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Tactics for the White's Tailwaters

The cold, flowing waters of the White come from deep lake water released through the dams. These water volumes vary daily, depending on the quantity and time electricity is needed and the amount of water in storage. If the lakes are high, more water is usually released and more often. If the lakes are below normal levels, water release is limited.

The needs of the fisheries or recreational users are rarely or never taken into consideration. These dams are connected through computers to over 180 other power generation systems, and there is no set release schedule. Each day, electricity needs are determined by computer and specific generators are chosen.

During minimum-flow conditions, wade-fishing is most effective in and around the shoals (shown left), which are a series of limestone outcroppings in which gravel has collected and formed networks of short riffles, runs, pools, and pockets. During high-water conditions, casting to trout holding in and around structure (above) from a johnboat is the most common and productive method of fishing.

Water releases at Beaver, Table Rock, Bull Shoals, Norfork, and Greers Ferry Dams often begin between 6 and 7 A.M. and may vary all day until 10 P.M. or 12 midnight, creating a series of tide-like pulses down the river. Intercepting maximum low-level conditions in the 80 miles of trout waters below Bull Shoals Dam or the 25 miles below Greers Ferry Dam usually means moving via boat or car downstream once or twice daily to follow the progress of low tide.

For the short tailwater sections below Beaver, Table Rock, and Norfork Dams, this procedure is not very practical, as the time between low and high water is less than one hour after the generators are turned on. So, once the generation starts, wade-fishing is usually over. There are safety zones (ranging from 100 feet to 200 yards) directly below each of the five dams where no fishing or boating is permitted.

Low water. Fly fishing for the White's trout is best when the water is at low-flow levels because the fish are more concentrated and are easier to locate, approach, and cast to. Wade-fishing is most effective in and around the shoals, which are a series of limestone outcroppings in which gravel has collected and formed networks of short riffles, runs, pools, and pockets. Shoals are typically spaced along every 1/4 to 1 mile of river, between deep, slow, long pools.

High water. When water levels are high, wading is dangerous. Although fish feed more during higher flows, the current moves so fast that typical fishing tactics are extremely difficult. Egg patterns, San Juan Worms, Flesh Flies, and sowbug imitations with big indicators, heavy shot, and 6- to 12-foot tippets produce well during high-water periods if fished from a boat, dead-drifting the fly just above the channel bottom.

Dale Fulton, owner of Blue Ribbon Flies and fly-fishing guide who helped develop this dead-drifting technique, once told me that you can catch from 30 to 40 trout a day using this method. We strongly urge fly fishers to avoid getting on high water in a boat without an experienced guide.

But, when you can find the river dropping to near minimum or stable at minimum flow, it fishes extremely well for waders using floating or sinking-tip lines with dry flies, midges, nymphs, egg imitations, and streamers.

Because the unpredictable 1- to 12-foot water fluctuations can be dangerous if you are not accustomed to detecting the rising water or do not have a boat with you, the best insurance for good, safe fishing is to hire a local fly-fishing guide or fish the river with someone who is a White River-experienced angler. Over 200 anglers have drowned below these dams.

Gary Flippin, owner of Rim Shoals Trout Dock and Resort, located in the middle of the best section of catch-and-release shoals on the White, 24 miles below Bull Shoals Dam, has a great service for wading fly fishers. For a small fee, he will boat you to the good wading shoals and pick you up when you're ready to quit or when the water begins to rise above safe wading conditions.

Experienced river guides monitor the generation via the hotline ([918] 595-6779, Bull Shoals 14, Norfork 15, Greers Ferry 16, Table Rock 13, Beaver 12). However, accurately gauging the flow levels from the information provided on the hotline takes experience. For safety, always get a guide if you are new to the White River system.

Dave and Emily Whitlock live near Mountain Home, Arkansas, where they conduct the Whitlock Fly Fishing School (www.davewhitlock.com). Dave is an author, wildlife artist, world-renowned fly designer, and conservationist. Emily is a fly-fishing instructor, photographer, and active conservationist. See also their story on fly-fishing for carp: "Stalking the Golden Ghost."

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