Today
81°F
Partly Sunny
ESE 5 mph · 0% precip
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Today’s verdict
Current River Conditions
As of (11 days ago)
This intel is a couple of weeks old — conditions may have shifted.
As of ~2 weeks ago, the river was fishing well.
The White River below Bull Shoals Dam is fishing well right now, with good hatches actively taking place. Water levels are running lower than normal for this time of year, which historically sets up some of the best dry fly and nymph opportunities on this tailwater. Keep in mind that late October kicks off brown trout spawning season, so there are plenty of fish around — just be respectful and avoid targeting fish on their redds.
Midges are the backbone of the hatch picture year-round here, and right now cream and red (blood midge) patterns in sizes 20–22 — fished as larva and pupa under an indicator with the bottom fly near the riverbed — are a go-to approach. Blue-winged Olives are also in the mix this time of year, so carry nymphs, emergers, duns, and spinners in size 18. Scuds and sowbugs round out the subsurface menu and are consistently effective on this river.
5,130 CFS is right around its typical level for October — this stretch typically runs 2,520–7,150 CFS.
Wading tends to be more manageable at typical flows, but beds shift and cold water saps strength fast — read the water, stay within your limits, and check conditions on-site. You remain responsible for your own safety.
At 63°F, the water is in the prime range for trout — cold enough to fish and to handle fish safely.
Weather
79°FClear
Wind SSE 8 mph
Sunrise 7:29 AM · Sunset 6:14 PM
Observed (1 hour ago)
NWS / weather.gov · fetched 16:00
Today
81°F
Partly Sunny
ESE 5 mph · 0% precip
Tonight
58°F
Mostly Cloudy
0 mph · 3% precip
Tomorrow
74°F
Mostly Cloudy
E 0 to 5 mph · 10% precip
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Size #18
Size #16/18
Size #20-22
Size #6-4
Conditions are estimates from USGS data. Always assess on-site conditions and use your own judgment.
The Calico Rock gauge reads the White River well down the long tailwater below Bull Shoals Dam — the big, cold, trophy-brown water anglers float for miles out of Cotter and Mountain Home. It carries both flow and water temperature, the read that matters most on a river whose level swings hard with dam generation. The fly picture here rests on a single source, so it runs lighter than our better-covered water.
Location
© OpenStreetMap contributors · © Geoapify
Helpful Links
Arkansas fishing resources
Other Arkansas rivers with live conditions
Large Arkansas tailwater below Bull Shoals Dam, famous for high trout numbers and trophy brown trout. Target species include Rainbow, brown, cutthroat and brook trout. Numerous accesses exist, but generation often makes a boat the safest and most productive option. Productive timing is Year-round, with especially good cool-season fishing and variable summer generation. Major hatches and foods include Midges, caddis, sulphurs and occasional shad-kill events. Common approaches are Indicator nymphing with midges, scuds, eggs and worms; large streamers for trophy browns. Regulations, access rules and water conditions vary by reach, so anglers should review current agency information and the linked local reports before fishing.
Hatches
Tactics
5,130 CFS+1090Flow
63°F+1°Water temp
81° / 58°Weather