The Report -- Bull Shoals and Norfork Tailwaters

Background

The tailwaters of Norfork and Bull Shoals Dams were created as a result of the construction of these dams in 1944 and 1952 respectively. Initial operations of these dams created a coldwater habitat that was unsuitable for native fish species. To mitigate the loss of the warmwater fishing, fingerling trout were stocked in 1948 and 1952. These stockings demonstrated great growth potential, and thus regular stockings began in 1955. The rest is history.

Four species of trout are stocked into Bull Shoals and Norfork Tailwaters: rainbow trout, brown trout, cutthroat trout, and brook trout. Brown trout, brook trout, and cutthroat are all stocked at an average length of 6 inches. The stocking rates for each of these waterways is as follows:

1. Rainbow Trout - Approximately 1.2 million catchable rainbow trout are stocked in the Bull Shoals Tailwater every year. Similarly, the Norfork Tailwater receives around 90,000 rainbows. These fish are stocked seasonally with the AGFC adjusting stocking rates based on angling pressure.
2. Brown Trout - The Bull Shoals Tailwater receives around 100,000 brown trout annually, and the Norfork gets about 10,000.
3. Cutthroat Trout - Bull Shoals also receives around 195,000 cutties, while the Norfork only receives around 25,000. 
4. Brook Trout - The stocking numbers of brook trout are the same - 15,000 each. 

Goals

So what are the fishing goals for these two fisheries? In 2008, the AGFC Trout Management Program set up a management plan for these two rivers. The overarching goal set out in the plan was the same for both. I'm not going to quote it for you, but essentially they want to do the best they can, and the best the river can, to provide you with the best fishing possible. They planned to do this in the following ways:

Bull Shoals - 

• Maintain an average catch rate of rainbow trout of around 1 fish/hour. Essentially, they want you to catch fish! How?
• Stock 1.1 million rainbows annually with an average length of 11 inches.
• Monitor the harvesting rates and angling pressure on these fish through an ongoing creel survey (so if they ask to look in your basket, know it's just for management purposes).
• Increase the proportion of rainbows > 16 inches
• Conduct some electrofishing to assess and monitor rainbow population.
• Conduct a mark-recapture study to monitor growth and mortality rates of rainbows.
• Develop a fish ruler and/or decal that details recommended handling techniques for fish that are to be released. I want one of these!
• Achieve a trophy brown trout fishery.
• Implement a minimum length of 24 inches and a 1 fish/day creel limit. 
• Conduct electrofishing sample to monitor population and size.
• Ongoing creel surveys.
• Conduct a mark-recapture study to monitor growth and mortality rates.
• Maintain an angler success rate for browns of > 0.1 fish/hour (I wish this was more like 1 fish/hour).
• Maintain an angler success rate for brook trout of > 0.005 fish/hour from Bull Shoals Dam to Cotter.
• Maintain an angler success rate for cutthroat trout of > 0.05 fish/hour.

Norfork (The strategies with which to accomplish these goals are very similar to that of Bull Shoals. As a result, I will not go into as much detail) -

• Maintain an average catch rate for rainbows of approximately 0.8 fish/hour. This will be accomplished by stocking about 92,000 rainbows annually and following similar strategies as those mentioned above. 
• Increase the proportion of rainbow trout > 16 inches.
• Achieve a trophy brown trout fishery in the Norfork.
• Maintain an angler success rate for browns of > 0.2 fish/hour.
• Maintain a success rate for brook trout of > 0.04 fish/hour.
• Maintain a success rate for cutthroat trout of > 0.1 fish/hour.

Results

The latest results available are those from the 2009 annual report from the Trout Management Program. According to these results, rainbows in the Norfork ranged in length from 8-17 inches with an average length of 12 inches. Brown trout ranged in length from 6-28 inches with an average length of 11.9 inches. This was a slight decrease in size from 2008. It is important to remember that this could be partly due to the large number of young brownies that were stocked in early 2009. 

Additionally, the annual report indicates that between September 2008 and August 2009, angling pressure equalled 850,000 hours on Bull Shoals Tailwater and nearly 134,000 hours on Norfork Tailwater. 

Currently, Trout Management officials are conducting a mark-recapture study. In December of 2009, 21,400 brook trout and 13,000 brown trout were stocked in the Norfork. These fish were marked with a fin clip. By comparing the size and abundance of fish at the time of stocking with the size and abundance in later electrofishing samples, these officials can calculate the growth and mortality rates of the stockings. 

The Other Side Fly Analysis

Overall, here at TOSFly we believe the AGFC is doing a great job at accomplishing their goal to provide a great fishery in these waters. Honestly, the White River below Bull Shoals dam is one of the most prolific trout steams in the country. The area immediately below the dam is easily accessible and is home to some of the largest brownies on the river. Another 14 miles downstream is Rim Shoals, a popular hole for the crew here at TOSFly. It is full of large rainbows and browns, although the cutthroat and brook trout tend to thin out the further downriver you get.

At the mouth of the Norfork, where these two rivers intersect, there is an infusion of cold water that allows trout to thrive for another 50 or so miles. Good fishing access below the Norfork's mouth include Red's landing, Calico Rock, Mount Olive, Sylamore, and Roundbottum. All of these access points provide bank and boat fishermen with opportunities to catch rainbow and brown trout.

These fisheries are not difficult to fish for the most part and can provide some excellent recreational and teaching opportunities for inexperienced or youth fly fishermen. Remember this, a thirty fish day is considered average on the White in these areas. So get out there, throw in a line, and have fun. But most of all, remember to cast to The Other Side! See you on the river.