I was hoping for some guidance from the good offices of FAOL.
I’ll be fishing the White River in Arkansas Sunday and Monday of this coming week. I plan to take my fly rod along (we’ll be bait fishing during the day) but need some guidance.
The only time I’ll be able to flyfish is in the evenings. Will the river be fishable in the evenings with the current draw? And most importantly, what patterns should I have?
I’m not going to be able to pack much in the way of gear, so advice on the basic stuff is appreciated.
Try this link and look at the White River forum. Generation has been sporadic but has been turning on in the afternoons. THere are a lot of places to wade fish and the fishing has been good. Midges are the fly of choice as usual along with scuds, san juan worms, and eggs are staples. Midge pupa patterns work well and look for some hatches in the evenings.
" Low water> Zebra midges, blood midges, SJworms, Wd40’s and 50’s, emergers, soft hackles (pick your color) pt’s, copper johns. Drys Caddis, midges, bivisibles.
Higer water. Scud patterns, SJworms, Flesh flies, copper johns, Humpies with dropper, Midges t-beads, palanarium a dropper. Oh and of course Bubbers in wlive, black and brown.
also variations of jig type doll flies.
Been getting some late day generation and so far this weekend generation began on sat at noon and 9:am yeaterday."
Heres the latest report from the website from an established guide and good fisherman.
Thanks for the information, folks. I wish that I had more time to spend on the White and in the Ozarks…love the the people, the country and the food. As it is, I’ll be able to fish two evenings, so that will have to do for this trip.
It looks like the place we’re staying (White River Inn near Cotter) offers guests fly gear to play with, so I’ll not need to worry so much about what to bring. If I don’t have the killing pattern, I’m fairly certain they will in the lodge.
I’ll try to report back with some pix, but it won’t be until after the trip finishes on the 10th.