(Photography by David Burgher and George Daniel)
March 13, 2025
By Ben Levin
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This article was originally titled “World Class Ozarks” in the 2024 edition of Fly Fisherman’s Destinations SIP. Click here to purchase .
The White River tailwater below Bull Shoals Dam in north-central Arkansas is one of the most complex and intriguing trout fisheries in North America . . . if not the world. It’s a river that’s just as famous and renowned for its large brown trout as for its diverse and seemingly endless fly-fishing opportunities.
The White is one of those rare super-fisheries where—when the stars align—anglers can simultaneously have a shot at catching the biggest trout of their lives, multiple species, and insanely high numbers of fish, all in a single day. And, to be fair, it can also be one of the trickiest, most mysterious trout fisheries anywhere, with its perpetually changing fishing conditions. But even when the White is being a stubborn beast, it always gives you a taste of something unbelievable that will lodge in your memory and keep you coming back for more.
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The factors that affect the health of this tailwater, and its fishing, are as varied as they are unpredictable. Bull Shoals Dam, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) hydroelectric facility with 8 generators and 17 floodgates, creates flows that can range widely from 600 to 26,000 cubic feet per second (cfs), often changing drastically several times in a 24-hour period. Floodgate releases can sometimes push the river over 30,000 cfs.
Constantly shifting flows make the White more like a moody tidal system than a trout river—on any given day the water can rise more than 7 feet without warning! And the year-round fishing on the White offers four very distinct seasons that, at their most extreme, can range from winter blasts to tropical summers to the most perfect spring and fall weather you could imagine and absolutely everything in between—sometimes all within just a few days during the shoulder seasons. Combine these vast changes in flows and weather with an enormously diverse food base and you have what seems like about 100 different rivers all rolled into one. You could spend a lifetime fishing the White, and it will never be the same river two days in a row.
(Photography by David Burgher and George Daniel) Bull Shoals Dam is the largest of the series of dams the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built along the White River system under the Flood Control Act of 1938. Completed in 1951, the dam transformed the White River from a warmwater fishery into a clear, cold tailwater that averages 45 to 58 degrees year-round. Trout were first stocked in 1952 to mitigate the loss of the warmwater fishery due to the changed ecosystem. At the time, no one expected or even dreamed of the great success of the introduction, or the fame the trout would bring to the White River in the future.
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Ozarks Trout The White rises in the Boston Mountains of northwest Arkansas and flows more than 700 miles through the Ozarks and Delta regions before emptying into the Mississippi. There are approximately 92 miles of trout water below Bull Shoals Dam. The first 32 miles between the dam and Buffalo City have the highest trout density, and this upper tailwater has become the flagship trout fishery for the entire American South in terms of fame, popularity, and fishing quality.
Water levels on the White are based on many factors, the two most important being flood control and power demand. Heavy generation typically occurs during times of peak power demand, such as weekdays, high summer, and the middle of winter. Weekends and the milder temperatures in spring and especially fall tend to trigger lower flows. However, the USACE’s management strategy and parameters for the White River drainage are ever-changing and hard to pattern without years of experience on the river. The only consistent thing here on this fishery is its unpredictability.
So how do you even begin to crack the code of this massive, intimidating, but famously productive river? Elite guides who are flexible, creative, and saturated with a lifetime of local knowledge are the keys to success. Stephen Balogh and David Burgher, founders and co-owners of White River Trout Club , have built the most comprehensive fly-fishing guide staff, lodge, and fishing program on the entire White River. They head up a guide and lodge staff who remain always flexible and are constantly adapting to the changing conditions during your stay, in order to find the best fishing and hatch activity. Their guide staff’s “White River trout sleds” are modern 20-foot fiberglass johnboats that are perfectly fitted with both jet motors and oars, allowing the maneuverability of a drift boat along with the reach of a motorized craft.
(Photography by David Burgher and George Daniel) Their White River Trout Club is situated on the river 8 miles below Bull Shoals Dam, and with these boats the guides have access to a long stretch of water directly from the lodge. It’s a quick boat ride up to the dam, where the river’s catch-and-release section holds some of the largest average fish in the entire White, including some of the biggest rainbows. More traditional driftboat options are also available during extended periods of minimum flow, when the fish are spooky, or to access local creeks and streams for warmwater species.
Stephen and David are what we call “lifers” in this industry and are about as fishy as they come. Their résumes of fishing and guiding experience read like travel catalogs of fly-fishing dreams: Alaska, Mexico, Chile, Argentina, coastal Texas, and nearly the entire American West, to name just a few. And they have a permit addiction that some friends, myself included, would endearingly say is a problem. So it really carries some weight when guys like that, who have fished all over the world, put the White at the top of their list.
“The White River is where my trout addiction began, and I can honestly say that it is one of the most unique and productive trout fisheries that I’ve ever experienced of all the locations that I’ve been lucky enough to have either fished or guided in my life,” says David.
(Photography by David Burgher and George Daniel) At the risk of sounding overconfident, I would put our population of 16- to 24-inch brown trout up against absolutely any river in the world. We are definitely spoiled here. More times than I can remember I’ve casually and quickly released a client’s personal best 19-inch brown from the net without asking if they wanted a picture or even thinking about it, only to get back on the oars and see a look on their face that says, “Hey man, that was the biggest trout of my life, I wanted a picture!” I feel a little guilty in those moments and have to remind myself that I see these fish all the time, but on a good day I tell them with high confidence that there will be more, especially if the caddis are hatching or if the streamer bite is on. And don’t forget about the other species.
“Not only do we have one of the highest average sizes of brown trout in the country, but we also have plenty of big rainbows, cutts, and a wide variety of warmwater species in our local watershed,” said Stephen. Tiger trout (intergeneric hybrids of brown trout brook trout) have also been stocked in small numbers in the upper White, and they are growing fast, with several over 24 inches caught and released in 2024. Nearly all the rainbow trout are stocked, and fishing regulations allow for harvest of rainbows, but the ones that survive can grow quite large.
But what about those really giant browns we keep hearing about? Yes, the browns do grow big here—enormous in a few cases. Farm-animal-size brown trout specimens are what drive the reputation of the White, fish of gargantuan caliber measured in pounds, not inches. However, these fish are extremely difficult to catch. Every year a few lucky fly anglers land one of these beasts.
The really big fish are most definitely present, but increasingly high fishing pressure—unfortunately including times when they should be left alone, like spawning season—makes them as challenging as any fish in the world. Part of the allure of the White, though, is that there is always that lottery-ticket fish waiting for someone. I once had a complete beginner catch a 31-inch brown on her very first day of fly fishing ever, on a crowded Saturday no less. I’ll take that element of pure luck any day on the White over other rivers—the reward here could be unbelievable.
On The River The White River Trout Club is perfectly situated on 900 feet of beautiful riverbank in the river’s upper section, where the density of trophy fish is highest. The club offers 13 well-curated riverfront cabins as well as the Horseshoe Building, which provides 10 individual private units of various sizes, all under one roof. A staffed, restaurant-quality kitchen with on-site private or common area dining service ensures that anglers can move seamlessly from fishing to food, which helps maximize time on the water. And the club has a private dock and launching ramp for those looking to bring their own watercraft.
An in-house fly shop fully stocked with flies, terminal gear, and outerwear is the closest shop to the water you’ll find in the area. You can easily grab a cold beer and walk down to the river in the evening to test some of the shop’s local specialty flies.
(Photography by David Burgher and George Daniel) The club’s pavilion is definitely the place to be after fishing. It has a full-service bar, fireplace, game tables, and plenty of indoor and outdoor lounging spaces from which you can watch trout rising. The pavilion is the perfect landing point at the end of the day for socializing with friends over a cold beverage while watching the sunset or the evening fog roll in. Chances are high you’ll hear some incredible fishing stories from Stephen or David about their worldwide angling adventures while you are hanging here with guides and friends.
The White River Trout club property encompasses 6 acres and places great emphasis on natural spaces and streambanks. Outdoor firepits, an event lawn and patio, a basketball court, a beautiful swimming pool overlooking the river, and a conference building all round out the experience for non-angling guests wishing to relax or perhaps even host a private event.
I love the property’s vibe. Under the canopy of large hardwood trees it’s easy to unwind and forget about the formalities of life. Whether you feel like putting your feet up on your own private patio and watching the spring dogwoods bloom, cooling off in the riverside pool on a hot afternoon, participating in some friendly college football banter at the bar by the big screen in fall, or sipping a whiskey by the fireplace, you’ll find yourself right at home here.
Seasons & Hatches The White is a year-round fishery. There is no closed fishing season, except when the catch-and-release area at Bull Shoals Dam closes from November 1 through January 31, to protect the large number of browns that spawn there.
Food sources include everything from tiny midges and crustaceans to huge sculpins and stocked rainbows. Sometimes I have a hard time choosing which fly or method to use because the fish are actively eating so many different things at the same time. That’s a good problem to have!
Spring caddis kick-start the hatch season in April and continue through the end of May. This caddis hatch is as good as any in the world, and really gets the browns feeding well through the entire water column. At its best it looks like it’s snowing bugs out there, and the fish gorge themselves. The weather is also absolutely gorgeous on the White, or anywhere in the Ozarks, at that time of year. The tributaries are all flowing, the woods are a vibrant green, and redbud and dogwood trees are blooming everywhere. Just don’t let me catch you poaching morel mushrooms out of my secret spots.
(Photography by David Burgher and George Daniel) Sulphur mayflies start at the beginning of June and continue through July, tapering off in early August. The Sulphur hatch brings large pods of browns to the surface, but this is also very technical fishing.
Foam-bug terrestrial season begins in late June and lasts all summer and into the fall. This is some of the most exciting fishing of the year in my opinion, and is my absolute favorite way to fish the White. The takes range from super-aggressive slashes to the slow, agonizing follows from big fish that finally slurp the fly down. Hoppers, beetles, and ants are all present. We have annual cicadas every year during the hottest weather, as well as broods of periodic cicadas. Our 2024 periodic cicada hatch was amazing if you were in the right place at the right time.
Fall is arguably the most beautiful season on the White, with the limestone bluffs, and all the hardwoods changing color. It’s one time of year when a little bit of everything will work in terms of techniques and flies. There are sporadic hatches of Blue-winged Olives and microcaddis as the weather cools. Flows are usually at their lowest in fall, and this is the best time of year for wade-fishing opportunities. Midges hatch year-round every day on the White. Scuds, sowbugs, aquatic worms, sculpins, crayfish, and minnows are also daily food sources.
Winter is a great time to avoid the crowds. High water releases can trigger threadfin shad kills in February and March, although it’s always impossible to predict the exact times. When this happens, the trout gorge themselves on dead, dying, and stunned threadfin shad that get pulled through the dam turbines in large numbers.
The cold months also bring out the hardcore streamer fishermen looking to catch a true trophy. After recovering from the rigors of spawning, the browns look to gain back some weight in mid- to late winter, and all large food items are on the menu. Casting big flies on heavy lines and rods all day in cold rain, wind, or snow is not for the faint of heart, but there is no ceiling on the return for those with enough persistence. Big streamer tactics will also work year-round, given enough flow from Bull Shoals Dam.
The White River has produced some amazing fish, but what’s even more mind-blowing is thinking about its future potential. Our hatches are getting bigger and better every year, and because a growing number of anglers are practicing catch-and-release, this is paying off with more rainbows growing to trophy sizes. I strongly encourage everyone who fishes the White to continue lobbying all policy makers who regulate our rivers to implement best management practices. Record-size trout were once caught on the White, and this can happen again if we let it.
Recommended Gear (Photography by David Burgher and George Daniel) A 9-foot 5-weight rod with floating line, 9-foot leader, and 4X fluorocarbon tippets are best overall for low to moderate flow situations. For high-water nymphing, a 6-weight with floating line, 9- to 12-foot leaders, 3X fluorocarbon tippet, and large indicators and split-shot are usually necessary. For hopper fishing and small streamers, 6-weights are best. For large articulated streamers, use 7- and 8-weights with sinking-tip lines (6 to 7 inches per second is best) and 12- to 15-pound-test fluorocarbon tippet.
Book your Destination Most visitors fly commercial to Springfield, Missouri or Little Rock, Arkansas and then drive to the White River Trout Club in Flippin, Arkansas. Private flights can land at Valley Airpark in Cotter, Arkansas.
whiterivertroutclub.com
Ben Levin (flysouthadventures.com ) was born and raised in rural Arkansas and grew up fishing every creek and tailwater in the Ozarks. He’s spent his entire life in the fly-fishing industry guiding, traveling, instructing, photographing, and sharing his passion everywhere from the Southern U.S. to Idaho, Montana, Alaska, Patagonia, the Gulf Coast, and the Caribbean, to name a few. He and his wife Megan live in Mountain Home, Arkansas with their chocolate Labrador, Rio, and their Russell terrier, Peanut.
