River & Run
Home/Rivers/White River

River guide · Arkansas

Fly Fishing the White River

Below Bull Shoals Dam, Arkansas's White River is a trophy tailwater for brown and rainbow trout, fishable year-round.

  • 16 shops nearby
  • tailwater
  • Year-round (flows dictated by dam generation)
  • Arkansas
  • 5 key hatches
See fly shops ↓

The best time to fly fish the White River is Year-round (flows dictated by dam generation). Key hatches include Midges, Blue, Caddis, Sowbug / Scud. 16 fly shops near the White River can outfit your trip.

Fly shops near the White River

Shops and guides that fish the White River. See all 26 Arkansas shops →

Hatches & seasons

When & what to fish on the White River

River typetailwater
Best seasonYear-round (flows dictated by dam generation)
AccessBelow Bull Shoals Dam there are numerous access points and boat ramps from the dam down through Cotter and Wildcat Shoals; low-water wading and drift-boat floats both produce.
Key hatches
  • Midges (year-round)
  • Blue-winged Olive (spring & fall)
  • Caddis (spring)
  • Sowbug / Scud (year-round)
  • Sculpin / Streamers (winter, for big browns)
From The Fly Bench

Tie the flies that work on the White River

Step-by-step tying recipes & videos for these patterns.

Browse all 880+ patterns at The Fly Bench
Gear up

Gear up on the White River

Everything you need before the next trip — rods, lines, leaders, and fly-tying materials.

Shop the gear
Flies that work

The flies that work on the White River

Find the most effective patterns for where you're fishing — and learn to tie them yourself, step by step.

Find your flies

Updated June 2026