Gov. Herbert Hadley and party on a White River float trip in 1909.
(photo from Milton Rafferty's book "The Ozarks - Land & Life".)

A Trip with Famous Floats Is More Than Great Trout Fishing
It Is Living A 100 Year Old Tradition!

Q. Why Have Float Trips Been Popular For Over 100 Years?
A. This is a very good question considering that float fishing is one of America's oldest tourist attractions! Float fishing is not a singular event, it is an experience resulting from a combination of several elements. Float fishing trips are made fun by a combination of fast trout fishing action, a beautiful river with great scenery, wonderful food, history, and top quality guides. It is hard to pin down one element because each person finds something special that is different from what others find special.

Being outdoors on the White River, watching scenery and nature without having to huff and puff down hiking trails is what some like. Imagine seeing 50 miles of nature sitting in a comfortable padded chair the whole time! Still others want the thrill of feeling so many trout hammer their bait. Everyone enjoys the historical aspects. Children love the idea of pretending to be a coon-skin capped explorer, or an Indian scout. Adults love to ponder the age of the hills and bluffs. Many enjoy the shore lunch experience that is not available in any restaurant.

For our groups and corporate outings, it is the special time together, the comradery. It is the laughs from all the friendly teasing and banter they share in a way that does not happen over the conference room table. At the end of the day people may not be able to say exactly what it was, but they sure know they had fun. That is why more and more people take our over-night float trips. They want to extend that fun! Add to the daytime fun friends around a campfire, more fantastic meals, the peaceful Ozark nights, and it gets no better.

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Q. What Makes Famous Floats Famous?
A. Actually many things. But if we had to pin it down to just a few, it would be our ability to put you on lots of fish, our great food, and 30-plus years of practicing the traditions of the historic White River fishing float trip. We are also famous for our traditional style over-night camping trips, which many find to be a fun alternative to regular camping. Just what these traditions are, and why they are so much fun, are explained below. See why generation after generation wants this memorable fishing experience! To understand more about over-night camping float trips visit our over-night float trip page.

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Q. What Is An "Historic" Float Trip?
A. Commercial guided float fishing in the Ozarks began shortly after the civil war, roughly around 1868. The first White River float trips, which began around 1899, took their heritage from these earlier floats. Because of the remoteness of the Ozarks, the float trip was an event only for the wealthy. The   old timers fished the White River way before outboard motors were invented. They simply "put in" upstream, then "floated" downstream with the current in their wooden John boats, fishing as they went. Because they went long distances rather than just a few miles, it was called a "trip". The wooden boat was rowed or poled through the slow, shallow shoals. In most cases the boat and passengers returned to upstream start points by train or horse-drawn wagons. There were no roads to speak of.

Though now made of fiberglass and powered by outboard motors, the flat-bottomed John Boat is still the choice of professional guides. Today's motors allow John Boats to swiftly run upstream. Yet most of the fishing is still done while in a "motor off" drift, just like 100 years ago.

Float trips can be day trips, evening trips, or over-night trips. Both day and evening trips can be either 3 hour or 6 hour trips. An over-night trip can be from one to several nights. Many of our clients want to extend the fun they have on our day trips so they take an extended over-night trip. For more details visit our over-night camping float trips page.

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Q. What is a "John Boat" ?
A. Between deep fishing holes the White River has many shallow spots called "shoals". A boat with a long, flat bottom and a shallow draft floats over the shoals with ease. Since the White River has a smooth current instead of white water rapids (the "white" in the name refers to clear water), a boat does not need high sides, which makes for easier fishing. Thus a long, flat-bottomed boat with low sides was designed just for fishing Ozark streams, and it was simply called a "John Boat". It most likely was named for some old timer who first came up with the idea. His friends most likely said they wanted one of "John's boats".

Q. What Are Famous Float's Custom John Boats ?
A. Conducting float trips since 1966 lead Famous Floats owner Ralph Chatalain to design his own boats. Our custom-made johnboats are the largest, roomiest, and therefore the most comfortable commercial John Boats on the White River. Unlike regular John Boats which sensibly accommodate three persons plus the guide, Ralph's John Boats hold up to seven persons, plus the guide. This not only allows several friends to fish together in the same boat, but also cuts down the cost of the trip as fewer boats and guides are needed. Of course, unlike the Old Timer's boats, ours are not powered by just the current and oars! We use outboard motors to control drift, to maneuver, and otherwise navigate the river. Our guides are skilled river pilots who make driving a John boat look easy! Famous Floats boats are replaced brand new every two years.

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There's a lot of room - in our boats and on the river!

Q. What Is The White River Scenery Like?
A. This is a relaxing, yet thrilling experience. Floating the White River is a gentle ride, not  a hang-on-for-your-life white water roller coaster run. Indeed, the very name "float trip" suggests the true tranquility of the ride. In between trout catches, your daydreams, lulled into action by the beauty of the White River, can put you in a float boat of 100 years ago. This little drift of "time travel" is one of the traditions so many enjoy on our White River float trips.

You'll see many of the same sights Native Americans, early explorers, and the first tourists to the area witnessed. You'll see the historic White River Railway, once a major force in the Ozarks. You'll enjoy oak forests, 500 million year old limestone bluffs, wildlife, wildflowers, and peaceful clear water.  You will also see cows grazing in riverside pastures, some beautiful river homes, resorts, and some railroad history.You'll take in as many visual wonders as you do trout!

If you take an over-night camping float trip you'll enjoy a whole new world - the Ozark evenings. You'll see more stars than you thought possible, hear owls, singing crickets, and marvel at the unique fragrance of the Ozark forest that drifts into camp only at night. Friends around a campfire on a quiet river bank keeps your mind far away from the rat race.

Q. What About Personal Comfort On Board?
A. There are plenty of sodas, ice, and water in the cooler of every Famous Floats boat. At noon we pull ashore for lunch, which takes an hour, then head back out for more trout fishing. You are welcome to bring snacks. There are restrooms we can stop at during the trip. If you are on an over-night trip there are rest facilities at the campground. Showers are available at some campgrounds.

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Q. What Kind of Experience Does A Float Trip Require?
A. None! Something as wonderful as a White River float trip should not be limited to just avid sportsmen. At Famous Floats our guides are as comfortable with children, families, friends, church groups, and seniors as they are with corporate groups or the highly experienced pro fishing for trophy browns. Tradition would have it no other way!

Whether it is you and a couple of friends, your family, a church group, a corporate outing, you are welcome at Famous Floats. It makes no difference if you are an expert fisher, or have never cast a line. Beginner or expert, individuals, families, or a large group, we love seeing you have a grand time on the river. We provide all gear and tackle for both day float trips and over-night float camping trips.

If you are an experienced fisher and want to pursue the Big Ones, just let us know in advance. Trophy fishing is a whole different game, and our guides have put many of our customers on the big ones over the last 30-plus years.

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even in rugged wilderness we get you ashore with dry feet!

About White River Trout Fishing

Q. What Kind Of Fish Do We Catch, What Size, and How Many?
A. You fish for trout as you drift with the current. Your guide drives the boat and helps with tackle, baiting hooks, and netting fish. Catching 70 to 100 legal-sized trout in a day is common so the fishing action is fast. The White River has four trout species - brown, rainbow, cutthroat, and brook. On a typical day you can expect to catch from 70 to 100 rainbow trout from 14 to 18 inches in length. Rainbow weighing from 2 to 6 pounds are frequently caught. Browns range in size from a pound to as much as 25 pounds. Any brown over four pounds is considered a trophy, and we see several hundred caught each year. Cutthroat typically weigh from a pound to six pounds. Brook trout, the smallest but prettiest of the trout, will typically be from a half-pound to two pounds. The State record brook trout is currently a little over four pounds.

Before the 1940's when Bull Shoals dam was built, the White River was not a trout fishery. The water was too warm for trout but smallmouth bass and other warm water species filled the river. The water coming from Bull Shoals Lake issues from the base of the dam where it has cooled to around 55 degrees, which is too cold for bass, but perfect for trout and the native foods they live on.

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Q. What About The Big Trout?
A. For those of you who relish the idea of catching big trout of four pounds or more, we do conduct special trophy trout fishing trips. Unlike our regular fishing trips where the goal is a lot of fish in a day, the trophy float uses the fishing strategies required for the Big Ones that results in fewer but bigger fish. Yet even on our regular float trips many of our guests catch big trout.

Q. What Is The Best Time Of Year To Come Fishing?
A. The really good news is that there is not a month in the year when big fish don't bite on the White River. Hot weather, cold weather, it makes little difference. The secret to the big fish catches is that big fish feed at night in moonlight. During the dark phases of the moon they must feed during daylight hours. If you want to catch a big one, plan your trip during a dark moon phase. Call us and tell us you want to go for the Big Ones and we'll give you a thrilling trophy trout trip!

For regular trout fishing July and August are excellent months, as are September and October. While over-night camping float trips are popular in most months except winter, October, April, and May have cool, clear weather which many find to be the most enjoyable time of the year to camp in the Ozarks.

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Q. What Are Fishing Conditions On The White River?
A. As with any other tailwater fishery, the White River has its challenges. While it is one of the best trout fisheries in the world, effective fishing methods change frequently. That is because Bull Shoals dam is used for hydrogenation. Water levels rise and fall almost daily, following on/off demands for electricity. Changing water levels are not usually hazardous to boating, but they change fish feeding patterns considerably.This makes an experienced guide essential to fishing success.

Your guide knows the right baits, the right way to fish those baits, and all the other lore required to catch trout regardless of water conditions. All of the guides working for Famous Floats have the experience needed for fishing success in any water condition. Guides not only know where the fish are in any given condition, they know how to keep you safe on the water. They take care of you in all the little ways so that all you do is have fun. They will give you as little, or as much, personal attention as you need. They will bait your hook, cast your line, coach you on how to bring in the fish, net it, and take it off the hook. To keep the fish or to release it is your choice.

Q. Long Or Short Trips - What is the difference?
A. Our longer day trips of up to 66 miles are normally taken by people who are as interested in scenic sights as they are fishing. To cover the longer floats we stop less often to fish in hot spots and just keep moving. You'll still catch many fish on a long float, but not as many as a shorter trip. Most of the people taking the longer scenic floats are those who have fished the White River before but want to see more of it. If you are unsure which you would prefer, we will be glad to discuss it in detail when you call. For those who want the best of both short and long trips, the answer is an over-night camping float trip. You cover as much distance as a long day trip, but fish at a slower pace catching more fish because the drift is spread over two or more days.

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Group Trips

Famous Floats has the river and land facilities groups need

Q. Does Famous Floats Take Large Groups on float trips?
A. Yes, we can effectively handle up to 100 persons, both on day floats and on over-night camping float trips. During the late 1890's and early 1900's corporate group float trips got their start with the area's mining, lumbering, and railroad companies. Guests and customers of these entities were entertained in grand style during their trips. For the most part float fishing in those days was a pastime of the well-to-do sportsman due to the cost of outfitting a trip. Corporations however, could easily afford the trips.

Ralph cooks up another 100 year old tradition at noon

Q. Traditional Shore Lunches vs. Box Lunches - What is the difference?
A. Here in the Ozarks we like to argue with the Canadians about who started the shore lunch. While both the Ozarks and the Canadian wilderness trips are famous for these noon-time river bank meals, it is hard to say for sure who started them. Regardless, the debates are a fascinating history lesson!

In reality the meal itself, while tasty, is pretty darn basic. All agree that what makes it taste so good is where you eat it. Maybe it is the song birds. Maybe it is the freshly scented breezes. Maybe it is the clouds, or even the scenic setting. Or maybe it is all the above. But something magical seasons the meal and elevates it from basic to exotic. And unlike so many other things human, it still has not lost its appeal after 100 years. You'll eat the same foods cooked the same way the old timers did it.

Both day float trips and overnight camp trip meal plans offer your choice of either a box lunch or the shore lunch cooked over an open wood fire. The box lunch is a tasty sandwich, chips, soda, and Little Debbie deserts. If you wish, you can bring your own lunch, and if you do, subtract $5 from the cost of your trip for each person who brings their own lunch. Shore lunches are only $9 per person.

The shore lunch presented by Famous Floats is nearly identical to the ones prepared 100 years ago. After a morning of fishing we beach the boats at pre-selected bank locations. Everyone brings up their boat chair to relax in as guides start the fire. It is not unusual for other Famous Float parties to come join us for lunch so you'll have a chance to meet people from all over America.

Within minutes you'll enjoy tasty onion rings and potato fries cooked in a huge iron skillet as the first course. While the rings and fries cook guides clean and batter your morning's catch in a corn meal recipe. While you enjoy the rings and fries your trout cook along with baked beans warmed beside the fire.

In the Old Days the bacon fat from the morning's breakfast was used to cook sliced potatoes and onion rings. Today we use vegetable oil instead of bacon fat, and we use gourmet grade potato fries instead of fresh-sliced spuds, but that is the only difference.

Along with your onions, fries, trout, and beans, you'll have soda or water, and Little Debbie cakes for desert. Of course, we season the main course with time-tested spices, but nothing too hot. If you have special dietary requirements, just let us know. Diabetic, Kosher, you name it, just let us know at the time you book your trip and it will be ready for you on the river bank!

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Q. What is an over-night camping float trip and why do people take them?
A. A 100 years ago most float trips were over-night trips because of the distance traveled, and because the Ozark interior was mostly unsettled. The Old Timers soon discovered that camping on the river was as much fun as fishing it. They played games, ate like royalty, bantered around campfires and enjoyed beautiful Ozark evenings. In the morning they ate another feast for breakfast, then headed out for more fishing. Over-night trips could be anywhere from one night to several nights depending on how far they wanted to travel. Today Famous Floats continues the tradition of the over-night float trip. For photos and details visit our over-night camping float trip page.

Please note! Famous Float trips are popular so we book up fast each year. Call us as far in advance as you can to reserve your trip.