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Biologist: Why change a good thing?
(EDITOR'S NOTE: This is one in a series of stories examining different aspects of minimum flows in the White and North Fork rivers. The Bulletin is taking a look at what minimum flow is and how it will impact the Twin Lakes Area.) The White and North Fork rivers are considered by many to be the crown jewels of trout fishing in Arkansas. World-class and premium are just some of the words often used to describe the fisheries. .
Low Flows Compound a High Drama
This summer has certainly been one of great joy for holiday- makers and sun worshippers. The sun has been working overtime while the rains have been on strike - until this last weekend. River fishing has been virtually at a standstill except for some trout fishing around dusk and sewin fishing at night. Rivers like the Towy and Rheidol have produced a few quality sewin intermittently despite the low water levels. Sewin, often referred to as the children of the tide, have been scarce on most rivers and even on rivers where stocks appeared more numerous, the fishing conditions have been atrocious. Anglers sometimes equate catches with stocks when in fact the catches often reflect the fishing conditions. Anglers are very concerned about the future of sewin and salmon stocks especially as several of those important nursery streams are drying up.
Area lake/fishing report
New Melones Lake is currently holding 2.16 million acre-feet of water, at 89 percent capacity, at 1,067 feet above sea level and 21 feet from capacity. Surface water temperature is approximately 78-84 degrees. Water is stained, with mud lines forming on main lake points, with high-water ramps.
Trout is excellent for both trollers and for those fishing at night under lights. New Melones is kicking out plenty of big, fat, healthy trout. Most trout have been picked up at around 40 to 80 feet deep, in the main lake near the spillway/dam/Rose Island area, or in the mouths of major creek arms, such as Angels or Carson Creek. John Darroch trolled a shad-patterned Excel spoon 40 feet deep to catch a pretty 2.4-pound brown trout near Glory Hole Point. Michi Marshall landed a 4.6-pound rainbow while trolling a silver Apex.
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