White River Shad Kill

[abbie mcmullen]

Hey guys! Thinking of a winter fishing trip and have a lot of interest in the White River in Arkansas. Been doing a little reading about the Shad kill that happens over the winter. I would be going sometime in January-early March. Anyone have any insight? How diy friendly is the White? Thanks!

[Andrew LaVigne]

So, used to work at a shop that sent a lot of anglers to the White, and fished a couple times. That river is heavily dependent on flows coming from the dam, which are changed often for power generation needs. If the water's up, you're in trouble if you don't have a boat. If it's low, plenty of wadeable access points.  

The good news is that if the White's blown, you can head into Missouri to try the Taneycomo tailwater, or the North Fork of the White, which is a freestone river, or head over to the Spring river in AR. 

Worth following Brian Wise, who guides on the North Fork & fishes the White system regularly - https://www.riveroflifefarm.com/guide-services/missouri-fly-fishing-guide-brian-wise/

Also have fished with Jimmy Traylor down there - he knows the system in and out. http://flyfisharkansas.com/