Frequently Asked Questions:

    • Missouri: Springfield-Branson National (SGF) - 2 hrs to the White River basecamp

    • Little Rock, Arkansas: Clinton National (LIT) - 3 hrs to the White River basecamp

    Flight Arrival: 9am - 3pm

    Flight Departure: 1pm or later

  • The best months for night fishing the White River are April thru October which provide ideal river conditions for Mousing & Trophy Hunting. During this timeframe, the moon phases play a crucial role in trout behavior. For 5 - 7 nights surrounding each Full Moon, nocturnal trout shut off their predatory instincts & feeding responses. The Wild Trout team does not accept bookings during this one week period every month. However, all other moon phases present exceptional fishing opportunities for quality & quantity.

    As dedicated guides, our success is driven by an extensive knowledge of the river coupled with our strategic ability to adapt to ever-changing conditions. With 26 years of combined guiding expertise, Brad & Bryan turn any variable into an advantage, delivering a superior fishing experience no matter the circumstances.

    You can be confident that all of our available dates present equally phenomenal opportunities to catch the fish of your dreams. Our schedule is designed to accommodate bookings exclusively during the most favorable moon phases & optimal months of the year—guaranteeing your total satisfaction.

  • The White River is a tailwater to Bull Shoals Reservoir in North-Central Arkansas. Bull Shoals Dam is a cold-water release Hydro Dam that pumps out highly oxygenated 45-60 degree water year round.

  • With the information above, it is important to understand that predatory Brown Trout are feeding/hunting from an efficiency standpoint. On the White River we have access to near gin-clear water year round as it comes out of Bull Shoals Dam. This means that they can see to the surface of the river with ease even on the darkest nights.

    As a Brown hunts and grows they use structure and current lines to either ambush their prey or go prowling around. The most efficient structure and current line is the surface of the river. When an unsuspecting mouse goes swimming across the river, they are now prime targets for a Brown to come from the depths to inspect. With even the smallest amount of light from stars the Browns can chase not only the silhouette of the prey but also follow the wake that is created as it swims.

    This V-Wake amplifies a Browns ability to see and feel (with their lateral lines) a surface oriented meal. This wake and commotion makes the hunt much more of an opportunistic attack as you can trigger them to strike at your fly out of sheer curiosity.

    We use Mouse Flies to trigger these big Brown Trout to come to the surface and attack. Although the Browns, more than likely, are striking less because they think your fly is specifically a ‘mouse’ and more because you trigger a visual and lateral line response. This means that they may think your mouse fly is a frog, shrew, cicada, spider, bat, or all hosts of other things that end up swimming across a river at night.

    One of the most important things to dial in for this predatory response is the very specific retrieves that make the largest Browns willing to strike!

  • For the skilled dialed angler, the specific month matters less for their chances at a giant Brown. We have caught Browns 32”+ and 15-25 pounds during every month of the season.

    However, 99% of Trophy Brown Trout are caught by our anglers from their ability & willingness to PAUSE BEFORE THEY SET THE HOOK. No kidding, thats absolutely the most important thing you can do to greatly increase your chances.