Anglers Choice

About

Anglers Choice is a well-established fly shop and guide service in Cotter, Arkansas, positioned directly on the banks of the White River at one of the most accessible and productive stretches of the tailwater. Cotter holds the distinction of being one of the first communities in the Ozarks to embrace trout fishing after Bull Shoals Dam transformed the White River from a warm-water fishery into a cold-water trout paradise in the 1950s, and Anglers Choice carries that tradition forward with a commitment to quality guiding and reliable tackle.

The shop floor is focused on the essentials of White River and North Fork fishing. The fly bins carry the full spectrum of tailwater patterns, from tiny midges and scuds that produce during low-water periods to larger streamers and woolly buggers that move fish when generation flows push trout into feeding lanes along the bank. The rod and reel selection emphasizes mid-weight setups that balance sensitivity with the backbone needed to control fish in strong current, and the wading department stocks sturdy boots and breathable waders built for the rocky, slippery substrates of the Ozark tailwaters. Guided trips are conducted primarily by drift boat, covering sections of the White River from Bull Shoals Dam downstream through Cotter and beyond. The guides have an intimate knowledge of how changing water levels affect fish positioning and feeding behavior, and they adjust their strategies throughout the day as generation schedules shift. The shop provides a straightforward, no-nonsense approach to tailwater fly fishing that visiting anglers appreciate, and the competitive pricing on both retail goods and guide services makes quality fishing accessible to a wide range of budgets.

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