On The Fly 6 Posted March 21, 2009 Posted March 21, 2009 So, after reading all these posts and topics and seeing the pictures of the fish...Im figuring its time to head over and fish the White River. Ive lived in Arkansas for about 3 years but have yet to make it to there. Any advice on locations and fly patterns to use would be GREATLY appreciated! Also, I dont have a boat so Im looking to wade. How reliable is the reports from the Corps about generation? Thanks in advance! "The difference between fly fishers and worm dunkers is the quality of their excuses." -Anonymous "I am not against golf, since I cannot but suspect it keeps armies of the unworthy from discovering trout." -by Paul O'Neil
Members TroutRabbithunter Posted March 21, 2009 Members Posted March 21, 2009 I usually fish below Cotter. They have an access point at Cotter below the old bridge. I also follow the train tracks farther down to some spots downstream. Catch some nice Browns and an occasional Cutthroat along with tons of good size Rainbows. As far as flies go cracklebacks, scuds, sow bugs, and zebra midges all work well for me down there. As far as wading goes, it can be dangerous there at times when they generate water fast, but if you're careful you'll be fine. Good luck on the water.
ozark trout fisher Posted March 21, 2009 Posted March 21, 2009 I usually fish below Cotter. They have an access point at Cotter below the old bridge. I also follow the train tracks farther down to some spots downstream. Catch some nice Browns and an occasional Cutthroat along with tons of good size Rainbows. As far as flies go cracklebacks, scuds, sow bugs, and zebra midges all work well for me down there. As far as wading goes, it can be dangerous there at times when they generate water fast, but if you're careful you'll be fine. Good luck on the water. I'd also suggest the Cotter area. Many less fisherman than just below the dam, and the fishing is excellent. I am from Colorado, and have fished some mighty fine streams there, but the White is the country's best trout stream, I just don't there can be much debate. So you will have a great time. Lots of big rainbows, and of course browns.
Greg Posted March 22, 2009 Posted March 22, 2009 Also, I dont have a boat so Im looking to wade. How reliable is the reports from the Corps about generation? Thanks in advance! The reports are fairly reliable but not infallible. I've driven all the way to Taneycomo (1 hour) and also all the way to the White (2hours) on a prediction of no running water for the day - only to have the water turned on as I'm putting my waders. Needless to say pretty frustrating. But that's the way it is with our tailwaters. It's a crapshoot for waders. Greg "My biggest worry is that my wife (when I'm dead) will sell my fishing gear for what I said I paid for it" - Koos Brandt Greg Mitchell
On The Fly 6 Posted March 22, 2009 Author Posted March 22, 2009 Thanks for the info! I didnt make it there today...but tomorrow (weather and generation schedule permitting) Id like to get over there. Is the access at Cotter easy to find? "The difference between fly fishers and worm dunkers is the quality of their excuses." -Anonymous "I am not against golf, since I cannot but suspect it keeps armies of the unworthy from discovering trout." -by Paul O'Neil
Greg Posted March 22, 2009 Posted March 22, 2009 No not really hard to find. Here's a map. See p. 16 http://www.agfc.com/!userfiles/pdfs/gu...s/2009Trout.pdf Good luck Greg "My biggest worry is that my wife (when I'm dead) will sell my fishing gear for what I said I paid for it" - Koos Brandt Greg Mitchell
grizwilson Posted March 22, 2009 Posted March 22, 2009 Go to any area fly shop and buy the book Home Waters, great resourse for access flow information etc. I usually fish Rim Shoals the most, their web site usually has some great information on fishing and flow information. www.rimshoals.com the number for the dam is 870 431 5311 if you can find out how many miles you are below the dam the river rises about 4 MPH, takes about double that to fall back out (depends on number of generators etc) so these are rough numbers. Lots of wading with up to 2 running but more important is the CFS. Look at the Rim web site and get the book you will be happy. g “If a cluttered desk is a sign, of a cluttered mind, of what then, is an empty desk a sign?”- Albert Einstein
On The Fly 6 Posted March 23, 2009 Author Posted March 23, 2009 So I made it to Cotter with little problems and went in at the Cotter access. Within 45 mins I had already caught a Brown, Rainbow, and Cutthroat. I didnt get the Brook...so no grand slam . After those 3 (back to back believe it or not) I didnt hook one for a while, but they were hitting. There was a hatch of Caddis (or so it appeared) and there were fish jumping all over the place!! It was definitely a sight to see! The strange thing was, I couldnt get them to consistently hit my Elk Hair imitation. I kept changing flies to try and find something they would consistently hit and finally tried a Copper John. It was hit after hit...fish after fish. I am definitely hooked on the White now! It was definitely worth the 2hr drive! Ill be back soon! Thanks for the info! "The difference between fly fishers and worm dunkers is the quality of their excuses." -Anonymous "I am not against golf, since I cannot but suspect it keeps armies of the unworthy from discovering trout." -by Paul O'Neil
Terry Beeson Posted March 24, 2009 Posted March 24, 2009 Yeah... it is kinda addicting for sure... Now we've got to get you to come a couple of days earlier and get in on the Sowbug Roundup... TIGHT LINES, YA'LL "There he stands, draped in more equipment than a telephone lineman, trying to outwit an organism with a brain no bigger than a breadcrumb, and getting licked in the process." - Paul O’Neil
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