Fishing the White River and other Trout Streams....
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By:
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admin
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Mood:
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- Fishing Destinations
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Date:
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Oct 13, 2010
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None
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Destination Ozarks - Making the most of a White River Basin fly or spin fishing trip
It's been over 15 years since the last world record brown trout came from the Ozark Mountain Region, and during this period of time, the five tailwater trout fisheries of the White River Basin have gone through their ups and downs. The potential to catch record-caliber trout is still a possibility, and the overall productivity of these fisheries is in many ways better than it has ever been as a result of more restrictive regulations like catch and release areas and slot-limit zones. Fishing is as popular now as ever, so visiting anglers are rarely on the water alone, but like always, productivity is directly tied into the prevailing water conditions, coupled with how well fishermen adapt to a dynamic system where water flows are constantly in flux. The ways these rivers operate is considered enigmatic, and the purpose of this article is to explain how the entire system works along with descriptions of the five distinct fisheries that comprise the Ozark's one-of-a-kind trout habitat.
Brief history regarding the Ozark's transformation into a legendary trout destinationThe Ozarks is a region characterized by flowing water, karst topography (a landscape of caves and limestone), gorgeous green mountains and countless springs that make many of the local waterways naturally cool. While many of the free-flowing rivers and streams in southwestern Missouri and north central Arkansas are cold enough to support cool-water species such as smallmouth bass, there is very little in the way of natural trout habitat available. In the mid 1940's, the White River Project came to life with plans to build a series of huge hydroelectric dams on the White River and several of its main tributaries (the Little Red River and the North Fork River).
The first of these impoundments was on the North Fork River. This short trout fishery is often referred to as "the Norfork" or the "Norfork Tailwater" because of its close proximity to the quaint Arkansas town of "Norfork". Next, Bull Shoals Dam came on line on the main stem of the White River, and this 100-mile stretch of incredible fishing below the dam is one of the most famous and productive trout fisheries in the country. During the 1960's, three more projects were completed: Greers Ferry Lake and Dam, Table Rock Lake and Dam, and finally, Beaver Lake and Dam. These immense structures turned the region's main cool and warm water fishing holes into pristine and cold rivers virtually overnight, but it was not immediately clear if trout would prosper in their new surroundings. Over the years, the trout program has done exceedingly well, and fish can grow from a ½ inch to an inch a month during favorable conditions. Couple these incredible growth rates with an extremely aggressive stocking program, and it becomes clear as to how these five world-class fisheries came to life and continue to thrive.
Making sense of water releases on the White River and its coldwater tributariesThe number-one priority of the Corp of Engineers with respect to water management is flood control during wet years and water impoundment during periods of drought. Dam releases are unpredictable, and depending on the river and number of generators operating, depth can increase anywhere from two to ten feet vertically at the drop of a hat. This makes wading these tailwaters somewhat dangerous, and during periods of low water (40 cubic feet per second), anglers need to always be aware of where they are and have a mental plan for getting back to their access point (or at least to dry ground) in case the water comes up rapidly. Most fishermen prefer the times when no generators are running, but drifting from a boat during high water is when the majority of the biggest fish are caught. Even though there are high trout concentrations almost everywhere on these rivers, fish over 14 inches have "seen it all" which usually means that using light line and a subtle approach when the water is "dead low" offers the most consistent recipe for success. The fish are much less picky during high water conditions, but it takes a lot of practice to safely and efficiently fish out of the area's indigenous and popular motorized White River Jon Boats. Drift boats are gaining in popularity, and they work perfectly at times when flows are light to moderate. If you are serious about making the most of a trout fishing trip to the White River Basin coldwater fisheries, hiring a guide is practically 'mandatory', as this is to only way of ensuring that you will be able to fish the entire day on all different water levels.
There is little rhyme or reason when it comes to power generation practices and schedules, but flow patterns do emerge based on lake levels and energy demands across the region. If the lakes are below power pool, which is the level used as the demarcation point separating high and low water in the reservoirs, most releases are going to be during extremely hot or cold weather. Conversely, if a White River System lake is above power pool, expect to see moderate to heavy flows until the lake is drawn down to normal levels. Understanding how storage and flood elevations impact water levels on the rivers is the first step in gaining a working understanding of what type of conditions can be expected. Typically, the longest periods of low water occur during fall and winter, and because the Ozarks are located in a temperate climate, the fishing weather is tolerable almost every day of the year. Spring flows depend on how much rainfall the area receives, and summer is the most consistent season regarding release patterns during 'normal' water years. During the peak of summer's "dog days", expect low (or light) flows in the morning and maximum flows when the weather gets sultry.
Even though getting the hang of how the whole power generation aspect of the dams from a fishing perspective takes some time, those fishermen who are adaptable tend to catch fish with greater regularity than those who are committed to fishing just one way. There is an art to being at the right place at the right time, and when favorable fishing conditions come together, there are no other trout fisheries more productive (from an hour-for-hour perspective) than the coldwater tailwaters of the Ozarks.
Descriptions and strategies for each of the White River Basin trout fisheriesThe White River (below Bull Shoals Dam): This is the longest continuous stretch of cold water in the Ozarks, and trout are able to survive for over 100 miles downstream of Bull Shoals Dam. When most anglers talk about fishing the "White River", this is the fishery that they are referring to. Because of its length, it is possible to find desirable water levels by moving downstream or upstream throughout the day, and fly fishermen take advantage of this "tidal effect" by following the best conditions based on the releases at Bull Shoals Dam. No matter what type of gear you prefer to fish with, the White is a gem of a river with the abundant critical habitat attributes necessary to produce exceptionally large rainbow and brown trout.
The Norfork TailwaterOften considered the "little brother" of the White River, the Norfork is a short and small tailwater that is loaded with nice trout. Because there are only two generators at Norfork Dam, water flows are more manageable than what is encountered on the White when six to eight generators are cranking. The 'Fork is beloved by fly anglers because of its small size, big trout and gorgeous water, but all types of fishermen will enjoy fishing one of the country's most prolific 5-mile stretches of coldwater habitat. Be advised that the water can come up extremely quickly on the Norfork, as it is common for both generators to start generating simultaneously.
Lake Taneycomo (Below Table Rock Dam) outside of Branson, MissouriTaneycomo is technically a lake because of a small dam downstream of Table Rock Dam, but the upper three miles of this fishery resemble other sections of White River Basin Tailwaters, except for the fact that the water is slow everywhere during low water. There may be no other waterway in the country that stocks more rainbow trout (per mile) than the Table Rock tailrace which makes this fishery all about action fishing at its finest. The first three miles of Lake Taneycomo are designated as trophy "slot-limit" waters, and such regulations allow the rainbows to grow large before being harvested. The areas around the hatchery are very popular amongst fly and spin fishermen, but walking downstream from the masses is worth the effort if you prefer not to fish in a crowd. The remarkable trout fishing is located less than five miles from the entertainment destination of Branson, Missouri, so trout fishing trips to Lake Taneycomo offer plenty of activities for any non-fishing members of your group.
The Little Red RiverThis White River tributary is the southernmost trout fishery in the System, and up until just a few years ago, the Little Red River below Greers Ferry Dam was the home of the world-record brown trout - a behemoth that eclipsed the 40-pound mark. The river below the dam is quite narrow, but there are scores of access points which makes finding a honey-hole a piece of cake. Although this fishery does not produce average-size trout as big as the fish on the White and the Norfork, the Red is still home to many feisty browns and rainbows. Trout fishing on the Greers Ferry Tailwater is an experience that gives anglers a glimpse into roots of Ozark trout fishing culture and its history.
The Beaver TailwaterThe uppermost stretch of cold water on the White River is located below Beaver Dam in northwest Arkansas. Because this stretch is relatively short and is prone to become a backed up section of Table Rock Lake when reservoir levels are high, Beaver does not get deserved attention as a world-class trout river, but it is significantly more productive than most people let on. There are several catch and release areas on this tailwater, and the generators are shut down at Beaver Dam more frequently than they are at any other facility in the White River System. If you find yourself in the historic and beautiful town of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, be sure to swing by Beaver Dam for some non-stop action on rainbows and brown trout.
Hopefully, this article has shed some light on the remarkable tailwater trout fishing in the Ozarks, and if you haven't ever had the chance to wet a line in this region, it is definitely worth the trip. Although the unpredictable water fluctuations create a unique challenge for fishermen, when conditions are favorable, expect to catch scores of nice trout, with the occasional trophy in the 20 to 30-inch range. Many wonderful guides and other related trout fishing entities call this area home which makes planning a dream trout fishing trip to the Ozarks a learning experience unto itself. These fisheries are a blast, and there is rarely a dull moment on any White River Basin trout fishing excursion.
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