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Bull Shoals and Norfork Tailwaters

Bull Shoals and Norfork tailwaters are both world-famous Rivers. Bull Shoals offers a larger river that holds more trout species including rainbow, brown, cutthroat, tiger, and brook trout. In this area, there is always a chance of hooking a fish of a lifetime. This river system has produced world-record brown trout as well as large caliber fish from the other species that live there. Fly fishing on the White River is amazing year-round, however there are some special times of the year for more avid fly fisherman. February through April you can have a chance at hitting a shad kill. This is when shad are pouring out of the dam feeding the hungry brown trout after their spawning cycle has ended. April through September offer amazing dry fly opportunity from our famous caddis and mayfly hatches to cicadas, hoppers and other terrestrial insects. We also fish the Norfork River, a beautiful little stretch of the White River that flows out of Norfork Dam and into the White River under Bull Shoals. The Norfork is just as famous as Bull Shoals for its world record-sized trout and amazing year round fishing. All skillsets are welcome!

Beaver Tailwater

Floating the White River below Beaver Dam from a drift boat offers phenomonal fly fishing opportunities throughout the year. Here, we are fishing for trout. This beautiful river is only one hour from the Fayetteville/Bentonville area. It is a great local option for both families and beginners. A day of fly fishing on Beaver Tailwaters will primarily be full of rainbow trout, with chances at bigger brown trout in between. It is a very scenic float trip with many bluffs, picturesque creeks, and crystal clear water. Streamer fishing and nymphing are effective and fun ways to put fish in the boat. The easy currents, slow pace, clear water, and happy fish make it a great way to learn the intricacies of fly fishing.

Where and How We Fish for Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth bass fishing on the Kings and Illinois Rivers is world-class. The Kings River is located one hour east of the Bentonville area. The Illinois River starts 25 minutes west of Bentonville and flows into Oklahoma about an hour away from town. We guide both the Arkansas and Oklahoma side so you may need to purchase an Oklahoma fishing license if specified by your guide.

Middle of February through April is the prespawn period which is full of trophy class fish trying to eat large flies in order to bulk up for the spawn. It can be cold but the fish are fired up. If you are looking to catch larger fish and are a confident angler this is the time for you to book! These days are full of visual, aggressive eats with large fish that jump and pull hard. Whats not to like about that? 7-9 wt rods are standard this time of year.

Once the warm, sunny days of summer comes in May, the low clear water of summer comes with it. This allows us to downsize our gear to more beginner friendly setups like 5-7 wt rods. Due to the low, clear water we downsize the flies we use which makes them easier to throw. So if you are trying to learn how to catch these fish as a newer angler, this is the time for you. It is also incredibly exciting to sight fish and stalk smallmouth bass in the low clear water as an experienced angler. This fishing can challenge even the best when targeting larger fish during this time of year. Topwater starts to pick up mid-May and persists through september. Dry flies imitating cicadas, dragonflies, and grass hoppers are a fun way to target these fish. Small streamers work well all summer too. This is a great time for anyone to enjoy no matter skill levels.

Once september settles in, these fish start eating large baitfish again in order to bulk up for the winter. Similar to pre-spawn fishing in spring, this is an awesome time to connect with a true trophy using large flies.

A Little History

Arkansas’ spring fed, freestone rivers are home to smallmouth bass. These elegant streams hold both Neosho and Northern strain smallmouth. The Neosho strain is native to the Ozark region, thriving in this amazing network of rivers and lakes for thousands of years. When the installation of hydro-electric dams happened, hundreds of miles of native habitat for these fish were destroyed. The trout were then stocked in the rivers below the dams to make up for the damaged bass populations. Although their home range was diminished, stocking efforts in the state with Northern strain smallmouth were very successful. We now have amazing fly fishing opportunities in tributaries to the lakes they were stocked in. Smallmouth love migrating up tributary rivers from the lakes to spawn in the early spring. Starting in mid-late February these fish charge up the rivers in vast numbers and will live there throughout the summer months. Eventually the fish will return back to the lakes and deep holes to reside for the winter. This presents world class fly fishing opportunity for these amazing, hard fighting fish from February through October. Not to mention the amazing scenery of the Ozarks at their best with little to no crowds. Limestone cliff walls, jungle-like forests and clear water make an amazing Ozark experience.

Carp Fly Fishing Trips

In the same river systems as the smallmouth bass trips are located, we wade on foot to fish for carp and bass. Common and grass carp also love eating flies and can put up some insane battles with a fly rod. Wading small creeks with 5-6 wt rods, and fish that can weigh 50 lbs, this is a recipe for an amazing day. If you are an avid angler this is a fun way to test your skills and change it up. This is an on foot game so being physically able to hike is necessary. The fishing is best late April through September.