Matt recently sen met an email regarding fishing the White River, and where the best spots for fishing are. Here’s a followed up response to his questions and hopefully this helps some of you out there. Thanks for the question Matt as I’m sure some readers might have the same.
Hey Jeremy, just want to say your site is the most informative website about Arkansas trout fishing; ton of valuable information including your own testimonials. Great stuff!
My cousin and I fished the White River two years ago, mainly fishing the Bull Shoals Dam to Gastons stretch. Of course, this was our first attempt at fishing the White River, and I think we did pretty well, catching our limit everyday. The unfortunate part was the inability to catch a trout on a fly. We talked to a few fly shops for local tips and what to use, but could not get a trout to play. We blamed it on heavy pressure and spooked fish, but our inexperience with flyfishing had a lot to do with our lack of success. However, we could do no wrong fishing with powerbait/artificials.
Our great experience, and what is bringing us back again was the beaty of the White River. We camped in Bull Shoals State Park, located right on the river, and we were able walk down from our site. wade in the river, catch our limit, and eat fresh trout for dinner. Can't get any better than that! Yes...we camped in 30 degree weather, but what an experience that will be remembered forever.
Although, we are considering camping again at Bull Shoals State Park, the location may not serve us well. After reading your articles on different parts of the White River and the areas you've found to be productive, we may decided to plant ourselves somewhere else that's closer to these areas you've mentioned. With that said, do you recommend another location besides Bulls Shoals for wadable waters and productive fishing?
His Place Resort is one location I found to offer reasonable lodging and a prime location for fishing according to their website. It's hard to say, though, based on our lack of knowledge about the area. Rim Shoals and Wildcat Shoals seem to be a good choice for productive fishing, but I don't want to hop around every hour or two when there's a 'spot' that will produce good trout if we just stay put. I know how trout are easily spooked, so moving around isn't a good idea.
I know you're a guide, so you don't have to answer my questions about where to fish, but if you don't offering some information about the area and where we should plant ourselves for a great weekend of fishing I would greatly appreciate it. Also, the reason why we went at the end of January a couple of years ago was we heard the shad kill is most common during this time and the brown trout regulation is lifted since spawning is done. But I didn't know if there a time during the winter you felt offered the best trout fishing?
Again, thank you for your informative website. I have it as a favorite and will check back regularly, and thanks for the free fly for signing up for the e-newsletter. My address is 304 Jenny Lind Dr Normal, IL 61761
Hello Matt,
This is Jeremy Hunt, and first off, I want to apologize about getting back to you so late; things have been hectic around here, and I wanted to be able to thoroughly answer all of your questions and address your concerns. It sounds like you had a great time a few years ago camping, and the Bull Shoals State Park area is typically a good spot during the winter because the water is usually low during the middle of the day at that time of year. Hopefully, you’ve had a chance to study up on the shad kill through my Web site. Honestly, this event is tricky to fish for those new to the rivers because much of the best action occurs when the water is really high. I don’t recommend taking a boat on the White (or Norfork, for that matter) when flows are up without some sort of prior experience, but people do it all the time, so I suppose it’s not lethal ;). Still, as far as being successful is concerned during the ‘kill, keep in mind that the fish up by the dam see a lot of different shad imitations throughout the colder months, so it does take the right presentation with a fly or spinning rod to be consistently successful.
Even though you seemed pretty concerned regarding where you stay, it’s really a crap-shoot because water conditions and release trends are always in a constant state of flux; one year, wading and/or fishing from the bank may be perfect up near the dam, and then the next year, it could be a totally different story. There is no way to predict with 100% accuracy where the ‘right’ spot is going to be, and you have to be prepared to either drive to a new area or to hop in a boat if the fishing is not productive or safe where you are staying at. His Place is a good spot because it’s centrally located, and I would also check out the White River Trout Lodge and Rim Shoals. What makes these resorts ideal places to hang your hat is that they are all within a half an hour of the Norfork which comes in handy if the White is running water around the clock. The Norfork sets up fairly well for those unfamiliar with its layout, especially since there are only two accesses. Lake Taneycomo doesn’t have a “back-up” option like the White does, so you may want to get back to me if/when you get closer to solidifying your plans for a trip so that I can give you my thoughts regarding where the most likely wading spots are going to be based on recent fishing. My best guess is that all three places will be offering up extended periods of low water by January, but this could change if we start to see consistent rainfall events, and every day is different below the dams.
I think that most trout fishermen started out with a spinning rod in their hands at some point when learning how to fish, but not only is catching a trout on a fly highly addictive because it is a blast to cast to and fight a nice trout with a long rod, it is also one of the most productive ways to hook into ridiculous numbers of fish. When conditions are right and the fish are active, it is common for even intermediate anglers (who have had some guidance) to get over 100 bites in a day. Sure, using natural baits can be deadly, but the bait-fishing guides who are really good are also highly skilled and they will often drift a minnow, sculpin or a crayfish much in the same way that a fly fisherman will drift a fly. Corn and PowerBait are effective for catching smaller trout, but over time, you will learn that this sport is comprehensive and involves a continual learning process in order to get the most out of the experience.
Hopefully, I’ve answered most of your questions, and feel free to keep the dialogue going. Oh yeah…fly tying is something that most of us fly fishing “bums” and guides picked up during our early years involved with the sport. It usually starts when one realizes that buying a fly costs almost $2, but a better and customized version of the same pattern can be tied for a fraction of that price. Then, it’s just a matter of asking a bunch of questions, hanging around in fly shops, reading books and studying the Web, and practice, practice, practice. I am more than willing to combine a fly fishing trip with an introductory fly tying seminar, even if it’s just for a couple of people. Teaching and furthering all aspects of fly fishing is my true passion, as this is how the pastime will be able to maintain and grow – there is a lot of secrecy in the sport, as well, but I have no problem when it comes to helping beginners like yourself get a start, so feel free to ask plenty of questions, and I will do my best to answer them with total candor.
Jeremy Hunt
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