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Story Archives: White River trout fishing can be loads of fun


White River trout fishing can be loads of fun
by Joe Durham, Jr. - posted Wednesday, May 28th, 2008 @ 10:11 amE-mail Story E-mail Story | Print Story Print Story 
The state of Arkansas has at least two species of fish not found in Louisiana, the rainbow trout and the walleye.

Both of these fish can be found in the waters of the White River in northern Arkansas and the rainbow trout can also be found in one or two other places.

The Ouachita Citizen's outdoor columnist Glynn Harris, likes to go to the tailrace of Greer's Ferry Lake near Heeber Springs, in the winter for trout.

I had the fortune last week to find a guide on the White River near Eureka Springs, which is in the northwestern corner of the state. The guide I found, David Brown, helped me not only catch the fish, but also it marked the first time I was able to catch a limit of anything.

I ended up boating about 15 or 20 trout altogether and three walleye, two of which were keepers. There are length limits on the trout and the walleye, so its best to check the fishing regulations before venturing out.

Brown, who lives within a stone's throw of the White, was the man who was able to put me onto the fish almost immediately.

The water on the river, which is world-renowned for its trout fishery, was high, but that didn't stop us from starting to catch the fish almost as soon as we put the lines in the water.

The river, a spring fed rive which heads in the Boston Mountains in western Arkansas, is ideal for trout as it stays about 40 degrees F., the year round. Brown trout, brook trout and rainbow trout were original inhabitants of the river as was the walleye. The White actually flows north at the outset, then makes a big bend in MIssouri and turns east before turning back to the south.

The Arkansas record for Brown Trout was caught in the White Hole, just south of Bull Shoals Dam. The White River eventually empties into the Arkansas River which drains into the Mississippi River, so the White is considered part of the Mississippi drainage system.

Now Brown, who is also a barber in Eureka Springs when he's not out guiding clients, can provide his clients with a steady stream of stories. Brown has been guiding anglers on the White and on the various lakes for about 12 years now.

Brown has, as apparently all guides do, a wide variety of lures and equipment. If one lure fails to attract a fish, he quickly will put on another. Some of the lures he has are antique, but he is not afraid to use them. And they still catch fish.

The stories he tells are not just about fishing, but he has some stories about Jessie James, who had connections in the Eureka Springs area, as well as other tall tales.
In fact, this is what he has on his card, Tall Tales and Fishing.

Brown can be reached on his cell phone at 479-253-1898.

We were fishing the tailrace below Beaver Dam, which backs up Beaver Lake.

The other lakes include Table Rock Lake in Missouri, Taneycomo Lake in Missouri and Bull Shoals Lake in Missouri. The water coming out of these lakes is taken from the bottom of the dams and this makes for very cold water, about 40 degrees, Fahrenheit, which is how these trout thrive.

in fact, the first time I heard about trout fishing anywhere down in southern Missouri and Northern Arkansas was about Tanycomo. That was what lured tourists to Branson a long time before they had any shows.

You don't cook trout the same way you do catfish. Trout is easy to clean and the best way to cook them is in a hot skillet with cooking oil. Roll the fish in flour before putting them on. Fry them till they are golden brown and they are ready to serve. They are a very tasty fish.

Last year, I had gone to Colorado trout fishing, but those trout are still in the lakes I was fishing on, so this trip was a much better outcome.

By the way, if you plan on trailing a boat up to the White River, you can, but be aware of one thing.

When the sign says the road is crooked and steep the next five miles or whatever, they aren't just kidding. The road is crooked and steep for the next five miles.

You shouldn't have any trouble finding rooms in the Eureka Springs area. The prices vary and there are a wide variety of restaurants as well.
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