White River, Arkansas

[G-stone]

I was doing some research about this river, supposedly it has lunker world record trout. I have a friend that lives 4 hours from there, anybody know if it is worth the travel to the White River? If its not any better than a western quality stream than I'd rather travel to Montana. However from what I've read (and I know that what you read is usually puffed up) that river could be an excellent experiance.

[Jason]

From what I've read it doesn't produce those 'monster' browns like it use to. Although I'm sure there are some lunkers to be had. I think it would be a fun trip either way. Let us know how it goes if you make it down there. Doesn't Whitlock call the White his home water?

[Fred]

I fished the White River where it leads into Tanycomo this summer. The problem that you have in the summer is the water flows fluctuate quite a bit due to the power generation from the dam, which makes wade fishing challenging and can muddy up the lower sections of the river. I believe that the same holds true below Tanycomo as well.

I would not be surprised to find out that there are some true lunkers in the river because it is a big river with a good population of fish and invertebrates.

Since there aren't too many access areas, the wadable sections tend to get crowded and you are often fishing within casting distance to another angler. Personally, I don't know if I would make the 4 hour drive unless I knew that the water flows would be low. Alternatively, I would hire a guide who knows the river. From what I saw, the guides mostly fish from aluminum boats and go up as well as down the river. This would probably be the best shot at landing a trophy.

[doug draper]

I was doing some research as well and found the time to catch large fish is when they move up to spawn in the little red river.(catch and release) The other time is around February when the lake has a big shad die off. They wash through the dam and zonkers are the ticket. A guy sent me an email of some large fish he got at this time. I think flyfisherman magazine had an article years back by Dave Whitlock about the area.