arkansas rivers
Riffletrip Outfitters is based on the White River in Flippin, Arkansas at the White River Trout Club; Just upstream and more accessible to trophy trout waters from the famous town of Cotter. While the White is the main watershed we focus on, we are very fortunate to have multiple other bodies of water in the surrounding areas. Many people don’t think of Arkansas and trout together, but boy, are they wrong! Check out our local fisheries below to get an idea of our local waters!
Call/Text for availability: (214) 738-2035
The White
With nearly 100 miles of cold water fed through Bull Shoals Dam, the White River has established itself as one of, if not, the best tailwater trout fisheries in the world. While there are endless opportunities to catch stocked trout, the true reason many anglers visit the White River is to get the chance to battle a world record Brown Trout. Large browns are caught year ‘round, but your best chance to hook one of these dinosaurs is during periods of high water- this is typically in the winter and spring months. Dam releases vary due to flood control and hydroelectric power demand, and generation can change unexpectedly. During highwater periods, streamer fishing is an awesome way to fool a big brown, but other fly-fishing techniques can be used as well. Book your lodging at The White River Trout Club because it is centrally located to all the best spots on the river, which makes access a breeze, year-round!
Spring: We have a prolific caddis hatch that begins in April and goes through May. Shallow nymphing and dry flies are the way to tackle this time. Big fish turn their brains off and gorge themselves on bugs! It is one of the busiest times on the river, but your chances of hooking a big brown can be much higher!
Late spring/Summer: Sulphers begin in June and through July. Nymphing is great but the best way to target big rising fish is sight fishing with a dry fly… bring your A-game! July, August, September is the time to throw big foam bugs along the bank. August is the best hopper fishing, but theres nothing like watching a massive brown inhale a topwater fly!
Fall/Early Winter: Definitely the BEST time to be on the White River. The changing leaves, quieter boat traffic, and generally exceptional weather are hard to beat this time of year. The fishing can be excellent, or it can be tough… but the views are always perfect.
Winter: Usually high water, we get to throw big streamers on sinking line. If youre willing to have your work cut out for you, this is an aggressive way to try for a true White River monster. If we dont have high water, or you dont have the experience it takes to throw big streamers, the nymphing is also fantastic! Layer up though, some days are 70 degrees and sunny, others are rather chilly!
Norfork
At 5 miles long, the Norfork River is the little sister of the neighboring White. Chock-full of cutthroat trout, the Norfork is also home to big Brown, big Brook, and enormous Rainbow trout. This river can be fished from a boat for its entire length before its confluence with the White River, but wade access is also very good. A Norfork fishing trip may include both fishing from the boat, and hopping out in areas to fish productively.
Dry Run Creek is a small stream that flows into the Norfork, right up by the dam. It is only open to children UNDER 16 and mobility impaired adults. It is a great place to spoil your kids with the fish of a lifetime!