why our conditions are better up here.  It’s simply just our location.  We’re only 15 miles down from Bull Shoals Dam.  There are only a few minor creeks between us and there.  (The larger undammed tributaries, Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River, are about 11 and 17 river miles down from us, respectively.)

“Dirty” or “Trashy” water conditions are cumulative.  In other words, the farther down a river from the dam you go, the more mud & debris enters it from the creeks and other tributaries.  Today (4/30/2011), you can see from our Live River Cam shot we have excellent conditions.

4/30/2011 Live River Cam Shot

But what is going to happen in the near future in regards to river flow?  For those who would like a really in-depth view, look at http://www.hisplaceresort.net/River-flow.htm.

But let me give you the Reader’s Digest version.  Beaver Lake and Table Rock Lake are on their way down, therefore, Bull Shoals is on it’s way up, expecting to crest around 5/11/2011.

So, they will be, at some point, running more water than the 1 – 3 or 4 they have been.  This is great news for you trophy fishermen and boaters!  I guarantee I’m going to be taking advantage of it…  Trout Diva needs some new fishing photos to share with you! The last time we had high water was some of the best trout fishing we’ve ever seen.

Give us a call and we’ll be happy to set you up with a guide.  The last time we had high spring flows, people who have never caught Brown Trout before were catching them right and left…  from 18 to 26 inches.  It was crazy!

And now that we’ve had 2 years with the new restrictions on Browns, we fully expect more of the same…    The trout don’t quit biting because of high water, they have to eat more!  It leaves them fewer places to feed efficiently, and makes the larger fish much less spooky, and somewhat more predictable.  It’s an opportunity you’ll want to take advantage of!

If you’re used to wading, it’s time to learn how to fish from a boat!  I have a video, Big Water Fishing (look here) showing you how high-water fly fishing is done!  We can also set you up with our top notch fly fishing guides.  Don’t let higher water prevent you from some of the best trout fishing you can experience.

We’ll keep you posted…

If I asked you to give me $1, promising to give you a return of between $95 and $113 by year’s end, would you do it? I imagine most of you could not get your check books out fast enough.

Now, what if I told you that a federal project with a proven track record of generating these kinds of returns is in jeopardy? Would it frighten you to know that I’m talking about Federal Fish Hatcheries? Would you think someone has lost their fool mind???

Now that I have your attention, let me talk to you a little bit about the President’s 2012 budget cuts.

The President’s 2012 Budget Cut that was announced in February, 2011 has a devastating impact on our National Fisheries Division, however the most immediate and dramatic impact is to Mitigation Hatcheries. In other words, our cold water National Fish Hatcheries – it’s where the trout come from, folks.

The first thing I guess I ought to explain is “Mitigation”. Mitigation is the concept of the ongoing restitution for something that was taken. In our case on the White River, we once had a world-class bass fishery. The dams were needed to protect people’s safety & to protect property. However, the bass could not handle the cold water and moved up into the Buffalo or feeder creeks.

So, a bargain was struck to provide “mitigation” in the form of providing a species of fish that could thrive in the current River conditions. The Corps of Engineers and other entities have historically paid this, along with funding from the US Fish & Wildlife Services. This funding is largely what made trout stocking possible for the last 50+ years.

What does this mean to recreational Trout Fishing in the state of Arkansas?

If we allow this insanity to come to fruition, the worst-case scenario is simple — NO TROUT.  Get concerned, get mad, read on, and I’ll tell you how to help further down the page…

Let’s Look at the Economic Impacts of Trout Production in Arkansas

*Total Economic Output: the production value of all output generated by trout angling expenditures. Total output includes the direct, indirect & induced effects of trout angling expenditures.

**Retail Expenditures: angling expenditures associated with the recreational catch of the trout stocked.

The Greers Ferry National Fish Hatchery enhances recreational fishing opportunities in waters that have been modified by Federal water development projects in Arkansas & Oklahoma. This has provided an enormous economic boost to the economy of many of these areas, generating business & income for people & local governments. These expenditures are for recreation-related goods & services such as lodging and food, transportation, boats, fishing equipment and other gear used by the fishing public

A recent study completed in 2010 by Dr. James Caudill and Dr. John Charbonneau, entitled “An Assessment of Economic Contributions from Fisheries & Aquatic Source Conservation” clearly identified these annual economic benefits (based on $2010).

Using the above 2010 data and considering just the Total Economic Output and FWS Operational Budget Numbers:

• Greers Ferry: for Every $1 of Operational Budget, $113 Was Put Back into the Economy.
• Norfork NFH: for Every $1 of Operational Budget, $95 Was Put Back into the Economy.

It’s not just Federal Fish Hatcheries in Arkansas that are threatened, either…

The 22% budget cut will potentially affect the following cold-water operations: Garrison Dam Hatchery, Neosho Hatchery, Wolf Creek hatchery, Erwin Hatchery (where most of the nation’s trout eggs come from, including ours!), Chattahoochee Hatchery, Dale Hollow Hatchery, & the Jones Hole Hatchery, in addition to Greers Ferry Hatchery & the Norfork Fish Hatchery.

What can I do to help protect the Federal Hatcheries?

Big Picture:  By far, the best outcome would be a FEDERAL, FULLY-FUNDED, PERMANENT SOLUTION to provide for these mitigation hatcheries.  And it’s going to take an effort on both state and federal levels to make that happen.  Yes, it’s federal $$$ in question, but in AR, our State Reps & Senators have already been very helpful.  So, shake it up and contact them all!

If you live in Arkansas, use these links to contact the following US Senators & Reps.  You can click on the “form letter” links to copy and paste suggested text to your own letters to send.  (If you do not live in Arkansas, you can use the form letters as a template and send them to your own.)

US Senator (from Arkansas) John Boozman (contact)  (form letter)
US Senator (from Arkansas) Mark Pryor (contact) (form letter)
US Representative (from Arkansas) District 1 – Rick Crawford (contact)  (form letter)
US Representative (from Arkansas) District 2 – Timothy Griffin (contact)  (form letter)
US Representative (from Arkansas) District 3 – Steve Womack (contact)  (form letter)
US Representative (from Arkansas) District 4 – Mike Ross (contact)  (form letter)

Not sure of your Arkansas Congressional District?  Click here

Sign this online petition while you’re at it — (sign petition)  and this one, too — (sign petition2)

We all need FRIENDS…

On the front lines of this battle, are our friends at the Friends of the Norfork National Fish Hatchery.  Please consider a membership with this group.  Battles like this are why they exist, and they are working hard on this issue.

What Arkansas has done so far to help protect the Hatcheries

Special thanks to our AR State Rep. from District 86, Kelley Linck, for turnin’ up the heat!  He helped draft and push through the AR House Resolution 1014 (pdf).  For more info on HR 1014, click here. The accompanying Senate Version, SB8, has also been introduced.

Want to learn more about this issue?

I’ll update this section as I come across more info to share — check back often!

Mitigation Fact Sheet, Trout Reduction Impact, KTLO Interview w/ AGFC

Closing Thoughts on the Federal Fish Hatchery Budget Cuts

There is a lot of information circling, as you might imagine.  Although other solutions may be bantered about as these discussions ensue, I personally think it’s really important to focus on a FEDERAL, FULLY-FUNDED, PERMANENT SOLUTION.

Please let me know if any additions, deletions/corrections are necessary – send email to julie@hisplaceresort.net.

Thanks Again! — Julie Raines, Your White River Trout Diva…