The odds are we have seen the best of the hatches this year so far as the caddis and mayflies go; but you may see at times some sporadic activity. By and large it will be chironomids that will bring the fish to the surface if both water levels and climatic conditions are conducive to surface feeding activity.
I accept that for those of you who do prefer to wade fish, higher water flows do limit your access, On the other hand, high water flows are infinitely better for the fish within the system, both for comfort, survival and growth.
As we start to see the day time heat index rise, fish in low water conditions do lose interest to feed, and one should seek out those zones that provide agitated water and higher levels of oxygenated water or zones that have depth and good moss or structure. On days when generations are zero, often as not the best options for fishing will be early, late, and into the hours of darkness.
If you are fishing low water zones with little down stream drift, often the best option is to discard the use of an indicator rig and rely on working your fly at a snail's pace, using the leader/tippet as the indicator. Indicators and shadow caused by line and leaders will spook fish. Increasing the over all length of the leader/tippet sections, and reducing to a lower x factor will also help at such times.
If you choose to use indicators, reduce the size to a minimum. As a rule in these circumstances, you should be fishing with small flies in the size 14 to 20, depending on weather you are fishing at depth or at the surface.
A choice for flies may be soft hackles various, PTN, hares ear, midge, scuds and sows.
One good tip to remember is that in low water situations with low flow rates and clear skies, bead heads may have an adverse effect so far as the catch rate is concerned. Often when fishing shallow water zones and those with drift, unweighted flies, with the use of FC, will easily be seen by the fish.
(or the addition of a size 8 or 6 added shot for weight) I think he has this out of order in the above sentence-but take a look and see what you think.
Fish do become used to seeing the same old thing thrown at them, so chop and change. It makes no sense to fish the same fly for long periods of time with no results, like wise to remain in the same zone for long periods with negative results.
Another good tip is to resist the Heron mode, which is to remain in the same zone for extended periods of time. Fish within your casting range will wise up in a hurry; therefore make regular moves, redirect your presentations from different angles, and avoid having the sun behind you or causing shadows across the stream. Look for a background that reduces your presence. And that applies both to wade and boat fishing when we have low water and bright skies.
The onset of rising water after low will as a rule get the fish in feeding mode, at least during the rising period. If you are able, try figuring out if there will be a rise of water at some time during the day in your particular zone. Be cautious about that fact, however, and do not get stranded.
The Bull Shoals Dam zone and down river a ways is at this time covered with didymo; and not good as the food base is way reduced for the fish there. But you will find good fishing at BSD using midge and soft hackles as a rule. This is a sad state of affairs here.
Overall my tips will be these. If you are fishing low water, fish the zones that provide good agitated water here on the White such as 3 Chutes, Wildcat, Roundhouse, Rim, and Buffalo Shoals. Or choose zones that have reasonable moss bed cover, and you will certainly find fish there. The same also applies for the Norfork River.
Wooly buggers and other streamers may also be a good bet when fishing the faster water zones. Out of choice l would fish flies of a more imitative nature as you will have a better chance of catching fish that have been in the system for a while. By the very nature of fishing such flies, you are less likely to wise-up the fishwithin your fishing zones. More so if you adopt both up stream and across presentations for extended periods of time.
Dale has sold the store, as l am sure you know, and we wish the new owners, Bob and Debbie Cook, great success for the future. Pay them a visit
Tight lines,
Davy Wotton.
