The White River, located in Cotter, Arkansas, is a premier destination for fly fishing enthusiasts. The river is known for its high population of rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout. The White River is also home to the state record cutthroat trout, a fish that weighed 10lbs 2 ounces and was caught in 2018. The White has 80 miles of declared trout water and is home to some of the largest brown trout in the country, thousands of beautiful Rainbows every mile and some awesome Cutthroats.
The water below Bull Shoals Dam is cold and clear even during generation. The dam has 8 generators which are run for flood control and power demand. A minimum flow is used when the generators are not running to keep the water cold and oxygenated.
Don’t be intimidated by the higher water levels. It pushes predator fish into easier to access places allowing for great hopper and streamer fishing. When the water is low it makes for a super fun drift down the river with a little more of a relaxed feel.
Fly fishing the White River can happen year round due to the temperate climate. Bull Shoals Dam feeds the White River and keeps the river in perfect condition for insects and fish alike, which makes for excellent trout fishing! The best times to go fly fishing on the White River are generally from early spring to late fall. During the Spring, the caddis and mayfly hatches are in full swing, providing an abundance of food for the trout that inhabit the river.
The warmer temperatures of the spring months also make the river more inviting for anglers, as the water is more comfortable to wade in. But, the fly options aren’t limited to dries here year round.
Nymphing and streamer fishing are great options that have produced many large browns and rainbow trout.
Because of the variety of insects here, and the water conditions, it lends itself to be the perfect habitat for trout. This place is home to brook, browns, rainbows and cutthroat. Depending on the places you’re fishing, you might find yourself pulling in a “grand-slam” and catching all of these amazing fish.
If you’re new to fly fishing or just want to experience the best White River fly fishing trip, we would love to be your guide on this amazing fishery. Whether you’re going after size or number, we can help anyone. Regardless of knowledge or experience, we promise you’ll have a fun and effective day on the water here.
Click the button below book your trip today or contact us with any questions!
Trips DO NOT include: Arkansas fishing license or trout stamp.
These will need to be purchased prior to meeting your guide.
ALL trips require a $200 deposit.
All trips DO include: Rods, reels, all terminal tackle and water.
Full Day includes: Sandwiches, chips, and cookies.
Special shore lunches available upon request for an additional charge.
Half day/three quarter days DO NOT include lunch.
Due to the release schedules of the South West Power Authority being released at 4pm every day, we have to plan on the fly. No pun intended.
Where we meet and what times we meet will vary depending on the flow schedule that is released the day before your trip with us.
Your guide will be in touch every step of the way and will contact you the evening before your trip and set up a time and location to meet for pickup.
Our White River fly fishing trips are set up with the angler in mind! One of our biggest goals is to turn every client into a friend when they leave. After all, fishing is better with friends!
From the moment you contact us to book a trip until the moment you leave, your fly fishing excursion on the White River is tailored to your abilities and desires. No matter if you’re a beginner or experienced angler, the White will be an unforgettable experience for you.
Whether you want to go for trophy trout on streamers, or you just want to catch as many fish as possible, our guides are sure to help you with whatever your desire is! We also love working with new anglers and teaching as well! Our trips are geared for everyone to be able to catch fish and enjoy this great sport.
The White River is one of the most popular fly fishing destinations in the United States, attracting people from all over the world. The river is home to a diverse population of fish species, including rainbow, cutthroat, brook and brown trout, as well as a wide variety of insects that serve as food for these fish. Outside of the trout, the White is home to walleye, catfish, bass and sunfish as well. Because different insects hatch at different times of the year, you’ll need to carefully select your flies to match the natural food sources available to the fish at any given time.
Our hatch chart provides valuable information about the timing of these insect hatches, and which flies are best suited to imitate these insects. By using our hatch chart to narrow down your fly choice, you can greatly increase your chances of success on the river. A well-chosen fly can make all the difference between a day of casting with no bites and a day of reeling in fish after fish.
Egg patterns (soft eggs and beads), midges (ruby, rootbeer, and purple), BWOs (small pheasant tails or small green soft hackles), minnow patterns, scuds, and sowbugs
Egg patterns, midges, isopods, shad centered patterns (Puglisi shad, wiggle minnows, eyelash minnows), and big streamers (fathead minnow, unholy diver, circus peanut, double deceiver)
Shad kill (pencil popper or wiggle minnow), streamers, small green caddis rock worms, daphnia (blobs), and worms
Caddis hatch (Sunday special, holy grail, kryptonite caddis, hillbilly hare’s ears, or other favorite caddis nymphs), elk hair caddis, headlight caddis, and midges
Caddis Hatch
Sulphur duns (frenchies, pheasant tails, lightening bugs, rainbow warriors), girdle bugs, and cicada pattern
Cicadas, hoppers, ants, beetles, and fat albert hoppe
Hoppers, terrestrials, crawfish, sculpins, girdle bugs, jigs
Hoppers, droppers, midges, pink worms, hares ears
Hoppers (until mid-October), eggs, small fall caddis, micro caddis, BWOs, hares ears, pheasant tails, tail water jigs, lightning bugs, and small streamers (buggers, meat whistles, slump busters)
Eggs, leeches, midges, and streamers (if there are flows)
Eggs, midges, and streamers (minnow fishing on edge
