Regular Season Rates

2024 rates March 1st through October 31
Full Lodge Rental – $1,265.00 per night – 2 night minimum on all lodge rentals taken for this time. Up to 20 people may stay at this price. Eight additional beds available for conference room if needed at $40 per bed/night. additional charge.

2024 rates

March 1st through October 31

Full Lodge Rental – $1,265.00 per night

2 night minimum on all lodge rentals taken for this time. Up to 20 people may stay at this price. Eight additional beds available for conference room if needed at $40 per bed/night. additional charge.

2024 Rates

Group Spin Fishing Package

Based on Minimum of 12 to Maximum of 20 people.

2 days guided trout fishing on the scenic White River provided by Capps Guide Service, Inc.

3 nights lodging in our modern Lodge.

Arrival – afternoon/evening of the day before your fishing trip get your evening meal.

Fishing License and Trout Permits Must Be Purchased ahead of time and are not included in the price of the package, the licenses and permits can be purchased at any Walmart in the State of Arkansas or by going online to the Arkansas Game & Fish Commissions website at www.agfc.com and select buy a license online.

Non Residents will need to purchase the 3 day(shortest term)fishing license and trout permit at a current cost of $36.00 per person total. If fishing more than 3 days a 7 day Non Resident or Annual Fishing License is available

1st Day – Breakfast at 6:30am. Fishing starts with Capps Guide Service, Inc. at 7:30am until your super shore lunch on the river bank from 11:30 to 12:30, then fish until 3:30pm. Supper with the works is served at about 7pm.

2nd Day – Breakfast at 6:30am, fishing starts at 7:30am with Capps Guide Service, Inc. Another
premium shore lunch from 11:30 to 12:30, then fish until 3:30pm. A T-Bone supper – there is no better! – served at about 7pm. Relax with friends and watch the sunset on our wrap-around deck.

3rd Day – The morning that should never come – (nobody wants to leave) –
breakfast of coffee, juice, fruit, pastries, good-byes for all. You’ll
leave with some of the best fishing memories of your life – with fresh
trout to boot!

Costs Per Person – Based on minimum of 12 to maximum of 20 people.

Lodging, Meals – The cost per person for lodging, meals, is $650.00 each based on 12 to 20 people. Price includes all taxes, lodging, breakfasts, shore lunches, and suppers, conference room.

Guided Fishing Costs – The cost per person is $475.00 based on 12 to 22 people. Price includes fishing guide, boat and fuel, tackle, and bait. Guides provided by Capps Guide Service, Inc.

Spin Fishing Group Trip Total Cost per person is $1,125.00

*Group Fly Fishing Package

*Fly Fishing Package is $1,245.00 per person and includes everything in the above package except Fly Rods and Reels. All flys, tippet material and leaders are provided.

Fishing License and Trout Permits Must Be Purchased Prior to your Arrival. License and Trout Permits are available online at the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission website at www.agfc.com then select Buy License Online.

2024 Rates

Guides Provided by Capps Guide Service Inc.

Single Day Spin Fishing Trips*
Live Bait or Artificial Bait

Trip 1-2 People 3 People
Options per boat per boat
Deluxe Full Day $475 $575
Super Deluxe Full Day $530 $675
Half Day
(7:30am to 12 Noon)
$375 $475

*Prices do not include fishing license or trout stamp. Guides provided by Capps Guide Service, Inc.

Deluxe full day includes Box Lunch, Rods, Reels, Baits, Soft Drinks, Bottled Water, Guide, Boat, and Fuel.

Super Deluxe Full Day includes Catered Shore Lunch, Rods, Reels, Soft Drinks, Bottled Water, Guide, Boat, and Fuel

Single Day Fly Fishing Fishing Trips*

Trip 1-2 People 3 People
Options per boat per boat
Full Day
(7:30am to 3:30pm
$525 $600
Half Day
(7:30am to 11:30am)
$450 $525

*Prices do not include fishing license or trout stamp. All guides provided by Capps Guide Service, Inc. Price includes lunch on full day trips, fly rods and reels, fly’s, leader and tippet material.

2024 Lodge Rental – Non Package Rates**

Upstairs Bedrooms Per Night

All upstairs bedrooms have a private deck entrance, a full private bathroom, ceiling fan, and access to the kitchen and great room.

1 bedroom

  • $185

2 bedrooms

  • $370

3 bedrooms

  • $555

4 bedrooms

  • $740

5 bedrooms

  • $925

6 bedrooms

  • $1,100

7 bedrooms

  • $1,230

Conference Room Only per day – $500

Great Room Only per day – $660

Boats we use

Our fiberglass river boats are built locally and designed for fishing area rivers and streams. Our boats are powered by outbord engines from 15 hp. to 30 hp. and with comfortable seating your days fishing will be a pleasure. Our boats are 20′ to 21′ in length and 42″ to 48″ wide in the stern. Supreme/Shawnee Boat Company is the areas leader in Fiberglass River Boat construction, saftey, stability and comfort for your fishing adventure on the Whi …

Our fiberglass river boats are built locally and designed for fishing area rivers and streams. Our boats are powered by outbord engines from 15 hp. to 30 hp. and with comfortable seating your days fishing will be a pleasure.

Our boats are 20′ to 21′ in length and 42″ to 48″ wide in the stern. Supreme/Shawnee Boat Company is the areas leader in Fiberglass River Boat construction, saftey, stability and comfort for your fishing adventure on the White river!

History of the “Jon Boat”

The original boats that were used for guided fishing trips on the White River were constructed of wood and were used primarlly for guided small mouth bass fishing trips on the White.

After the Bull Shoals Dam was completed and trout were stocked in the White, these same boats were used to conduct guided trout fishing trips.

Years later the boats were constructed using fiberglass in place of wood. Most of the boats used for guided fishing trips were quite narrow though, around 32 to 34 inches at their widest point at the back of the boat and 20 feet in length.

In the early years there were several variations of the fiberglass “Jon” boats produced locally, from both boat manufacturers as well as home built boats. These boats were work boats that were basically a fiberglass shell covered in Gelcoat.

The modern fiberglass boats built today by Shawnee/Supreme Boat CO. in Mountain Home, AR. are very different from the old days of the “Jon Boat” They offer added width, aesthetics, live wells, dry storage, running lights, bildge pumps and very comfortable seating for our quests.

Your Fishing Trip Options

1. Fast Action Fishing Trip What Makes It “Fast”? – We call it “fast” because you’ll catch several rainbows per hour. That’s a lot of fishing action in a day compared to a trophy trip where you’ll typically catch only a few trout. These rainbows and smaller browns will be from 3/4 of a pound to about two pounds, and will be from 12 to 18 inches long. It is not unusual to catch 50 of these in a day. How Big …

1. Fast Action Fishing Trip

What Makes It “Fast”? – We call it “fast” because you’ll catch several rainbows per hour. That’s a lot of fishing action in a day compared to a trophy trip where you’ll typically catch only a few trout. These rainbows and smaller browns will be from 3/4 of a pound to about two pounds, and will be from 12 to 18 inches long. It is not unusual to catch 50 of these in a day.

How Big Do They Get? – Any trout weighing four or more pounds is considered a trophy. But several trout per year are caught which will weigh far more than four pounds. The current Arkansas Record brown trout, which is also the past world record is 40 pounds, 4 oz. This huge Arkansas trout was caught on the Little Red River and was the world record for many years. Two other brown trout that were slightly less than this 40 pound 4 oz. monster were both caught in the North Fork River where we frequently fish. The largest rainbow trout caught and recorded in the White River 19 pounds, and the largest cutthroat topped the scales 9 pounds. The largest brook trout was 5 pounds and was caught in the North Fork River.

The “Monster Brown Trout” in the picture to the right was caught on June, 11th. 2012 and went 32.65 lbs. To see the release of this Monster Brown Trout click on this link.

2. Trophy Fishing Trip

What Does It Take? – Catching a trophy trout is hard work. Compaired to our Fast Action fishing trips, the number of fish you will catch on a trophy trout fishing trip will be lower. In fact you may go several hours without a bite at all. Big trout are smart and wary. Therefore, it takes incredible patience to catch one of these big guys by means other than pure luck. We don’t recommend trophy fishing for anyone other than those who are very serious about catching a huge trout. But if that is what you want, we’re behind you 100 percent! All of our guides have caught their share of monsters so they know how to do it. To see the fishing video of the 28 inch trout being caught in the picture to the right, just click on the link.

Switching -Some of our guests like to fish for both trophies and typical trout in the same trip. This is hard to do and can result in lower fish catches. However, if you wish, we’ll be glad to give it a try as it can produce some very nice fish. Just let us know ahead of time so we can prepare your boat for both Trophy and Fast Action fishing.

David’s Career

I have been a professional trout fishing guide on area rivers for over 40 years, and started my guiding career in 1978. After many years of guiding for area resorts, in 1993 I opened Capps Guide Service Inc. and in 2003 we opened The Fisherman’s Lodge. I look forward to helping you plan your event, be it a large Corporate outing, or a small family group, we are here to guarantee you a WHOPPER OF A GOOD TIME! Places …

I have been a professional trout fishing guide on area rivers for over 40 years, and started my guiding career in 1978. After many years of guiding for area resorts, in 1993 I opened Capps Guide Service Inc. and in 2003 we opened The Fisherman’s Lodge.

I look forward to helping you plan your event, be it a large Corporate outing, or a small family group, we are here to guarantee you a WHOPPER OF A GOOD TIME!

Places David Capps Has Fished

  • Your Host: David Capps
  • Pro Trout Guide 40+ years on Arkansas’s White River, Cotter, AR.
  • Certified Coast Guard 6 Pack Captain License:
  • Has guided in Arkansas and Alaska and fished Cabo San Lucas Mexico, Florida, Great Lakes, Wyoming, Idaho, California, Oregon, Washington, Missouri, Mississippi and Oklahoma

Kids Corner

Taking Children Fishing Every year we have many families that bring their sons and daughters fishing with us. Over the years we have watched many of these children grow from little guys from around five years old to adults since their first time fishing with us. These are great memories to make and we feel very privileged to be fortunate to have been included in this process of helping make memories for a family that will last a lifetime! &nb …

Taking Children Fishing

Every year we have many families that bring their sons and daughters fishing with us. Over the years we have watched many of these children grow from little guys from around five years old to adults since their first time fishing with us. These are great memories to make and we feel very privileged to be fortunate to have been included in this process of helping make memories for a family that will last a lifetime!

Best Months to Bring the Kids

If your child is under the age of 10 years old we reccomend planning your family outing to the White River between the months of April and October to taking advantage of warmer tempertures of that time of year. Although, we have several youngsters under 10 that have fished with us during the months of November through March and really enjoyed the fishing in spite of the colder temps we can have during those months.

The Kids Fishing Guide

We have children and grandchildren of our own and enjoy taking them fishing when we have a day from running the lodge. Your guide will be patient as he teaches your young one to fish for trout. Often, these trips, will brighten any kids smile as the experience itself of being on a beautiful river and catching fish will make a lifelong impression for any youngster. We love to talk to the kids and teach them about trout fishing and our job is to keep plenty of fish hooked up on the end of their fishing poles.

The Kids Fishing Guide

We have children and grandchildren of our own and enjoy taking them fishing when we have a day from running the lodge. Your guide will be patient as he teaches your young one to fish for trout. Often, these trips, will brighten any kids smile as the experience itself of being on a beautiful river and catching fish will make a lifelong impression for any youngster. We love to talk to the kids and teach them about trout fishing and our job is to keep plenty of fish hooked up on the end of their fishing poles.

Life Jackets

All children under the age of 12 must wear a life jacket while they in the boats, this is a state law and must be observed. Your guide will provide the appropriate size life jacket for your child or you are welcome to bring your own.

Fishing License and Trout Permits

Children under 16 years of age are not required to purchase a fishing license or trout permit, they are however allowed to keep a legal limit of trout from their days catch

Fishing Rod and Reel

Your guide will provide the rod and reel for your child to use and even teach and assist in learning how to cast if the child needs help with this. Again, we have kids to and want them to have the best experience possible while fishing with us.

Sunscreen/Sunglasses/Raingear

Please bring your childs sunscreen, sunglass and raingear from home as your guide does not provide those items for your child. Sunscreen is needed and sunglasses are advised as the glare off the water can be severe during the bright sunny days here in Arkansas. Rain gear that fits is a plus for your child just in case it decides to rain while you are out fishing.

Camera

Please bring your camera as you do not want to miss out on the opportunity to take that picture of your childs first or largest trout. Your guide will help your child hold the fish if needed, so you can take that memory making photo. Our guides are also used to taking pictures of our fisherman with their customers camera, just ask!

Capps Guide Service Inc.

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 35 actual years of guiding trout fisherman on Arkansas’s White River. David Capps will help insure the fishing trip of your dreams for you and your party. Float along, on the river, and allow the tranquility … …

BOOK YOUR TRIP WITH CAPPS GUIDE SERVICE

Click Here

The Pike Room

Our 7th sleeping room at the Lodge is located on the lower level at the back of the Lodge and is perfect for 2 to 4 people. The “Pike room” has a pull out sleeper sofa and one set of bunk beds along with its own private bathroom. Also included with the Pike Room are a microwave, coffee pot, coffee, room refrigerator, sitting table, electric skillet, electric oven, satellite television and large washed concrete patio complete with a charcoal grill …

Our 7th sleeping room at the Lodge is located on the lower level at the back of the Lodge and is perfect for 2 to 4 people. The “Pike room” has a pull out sleeper sofa and one set of bunk beds along with its own private bathroom. Also included with the Pike Room are a microwave, coffee pot, coffee, room refrigerator, sitting table, electric skillet, electric oven, satellite television and large washed concrete patio complete with a charcoal grill and picnic table. This room can be rented separately from the rest of the Lodge and works well for a smaller group or family.

Food and Dining – Self Cook or we can provide

Self Cook your meals in our fully equipped Kitchen or just relax during your stay and we will provide meals and the kitchen clean up for you! Shore Lunches Our shore lunches feed you well without taking you off the water for more than an hour. David Capps and Capps Guide Service provides incredible shore lunches that include an appetizer like BLT sandwiches, your fresh trout fried in traditional corn meal batter, fried chicken o …

Self Cook your meals in our fully equipped Kitchen or just relax during your stay and we will provide meals and the kitchen clean up for you!

Shore Lunches

Our shore lunches feed you well without taking you off the water for more than an hour. David Capps and Capps Guide Service provides incredible shore lunches that include an appetizer like BLT sandwiches, your fresh trout fried in traditional corn meal batter, fried chicken or pork loin, fried potatoes and hot side dishes like special BBQ beans, green beans or mashed potatoes And of course, as always, it’s all served up with a heaping helping of Southern Hospitality!

Frying your morning’s catch all by the time you reach shore lunch camp at noon, our cook has everything ready for your lunch except your trout. Your guides bring up the number of trout you would like to eat from your morning’s catch and our cook fries the fantastic tasting fish for you. (Please remember that any trout you eat at the shore lunch will be deducted from your daily limit of 5 trout as this is the law in Arkansas.)

We first coat the trout with our own recipe of old fashioned corn meal batter, fry them up and then sit back and watch everyone smile from ear to ear. The first pan of trout does not take long to cook so once it is fried up, lunch is served and soon we will all be back on the water catching more to cook later if you desire!

As tasty and fun as shore lunches on the White River are, we definitely don’t want to short anybody fishing time. Getting back on the water after our hour shore lunch is usually the goal but if you like resting a bit longer we always will work with our guests. Please let us know if you have any special requests like this that differ from our standard schedule and we can work with you for sure.

Breakfast

Our breakfast menu is vast and sure to give you the energy you need to haul in big fish all day. Usually breakfast is served in The Great Room early in the morning if fishing is on the days agenda. If you would like to take something quick to eat with you and get on those fish a little earlier, we can accomodate you. Take a look at our breakfast menu link below, but we warn you, you might want to eat first before reading it, as its pretty hard to beat a Fisherman’s Lodge breakfast. What else would you expect from a name like the Fisherman’s Lodge?

Click here to see the Fisherman’s Lodge Breakfast Menu!

Dinner

One thing is for sure when you visit our lodge and stay with us, you will not go hungry. There really is an endless list of varieties of food that could accomodate your group. If you would like to cook on your own for your group, we have an incredible BBQ grill and a full kitchen to accomodate your plans.

Of course, you have at your disposal, our staff, who is no stranger to cooking for large groups. Dinners can consist of large cuts of prime steaks, pork chops, chicken, hot and cold side dishes, deserts, and beverages. Review our Menu when booking your reservation and let us know what your group would like and we’ll prepare it for your party. Let us know if anyone in your party has a special dietary need and we will make sure to make a note of it!

Usually, dinner is served in the Great Room with enough room to comfortably sit and feed 22 people. If the group is larger than this, then please don’t fret, as we have room enough to feed and accomodate up to 100 people in your party in other areas of the lodge.

If you do decide that you would rather relax on your vacation instead of slaving in the kitchen, then please let us take care of all of your eating needs. We feel that after you look over our dinner menu, you will see why so many leave the cooking up to us but please know we will take care of you either way you want to go!

Conference Center

When we planned the building the new Fisherman’s Lodge and Conference Center, we wanted to include space for our corporate customers who need to conduct business meetings while on their fishing trips or maybe we should say conduct some fishing with a little bit of business! We spoke with several of our corporate guests and asked them just what they needed. Most said they did not need anything elaborate, that keeping the cost down was mo…

When we planned the building the new Fisherman’s Lodge and Conference Center, we wanted to include space for our corporate customers who need to conduct business meetings while on their fishing trips or maybe we should say conduct some fishing with a little bit of business!

We spoke with several of our corporate guests and asked them just what they needed. Most said they did not need anything elaborate, that keeping the cost down was more important so we built a bright, cheerful room that is clean, modern, and comfortable. It has just what most said they needed without all the expensive extras.

Weddings

We host several weddings at our Lodge every year and the feedback from these newlyweds and the party involved is always positive. The Conference Center is a perfect for hosting weddings as out of town guests can stay the night at the Lodge in comfort while they are here for the big event.

We take great pride in helping you coordinate your event, no matter the occasion, and we will work extremely hard to have the facility set up exactly as you would like. From chairs, tables and seating arrangements to podiums, technology and theme decorations, The Fishermans Lodge caters to each parties unique needs.

Corporate Retreats

The Conference Center can seat up to 100 people depending on how you would like to arrange seating and tables. Several windows keep the conference room bright and cheerful, even without the abundant over-head lighting which illuminates any evening events you wish to hold.

We know its hard to hold a true corporate retreat and meetings without having the technology needed to conduct such events so we made sure to make that right from the get go. Wireless Internet is available throughout the lodge including the conference room. Let us know if there are other needs you might have such as setting up your projector and projector screens and we will help coordinate and recommend the best place to set these up for you.

Refreshments

Please let us know how we can help cater to you and your refreshment needs for your party. We will always have coffee and drinks available if you desire and we can make sure tasty food and snacks can accompany the drinks if you would like.

An ice machine room with a 3 compartment stainless steel sink and a 240lb. capacity ice machine makes refreshment serving convenient as it rests right off the main room. Two full bathrooms, one of which is handicap accessible, are also conveniently located just off the main room floor.

Family Reunions and Fishing Parties

Come get away and spend some time with your friends and family at The Fisherman’s Lodge. We promise to give you a little southern hospitality and get you away from the fast paced environment we all so often find ourselves in. You will not find a more relaxing environment than The Fisherman’s Lodge for your group or a better place to be together as a group! Your own private facility awaits you in Cotter, AR and we gaurantee to provide our guests with plenty of things to keep your group occupied and having fun.

The Fishermans Lodge is in the heart of the Ozarks and not far from any type of adventure you seek. From playing cards or sitting next to the campfire to getting out and about seeing the area attractions, you will find you have all you need once you arrive to our facility!

Lodging Accommodations

Entertainment Inside & out, The Fisherman’s Lodge works well for any event and can entertain up to approximately 100 people. The floor plan of the lodge flows well for various entertainment styles. The ground level of the Lodge has private double doors that lead into the conference room area and the patio just outside the doors can be used for dancing, display tables, outdoor meetings or large cook outs. The outside

Entertainment

Inside & out, The Fisherman’s Lodge works well for any event and can entertain up to approximately 100 people. The floor plan of the lodge flows well for various entertainment styles. The ground level of the Lodge has private double doors that lead into the conference room area and the patio just outside the doors can be used for dancing, display tables, outdoor meetings or large cook outs.

The outside stairs lead up to the entrance of the Great Room where dining and all rooms reside while the second story balcony walk ways give you an additional private entrance to each of the 6 guest rooms. Our 7th guest room the “Pike Room” is downstairs.

Extending The Great Room

The glass entrance way leads into the front of the Great Room where all of your dining and relaxation takes place unless we have set up food for your group in the conference area. Many of our guests enjoy eating and playing cards on the second story deck just outside the great room while comfortable relaxation awaits inside.

The two stairways allow easy flow from the downstairs conference room and outside patio to any of the facilities including your rooms. Guests can also access mostly any of the area by using the side walkways outside their rooms.

Sunset Views

The Fisherman’s Lodge rests in what was the river bottom millions of years ago. This flat bottomland, laying at the foot of the Ozark Uplands, stretches for over a mile, then meets the low rounded ridges of the Ozark Plateau. The White River is about 1/4 of a mile away and if you enjoy sunsets, this deck is the place to be any time of year!

Cook Meals Yourself Or Have Them Catered

You can grill steaks, chops, burgers, or kabobs for a large group with our top of the line indirect heat BBQ rig. It’s conveniently located on the second story back deck just outside the kitchen door and provides a great opportunity to impress your own guests with your grilling ability! Guests can form a buffet line going either way past the grill, then proceed out to the main deck without going inside or they can walk right into the dining room.

We also can provide food service to you during your stay at our Lodge if you would rather us take care of this for you. Shore lunches on the river bank during the days fishing is always a sure bet coupled with full breakfasts and great dinners, your choices are plenty. If you would like to cook for yourselves or let us do all the work, let us know, and we’ll help you plan

See The Fishermans Lodge Menu Here!

The Great Room

The floor plan grants a sensible flow from kitchen to dining table. The large island holds several large serving pans for buffet service while the wet bar keeps beverage service away from the food, reducing line congestion and granting guest convenience. Doors are positioned along the walls of the great room for bedroom entrances or you could keep those locked and enter your rooms from the balcony walkway. Part of true Southern Hospitality is having enough room at the table for all the guests and the grand room allows enough room to seat 22 people.

Kitchen appliances include a dishwasher, refrigerator, microwave, large drip coffee maker, full size electric range and oven. If your group wishes to stock up with groceries and cook their own meals, you are welcome to do so. The kitchen is all yours! There’s a full set of cookware, utensils, and tableware for up to 22 persons.

Sure, there is a lot to do on a vacation when you visit The Fishermans Lodge! One of the most popular activities we see guests enjoying after hours is reading or having fun with your party! After all, you’re relaxed, we hope! We can’t think of a better place than the lodge to catch up on your reading or engaging in conversation with friends. Our deck and the peaceful surroundings the Ozarks provides is always a popular place our guests like to enjoy.

The Guest Rooms

The Fisherman’s Lodge has seven separate bedrooms. Six of these bedrooms are located on the upper level of the Lodge and include one pine log frame Queen bed and two additional beds, a ceiling fan, private deck entrance, and a full private bathroom, along with access to the Great Room.

  • The Walleye Room is handicap accessible except for the shower. It has one queen bed and a set of twin bunk beds.
  • The Bass Room has a queen bed and two full beds.
  • The Rainbow Room has a queen bed, 1 full bed, and 1 twin bed.
  • The Brook Room has 1 queen bed and 2 full beds.
  • The Cutthroat Room has 1 queen bed, 1 full bed, and 1 twin bed.
  • The Brown Roomhas 1 queen bed, and 2 full beds.
  • The Pike Roomis our seventh bedroom and is located on the lower level of the Lodge. A large pull out sleeper and a set of bunk beds are included with this room along with television, microwave, coffee maker, room refrigerator, outside charcoal grill, electric skillet. Also included is a private bath room. This room is perfect for a group of three or four people that do not require the use of a full kitchen during their stay, but would possibly like to grill outside or have the ability to do some minor cooking of meals rather than dining out at a local restaurant.

See our Room Rates Here!

The Additional Back Deck

The ground level back deck is the service and storage area for the lodge, and the access point for the lift. The door you see on the second story leads into the kitchen. The wheel chair lift grants accessibility to the Upper level rear door and the Walleye Room which is next to the kitchen.

To See More of the Fishermans Lodge and Area Images, Click Here!