Arkansas Update?

[Zach Matthews]

Hey guys –

Can anyone update me on the conditions on the White River as we head into fall? I’m going to be in-country for the A&M game (Go Hogs!) for work, and I thought I might steal a Monday thereafter. That’ll be late September, before things really get going though. I’m also planning to return in late Oct./early Nov. like I often do, but I thought I’d check and see what flows have been. Here in Georgia we’ve been nailed with rain, but I understand Arkansas has had a more normal year…

Thanks!
Zach

[Tim Johnson]

We were very wet a few weeks ago, but now dry weather and the heat have returned so we have heavy generation to generate power as well as to get down to conservation pool by the fall.  As you know, predicting generation is at best frustrating.  Hoppers have been yielding some big fish at this time, and should continue to work into late September as long as the weather holds.  The good news is minimum flow below BS has been working for a few weeks, and I think it has been good overall.  Norfork minimum flow has been delayed, but the latest rumors have it beginning the end of this week, but I’m not holding my breath on that one.

[Zach Matthews]

Thanks Tim – I appreciate it man.

Zach

[Brian Greer]

Tim nailed it.

Heavy rains really added some water to the lakes a couple weeks back. Temps were in the low 80’s….but the heat has returned and SWPA has been generating to help with demand.

One thing I would add, is that the minimum flow below Bull Shoals has really changed your options for wading. Minimum flow, with no generators, is going to be a lot different than previous history of just heading up to the dam and pretty much wading wherever you want.

[Zach Matthews]

Hey Brian –

Interesting. What kind of effect are you seeing at, say, Rim Shoals? Can you still wade across to the island or is that going to be boat-only?

BTW I will have my Gheenoe when I come over.

Zach

[David Darnell]

here is generation for White and Norfork

 

http://www.swl-wc.usace.army.mil/pages/data/tabular/htm/bulsdam.htm

http://www.swl-wc.usace.army.mil/pages/data/tabular/htm/norfork.htm

 

[Brian Greer]

Zach,

I haven’t seen Rim with the minimum flow. So I can’t say about wading out to fish an island. Wading will be trickier. Rim is far enough downstream that you’ll of course have to pay attention to previous water releases.

Reports are saying that it’s holding fish better, particularly in the riffles at the top and bottom of the shoals. People are saying they are using a longer rig with a little more weight.

[Gerard S]

Zach Matthews wrote:

Hey guys –

Can anyone update me on the conditions on the White River as we head into fall? I’m going to be in-country for the A&M game (Go Hogs!) for work, and I thought I might steal a Monday thereafter. That’ll be late September, before things really get going though. I’m also planning to return in late Oct./early Nov. like I often do, but I thought I’d check and see what flows have been. Here in Georgia we’ve been nailed with rain, but I understand Arkansas has had a more normal year…

Thanks!<br>
Zach

Hey Zach
Is that the homecoming game? I need to make it back (and introduce my wife to the Razorbacks)…must get my ass in gear!

[Mike Livingstone]

Zach, the reports from the White indicate that they are almost back to power pool.Sounds like there will be some wadeable water soon.The flyshop over there says hopper fishing has been good. It looks like I will be over there the last week of September or the first week of October.Gonna pull the boat no matter what though. That is the COE over there afterall!

[Brian Greer]

As a side note:

It looks like they have started minimum flow of the North Fork, too. Initial reports are saying about 6 more inches of water at no generation.

I guess that I should ad the SWPA / COE usual disclaimer that this “is subject to change.”

[Author]

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