Why Arkansas?
In 1978, Tom Schmuecker decided it was time to move his business from Iowa to a location with lower costs and better fishing. With the United States map in hand, Tom searched for the section of the country that offered the most fishing opportunities within a small area.After much study, he placed a coffee cup on the map, took out a pen, and traced the outside rim of the cup. Mountain Home, Arkansas and the Ozark Mountains, sat conveniently in the center of the circle.
After visiting Mountain Home, Tom was impressed with the developing community and its hospitality. Once he experienced the fishing, he was hooked (pardon the pun). Soon afterwards he moved his family, and business, to Mountain Home, Arkansas.
The finest tail-water trout fisheries in the United States
Within driving distance from Mountain Home are some of the finest tailwater trout fisheries in the United States. Brown trout, Rainbow trout, Cutthroat trout, and Brook trout all inhabit our waters. The White River, North Fork River, and Little Red River have produced many 20 to 30lb trout and have been home to the last 4 all-tackle world record Brown trout!The White River
The White River is a huge (50 - 300 yards wide) tail-water fishery supported by cold water releases from Bull Shoals dam. Completed in 1951, it has developed into a world class, blue ribbon trout fishery for rainbow, cutthroat and brown trout.The water releases from Bull Shoals dam are so cold, and the aquatic life is so rich, that the river supports trout for more than 90 river miles. Each year numerous trout over 20lbs are caught in the river. As far as we know, there is no other fishery in the United States where you can take a continuous 4-day float trip and fish for rainbow, cutthroat, and brown trout each day. The White River is truly a beautiful river full of endless trout fishing opportunities.
The North Fork of the White River
North Fork is a small (35 - 75 yards wide) tail-water fishery that is supported by cold water releases from Lake Norfork. Although the North Fork flows for only 5 miles before it joins the White River, it arguably offers probably the finest 5 miles of trout fishing for rainbow, cutthroat, brook, and brown trout in the United States. In 1988 an angler set the all tackle world record for Brown trout with a 38lb. 9 oz trout caught in the North Fork. Interestingly, that same week, another angler landed a 34lb. 8oz brown.The North Fork isn't just a fishery for big fish, it can be a technical fishery too - often requiring anglers to fish tiny flies on light tippets.
The Little Red River
The Little Red River is one of the most popular fishing and floating streams in Arkansas. A tail-water fishery formed by water releases out of Greer's Ferry Lake, the Little Red flows offers over 50 miles of trout fishing water. In 1992, the Little Red made the news when Howard "Rip" Collins caught the current all tackle world record brown trout weighing in at 40 lb. 4 oz. Like the White and North Fork rivers, the Little Red is a diverse fishery with abundant aquatic life, and big trout.Great Warm Water Fishing
In addition to trout, Arkansas' lakes and rivers offer opportunity for over 20 species of game fish. Bull Shoals, Greers Ferry, and Lake Norfork are very familiar names to avid bass fishermen while the Buffalo River and Crooked Creek each carry a reputation as being among the top smallmouth bass rivers in the United States.Once you visit the Mountain Home area you'll quickly understand why Tom relocated his business to Arkansas.