Your one-stop website for fly fishing the White River, the Norfork Tailwater, and Lake Taneycomo
“Fly fishing on the upper White River in Arkansas is all about dynamic water conditions. There are many trophy trout in this section of the river, and White River fly fishing guides are drawn to the very upper reaches because of this. The Bull Shoals State Park and the Gaston’s Resort stretches of the White River are known for huge brown trout, and there are high numbers of rainbow trout to be found from Bull Shoals Dam downstream to Wildcat Shoals. Fly fishermen who like wading will find many great fly fishing spots on the upper White River during low water like the Narrows and Tucker Shoal. Learn more about fly fishing the upper White River on this page.”
We are breaking down the first 30 or so miles of the White River Basin into three sections. There is good fly fishing down from Buffalo Shoals (30 miles below the dam) if prolonged low water doesn't cause water temperatures to exceed 70 degrees. The White below its confluence with the Norfork (44 miles downstream of Bull Shoals Dam) offers lots of trout and great habitat all the way to just above Calico Rock, but a boat is the only way to access this water. After Calico Rock the White is a slow, wide, deep trough, for the most part. For these reasons, we are going to focus on the water that is most coveted by fly anglers: from Bull Shoals Dam to Buffalo City.
(Directions like "right side" and "left side" are when looking downstream) Section one: the upper White- Bull Shoals Dam to Wildcat Shoals
Low water at Bull Shoals Dam.
Arkansas, White River Bull Shoals Dam to Bull Shoals State Park
This one-mile stretch warrants its own subsection. First of all, this is a catch and release area (single [one hooking point/fly] hook), all trout released immediately), and it is the only closed ended C&R area on the White or Norfork. This means that the dam prevents fish from freely moving upstream into waters where they can be harvested...making a big difference in the amount of trout that hold over. Some trout have resided here for many years. But don't think this area is a free-for-all on big fish like on the San Juan or the Bighorn. This area is mainly flat, very shallow, and the water is mostly slow. The fish get pressure daily and they are very spooky. Light tippets, miniature indicators, and a stealthy approach are mandatory on low water. There are some tricks where certain conditions make this stretch much easier, but for the most part, many anglers give up after a few hours and head for the easier waters downstream.
The "top pool" is an expansive flat that extends from the "line"(where fishing is first allowed below the dam) 300 yards down to the shoal. This is a place to test your skills. Sometimes stripping flies like wooly's and soft hackles does the trick, and tiny midge dries can also work, but the best strategy is throwing lightly weighted nymphs and zebra midges, and try to locate fish and then stay put...if you move around a lot, you can run many fish away. If the fishing is tough up here, it's time to hit the shoal. Also, a sculpin pattern can be a big fish producer if fished slowly along the bottom.
The shoal is on the left side of the river if you are looking downstream. This is the only fast water in the C&R area, and it can be more forgiving. However, it receives the highest pressure during low water in this zone. Scuds, midge pupas, and egg patterns work well in this section. For the most part the lower part of the C&R area is shallow and slow with very little structure. There are a few deeper areas as you get near the State Park, and the browns become more prevalent as you move down from the shoal.
High water (boat) fishing is somewhat easier by the dam than wading, for the most part. One, two, and three units is a blast to fish, and the really big boys come out to play as the water rises to heavy flows like six to eight units. Because there is very little river structure up here, look for gravel bars, heavy seams, and drop offs. Like with all high water fishing, it really pays to know what the section you're fishing looks like in low water. Use lighter split shots like 4's and 6's during light releases. Much more weight is necessary if the water gets over the three unit level. Flies like eggs, san juan worms and big nymphs are standards in high water...and a big hopper can also produce exciting results.
Looking downstream from the public boat ramp on the Baxter county side.
Looking upstream from the State Park wing dam.
From Bull Shoals State Park to Gaston's Resort
Bull Shoals State Park offers a wealth of public accesses. The upper stretch, just below the catch and release area, is a nice braided shoal area with some nice, deep cuts. The water from the shoal flows into a very long, deep pool. The fishing is primarily done from the park side on low water. Look for dark water and fish nymphs deep. At the end of the park is Dew Eddy Shoal, and this is a wonderful moving water stretch. Be very aware of rising water because the horn at the dam is inaudible at this point...don't walk past the end of the park on the opposite side of the river. The flow over the next two miles is marked by shallow gravel bars and deep, slow water. Access is limited to private homes and resort guests at places like Newland's, Copper John's, and River Cliff Cabins. These places often allow fee access, and it's worth asking. Cane Island Shoal is just above Gaston's mega trout resort, and offers great moving water with lots of cuts and seams. The Gaston's area is heavily stocked, and heavily boat fished with bait. Still, the area below the resort does hold lots of nice browns. It's rare for us to fish this section very long.
State Park Facilities
Dew Eddy Shoal
Cane Island
White Hole Resort
Gaston's (Jim) Resort
Partee's and Bruce Creek Shoal
From Gaston's to Wildcat Shoals
After Gaston's, the river twists through several turns, and the mile down from the resort has lots of riffles and wadable, deep holes. Access in this entire stretch is by boat only until you get just upstream of the Wildcat Shoals boat access. Floating down from the park in a personal craft would be a good way to get into some water where fish seldom see flies. After Stetson's and White Hole Resorts on the right side, the river slows down and the White Hole public access is on the right side as you go downstream. This access can be decent for those willing to walk a ways up or down, but the areas near the ramp are usually full of bank fishermen. It is a difficult place for wading anglers to reach productive water while wading due to the depth of the river and the width of the river. After the White Hole the river goes around an island with some nice moving water and then the river enters a very deep and long hole below Sportsman's Resort. The bottom of this hole is just above the popular fly fishing shoal called The Narrows. The water splits around a huge island and the right side holds tons of fish. The backside of the island also holds fish in a small trout stream type of setting. After the Narrows there's a long, gravel hole that is best on the right side in the green water. Then the river turns back to the left and flows over Tucker Shoal. This is a fun riffle that can be reached by motoring up from Wildcat Shoals Access...even when the water is dead low. Tucker is prime habitat for browns but this riffle and the adjacent deep hole get tons of pressure. After Tucker Shoal the river narrows into a fast, smooth stretch that is very technical. I usually pass this water up because of the low concentrations of fish. Then, on the left, you'll come to the Wildcat Shoals Access.
This entire stretch offers some very special fly water and is worth checking out. On low water, tungsten zebra midges, scuds/sowbugs, and various nymphs will work very well from the Gaston's to Wildcat section. This water is also very productive on one to three units running, but it doesn't have a whole lot of spots that are good in heavy flows. We love this stretch for the quality of the trout and the beauty of the water.
This is Bruce Creek Shoal
Looking upstream at Three Chutes
Passing White Hole, heading downstream to the Narrows.
Looking upstream to one out of two shoals at the Narrows.
