Water flow: Unpredictable, Call 866-494-1993 or 870-431-5311
Visibility: 36 inches
Water temperature at mid-day: 52 Degrees F
Water condition: Clear
Best time of day to fish: Mornings
Best stretch: Dam to Wildcat Shoals; Rim Shoals
Best access point: Dam, State Park and Wildcat Shoals public access
Fly fishing hatches in order of importance:
Low water: midges High Water:no fishable hatches, BUT possible shad kill from January thru March due to shad spilling thru generators
Fish species: Brown trout, rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, brook trout
Fishing season: January 1 - December 31
Nearest airport: Springfield-Branson National Airport (SGF) or Little Rock
Recommended fly fishing leader: 9 Foot Leader
Recommended fly fishing tippet: 6X Tippet
Best fly fishing rod: 9' 5 Weight Fly Rod
Best floating fly line: WF Trout Fly Line
Best sinking fly line: Depth Charge Full Sink Fly Line
The White River is a tailwater stream below a hydro electric dam. The damn has eight generators, and each generator is about a one foot rise when turned on. About 100 miles of trout fishing water. Numerous access points from the dam to Mountain View, Arkansas. Several catch and release areas. Rainbows, browns, brooks, and cutthroat trout are the common targets you'll fly fish for on the White River.
Low water: 9' 6X leader, 4' 6X or 7X tippet below strike indicator. Tie on midge pattern, place a #7 split shot above fly. High stick and set the hook if the indicator hesitates or goes down. High water: 1 generator: Use an 8 wt rod. Tie 10' of 4X tippet to fly line loop. Place strike indicator 2" below loop. Place 3/0 split shot 8' below indicator. Tie fly (san juan worm or egg patter) 14" below split shot. Fish 90 degrees to side of boat, 30' out and drift. Fish whole river bank to bank. On 2 generators use 12' of tippet and put heavier split shot at 10' below strike indicator.
Always call ahead for water generation. Be aware of sudden rising waters. Minimum flow on the White can make wading difficult in some areas, a wading staff helps. Water Generation Predictions call 866-494-1993 Current Water Generation call 870 499 7517 Weather for the week looks like rain with breaks of Sun, Temps mid 50's to low 60's. Yellow Sulphers starting, midges, wd 40
