Fly Fishing in the Ozarks: An Unforgettable Adventure with Flys and Guides
The Ozarks is a paradise for fly fishers, home to some of the country's premier trout destinations. Join us as we take you on a virtual tour of fly fishing in this region, focusing on the White River and the Norfork Tailwater. Fly Fishing in the White River and...
The Flys and Guides Difference: Tailored Fly Fishing Trips for Every Angler
At Flys and Guides, we believe that every angler is unique, and so should their fly fishing trip. We take pride in customizing each trip to cater to the angler's ability level and desires, ensuring an unforgettable fishing experience. Customized Fly Fishing Trips Our...
The Joy of Custom Fly-Tying: Unleashing Creativity with Flys and Guides
Fly tying is an art that combines creativity, patience, and a deep understanding of the aquatic ecosystem. At Flys and Guides, we offer a unique service of custom fly-tying that not only enhances your fly-fishing experience but also allows you to engage with the sport...
Exploring Fly Fishing Destinations in and around Lakeview, Arkansas with Flys and Guides
Introduction The beauty of fly fishing is that it takes you to some of the most beautiful places on earth. At Flys and Guides, we're fortunate to be based in Lakeview, Arkansas, surrounded by some of the best fly fishing destinations. Fly Fishing in Lakeview, Arkansas...
Mastering Fly Fishing Techniques with Flys and Guides
Introduction Fly fishing is an art that requires skill, patience, and the right technique. At Flys and Guides, we're dedicated to helping you master the various fly fishing techniques to enhance your fishing experience. Based in Lakeview, Arkansas, we offer a range of...
The Art of Tying Flies: A Comprehensive Guide by Flys and Guides
Introduction At Flys and Guides, we believe that tying your own flies is an integral part of the fly fishing experience. Based in Lakeview, Arkansas, we're passionate about sharing our knowledge and helping you master the art of tying flies. The Importance of Tying...
Tiger Trout – Arkansas
Tiger Trout Arkansas Tiger Trout introduced to the White River In early June of this year the Arkansas Game and Fish Department, released 2,500 tiger trout into the White River system. It has been the first time the species has been introduced into river and the...
White River Trout Conservation
White River Trout Conservation The good, the bad and the ugly Imagine having a wonderful vegetable garden that is the envy of all the other gardeners in the country. For several years, produce flourishes as the garden grows very quickly under optimal conditions. After...
White River Guide
White River Guide White River Guide: Making the right decision for your wallet and your time Those who only get a few brief opportunities to fish every year are often faced with the dilemma of whether or not to hire a professional fly fishing White River guide. In...
Switch Rods & Streamer Rods
Switch Rods & Streamer Rods Shooting heads are becoming the “NEW” thing Let’s talk a little bit about switch rods & streamer rods and the correct lines that correspond to the particular fishing situation at hand. I don’t claim to know everything, but I will...
Planning A Trip
Planning A Trip Planning the Perfect White River Fly Fishing Trip Unfortunately, the unpredictable nature of the White River Basin trout fisheries makes it difficult when planning a trip for a vacation far in advance. There is no way to know exactly what will happen...
New Presentation
New Presentation The Extended Drift Presentation: A new twist on an old technique This new presentation will change the way that you think about how you drift a fly. For some of you, this will sound strange, but techniques evolve as new generations of anglers move...
Mending
Mending My thoughts on Proper Mending Techniques From observing a lot of different fly fishers while I am out on the water fishing myself, one thing I’ve noticed is how most fly anglers really don’t understand what it means to mend their line. I know that everybody is...
Intro to the White River
Intro to the White River A Beginner Fly Fisherman’s Introduction to the White River Now and again I like to write about several of my home waters: Arkansas’ White River and the Norfork Tailwater. These are quirky trout fisheries located below two huge U.S. Army...
Frog Water
Frog Water Advanced White River Fly Fishing Techniques Fly fishermen by nature tend to dwell on their successes, as there really is little point in recounting the long and boring tales of tough days spent on the water. From an ego-only perspective, it does pay to...
Fighting Trout
Fighting Trout The Different Attitudes of White River Basin Trout It would be simple to assume that pretty much all of the fish on the White River, Norfork Tailwater and Lake Taneycomo are fighting trout ,especially with respect to the rainbows. The fact of the...
Drift Boat Fly Fishing on Taneycomo
Drift Boat Fly Fishing on Taneycomo High Water vs. Low Water The use of non-motorized drift boats has grown in popularity amongst the fly fishing ranks on White River Basin trout fisheries over the last five to ten years. These types of vessels can really be...
Dead Drifting
Dead Drifting Keeping Slack in Your Line: The trick to getting a perfect dead drift. Time and time again, I see beginners “tight-lining” their nymph fishing presentation as they scratch their heads wondering why they are catching no fish. I think what happens...
Fly Fishing Article / Pay Attention to Tension
Pay Attention to Tension What is too much slack and what is too tight? That's the question everyone asks when fishing an indicator setup. So hopefully this article will help shed some light on that. So many fly fishermen are used to a tight line, either from...
Streamer Fishing – Arkansas
Streamer Fishing Arkansas Streamer fishing on the White River in the winter months The months of January and February can be some of the hottest months to target trophy browns on the White River located in Arkansas. Streamer fishing on the White River can be...
The “New” Dry Run Creek
The “New” Dry Run Creek Recent Habitat Work Has Changed & Enhanced This One-of-a-Kind Trout Fishery Dry Run Creek is a quarter-mile stretch of water below Norfork Dam. It receives outflow from Norfork National Fishery, so the water is oxygen-rich and full...
Late Night on Lake Taneycomo
Late Night on Lake Taneycomo Strategies & Thoughts Regarding Targeting Trophy Fish Below Table Rock Dam in Total Darkness It seems as though the popularity of night fishing on Lake Taneycomo has waned slightly over the last decade, but for a hardcore group...
The White River Fly Fishing History Series Part Two
The White River Fly Fishing History Series Part Two Two One-hundred Year Floods in Two Months Forever Changed the Landscape of the Basin Those who depend on the White River for both recreation and to make a living are all too familiar with the huge role Mother...
The White River Fly Fishing History Series Part One
The White River Fly Fishing History Series Part One The Record Ozark Drought of the Late 1990’s and Early 2000’s For White River Basin fly fishermen, the drought that gripped the Ozarks in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s was, in a sense, a paradox. The initial...
Advanced White River Fly Fishing Techniques
Advanced White River Fly Fishing Techniques Approaching “Frog Water” in Search of Trophy Ozark Trout When the Bite is Tough Fly fishermen by nature tend to dwell on their successes, as there really is little point in recounting the long and boring tales of...
Wind Is Your Friend
Wind Is Your Friend Thoughts and Strategies Regarding Ozark Fly Fishing in the “Chop” As a long-time guide in the Ozarks, it never ceases to amaze me how a little bit of wind can cause people to head for their cars. The White River, Lake Taneycomo and the Norfork...
Lake Taneycomo Drift Boat Fly Fishing: My Perspective
Lake Taneycomo Drift Boat Fly Fishing: My Perspective The use of non-motorized drift boats has grown in popularity amongst the fly fishing ranks on White River Basin trout fisheries over the last five to ten years. These types of vessels can really be effective at...
Understanding an Ozark Shad Kill
Understanding an Ozark Shad Kill The shad kill on Arkansas’ White River and its tributaries is an example of man and nature colliding. Shad that reside in the relatively warm lakes behind the dams are not native to the area and weather and flow dynamics can...
White River Basin Water Releases: A Guide to Understanding How These Rivers ‘Work’
White River Basin Water Releases A Guide to Understanding How These Rivers ‘Work’ I really feel badly for those few anglers who take a dream fly fishing trip to the Ozarks without bothering to learn about the significance of power generation beforehand. The system can...
Dry Fly Fishing for Beginners
Dry Fly Fishing for Beginners If you’ve been around fly fishing for any amount of time, you’ve inevitably heard talk of insects, hatches, and dry flies. It’s pretty well established that nymphs account for the most fish caught during the course of the year, but there...
The Different Attitudes of White River Basin Trout
The Different Attitudes of White River Basin Trout Understanding the Variations in How These Fish Fight It would be simple to assume that pretty much all of the fish on the White River, Norfork Tailwater and Lake Taneycomo fight the same way –especially with respect...
Dry Flies or Nymphs – Basic Steps for Identifying a Hatch
Dry Flies or Nymphs Basic Steps for Identifying a Hatch The goal in this article is not to get into the age-old debate about which method is the best or the most “pure”. In my opinion, both dry fly (flies that imitate insects on the surface) and wet flies (sometimes...
Anyone Who Fishes Midge Patterns… This is For You
Anyone Who Fishes Midge Patterns… This is For You Now I’m sure some of you would agree that when fishing size eighteen midges tied with a bead on a curved shank hook, many fly fishers probably miss more fish then they catch. There are a couple of reasons for this. The...
Casting Help for Beginners: Learning to Properly Load the Fly Rod
Casting Help for Beginners: Learning to Properly Load the Fly Rod There are two continual problems that I have observed while watching new casters or when helping people learn how to cast. Most beginners seem to have trouble with their casting arc, and I think this is...
Introduction to Leaders & Tippets
Introduction to Leaders & Tippets There is always discussion amongst fly fishermen regarding their leaders breaking and tippets not holding. So I thought I would bring some clarity to this situation. The most important first step is to gain an understanding of...
Keeping Slack in Your Line: The Trick to Getting a Perfect Dead Drift
Keeping Slack in Your Line: The Trick to Getting a Perfect Dead Drift Time and time again, I see beginners "tight-lining" their nymph fishing presentation as they scratch their heads wondering why they are catching no fish. I think what happens is that...