1/04/07
First of all, we want to wish everyone a Happy New Year, and hope you all had a great holiday. December has been a very quiet month here on the White and Norfork Rivers, really the least fishing pressure we've seen in a long time, and the trout have gotten a much-deserved chance to catch their breath.
So what's coming up? Two things we need to pay attention to this month are the shad kill and a possible return to higher water conditions. We haven't seen much in the way of shad so far, but are expecting them any day. Trout on the Norfork River have been taking shad imitations for the last week. So they've probably seen a few already. With Norfork dam running round the clock the last couple of weeks, Norfork has had more opportunity for the shad to come through the dam. It takes some time for the shad to reach down both rivers, but for the next couple of months you'll want to have some white streamers with you and try them any time the fishing is slow, even if you're not seeing shad. After a while, just about every trout in the river knows what they are.
On the water levels: the winter months are more critical for lake water levels because with the ground either saturated or frozen, and all the vegetation dormant, any precipitation goes straight into the lakes and rivers. Both lakes have been quietly creeping up for some time. Norfork Lake has been in the flood pool for most of the last month, and Bull Shoals is just on the verge. If they manage to work their way higher yet, we may see a return to higher flows. For you newbies, keep in mind that we haven't seen high water conditions on the tailwater rivers for more than a year, so be prepared and cautious.
This next month will be the quietest time of the year on our rivers. There'll be some good days and some bad days, but it's a peaceful and beautiful time to be out. If we do get into higher water, and it's causing you some problems, give us a call. There's always some way to work around it.
Stop by and see us ...............Dale
