Looking to take my Dad for a trip. He's never fished with a guide so I want to make it a good trip. What's the best time of year to go? I'm pretty sure of the resort that we will stay at because he has stayed there before (Sportsman). Any other information would be helpful. Thanks

I would highly recommend giving Jonce Trimble a call. Great guide, very reasonable rates, and very flexible. I have used him to take my family out and we all had a great time. We fly fished, used ultralights, and had the kids catch a few with corn. Also, his wife makes excellent desserts!

Anytime of the year can produce trophy fish on the white. During the summer months the flows are higher due to electricity production. The flow of the river changes drastically over a 24 hour span. There are also more anglers during this time because of the warm weather. The fall and winter are my favorite times because the browns are getting active and moving up stream due to the spawn. If you time it right and hit the shad kill the fish are in a frenzy. I recommend a 6 to 6.6ft lite spinning rod with 4 to 6 pound fluorocarbon, the browns are very picky and seem to turn their noses at thick visible line. Sportsmans is nice place and located in the middle of the stretch of river I normally fish. As far as guides go, Phil from Mar Mar Resort in Bull Shoals is good at finding the big ones. When fly fishing I like to book Davy Wooten. I advise you to book early because spots fill up quick. If you have any other specific questions let me know, we are headed up at the end of the month to hook some monsters.

Not much help for a guide choice but here's my .02 worth on the White River. I've been a dozen or more times in the last 30 or so years. I've only stayed at Rainbow Drive Resort and have always enjoyed it! It's down river a few miles from Sportman's. I'm not by any stretch of the imagination an expert trout fisherman but they say "rainbow hole" in front of Rainbow Drive holds good fish. Only time I used a guide was in the mid 80's and he hooked one there that went at least 10 lbs. He gave me the rod to catch it and I fought it a while. The guide was chasing it but the reel broke and it got off. Fun for a while though. Biggest I or my wife has caught is in the 4 to 5 lb range. Always get our limit of small rainbows for dinner though. I like catching the small rainbows when the water is low on corn and/or salmon eggs on the traditional river rig. When the water's running, I like dragging the chain and floating down stream using inline spinners, and especially #5 or #7 or maybe even a #9 Rapala countdown in gold or silver and the trout and perch colors.

And we always eat at Gaston's one night while we're there. Love their restaurant!

Here's some pics from our last trip there in 2004. Sure need to get back up there again!

Good luck and have fun fishing with your dad! My parents used to have a lot at Cherokee Village and one year when I went up there with them, I took him over to fish the White and it's just one more fishing memory that I have to remember him by now!


I like your signature and here's a little change up for your trip.
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Take a dad fishing, you'll make some memories that will last forever!

Well what a would be suggesting is to get a kayak on sale as well, because going for and spending time out there in the water will help you in getting the best level of comfort along with reducing the level of stress of your work.

Paul Storm guide
North Fork River is out of Mountain Home. I have been there twice. My Daughter (7) caught a 27" Brown. I have not had a bad experience in the 4 days of guided trips with Paul. A lot of fun

Paparon, I checked out your photos from 2004, fishing on the White River. Wonder if the river is flowing like that now?

Thanks, for sharing your photos, they were GREAT.

No clue about river flow since 2004 was the last time I went. If you plan to go, call the resort where you plan to stay, they'll have the info.

If I can pick my heaven, I'll need give some serious consideration to picking the White River with my wife! Great place to visit and fish!

I guided there off and on there for about 20 years, and fished it often. Others here have given you good advice. If you want big trout, the later in the winter into March is the time to go, if you are hiring a guide and just want dad to catch some fish go anytime. The fish are always biting. You can get the number of the Corp of Eng office for the amount of generators on from the net. It only tells you what is on but it is nice to know. For me the winter is the time. I use a regular jerk bait, Rapala or Smithwick Rogue Jr. on 10lb line. When the water is running you see those big browns come out and grab it and the fight is on. And I agree with Gastons Resort. Great place, a little pricey but great restaraunt and great location. It got me all excited thinking about it. Thanks!

Fish Catching Travel

Oh and by the way, if you should go to Gastons ask for Frank Saska. Not only a great guide but a swell person. He guides full time and has done a lot of filming with the guys from In Fisherman. He can do it all from beginner to seasoned pro. And we will be looking for your report when you get back.

Good Luck and Tight Lines.

Fish Catching Travel

Thanks for all the responses. Not sure when we are making the trip, but will take all the info and put it to use. Thanks again.

Looks like we are going in two weeks. Man, I cant wait. I gotta find some lite spinning tackle. Only spinning rod I got is a 6'6" skeet reese shakey head rod. Thanks again for all the help. I'll post pictures when we get back.

The water level has been high and fast for months, it's just now dropping. If you've never been, you definitely want a guide. Dale Fulton at Fulton's Lodge can recommend a guide, he guided for years. I stay at his lodge, which is just across the river from Sportman's.

If the river is low enough to wade, be sure to call the dam at 870-431-5311 and see when any generators were turned on or off. The water level and force of flow can change dramatically in the space of just a few minutes, and can be dangerous if you're wading and not aware of the situation. Be sure you carry some forceps, they will make hook removal much easer. I also mash my barbs down unless I'm going to keep fish.

I've gotten the biggest trout from December-March, but they will bite all year, so ya'll should have a good time. Load up with some 4-6 lb line. My favorite lures for the White are shown below, most 1/8 oz. in weight. I go to 1/6 and 1/4 oz spinners for faster or deeper water. Be sure to hit Roundhouse Shoal and Lower Rim Shoals. The Narrows, just down from Fulton's, is always good. So is Hurst. So is Three Shoots. Dang, you'll have fun.




Here's a web cam several miles downriver from Sportman's. Note that the roofline of the dock is correlated to how many generators are running at the dam.

River cam.

Change of plans again!! We're going THIS week, will be there Wed.-Fri. I really can't wait now!!! Gonna stop by BPS in Garland and pick up a few things. Gonna be hard not to go to the BASS section and stay in the trout isle. Thanks again for all the information.

I realize I'm late to the party, but for future reference, if you just want to catch a boatload of fish without breaking the bank, try Bill Terry in Calico Rock, Ark. He knows the river like the back of his hand in that area and has always put us on fish. My dad, who is 89, and I always have a ball catching fish with him. His number is 870-297-8131. Lodging is limited in Calico Rock, but Mountain View is just down the road and has lots of places to stay.

It may not be Sportsman's or Gastons, but you will catch fish.