Note: We are currently taking a break from our Arkansas trips to start a family here in NH. We will notify you all when we plan to return to the Natural State!

Where: Cotter Trout Lodge Cotter Arkansas

What: Float trips for monster browns, rainbows, and cutthroat on the White, Norfork and other rivers.

When: March 7th to March 30th 2017 (possibly into April)

Airport: Springfield Branson or Littlerock

This March we will be offering guided float trips on the White and Norfork rivers located in Northwest Arkansas. It is becoming less of a secret that the Southern United States has perhaps the best trophy trout fishing that our Country has to offer. An Arkansas Game and Fish study determined that the White River currently holds approximately 500 brown trout over 24" long per river mile. The nearby Norfork River held the world record brown trout for many years and there are documented brown trout of over 50 pounds in the system (current WR is 42.7 pounds). How so many big fish so far south? Both of these rivers emanate from large hydroelectric tailwater dams. These dams release cold water ar round from the large Bull Shoals and Norfork Reservoirs. This cold water coupled with high nutrient levels provides resident trout with year round 24/7 buffet.

A happy customer with a 20" brown caught on a size 20 midge.

With so much food available and water fluctuations from both dams fishing can turn on and off like a light switch. Planning when to put on and take off of either river can mean the difference between a banner day and an average day. Luckily the river has an extremely high fish count so when the fish do choose to feed there are plenty to target. The White River is Known for it's brown trout which average eighteen inches in length and grow much much larger. This river is also stocked with rainbows, brook trout and Cutthroat trout. These fish provide entertainment for anglers between vicious strikes from the brown trout...of whom feed on these "other" trout.

This 26" female charged out of a log jam and inhaled a white Drunk and Disorderly Streamer.

Located Just to the South East of our Headquarters in Cotter AR. Runs the Norfork River. Also a Tailwater the Norfork is a smaller faster river that supports robust populations of wild rainbows and browns. It is also stocked with Cutthroat and brook trout. While the White is a streamer fisherman's dream the Norfork is known to give up very large fish to nymph fishermen. When the Norfork does bump up our raft allows us to target these large fish more effectively with streamers.

A wild Norfork brown taken on one of our favorite NH leech patterns.

The Norfork can produce some beautiful rainbow trout.

A remote wild trout fishery close by...

Back home in NH we have made a business of taking clients to lesser known waters. When we arrived in Arkansas we began searching for some places with fewer anglers but plenty of fish...and we found some. These waters are off the beaten path but not far from our headquarters. They provide trophy brown trout fishing along with robust populations of wild rainbow trout. If the White and Norfork rivers aren't fishing well this is our plan C.

Client Lou with a streamer caught brown from a remote stretch of water.

Guide Nate Hill with a trophy wild rainbow trout caught while scouting a stretch of remote water for the first time.

The best kids fishing in the Country!

"Dry Run Creek provides the best kids only fishery in the United States" Says Bob Mallard, Author of 25 Best Towns to Fly Fish For Trout. Designed by the renowned Dave Whitlock Dry Run Creek is a human altered tributary to the Norfork river. Big fish from the Norfork and White River often seek sanctuary in this trout nirvana. To ensure kids have a good experience the stream is reserved for anglers under 16 years of age and the handicapped. There are wooden fishing platforms for the young and disabled as well as picnic tables and well maintained trails along the stream. Even if you aren't qualified to fish here it is worth a visit just to view such massive trout feeding confidently in this small stream. If you have kids this is a great place to teach them how to fly fish!

Dry Run Creek provides ideal trout habitat.

DRY FLY OPPORTUNITIES!

While the White River is becoming more and more popular as a streamer fishing destination dry fly fishing opportunities are available. In-fact some of the best dry fly fishing occurs in late March and Early April when the blizzard caddis hatches occur.

Where To Stay

Cotter Trout Lodge is our base of operations and a stones throw from one of the best stretches on the White River. Please call ahead as rooms will be filling fast! When you arrive tell Jane to knock on our door (behind her desk). If we're not on the water we'll give you an up-to-date fishing report.

Flying In:

Closest airports to Cotter AR are Springfield-Branson National Airport (2 hours) Clinton National Airport in Littlerock AR (2.45 Hours) . If you plan to fly in try to book flights that arrive during daylight hours as driving Arkansas country roads at night can be difficult.

We look forward to fishing with you. Please contact us ASAP to book (603) 835-3358 info@whitemountainflyfishing.com