As the only resort located on the world renowned “Rainbow Hole” you’ll find uncrowded access to one of the best fishing spots on the Bull Shoals tailwaters. Average trophy fish weigh in at 5-20 pounds with the exception of the 32 pound monster brown trout caught in January 2006 and a smaller 28 pound brown trout caught a couple years before. The deep waters of rainbow hole have always been one of the premier fishing spots on the White River not only for catching trophy’s but also the “pan frying size” best eating rainbow trout. Each month rainbow hole is stocked with thousands of rainbow trout. In fact, the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission uses our private launch ramp to stock the trout. These stocked rainbow trout average in size from 11- 14 inches and weigh in at 1-2 lbs. Each year the upper twenty miles of the White River is stocked with over a million rainbow, brown, cutthroat and brook trout. All this makes it easy to catch your limit. Our dock staff will happily give away free advice to ensure you catch fish……it’s not good for our business if you don’t!!
Rainbow Drive Resort and Campground is located 12 miles down stream from Bull Shoals Dam. When there is no generation from the dam, wading the shallow sections of rainbow hole is very productive. Wildcat Shoals is only 1/4 mile upriver from the resort if you like shoal fishing. When water is being released from the dam, it takes about 4 hours (on average) for the water to travel down river to rainbow hole. This gives anglers the opportunity to fish the best of both worlds – low and high water. Because water levels change daily on the White River, every day provides new places for the trout to move to and hide. To ensure you catch the trout you want, we always recommend hiring one of our first rate – top notch guides. Why fish with our guides? We guarantee you’ll catch trout! Guide services, both fly fishing and conventional spin fishing, are available. We are proud of our guides and confident with their abilities that they will help you catch more trout, bigger trout and have a great time.
Most of our guides have well over 20 years experience fishing the White and North Fork Rivers. In fact, guided trips on average catch 30 to 75 fish per day. To ensure action-packed trout fishing, our guides have the flexibility to fish where they think the hottest fishing is going to be that particular day. Many of our trips depart from our dock right here on Rainbow Hole because it is consistently such a great place to fish. Others will travel to different sections of the rivers to find the type of fishing you choose. Professionally guided fishing trips begin at 7:30 AM with hot coffee and fresh out-of-the-oven cinnamon rolls, muffins, or fresh baked breads. Your guide will meet you at the resort. This will give you time to discuss your fishing goals and then you’re off to catch those famous White River trout! A scrumptious, filling deli lunch, refreshment cooler, and thermos of coffee is provided with full day guided trips. (No lunch is provided on half day trips.) Old-fashioned shore lunches including fresh fried trout, hush puppies and all the fixins’ are also available.
When we reserve your guide, our professional office staff is able to match your skill level to the guide that will best meet your needs. Our guides are experts at fishing with young, first time anglers to the most experience pros. For your safety and protection, all guides are licensed through the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission and insured. For your convenience and to ensure your safety, all guided trips need to be reserved through our office. Should you choose to fish on your own, we have well maintained, fully outfitted fiberglass jon boats for rent at our covered dock. All boats are equipped with 3 or 4 padded swivel seats, anchors, drag chains, net, paddles and life jackets. 9.9 hp outboard motors with a full tank of gas are available for rent or you can bring your own. Our motors are in excellent working condition and start easily. To ensure you have a safe and productive fishing day, instructions on boat and motor operations will be given as well as safe boating lessons.
We will also point out the best fishing spots. When you’re done fishing at the end of the day, our friendly and helpful dock staff will gladly clean your fish or help you photograph and release any trophy trout you may have caught. Full Day Trips Include: 8 hours of fishing 1 scented bait per boat boat & motor guide Half Day Trips Include: 4 hours of fishing Canoeing is an inexpensive way to enjoy the scenic White River. We offer canoe float trips of 5 or 10 miles and you get to decide when and where you’ll be picked up. This way, you can fish while you float, stop along the way to relax and watch the wildlife or just take a break from life. Since safety is a priority, we recommend two adults per canoe for sufficient space for your gear and proper balance. With lower water flows, we will allow an adult with two smaller children or three small adults to share a canoe. When heavy generation is occurring on the White River, canoe trips will be postponed.