White River
- This topic has 5 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated Nov 3, 2014 at 9:52 am by
.
-
Posts
-
A few of us are starting to look at the White River in Arkansas as our next destination. A few questions are, is it feasible to fish this river without guides everyday? Also wading options for this river. We would be looking at a target time period of February/March as our possible trip. I hear a lot of talk about the dam release volumes that play havoc with this watershed. Thats some of our concern about doing this without guides.
Eric
Very cold and potentially dangerous that time of year. Feb 2 is typically when Bull Shoals State Park opens. You need a boat with a motor and an experienced hand running it. Most people deep nymph White River Beadheads, which are a kind of white marabou flesh fly.
If you plan to fish that time of year it’s doable but you need to do your research in advance. Look for articles on the “shad kill.”
Zach
Yeah I’m looking to do some streamer fishing for big Browns that time of year. I don’t know what you think is cold? I fish for steelhead in 5 degree weather in 34 degree water. If you are talking about making our own boats, no we would leave that to the guide.
It will potentially get that cold down here that time of year. As Zach said the shad kill typically occurs around this time which means higher water and tons of boats. However, it’s a feeding frenzy. High potential to land a trophy. The White has a minimum flow of about 672 CFS. The generation on the White is very active. You can google “AR Corp of Engineers” and this website will give you some real time data. If you reference their “predicted load schedule” for the next day they usually hold pretty true to it. HOWEVER, it does deviate from this from time to time. So don’t rely on it 100%. You can also fish the Norfork which is about 30 min. up the road from the White depending on where you are staying. Short 4.5 mile river that usually pulses water once a day. Min flow on this river as well. It is possible to fish without guides, but with all new waters, it always help to have one. North Arkansas Trout Fitters will put you on some big browns if that is what you are after.
It is also very accessible in low water. State Park, White Hole, Wildcat Shoals, The Narrows, Rim Shoals, Roundhouse Shoals, are all accessible walk in points that are good. The Norfork has a couple, one by the dam and a handicap access down by the confluence with the White. Enjoy!
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.