Arkansas Fishing Adventures: Rollin’ on the Ozark Rivers
How many fish species can you find around Riley’s?
Rent a jon boat, canoe, kayak, OR bring your own for your fishing adventures. Allow us to suggest some proven tackle that we use on our guided trips and family fishing trips.We also sell most of the spin fishing items in our dock store. Feel free to email or call us for seasonal fishing tips or patterns prior to your trip!
Fly Fishing
We use 4 to 6 weight fly rods with matching weight forward line. It is a good idea to have an extra spool with mid-range sink tip line. Bass fly fishers will be well served to have a full sink line.
Trout Flies:
Wooleys size 6-12 all common colors (olive is the go-to color). Emergers, soft hackles, sowbugs & scuds sizes 10-18. I also fish an assortment of micro-jigs under a larger indicator from the boat. Pink, olive, brown & gray marabou (1/64 & 1/32): Also san juan jigs in pink, red, natural & orange.
Bass Flies:
Wooley buggers, Bass Bullies, Clouser Minnows, Crawfish patterns (natural colors, big, ugly & hairy!) Poppers, hoppers and divers.
Spin Fishing
Tackle & Rod Suggestions
Rods:
For both rivers & either species of fish, are medium action 5 1/2 or 6 ft graphite
spooled with lo-vis green 4-6 lb line. You can use lighter actions for the trout, but wouldn’t for the bass (you could chance losing a nice fish to a wimpy rod).
Trout Tackle:
Most all spinners and spoons we fish are 1/4 oz. unless very low water, then 1/8, 1/16 oz.
Brands & Colors:
Cleos: Nickel-Copper-Gold
Blue Fox: Wildeye or Plain, Silver or Gold
Mepps XD (Dressed or Not): Gold, Black, Black Body Gold Blade, Gold Body – Brown Trout or Rainbow Blade
Rapala Countdown: 3, 5, 7 in Silver/Black, Gold/Black, Rainbow and Brown Trout, and Fat Raps.
Bass Tackle:
Soft plastics- 4″ Zoom lizards, centipedes, finesse worms all in natural colors (watermelon, watermelon red, green pumpkin, pumpkin).
Texas rig in deep holes w/ tight structure.
Carolina rig in current and fish on the swing.
Slip sinkers in 1/8 and 3/16 oz.- 1/0 and 2/0 light wire hooks.
Yum crawfish tubes w/ 1/8 oz. jig heads are a must (natural colors)
Gitzit tube jigs, 1/8 oz. Jig heads (natural colors).
In-line spinners work well in the shoals and faster current. Flukes, Tiny Torpedos & Pop R’s are good choices for surface fishing.
Bank Fishing
We are situated on the most productive fishing hole in the area 1000′ of PRIVATE White River BANK FISHING.
Walk from your cabin down the bank to many select fishing locations. Acres of wade fishing around the islands, riffles & runs of Buffalo City, White River.
Island fishing has wade-in accessibility in light generation. During moderate generation times, shuttles may be necessary. Bank fishing can be productive and relaxing, but we strongly encourage to get out on the rivers for the best fishing opportunities.
Wade Fishing
We have some PRIMO wade fishing availability throughout the year. Always depending on water levels, we can set you up with a shuttle boat to access the islands and shoals nearby. We make sure you will be safe before you leave!
