At Last, Back on the Water

TIME: 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM
WEATHER: PC, Low 70s, some wind
WATER CONDITIONS: 0 Units, some color
LOCATIONS FISHED: Norfork River, above 2^nd Island above Ackerman-Handicap Access
ROD USED: 10’ 5-6 wt Flextec, 9’ 6 wt Winston
FLIES USED: #14 gray Norfork Scud, brown Wayne’s Fly, T-Worm
HATCHES: Midges, Caddis
OTHER: Fished with Wayne. Water releases finally ceased today as the lake has been lowered to near conservation pool. Catching fish was not as easy today as usual, but Wayne caught 3 or 4 dozen, while I only managed a dozen and a half at best, most on the gray scud. Wayne and I both managed to catch a large fish each; mine was a chunky 18-20 inch rainbow. Did manage to break the new Flextec rod right above a guide winding—and on a hook set—so had to walk out, drive home, unpack the Winston, string it up, drive back, and walk up the river. Wayne, being the good guy he is, waited on me. The Winston is so light, and casts very well, but I sure like the 10-foot rod, and have bid on another.

After some considerable releases from the gates and constant generation, the river is returning to its old geometry, particularly at Mill Dam Eddy. There is still a substantial gravel bar held in place by a fallen tree, but if the tree ever moves, Mill Dam Eddy will recover to pre-1998 flood conditions as most of the flow has returned to the right channel during non-generation.