If you’ve ever tried fly fishing the White River in Arkansas, you know one thing for certain: The water never stays the same. That's why we sat down with experienced fly fishing guide, Chad Johnson
If you’ve ever tried fly fishing the White River in Arkansas, you know one thing for certain:
The water never stays the same.
That’s why we sat down with Chad Johnson, one of the most experienced fly fishing guides on the river, to break down exactly what every angler should understand about river flows, dam generation, and how it all affects trout behavior. If you want to fish smarter — not harder — on the White, this guide is for you.
The White River is tailwater fed — meaning it flows out of a dam-controlled reservoir (Bull Shoals Lake). The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers controls the dam’s generation schedule based on a mix of electricity demand, flood control, and lake levels.
“The one thing you need to know about the White River flows,” Chad says, “is that you’re never going to fully understand them.”
In other words, you can’t rely on consistency. But you can learn how to read patterns, recognize shifts, and adapt your strategy.
Here’s a simple breakdown:
When the water starts rising — often due to dam generation — it pushes fish into feeding mode.
Look for:
Chad puts it this way:
“When the push is coming through, that’s when you’re going to catch fish. Once it passes? Time to move.”
Dropping flows make fish spooky and less aggressive. They often return to deep pools, structure, or soft seams and wait it out.
Best tactics:
Understanding CFS (Cubic Feet per Second) helps predict where fish will be holding:
“If it’s under,” Chad says, “fish the middle. If it’s over, fish the banks.”
A common mistake? Staying in a spot too long.
Let’s say you caught three big browns in one run. That doesn’t mean you should park there all day. More likely, the pulse of generation water moved through, fired up the bite, and then passed.
Smart anglers adjust with the current — not after it. Don't be afraid to move down and catch the push again.
To fish the White River successfully, you’ll need to check flows daily — sometimes hourly.
Top Tools:
Pro tip: Check both the forecast and the real-time gauge. They don’t always line up.
Chad Johnson's website also has all these links and a few more in one place.
Fly fishing the White River isn’t about seasons — it’s about water. One week in May can fish completely differently than the next depending on rainfall, lake levels, and generation.
The good news? Every day has potential — if you’re willing to adapt.
🎧 You can hear the full episode with Chad Johnson on The Ozark Podcast:
➡️ Listen to “What Every Fly Angler Needs to Know About Fishing the River Flows on the White River”
Want to stock up on flies, gear, or fly tying supplies?
Members of the Same Holler tier on our Holler community on Patreon get 10% off all in-store purchases at Diamond State Fly Co (excluding Abel, Ross, & Turtlebox)— one of the best fly shops in the Ozarks and nestled right next to the White River.
👉 Join The Same Holler on Patreon today
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