We had a Phenomenal 2021 White River Fishing Season

We had a phenomenal 2021 White River fishing season; tons of fun guests, plenty of fish, and all around good times. Fishing will be heating up quickly starting next month and space will full up fast. Please give us a call to book your next fishing trip with our White River resort in Cotter, Arkansas.

Fishermans Blog

David and Ginny Capps own and operate The Fisherman’s Lodge as well as Capps Guide Service Inc in Cotter, Arkansas. David started his guiding career on Arkansas’s White River in 1978 guiding for area trout fishing resorts. In 1987, he and Ginny were married and in 1993 David and Ginny opened Capps Guide Service Inc., offering guided trout fishing trips on the White River.

Over the next 10 years their trout guide business on Arkansas’s White River grew to the extent they needed a group lodging facility that would provide the amenities needed for their clients while in the area. In 2003, they opened The Fisherman’s Lodge and have never looked back! The Fisherman’s Lodge is perfect for holding corporate team meetings and/or fishing trips on the White River for Rainbow and Brown Trout.

David has Guided Trout Fisherman for over 40 years on Arkansas’s White River and is a licensed Coast Guard Captain. In 2011 as well as 2017, 2018 and 2019 he traveled to Alaska during July – September and fulfilled a lifelong dream of guiding fishermen for Trout and Salmon on a river in the Alaskan bush. David and Ginny have three children that grew up fishing the White River with their dad and all three kids (who are now grown) have been a big help to their mom and dad when asked to lend a hand with day to day operations at the Lodge.

White River Fishing Guide

The crystal clear waters of the White River will lure you to the heart of the Ozark Mountains in Northern Arkansas. David Capps and Capps Guide Service Inc. will extend the true southern hospitality that comes from 42 actual years of guiding trout fisherman on Arkansas’s White River

David Capps will help ensure the fishing trip of your dreams for you and your party. Float along, on the river, and allow the tranquility of the water and the spectacular scenery revive your spirit. Catching that trophy Rainbow or Brown Trout will make it soar and it is our job to help you get there! David has 40+ years of practice, seeing to the needs of our corporate customers and all that goes with satisfying large groups. Experience the trip of a lifetime with Capps Guide Service, Inc. as your host at the Fisherman’s Lodge!

If you are fishing for Rainbow Trout or Brown Trout there are many different tactics we use depending on the time of year and the water conditions on Arkansas White River

January through March

During the months of January through the end of March the Trophy Brown Trout are feeding on a diet of minnows the White River has naturally in its system. Thread Fin Shad are expelled into the White River during this time of year, sometimes by the tens or hundreds of thousands. There are several different artificial baits we fish during these months that mimic the shad that are discharged into Arkansas’s White River from the Bull Shoals Dam. When Fly Fishing for the Rainbow Trout or Brown Trout we use various white to grey marabou flies to fool the trout into biting. When Spin Fishing we use white marabou jigs along with several hard casting baits such as countdowns and rouges to name a few. When bait fishing we will use the shad its self. If the shad kill is not heavy we will use the shiner minnow or sculpin minnow to catch the larger browns.

April through May

During the months of April through the end of May both Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout start to change their diets from primarily a minnow diet to insects and worms, Capps Guide Service Inc. will change our fishing approach as well! When Fly Fishing on Arkansas White River during these months we will be using a Caddis Fly Pupa imitation and or a midge fly to get the Trout’s attention. The Caddis Fly Hatch can be one of the best times to Fly Fish on Arkansas White River for both Rainbow and Brown Trout. When Spin Fishing we will use a wide variety of baits from worms to crickets and crawdad tail or shrimp.

June through August

Summer is in full swing now on Arkansas White River, even though the outside temperature can be quite hot – White River stays at a almost constant temperature of 55 degrees. The releases from Bull Shoals Dam give us an air conditioner effect when we are boating on White River. During the summer months while fly fishing we drift a wide variety of nymphs under an indicator as well as surface fishing with Hopper Flies. While Spin Fishing Capps Guide Service uses whole Crawdads to catch the large Trophy Trout as well as Shiner Minnows and worms. Rainbows are caught on a wide variety of baits and 50 fish days are not uncommon.

September through October

Seasons are about to change but the fishing remains good, many of the same baits we have used up to this point still work well. About mid October the leaves are starting to change on Arkansas White River and Fall Colors add to the visual beauty while you are fishing for Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout. High numbers of Rainbow Trout are caught and Brown Trout are still feeding good as they prepare for the rigors of the spawn that will start to happen in November and will usually be over by February.

November through January

Outside temperature’s can be quite cold but the fishing remains good! If you like to fish and not see very many other boats on the water while you are fishing, this is the time to be on Arkansas White River. Capps Guide Service is ready to take you fishing!

Capps Guide Service Inc. will catch Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout every month of the year on Arkansas White River as our season is never closed!

White River Brown Trout Pictures

Here are photos of some of the brown trout our customers have caught All of these nice fish were released in great shape after the photos were taken, they are waiting for you to catch them! Come and try your luck with us while fishing the White River, we guarantee you a whopper of a good time..and a chance at catching one of the most beautiful fish on the planet. I look forward to fishing with you! Capt. David Capps…

Here are photos of some of the brown trout our customers have caught.

All of these nice fish were released in great shape after the photos were taken, they are waiting for you to catch them!

Come and try your luck with us while fishing the White River, we guarantee you a whopper of a good time..and a chance at catching one of the most beautiful fish on the planet.

I look forward to fishing with you!

Capt. David Capps

Shore Lunches

Every once in awhile you might here your father or grandfather say, “the thing that I remember most about fishing was the shore lunches we used to have”. Well, we figure why ruin a good thing, right? At The Fisherman’s Lodge, one would be pressed to find a finer shore lunch than what you and your group will recieve with Capps Guide Service, Inc. Come spend an hour out of your guide trip day and take in what so many have …

Every once in awhile you might here your father or grandfather say, “the thing that I remember most about fishing was the shore lunches we used to have”. Well, we figure why ruin a good thing, right? At The Fisherman’s Lodge, one would be pressed to find a finer shore lunch than what you and your group will recieve with Capps Guide Service, Inc. Come spend an hour out of your guide trip day and take in what so many have experienced and cherished when you get the chance to sit at our shore lunch and authentic fish fry while resting along the banks of the White River with your friends.

The Views

The Ozark Mountains are filled with hills and hollers making the setting alone worth a visit. Add to it all of the things one could enjoy while here and it makes for the perfect vacation. From Fishing, Biking, Hiking and Floating to Great Food, Fun Events, Shopping and Sight Seeing, the Fisherman’s Lodge puts you right in the middle of all of it. Come and enjoy what we cherish; the spectacular sunset views, hot summer sun, fogg…

The Ozark Mountains are filled with hills and hollers making the setting alone worth a visit. Add to it all of the things one could enjoy while here and it makes for the perfect vacation. From Fishing, Biking, Hiking and Floating to Great Food, Fun Events, Shopping and Sight Seeing, the Fisherman’s Lodge puts you right in the middle of all of it. Come and enjoy what we cherish; the spectacular sunset views, hot summer sun, foggy river mornings and one of the most highly seeked trout fishing destinations in the world.

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The Fisherman’s Lodge

If you are looking for a relaxing getaway with southern hospitatlity and ambiance, the Fisherman’s Lodge is meant to please. This great destination in the Ozark Mountains, is the perfect place to come enjoy time with your group and get away from the rat race we so often find ourselves in. Whether you want to spend time with just a select few of you or be it a family reunion, corporate retreat or wedding, The Fishermans Lodge has all of your…

If you are looking for a relaxing getaway with southern hospitatlity and ambiance, the Fisherman’s Lodge is meant to please. This great destination in the Ozark Mountains, is the perfect place to come enjoy time with your group and get away from the rat race we so often find ourselves in. Whether you want to spend time with just a select few of you or be it a family reunion, corporate retreat or wedding, The Fishermans Lodge has all of your needs covered. Come get away with us and let us show you how to catch big fish and even bigger smiles!

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Big Trout

Quote from David Capps trout fishing guide of 35 years – “Big Trophy Trout live in White River awaiting your hook and line, all you have to do is get here, be patient and spend some time.” DC. If you hook the trout of a life time you will never forget the thrill of the fight, the anticipation of if you are going to get it in the net before it gets off your hook, or the satisfaction of knowing that you released the trophy trout back …

Quote from David Capps trout fishing guide of 35 years – “Big Trophy Trout live in White River awaiting your hook and line, all you have to do is get here, be patient and spend some time.” DC.

If you hook the trout of a life time you will never forget the thrill of the fight, the anticipation of if you are going to get it in the net before it gets off your hook, or the satisfaction of knowing that you released the trophy trout back into the river to continue on with its life..and maybe give someone else the opportunity to have the same thrill of a great catch and release.

Here are some photos of folks who caught a trophy trout while fishing with us!

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Pike Room

Rates- If your group has two people, our Pike Room will be perfect for you. Take a look on our Lodging Page for more information. Rates are for 2 people – $150.00 per night plus 9.5% tax

Rates –

If your group has two people, our Pike Room will be perfect for you. Take a look on our Lodging Page for more information. Rates are per night plus 9.5% tax.

  • 2 people – $150.00 per night

Reservation & Cancellation Policies

For All Reservations: The unique nature of our Lodge requires a very stringent cancellation policy. Within 10 days of booking, we require 50% of your reservation cost as a down payment. The remaining balance for your reservation is due and payable 30 days prior to your reservations arrival date. The down payment will be refundeded in full if notice of cancellation is received 30 days prior to the reservation arrival date. …

For All Reservations:The unique nature of our Lodge requires a very stringent cancellation policy.

  • Within 10 days of booking, we require 50% of your reservation cost as a down payment.
  • The remaining balance for your reservation is due and payable 30 days prior to your reservations arrival date.
  • The down payment will be refundeded in full if notice of cancellation is received 30 days prior to the reservation arrival date.
  • Refund of a reservation down payment for lodging, meals or guides reserved, with a notice of less than 30 days cancellation prior to the first day of your reservation(arrival date)date, will be extended only if the reserved lodging, meals or guides can be rented or reserved to another customer on those same dates. There can be no exceptions to this policy, regardless of the circumstances.