Your one-stop website for fly fishing the White River, the Norfork Tailwater, and Lake Taneycomo
“Fly fishing on the middle section of Arkansas’ White River offers fly fishermen the chance to catch a true monster brown and there are many good dry fly fishing spots in this area. The Habitat here appeals to huge brown trout because the water has warmed slightly from what it is up by Bull Shoals Dam, and there are many long, deep holes with plenty of structure. Trophy trout hunters should focus on the lower end of Wildcat Shoals, the area around Rainbow Drive Resort, the Rainbow Hole, Hurst Hole, and the water above His Place Resort. White River fly fishing guides enjoy this stretch because it is the perfect length for a float trip.”
Section Two: Wildcat Shoals to downtown Cotter Public Access/Boat Ramp:
Looking downstream from Wildcat Shoals.
Arkansas, White River
Wildcat Shoals to Rainbow Hole:
The boat ramp and access at Wildcat Shoals is a launching point for many boats floating to Cotter or Rim Shoals (also has a fly shop). And wading anglers also utilize this access during low water. Keep in mind that the actual shoals are over a quarter mile downstream from the walk-in point. The slow water above the shoal fishes well from the left side as there is a deep trench just out from the bank for several hundred yards. This is a great spot to nymph deep with beadhead hairbugs, tungsten midge pupas (zebra’s, vinyl rib, etc.), and scuds/sowbugs. After this trench the river is relatively shallow all the way across. If you've walked down this far, it's best just to walk in to the riffles. Wildcat Shoals is a popular stretch of water with fly anglers, and it always holds lots of trout. The best spots in the upper part of the shoals are the deeper runs on the left side, but the other riffles and runs all hold fish. It's fun to pick apart the small pockets and seams with dry flies, scuds, and San Juan's. The middle part of the shoal is narrower due to a large gravel bar on the left side. The water is deeper and holds more big fish. If you are at this point, always be aware of rising water. It generally takes 2.5-3 hours after generation starts at Bull Shoals Dam for the water to reach Wildcat Shoals public access. The lower part of the shoal has some nice riffles and shallow runs as the water flattens out. Fishing from the right side has always been best.
After Wildcat Shoals, the river runs shallow and over mostly gravel for several hundred yards. This stretch is usually not very productive. The river becomes deep and slow just above Rainbow Drive Resort. This hole is called the Rainbow Hole and it holds lots of fish and some huge browns. The bigger fish are usually found in the upper part of the hole, along the right side. Access to this area is very tricky during low water because Wildcat Shoals is very tough to get a boat through. Rainbow Drive may offer access or shuttling services. Wading from the right side across from the resort is excellent in the deep trench next to the bank. The middle of Rainbow Hole is shallower with lots of limestone slabs on the bottom. This stretch is not always productive. The water deepens along the left side of the river along the last 4 or 5 private boat docks, and the trout will stack in this area above the next shoal.
On one to three units this stretch fishes well on hairbugs, worms, and egg patterns. If the flows are heavier work the slow side across from Rainbow Drive, or along the banks above and below Wildcat Shoals. The next mini section has much more proactive water when flows are over three units.
The start of Wildcat Shoals.
The start of Rianbow Hole.
The bottom of the Rainbow Hole to the bottom of Hurst Hole:
At the bottom of The Rainbow hole, the river turns to the right and flows through a shoot on the left side and becomes a gravel riffle that can hold lots of fish. The right side here is shallow gravel that is home to some very spooky browns. Standard flies work here along with streamers and wooly buggers. As the water slows, the river becomes wide and shallow. This stretch above Tool Creek Shoal holds fish but is difficult to wade. Tool Creek Shoal is in the middle of the river, and if no one is fishing there give it a try...it can be great. Below this little shoal, the river flows faster and flat over gravel. A huge bar along the right side channels the river along a score of private docks on the left. This stretch has limited access but is a good place to sight fish with small dries. After the last downstream dock, the river gets wide and deep at the top of Hurst Hole. There are lots of fish throughout this hole, but the top and middle hold the most and biggest fish. There is some wading available off of either bank, but access is primarily by boat or through Hurst Boat Dock. This hole is worth exploring for a whole day if possible. On the left side, at the bottom of Hurst Hole is Hurst Boat Dock.
If the water is over three units, the best fishing is along the right bank or on top of the gravel bar below Tool Creek. Big nymphs, San Juan’s, and eggs do the trick if flows get heavy. Big beetles and hoppers work in this stretch on one or two units in shallow areas.
The end of Rainbow Hole and the start to Tool Creek.
Airport (valley fly in), AKA Boat Dock Row.
The bottom of Hurst Hole.
Cotter boat ramp
Cotter Bridge
Tail end " Hurst Hole" Shoal.
The Bottom of Hurst Hole to Cotter Boat Ramp and River Access:
After Hurst Hole the river channels into a heavy shoal along the right side. This area is reminiscent of a western river with fast, deep water in the middle, and countless seams fishable from the left side of the channel. It seems like this shoal is very popular among fly fishers, and that's because you can catch a bunch of rainbows here. As the shoal transitions into a run, the water gets deeper and there are more browns. After this moving stretch, the river flows over an extremely shallow shoal and then deepens right above His Place Resort. This is a great place to hammer some. As the water slows, there is a gravel island in the middle of the river. The right side fishes easier from a current and wading standpoint. Then the river widens above the Highway 62 Bridge, and this stretch is tough to fly fish.
After the Highway bridge, there is a nice, long stretch (about 1 mile) of shoals, runs, and pockets. This section has enhanced habitat through the addition of manmade structure. The project has worked as the area fishes much better than it did prior to the work. Access to this area is achieved by walking up from the Cotter Access, and this section can fish well with dries along with the standards. Just above Cotter Access there are several bridges, and the water around the pilings is very deep. Because of pressure, the area right around the access can be tough.
If the water is running at a 1-3 unit level, this entire stretch fishes well from a boat. If the flow is greater, there are not a bunch of good spots...just a few submerged gravel bars on the right side.
