I’ve been fishing the White River since 1999, when my fiancé (now wife) began taking the 17 hour road trip during our college winter and spring breaks to chase trout in the Ozarks. For me, the Ozark region offers a warmer environment (sometimes) to chase trout in one of several world class tailwater fisheries. It’s an annual journey I expect to continue for many years to come. I hope you enjoy.
Leading up to every Arkansas roadtrip I find myself dreading the long drive, but it quickly fades as the gap between home and world class trout fishing decreases. In some ways, a long roadtrip gets me more amped to fish than flying.
Our home for 6 days-The Shoals Condo located in Bull Shoals, AR. Great accommodations at affordable pricing. Beautiful view of Bull Shoals Lake and plenty of space to park a boat-more than any trout bum needs.
https://planetofhotels.com/en/usa/bull-shoals/cozy-bull-shoals-condo-1-mi-lake-access
Calling or stopping in at Flys and Guides (White River and Northfork Shops) is my first move before hitting the water. There’s nothing better than local information, especially with the dynamic nature of water releases below these tailwater. Owners, Jeremy and Lisa are topnotch. Dally’s Fly Shop is also another excellent resource.
https://flysandguides.com/
A good fishing partner is hard to find. Always appreciate spending time with someone who will push you to your own physical and mental limits. Brian Wilt (pictured) is usually the first on the water and last off, which means early and late days.
Sunrise near Cotter. The bridge is lit up as the mighty White River flows under.
Day one launching the boat, always a great feeling.
An experiment to simplify my gear this year-just the essentials.
This year, a white Tommy Lynch’s D&D was my top streamer pattern. In other words, it’s likely the first streamer to produce a decent trout which instantly makes it my confidence pattern for the remainder of the trip.
Tommy’s D&D is a buoyant streamer pattern requiring a sinking or sink tip line. I feel the key to fishing this pattern is allowing the line to fish the pattern. Meaning, allow a long enough pause between each short powerful retrieve strip, allowing the sinking line to settle below the level of the buyout D&D. This allows the line to pull the streamer downward during the strip. The pause allows the line to settle deeper in the current, decreasing the tension just enough to allow the streamer to quickly shoot towards the surface. This give and take (i.e. strip and pause) provides beautiful and erratic up and down movement the D&D is known for.
Usually a good idea to be on the water as the water rises from the dam release. Sometimes this means hanging out until the rising water reaches your location. Understanding water releases and when rising water levels reach certain locations on the river drainage is part of a successful fishing trip. Thanks to Jeremy at Flys and Guides for his help during our stay.
This year we could’t break the 22” mark but we ended up with a lot of quality fish (high teens) like this during our trip. Always next year…
A typical morning view on a southern tailwater: sun burning off fog in the morning
December is not the best month to fish the White River, so it’s common to see fewer anglers during your float.
Hunting larger trout with streamers sometimes means casting large flies for several days before making contact with a quality trout.
The sobering feeling of the last takeout of the trip before heading home.