We have a unique set of circumstances lining up here in North Texas, and with a little more good luck, this spring could be THE spring we all recall as “That Year” when we are old and grey(er).

The weather gods have given us a late wet winter that has been mild and without much freezing precipitation at all (so far). It’s always a risk to go out and say it’s over, spring has sprung and we can all break out the shorts, put away the waders and fleece, and start tying carp and bass flies. Sure I’ve been doing that exact thing the last few days, but if I told you to go jump off a cliff …?

No, the reality is that we had an incredible snow event two years ago this March, one that shut everything down and reminded us that Mother Nature will always be in charge. That event was, according to my notes, followed by a wet spring that lead to park closures at Ray Roberts and hybrid bass runs that went all the way up to the Ray Roberts Dam. Silver linings are so sweet, aren’t they?

This year has the potential to be “one of those” years, with lakes topping off, saturated ground and as far as the local scene is concerned, more and more pavement that leads to more and more runoff.

THIS WEEK

Weather around here this week will be mild and changing through the week. Apparently we are going to have significant wind and warmer all week long.

NEXT WEEK

One week from now is when things get very interesting. The weather heads are saying a dip in the Arctic air could drop down the middle of the US and that reaches all the way past North Texas. Translation; the kind of cold we haven’t had all winter – bitter cold. That’s too bad really, because buds are already showing on many trees.

That should be winter’s last gasp. We head into March with a fair shot at early spring, and warming waters that lead to fish activity and timely spawning.

STATEWIDE FLY FISHING EVENTS

This coming weekend is loaded with fishy activities.
- A Euro Carp (not exactly fly fishing) event at Lake Fork, Texas, should shake things up on the aging King of Texas Bass Lakes. Can you imagine the looks the Euro guys will be getting from glittery bass boats drifting by? That’s a 44 straight hour event, and North Texas will be well represented in the event attended by Euro Carpers from around the US.
- GRTU Troutfest is also this weekend. It will be held the same place as last year, and as you recall I attended that event last year, had a couple of hours to fish and couple of days to socialize with several manufacturers and retailers that attend the event. If you are in range, you won’t be disappointed in attending. Having the Guadalupe flowing in the background is always a plus. The new high gas prices are definitely making a dent in my plans, so instead of running here and there (pre-Obama), I may, if lucky, make one of these events.
-UNFORTUNATELY THE WEATHER COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT ALL NEXT WEEKEND’S EVENTS-

Clubs and Organizations are shaking the winter hibernation off, and starting to come back to life as well. I have added significant numbers of “Organizations” to the left column of links, so you will find a link to your nearest fly fishing club there.

- Alamo Fly Fishers – Guest on February 21 is Kevin Stubbs of Expedition Outfitters.
- Dallas Fly Fishers - February 22 – Regular fly tying at both DFW Bass Pros and Allen’s Cabela’s.
- Federation of Fly Fishers – February 24,25 – Test for certification in Glendale, Arizona
- Rockport Fly Fishers – February 23 – Monthly meeting, topic – “Menhaden; The Most Important Fly in Your Box.”
Texas Fly Fishers of Houston – February 25 – BARNACLE BANDIT BLOWOUT BENIFIT TOURNEY in Port O’Conner, TX

If you have an event, or more details on these events, feel free to add details in comments. I won’t be able to update articles via information sent in a “Contact” form any longer, as the sheer volume of “Contact” forms received is exploding – and I know you would rather me be fishing, right, right?

• Here comes the snow. What next? #
• #flyfishing #womenflyfishers Something free for the female fly fishers at http://t.co/BvbITPUZ , Happy Valentine's Day! #
• Texas food anybody? Check out Robb Walsh – http://t.co/0jwPPt0J #
• @fbrglssmnfsto Yeah, but will it carry a fly? Attached to a fly line? Why cast anyway? #
• #fadalert instagr.am is sweeping the globe, wait, it already … has. #
• #flyfishing Flyfishchicks, lady flyfishers, fly fishing ladies and women fly fishers. What are you waiting for? – http://t.co/BvbITPUZ . #
• Rainy day reading. Fly fishing section at Recycled Books, Denton,TX. Pristine 2 vol. set The Western Angler http://t.co/Fp691GxO #

NOTE — It’s too cool here to have warm water action, and it’s too warm for any cold water action resembling anything like I experienced in Northern Arkansas, AND that’s why I appreciate the reports from the Blue Ribbon Fly Shop in Mountain Home, Arkansas.

This is the first report of length and depth this year, so sit back and enjoy the read, and of course the photographs of beautiful brown trout from Northern Arkansas, courtesy Blue Ribbon Fly Shop in Mountain Home, Arkansas.

Guide Paul Hoelscher of the Blue Ribbon Fly Shop.

John Berry’s Fishing Report- February 16, 2010

BLUE RIBBON FISHING REPORT
BY JOHN BERRY

We have had a mild winter here in the Twin Lakes area and the fishing has been good. The lakes are near power pool and we can expect wadable water in the near future. The Corps of Engineers has aggressively drawn the lakes down after each significant rain we have received this winter and we are prepared to enter spring with low water.

Kristopher Boulding – Blue Ribbon Fly Shop Guide.

The most significant event we have had recently was the opening of the Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam. This section was closed from November 1, 2011 through January 31, 2012 to protect the brown trout spawn there. The big browns do not feed during that time nor are they fished over. When the section opened on February 1, 2012 the action was heavy and many nice browns have been caught. The action should continue for some time until the browns begin moving downstream. The best technique during this time is to fish an egg pattern below a strike indicator (pink and orange are the most effective colors). Be sure and use plenty of weight to get your fly down.

While it has not been cold enough to produce a full blown shad kill, there have been some shad coming through both Bull Shoals and Norfork Dams. Watch out for gull activity below the powerhouse to indicate when the shad are coming through. The best technique is to fish white marabou jigs below an indicator but sometimes a white floating shad pattern can trigger top water action. These are big bites and they can attract some large hungry trout.

Forrest Smith – Blue Ribbon Fly Shop Guide.

As the browns begin moving the best technique for large fish is to bang the bank with large streamers. This will be most effective with a water release of 10,000 CFS or larger. Use a heavy sink tip (250 grain or larger). This will require at least an eight weight rod. The best flies for this action are zoo cougars and sex dungeons. The best colors are white, yellow or brown.

You can expect more wadable water on the Norfork. It is a small river and it can get crowded quickly. Arrive early to claim the best spots or better yet fish during the week. The hot flies are sowbugs, zebra midges (think small), soft hackles and Dan’s turkey tail emerger. On high water, fish San Juan worms (hot pink or cerise) and egg patterns (pink and orange) under an indicator.

If you have children less than sixteen years of age, take them to Dry Run Creek adjacent to the Norfork National Fish Hatchery. It is all Catch and Release and the fish are huge. There is precious little room to cast so the best technique is to high stick nymphs. The best flies are sowbugs and San Juan worms (worm brown).

If they are running water on the White and Norfork, consider fishing the Spring River. There is no generation on it. The best flies are olive woolly buggers, pheasant tail nymphs and Y2Ks. There have been some big rainbows caught there recently. The hot spot has been the Dam Three Access.

Always check conditions before you leave home and practice water safety.