North Fork River Fishing Report

Information
Within Arkansas, the tailwaters of the North Fork River begins flowing from the Lake Norfork Dam and continues for 4.9 miles before entering the White River. It is famous for it's great fly fishing.

 
Featured Fishing Trips
Guided Fishing Trips
$
300
-
$
400
/ Boat
Capacity:
1 - 2 anglers
Days:
Daily
Duration:
4 hours - 8 hours
Destination:
The North Fork River is much smaller than the White River. It averages 35 -50 yards across and at low water 80% of the river can be waded. The North Fork tends to have low water levels ... moremore often than the White River so it is popular with fly fishermen, who enjoy wading. Within this Arkansas river’s catch & release areas, the fishing is technically demanding, often requiring anglers to fish tiny flies on light tippets. 3 wt to 4 wt 9’ rods are the right stick to use.

With the low, clear flows the fish can be spooky of poorly executed casts and drifts that aren’t natural. Scuds and sowbugs are found in the North Fork Riverand represent the largest portion of its year round food base. Midge hatches are present nearly all year long. The river also has hatches of Blue Wing Olives,White Sulphurs, Crane flies, and Caddis. In the late summer, terrestrial patterns such as beetles and ants work well. There is very little open pasture next ot the North Fork and grasshopper patterns are not a major thing. Your guide is there to match your skills to a technique that will produce fish on that day. 

Full Day trips include a fresh custom made deli sandwich, the world's greatest brownie, chips and soft drink of your choice (requires 48 hour advance notice). Cold bottled water and soft drinks (of your choice, if provided) will be on board. You are welcome to bring your favorite adult beverage for moderate comsumption. Smoking on board is not a problem.
$
300
-
$
475
/ Boat
Capacity:
1 - 3 anglers
Days:
Daily
Duration:
4 hours - 1 day
Fishing Waters:
Destination:
The White River is a truly world class fishery like few others anywhere in the world and our home waters below Bull Shoals Dam is the finest of this river's 3 tailwaters. Its reputation ... moreas a brown trout fishery is well deserved, producing some monster "once in a life time" fish, but also holds good numbers of 19"- 24" fish. Chasing these trophies can be an immensely rewarding challenge. The White River is also heavily stocked with 12"-14" rainbow trout to provide consistent sport all year round on all water levels for all skill levels. Some rainbows, and cutthroat, can be still found well over 20", truly remarkable captures. Few tend to talk about the beauty of the White River as it glides past hill and holler: the soaring limestone bluffs, the dogwoods and redbuds of spring, the subtle mists and lush green banks of summer, the reds and gold of fall, and the stark gothic tones of winter.

FISHING THE WHITE
The White River is best known as a nymphing water, with consistent year round midge hatches and a plentiful supply of scuds and sowbugs plus bigger fare. Less well known are the increasingly strong hatches of Caddis (March-May), Sulphurs (June-July) and Terrestrials which can offer superb dry fly fishing depending on the water flows. These first two hatches can also add some nice variety to the nymphing. Want to know more? read the detailed hatch info on our Articles page. Our team is also seriously streamer addicted, as the best way to chase a genuine White River Trophy with a fly rod and we pride ourselves on our knowledge and gear selection. On low flows the White is easily waded, on higher flows there is still a surprising amount of fishing available for those on foot. But the White also offers tremendous watercraft based fishery on all water levels.

Being a fly fishing guide isn't just a way to earn a living. The best guides we know or have met have one thing in common, a burning passion, even obsession with the way of the fly rod. The ones who might guide you all day, then slip off to the river to fish of an evening; who schedule family holidays around fly fishing destinations and who climb out of bed in the middle of the night to tie that latest idea. There are plenty of guides on the White River system to "show you where the fish are" but fewer who can find the fish, know the rigging and tactics for changing conditions; have the right rods, lines and fly boxes for any eventuality; can teach you how to double haul, or single spey with a trout rod. Who share your passion. Our guide team, which also makes up most of our shop ownership and staff, are these guys. They go through waders and boots like others wear out jeans and tennis shoes, have fished 4 continents and North America from Alaska to The Keys. Regular folk would probably think them "not right". Our tailwaters can be some of the most complex to deal with anywhere, given the enormously varied water conditions you could face on any day. There aren't many places you can start the day wading at 50 cfs, and by midafternoon, be drifting on 20,000 cfs, and our guys will still have you catching fish and having fun.

These are the guys you want to make your fly fishing holiday one to remember for all the right reasons and keep you coming back season after season. The team offers wade, drift boat and river boat trips. They are state-licensed, properly insured and totally professional. They also happen to be a lot of fun.Bring your favorite rods or use our guide rods, at no extra charge, just give us a heads up when you book if you need gear. We can also arrange you to trial that next rod on your shopping list during your guide trip.You need to have appropriate clothing for the conditions, sunglasses, hat and sunscreen. Waders are optional on higher flows, essential on low water.

Our full day trips include lunch, which could range from sandwiches, cold meats, southern fried chicken, fajitas or bbq. Generally as standard we don't do cooked "shore lunches" which eat into your fishing time. But if your party would like a fish fry, bbq or other cooked lunches we are more than happy to arrange these services for an additional fee. Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements or serious dislikes, we can give the guide a heads up, particularly for soda choices alongside our standard bottled water.
Additional Information
Tributaries:
Lake Norfork
Source:
Lake Norfork
Length:
110 miles
Basin:
1,000 sq miles
Seasonal Conditions
Season
Temperature
Spring
50 - 54
 F
Summer
50 - 60
 F
Fall
50 +
 F
Winter
50 - 54
 F
Fishing Trips
The North Fork River is much smaller than the White River. It averages 35 -50 yards across and at low water 80% of the river can be waded. The North Fork tends to have low water levels ... moremore often than the White River so it is popular with fly fishermen, who enjoy wading. Within this Arkansas river’s catch & release areas, the fishing is technically demanding, often requiring anglers to fish tiny flies on light tippets. 3 wt to 4 wt 9’ rods are the right stick to use.

With the low, clear flows the fish can be spooky of poorly executed casts and drifts that aren’t natural. Scuds and sowbugs are found in the North Fork Riverand represent the largest portion of its year round food base. Midge hatches are present nearly all year long. The river also has hatches of Blue Wing Olives,White Sulphurs, Crane flies, and Caddis. In the late summer, terrestrial patterns such as beetles and ants work well. There is very little open pasture next ot the North Fork and grasshopper patterns are not a major thing. Your guide is there to match your skills to a technique that will produce fish on that day. 

Full Day trips include a fresh custom made deli sandwich, the world's greatest brownie, chips and soft drink of your choice (requires 48 hour advance notice). Cold bottled water and soft drinks (of your choice, if provided) will be on board. You are welcome to bring your favorite adult beverage for moderate comsumption. Smoking on board is not a problem.
Destination:
Current Forecast
Water Flow
River Water Temperature
0 reviews   0 comments
Fishing Quality
Scenery
Access
Water quality

Discover Your Own Fishing and Hunting Adventures

With top destinations, guided trips, outfitters and guides, and river reports, you have everything you need.