White River Report

[Phil Lilley]

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1716" title="White River - Narrows in December" src="http://www.ozarkanglers.com.php5-24.dfw1-2.websitetestlink.com/white-river/files/2011/12/White-River-Narrows-in-December.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="239" />

I had a mission today - to cover as much territory as I could. Wanted to first take pictures of a few places on the Norfork Tailwater and the White River, meet with John Berry for lunch and take more pics on the White - plus catch some fish. We didn't cover as many accesses as I wanted but there's only so many hours in a day.

Arrived at the boat ramp below Norfork at 7 am... but that's another report on another forum.

After a nice lunch at the Anglers Cafe in Mountain Home, Tom and I headed to the Wildcat Shoal access. We took John's advice and parked at the Narrows Parking area and walked in. The Narrows is the far channel shoal on the west side of the upper island at Wildcat. There are 2 shoals at the island- one at the top and one of the bottom. For time's sake, we only fished the bottom shoal and the water between the two.

With less than one unit running, we had no problem wading over to the island. John said you have to watch it- if they are running one full unit, it's tough making the trip across. I think he's had some experience tippy toeing in fast water. Most of us know how that dance goes.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1717" title="White River - Walking to the Narrows" src="http://www.ozarkanglers.com.php5-24.dfw1-2.websitetestlink.com/white-river/files/2011/12/White-River-Walking-to-the-Narrows.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="230" />

The shoal runs all the way across the river at that point. There's a shoot on the near side but not deep. I saw one redd at the shoal break and one a little further down. I assume it was a brown redd. While we were fishing above the shoal, I saw about a 6 pound brown come out of the water in the area. Past the shoot, the water runs over the shoal I say slow for a shoal and only about 12 to 24 inches deep- perfect for woolies buggers and soft hackles. That's what John suggested and he was right.

Above the shoal, the water was deeper and slower- and slick unless the wind picked up. Tom stripped #14 green or yellow soft hackles up there most of the afternoon and caught 12 trout- 10 browns and 2 rainbows. Most of the browns were about 12 - 15 inches but he had one that measured over 20 inches. Unfortunately we were fishing far enough apart when he caught the big one no pics were taken.

I fished mainly in the shoal and did the best on a #16 red/nickel zebra midge under an indicator 6 inches but only caught small rainbows - a bunch of them.

Wish we had more time to fish the whole area. Actually I would have loved to put the boat in and fished a jig down the whole Wildcat area but the wind was blowing upstream so it would have been tough.

Next time!

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1715" title="Small Brown on the White River" src="http://www.ozarkanglers.com.php5-24.dfw1-2.websitetestlink.com/white-river/files/2011/12/Small-Brown-on-the-White-River.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="182" />

[John Berry]

Phil,

It was nice to see you again. I regret not being able to fish with you. Next time for sure.

[Phil Lilley]

You're advice was right one. i love that shoal and can't wait to get back.