Everything you need to make your stay on the White River effortless and memorable.
The White River is the crown jewel of Arkansas fly fishing. Beginning near Fayetteville, it winds north before turning south, but it’s the section below Bull Shoals Dam that has earned worldwide fame. Cold releases from the dam create nearly 100 miles of prime trout habitat, producing both steady action and the kind of trophy browns anglers travel across the globe to pursue.
Just downstream, the White is joined by the Norfork River—a short 4.5-mile tailwater that packs an outsized punch. The Norfork adds even more cold water and nutrients, extending the White’s trout-rich stretch another 50+ miles. Together, the White and Norfork have produced world-record browns and continue to offer anglers an unparalleled variety of opportunities.
Having both rivers within easy reach means our guides can always put you on the water that best suits your goals, whether that’s steady action, technical fishing, or chasing the fish of a lifetime.
The White River system has produced world-record brown trout and continues to attract anglers from around the globe in pursuit of fish that can exceed 30 inches.
Spring:
Rising water temperatures and insect hatches create steady action, with rainbows and browns feeding aggressively.
April/May: Caddis hatch. Light nymphing.
Summer:
Rising water temperatures and insect hatches create steady action, with rainbows and browns feeding aggressively.
June/July: Sulphur hatch. Dry Fly sight fishing
August/September: Big foam “hoppers” topwaters eats.
Fall:
The prime season for chasing big browns, with cooler water and spawning activity that bring giants out of hiding.
Not prime for browns. Better numbers for rainbows.
Lower water can be more wadeing friendly.
Foliage is beautiful. Weather is primo
Winter:
Thanks to cold dam releases, trout fishing stays consistent all winter long—making the White a rare fishery that never truly slows down.
Streamer fishing at high water. Post-spawn bite is excellent as the big browns try to fatten up. Cold water temps in the lake cause our ‘Shad-kill’.
Fish near the dam go nuts for topwater and subsurface shad patterns.
It can be brutally cold with great fishing, or beautiful fall-like day!
Bull Shoals Dam opens up Feb 1. These fish haven’t seen fishermen since Nov 1.
No matter when you visit, our guides know how to match the season to your goals, ensuring memorable days on the water.
While the White and Norfork are the headliners, the Ozarks also hide a collection of warmwater treasures. Rivers like the Buffalo, Crooked Creek, and the Kings offer spectacular fishing for smallmouth and largemouth bass, along with carp for those looking to test their skills on wary, hard-fighting fish.
These rivers are as scenic as they are productive, winding through protected parks and rugged Ozark landscapes that make every trip memorable—fish or no fish.
