What to bring and expect

Preparing for a guided fly fishing trip

FlysandGuides.com Fly Fishing Guide Service and Fly Shop can provide you everything you will need for an enjoyable fly fishing trip on the White River and Norfork Tailwater in Arkansas.  Our boats are equipped with Douglas, Lamson, and TFO rods along with Galvan, TFO, and Lamson Reels to provide your guided day on the water a smooth casting experience.   The Fly shop is fully loaded with flies for every occasion, numerous fly lines, layering items, and rain gear that may have not made it in the gear bag along with many other items to fuel your passion for the sport.  Be sure to let us know what you will need before we get started.

Our White River fly fishing guides pride themselves on being prepared for anything that might come up over the course of a day of trout fishing on an Ozark Mountain cold-water tailwater.

This allows our clients the opportunity to focus on planning other aspects of their White River Basin fly fishing vacation.

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Of course bring anything you will need to be comfortable on the water like clothes for the weather, sunscreen, waders, and anything else you would take on your own outing. Many people have their own rods, so a 3 to 6 weight, 9-foot rod is perfect, but we can also provide one for you if needed. The guide will have drinks and all terminal tackle. A boat will also always be available if needed. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask. You can look forward to an eight (plus) hour day, and we stress fun over anything else.

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We guide all skill levels of anglers, so we are very patient and work very hard to ensure that anyone and everyone on the trip will be put in the best spots to catch lots of fish. If you have any special requests, like a float trip (if the water is right), please let us know. Asking lots of questions is how you get better, and our mission is to show people how much fun fly fishing is.
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When boating, keep in mind it takes years to learn how to effectively control a boat for fly fishing while also fishing yourself. For this reason it is recommended that someone always be in charge of running the vessel. Before getting out in a boat on high water anglers should seek experienced help. It’s too easy to get into trouble out there.
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The White and Norfork are extremely dangerous rivers in the respect that water flows can change at the drop of a hat. One minute you’re wading a peaceful stream and the next minute a flood hits. There is no way to predict releases like at other dams, but they do tend to get into flow patterns. Still you must expect the unexpected. There are warning horns at the dams, but they are not very loud. Check markers like rocks frequently to see if the water is rising. Always have a “plan” on getting to your access point.
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White River fly fishing guides should always put safety first, and this is the approach we take at Fly’s and Guides Fly Fishing Guide Service. A fly fishing trip on the White River may involve wade fishing for part of the day, and float fishing out of a drift or river boat for the other part of the day. The White River and Norfork Tailwater in Arkansas and Lake Taneycomo, near Branson, Missouri are dynamic rivers that deserve respect. Please – if you do not hire a White River fly fishing guide, at the very least, read through this website in order to gain a working understanding of the many variables that come into play when fly fishing any of the Ozark Mountain Tailwater trout fisheries. Keep in mind that the most dangerous situations occur when the water changes from being low to becoming high due to dam releases for power generation.”

Recommended Lodging

There are White River resorts and lodges that cater to visiting fly anglers, and the choice of different types of lodging entities is quite varied. There are a myriad of traditional-style White River resorts on the banks of Lake Taneycomo, and the White River below Bull Shoals Dam in Arkansas is home to resorts that offer primitive camping cabins all the way to luxury lodges that would appeal to destination fly fishermen who seek out the finest of everything.

There are also several campgrounds and RV parks in the area. The Norfork Tailwater below Norfork Dam has several cozy resorts, but they are primarily geared towards the harvest-oriented fishing crowd. Taneycomo Trout and Jeremy Hunt are here to help you find the perfect lodging to compliment your Ozark fly fishing adventure. 

Let us help plan your next White River area fly fishing vacation.

White River Retreat

(870) 404-5878

 Lakeview, Arkansas

https://www.whiteriverfrontretreat.com/

 

Make your vacation memorable with our one-of-a-kind waterfront property rental in Lakeview, AR. Situated on 200 feet of gorgeous river frontage located just upstream from Gaston’s Restaurant. The river home features three bedrooms and two baths with over 2100 square feet of living space. Relax and enjoy the famous White River lazily drifting by, with wildlife in every scene from your screened-porch, open deck, sunroom, or the deck at the river’s edge.

 

White River Front Retreat is ideally located in the heart of North Central Arkansas Ozarks. Our riverside accommodations provide a dream destination for a great family getaway or a reunion hide-a-way and are the perfect setting for the outdoorsman or nature enthusiast. Enjoy flyfishing on the world famous White River, to hiking on one of five nearby hiking and biking trails, as well as bird watching, shopping, and golf. You can also engage in all variety of water sports on Bull Shoals Lake. The retreat is just down the road for FLY’S AND GUIDES FLY SHOP a convenient stop to or from the river.

Copper John's

(870) 431-4454

 White River, Lakeview Arkansas

http://www.copperjohnresort.com/

Small & personable, Copper John’s Resort on the White River, offers a unique, tranquil setting right on the banks of the world famous White River!

About a mile below Bull Shoals Lake Dam.Copper John’s Resort offers up its own version of Ozark style relaxation with quaint riverside cabins, fully furnished cabins, full hookup RV sites.

Copper Johns Resort has been servicing anglers & vacationers of all ages since 2006. We offer five “camper cabins”, and five bigger, completely furnished cabins. In addition, there are 26 full hook up RV sites.

From cabins that are quaint and roomy enough for two to enjoy the weekend in comfort, to our bigger 10 person cabin, we are sure to make your stay with us exactly what your looking for.

Gaston's Resort

(870) 404-5880

 Lakeview, Arkansas

https://www.gastons.com/

Gaston’s White River Resort began 61 years ago when Al Gaston, Jim Gaston’s father, purchased 20 acres of White River frontage with six small cottages and six boats…the year was 1958.

Present day, Jim’s grandson – Clint Gaston – will carry on the family legacy for many years to come. The resort now covers over 400 acres, and has 79 cottages ranging in size from two double beds to ten private bedrooms.

The airstrip has grown from 1,800 feet to 3,200 feet.

The six boats are now over 70, and with a state of the art dock to hold them all. The years have brought an award winning restaurant, private club, gift shop, tennis court, playground, game room, duck pond, three nature trails, swimming pool, and conference lodge.