Camping and Fishing the White River Advice

[Ham]

If you are coming this way, Buffalo River, Crooked Creek, and North Fork of the White are all in play. A further east and you pick up Spring River.

[Clay Goforth]

Thanks for the info Danimal and Clay. I did call Ouchita Haven, and you're right, Jan was exceptional nice and we chatted for quite a while, and her problem there is no rain, so its pretty brutal. Go figure, the two places I want to camp at has one with too much water, and the other with not enough. I did delay my trip until the middle of Oct. I hope that may make fishing/camping/yakking a bit better, but Bull Shoals/White River State Park told me they will fill up during that time with the Fall Foliage, and yes Ham, she did tell me that they will be releasing from the lake till probably first of Nov. Clay I did read about Crooked Creek, any camping on the river you would recommend as a good area for 3 0r 4 days?

I know there are a few campsites on or just off the river. The Snow access of Crooked Creek has a couple of good spots for camping and really solid fishing in the area. If you want to spend 3-4 days on the water camping in different areas, the lower Buffalo from Rush to Buffalo City. It is a fantastic float with very few people and great fishing.

[Plastic_worm]

Glad to hear you're CNRing the SMB.

Camping at snow and other AGFC spots on CC is 1 day, I believe, I only camp on the river. Not sure anyone would say anything but if you decide to use Snow, and you're alone, you'll be leaving all your gear to fend for its self while you float. I prefer to stay on the river and pack everything in my kayak.

The Wilderness Section on the Buffalo is awesome...but as mentioned the White is really flowing so you'd end up in it at the end of your float. Buffalo city is actually up river from the Buffalo...so you'd be paddling against the current. I always go to Shipps Ferry, about 4 miles down the White on the left side. Any float on the Buffalo in Oct will be worth driving from TX...should have awesome fall foliage.

Sherwood Forest also has camping, it's south of Yellville on hwy 14. I have camped here 1 time, 2 years ago, with family. Nice small camp, only a few tent sites. But the guy will run a shuttle for you, or he did 2 yrs ago.

www.arksherwoodforestrvpark.com

Other rivers you could float.

Little Red River

Kings River

North Fork of the White

Norfork

[joeD]

Camp at the state park and hire a guide. Ditch your yak. And use big baits for big fish. If you are determined to use your kayak, then fish Crooked Creek. The Buffalo River sucks fishing wise, though it is beautiful.

But, that's me. I wanna catch fish. You? Is it more important that you camp and use your kayak because that's your plan? Or do you wanna catch fish? The White River will be running hard for the foreseeable future, and a kayak would not be wise to use.

[Clay Goforth]

Glad to hear you're CNRing the SMB.

Camping at snow and other AGFC spots on CC is 1 day, I believe, I only camp on the river. Not sure anyone would say anything but if you decide to use Snow, and you're alone, you'll be leaving all your gear to fend for its self while you float. I prefer to stay on the river and pack everything in my kayak.

The Wilderness Section on the Buffalo is awesome...but as mentioned the White is really flowing so you'd end up in it at the end of your float. Buffalo city is actually up river from the Buffalo...so you'd be paddling against the current. I always go to Shipps Ferry, about 4 miles down the White on the left side. Any float on the Buffalo in Oct will be worth driving from TX...should have awesome fall foliage.

Sherwood Forest also has camping, it's south of Yellville on hwy 14. I have camped here 1 time, 2 years ago, with family. Nice small camp, only a few tent sites. But the guy will run a shuttle for you, or he did 2 yrs ago.

www.arksherwoodforestrvpark.com

Other rivers you could float.

Little Red River

Kings River

North Fork of the White

Norfork

True on Buffalo City being "up river" from the mouth, however I have seen lots of folks in kayaks paddle across the river and get to the small takeout area next to the boulder wall at the bottom of the White Buffalo Resort. Shipps is a much easier point though.

Camp at the state park and hire a guide. Ditch your yak. And use big baits for big fish. If you are determined to use your kayak, then fish Crooked Creek. The Buffalo River sucks fishing wise, though it is beautiful.

But, that's me. I wanna catch fish. You? Is it more important that you camp and use your kayak because that's your plan? Or do you wanna catch fish? The White River will be running hard for the foreseeable future, and a kayak would not be wise to use.

Joe, I don't know what part of the Buffalo you are fishing. What you say is true about the upper due to the traffic but the last 26 miles in the Wilderness Area is crazy good. I think the next state record smallie could come from there. I've had 100 fish days on this stretch of water multiple times.

Of course, all of this is dependent on weather...

[rhondafish]

Dally's Fly Shop in Cotter might be an option for Shuttles on the White and Norfork rivers. Also will have good up to the minute fishing info.

[joeD]

Clay, I have not fished the lower Wilderness Section. While intriguing, I am getting old and crabby and overweight and I like a bed with air conditioning after a hard day of smoking cigars.. Used to gravel bar camp ALL the time. Thing is, one sees big fish pictures from CC fairly often. I daresay I cannot recall a big smallie pic coming from the Buffalo, on this forum anyway. I'm sure they are there, looks delicious enough.

[Clay Goforth]

Clay, I have not fished the lower Wilderness Section. While intriguing, I am getting old and crabby and overweight and I like a bed with air conditioning after a hard day of smoking cigars.. Used to gravel bar camp ALL the time. Thing is, one sees big fish pictures from CC fairly often. I daresay I cannot recall a big smallie pic coming from the Buffalo, on this forum anyway. I'm sure they are there, looks delicious enough.

Hey, I just re-read what I posted and wanted to apologize. What I said came across pretentious and was not my intention. I don't know if you took it that way but it was not intended that way. Specifically, the first line of "I don't know what part of the Buffalo you are fishing." I've seen your posts on the forum and respect the heck out of your fishing abilities.  I was simply trying to let AustinAngler know that the lower Buffalo is a great option for camping on the river and catching lots of smallmouth.  So…there's that. 

[joeD]

No apology needed Clay. If you've seen my posts then you should know I AM the pretentious one. Plus, you should give your respect more wisely. Anyway, no worries here. I can read and understand most things without misinterpretation.  Appreciate the thought nonetheless. 

And that's that.

[AustinAngler]

y'all gave me some great information.  Its just funny that the first place I wanted to go (White State Park) the water is too fast for yakking, and the other place (upper Ouchita River) doesn't have enough water to yak.  Im definitely gonna head to your gorgeous lakes and rivers, and yeah, I'm kinda lazy where I don't want to pack my yak for camping, but instead, just find me a fantasic scenic camping spot on a river, camp there 3-4 days, yak fish up and down stream hoping I can get shuttle, and then find another place for another 3-4 days.  All of your information is classic and I could never find that on the brochures, internet, etc, so Im very appreciative for  all your help.  You guys rock!  That being said, Im still kinda lost but just may wing it and head up from Texas and Im sure it will all work out