Rain, rain, rain, will we see an end to it. Last year we were subject to a two day deluge that resulted in all time floods, this year we have accumulations of rain fall that have at this time resulted in the 3 lake systems above Bull Shoals holding back water way above pool, which before too long will be released into the White river system. The only reason why that is not the case as of today is the lower levels of the Mississippi is at flood stage backing up the White river at its confluence.

But we will see at some point in time high water flows for the White river system.

Looking back at my rivers reports over the past years, l got to thinking what changes we have seen for our rivers, more or less there are two that have taken place, other than regulations. The first is the undesirable appearance of Didymosphenia geminata, otherwise known as didymo or rock snot.

This invasive algae has become the scourge of many of our trout streams in North America, and for that matter many others around the world. You will notice now at our boat ramps new signs posted by the AGFC giving information how to help avoid the spread of didymo to other rivers that as of yet have not become invested.

Last year, due to the high water, didymo was scoured from the river bed and lush green moss beds one again flourished, perfect habitat for the food base our trout require. This year due to the average lower flows l have to report that once again the didymo has bloomed again. Pretty much from BS Dam zone to as far as Buffalo shoals, all be it the worst of it is within the upper 20 miles of the river system.

For those of you who are not familiar with what didymo looks like, it resembles cotton wool. Often as not when generation takes place you will have to deal with the aggravation of cleaning your hooks and line on a regular basis. At this point in time worldwide research has not found an answer to destroy its presence.

The second major change has been due to the floods and high water flows. Many of the trees have been washed away from the shorelines, many of those now found grounded in stream. Many of the in stream islands have been eroded away big time and the result of deposits of gravel, silt and mud have changed the navigational routes through the river system, and in many cases now we see shallows that no longer provide trout habitat.

OK, how has the fishing been this past month, pretty darn good in my opinion. I have fished the system from the dam to lower end of Buffalo shoals, many times this past month. We have seen many class fish in excess of 20 inches both Browns and Bows, some nice Cutts and Brooks also in the bag.

Bull Shoals Dam continues to produce way better than average trout; to be honest l would say some of the best fishing you will find any place in the country. At this time we are seeing lower levels of generation that are perfect, averaging from 2 to 6000 cfs.

Pretty much the deal here is to fish midge, sowbug and scud patterns and soft hackles. Granted the fish can be fussy at times so far as hook size and color, just one of those things you need to figure out when fishing there.

For me at least, White tail and Prism midges in black, red, claret and olive, sows and scuds in gray, tan and olive and variations of soft hackles.

From BSD down to Buffalo shoals, many options here. I predicted we would see the emergences of sulphurs, and indeed we have seen some great days of that. Both dry fly and fishing soft hackles have provided some great top water fishing. This past Thursday at Rim saw one of those spectacular days of fishing a sulphur hatch. It was more a question of which fish shall l cast to next. Needless to say my customers hooked and landed well over 80 fish fishing dries and emergers. The Sulphur Prism soft hackle killed em, one of which was a Brownie well in excess of 24 ins that eventually was lost.

Wildcat to Cotter zone is fishing great. We have run a number of floats in this zone. Wet fly fishing and streamer fishing have been the ticket here, along with dead drift indicator nymph tactics.

During a couple of days of zero generation l took my customers to Buffalo shoals for a great day of wade fishing, and that is was. Buffalo shoals is one of my own favorite zones to fish. In fact there is no other like it on the entire river system with so many variables such as pocket water, fast shoals and riffles, slower glides and all else that provide for perfect trout habitat.

The downside is access, which by and large requires a boat. The only other means is to walk the railroad track from Buffalo city, which may not be legal, all be it many do it to access the lower section of the shoals.

So here are my best tips for this month, assuming we do not see high water generations.

Norfork, here we still see many hours of zero generations, the way to go here is with small midge pupa and emergers, sowbugs and scuds soft hackles and dry.

White river. Zero generation. Bull Shoals Dam zone will be the place to fish no doubt. More or less the same as for the Norfork so far as fly selections, and for that matter if wade fishing the same would apply down to Buffalo city. If drift fishing then along with the above streamers and wet fly techniques cast into and worked off shorelines will produce fish.

If generation takes place then options below the dam zone may not be so good unless water has been run for many hours as the result often as not is very trashy water which will take some time to flush out, for the best part not worth attempting to fish. You will need to take out and move upstream or get way down below the rise of water.

Other than that until we do see high water generation fishing conditions will more or less remain same, with one exception which is this, it is the time of the year to fish later into the dusk and night time periods for those trophy Browns which by and large are now nocturnal feeders.

Tight lines all.