Wow! Totally unbelievable. And we are so very, very lucky here on the upper stretch of the White River (above the Norfork and Buffalo Rivers). We are talking about rain…feet of rain…impacting the White River drainage and going all the way to the Mississippi. Our heartfelt sorrow and prayers go to those whose homes and businesses were flooded downstream by the catastrophic flow of water.

As we watched Bull Shoals Lake rise over forty feet in a month, we have witnessed some of the best trout fishing we have seen in the four years we have been at Sportsman’s. The White River had seen two to three generators running up through the first week in April. Since then we have had four to eight going around the clock (ten for a few days when the spillways were open). The fishing has been incredible.

At the end of March we hosted a group of forty plus from Hanson Pipe and Precast from the Dallas area. The water was low (two units) and most fished small spinners and spoons or river rigs with power bait or frozen shad. They caught a lot of rainbow trout and had a great time. Some browns were taken, but nothing to really brag about. Then a week later they turned on the water and everything has changed.

To say you are drifting fast on eight generators is an understatement…you are rocking and rolling down this river. But if you are throwing Rogues, Rapalas or heavy jigs or are drifting a shad, you are in for a treat. We have caught more trophy brown’s (over four pounds) in the last two weeks than any time in the past. They are everywhere and they are hungry.

The fishing for rainbows has also been great. River rigs with power bait have been productive. But better yet is a rig with a small reddish plastic worm. These have torn them up. Apparently many real worms have been washed into the river and to the rainbows it looks like a free lunch.

We even found a way to keep our fly fishing friends happy. We now have castless fly-fishing…you tie on a San Juan worm, add some weight and drift down the river. As one guest said, "One of the best days I have ever had." And he never had to cast.

We have groups the next two weekends and we are looking forward to a twenty plus brown. We know they are there and they are feeding. We will let you know how they do.

Note: With Bull Shoals Lake just a foot below flood stage, we expect to see eight generators running pretty much every day for the foreseeable future. Although this will mean some great fishing, it also brings about safety concerns for our fishermen. High water equates to fast water. If you are using a rental jon boat or using your own boat, Sportsman’s is recommending that you have a "designated" boat driver who does just that…drive the boat…while the others fish. We also encourage everyone in the boat to wear life jackets anytime you are on the water, but it especially important in high water. The best deal on the river is a guide, from both a fishing and safety standpoint. And there is no better time to have one than now. Please be safe.

Have a great day fishing.

Jim Wheeler
Sportsman’s White River Resort