Trout Source

Introduction

The White River in northern Arkansas is arguably the most heavily fly fished trout water in the Midwest.  It is a big (though not overly beautiful) tailwater with good access boasting gargantuan browns up to 30 pounds plus rainbows cutthroats and brookies.  The river is best floated, though wading is also popular (though potentially treacherous with fluctuating flows).

River Character and Access

The White River is technically over 700 miles long from the Ozark Mountains to the Gulf of Mexico, but the best fly fishing water is confined to the 45 miles between Bull Shoals dam and Norfork.  In this section, you'll find a variety of water: riffles (called "shoals" locally), eddies, pools, gravel bars, you name it.  It can be waded (but be careful of fluctuating flows), but floating -- and camping -- gets you into a lot more water on this big river.  Some of the shoals are so good, they've been honored with names, such as the Upper, Middle and Lower (accessed from Bull Shoals State Park); Rim (the best for fly fishing, but crowded, a few miles from the intersection of 62 and 126); Roundhouse (from highway 62 below Cotter); and Wildcat, Bufallo and White shoals. 

As a tailwater, the White is fertile and rich with insect life, which is one reason the trout grow so large.  There is significant development along the river, along with numerous power boats in it, so do not expect the same experience as a quaint, remote freestone.  The upside is a plethora of guides to take you into the belly of the beast.

There are two other tailwater sections on the White River above Bull Shoals that warrant mentioning for fly fishermen: 8 miles of tailwater below Beaver Dam (in Eureka Springs, Arkansas) and 22 miles of water below Table Rock Dam (Missouri) (this section of water is also referred to as "Lake Taneycomo").  Two tributaries of the White are also cold tailwaters with good fly fishing for trout: 5 miles of the Norfork River (a 38-lb trout was caught her once) and 45 miles of the Little Red River below Greer's Ferry Dam, which is one hour from Little Rock (and a 40-lb trout was caught here).

Browns are mostly wild and average 10-18 inches, but run into the 30-lb range, with 5 pounders not uncommon.  Rainbows run 10-15 inches and are mostly stocked.

When and How to Fish

Most fishing is subsurface, using streamers (the favorite being Wooly Buggers), nymphs, crayfish, scud, sowbugs and San Juan Worms.  However, there are also some good hatches from spring through summer.  These include the Light Cahill from early April through mid-July, Sulphurs (the White's most important mayfly) and Brown Caddis in May and June, midges from June through August and Dark Olive Caddis in September and October.  To hook a leviathan brown, fish streamers in the evening or at night, when these predators are most active and easily provoked.  Camping on or near the river will help you accomplish this nocturnal mission.  Another way to zero in on the larger browns is to fish higher water in spring or during the autumn spawn (although some question the ethics of this approach).

Flows "average" around 5,000 CFS, but are erratic and not overly tied to the season. Unfortunately, and there is really no warning (no sirens or horns) other than the rising water itself.  So be vigilant if this is the method you choose, and get out quickly if you see the water coming up.  A guide would be a good idea if you're new to the river.

Weather is typical for the southeast: muggy and hot in the summer (though cooled somewhat by the river), cool in spring and fall, and cold in winter.  The river is open to fishing year-round, and while excellent throughout, fall may have a slight edge over the other seasons due to the big spawning browns.

A 9-foot 5 weight will suffice on the White.

 

Troutsource highly recommends the services of a local fly fishing guide.  We've listed the best ones below, and you can contact all of them at once using our e-mail form.  A guide can be the difference between getting skunked and catching 20 fish.   Remember, getting the right fly is only half the battle.  You need to know exactly where to put it, and how -- and this is where guides earn their money.   A customary tip is 15%.