cotter trout dock guided trout fishing tours

We went fishing in the freezing cold of late December. The guides were amazing- Doug and Eric! Debbie treated us like family the minute we walked in. I look forward to going again next year.

If ever you need a time off and a positive attitude adjustment, get your fix on the White River from the worlds funniest and bestest guide, Wayne Miles, hosted by the greatest, Ron and Debbie, with the Cotter Trout Dock folks! Been coming for years and every time we go it just gets better. Wayne has so many jokes, the moment you get in the boat, it's non-stop laughter to the end! Always have the shore lunch, it's the best way to really feel the beauty of the White River. Wayne won't let you lift a finger, he is the guide extraordinaire!

I took my 5 year old son for first father and son fishing trip to the place were I caught my first fish. I used Doug as my guide. Doug is one of the best guides on this river. I have had others before and they don't stack up to Doug. Doug helped my son all day reel in the big fish and never lost his patience. My son has proclaimed today one of the best days of his life. Thanks Doug you made me look good.

This was the first time I had ever chartered or paid for a guide to do any type fishing. I was hesitant but a lot of reviews of the area in general and the Trout DockWe arrived in Cotter..very small curve in the river..I think it quaint, mid afternoon. After getting settled in at the Cotter Trout Lodge (see review) we strolled down the hill to the Park where the "swimming hole" boat launch, walk in river access and the Trout Dock are located.The "swimming hole" was clear and cool with water fed from the river. There were folks lounging and kids swinging non stop from the rope swing out over the water.We wandered into the Trout Dock Store and Offices ( very small cabin type building) and were met by the wife of the husband and wife owner team. She was so so nice and friendly. I made sure my arrangements were made for the next morning and all was in lace. We went ahead and got our licenses and she said she would just add them on to the next days charges. She lent me a rod and reel so I could go fish for a while that afternoon. I bought some bait and a lure and walked into the river and had a great couple of hours. Peaceful cool water.She told us our guide would be Wayne the next day.We arrived the next morning at 7 A.M. and were met by her and Wayne. We wasted no time getting to the boat and getting underway all the while she was taking tons of pictures of us everystep of the way.We met Wayne and off we went. withing 20 minutes we had settled on a a spot and had our first small trout within minutes.Wayne is very cordial and funny sort of reminded me of a cross between Bruce Durn and Henry Fonda and kept the conversation lively. He will not let a woman bait the hook nor cast the open face reels. He casts it perfectly and hands it to them to feel the tug, set the hook and reel them in. For the next three hours we fished and caught fish up and down the river. We landed at a peaceful little inlet and had the box lunch they supply. Wayne set up a portable table and the oat chairs and sliced some fresh tomatoes and onions and we had two sandwiches stuffed with sliced turkey and then two smaller sub rolls with bologna and salami, package of chips, package of cookies and drinks.After about 45 minutes we were back on the boat and moving down river once again catching fish.In the end we caught 102 trout mostly rainbow and a few cutthroat. Wayne skillfully collected the largest as we caught them and we ended up with the limit of 5 trout each for a total of 10 trout to take home. We fished right up to the last second where we were met downstream about 10 miles. Dylan the owners son met us and loaded the boat and we rode back to the dock which took about 25 minutes.Once at the dock we were given a very nice calendar with the photos she had take earlier on it. She had spent the time and photoshopped them into a nice memory thing. The bagged our fish and kept them in their freezer uintil we left the next morning.All in all it was a really good day, the price wasn't bad. I have done less for a whole lot more before.So for catching fish and just cruising the White River this is the place to go. The folks at the Trout Dock were extremely nice and I will be going back again.Just go and listen to the quietness of the river countryside with the river flowing around you, cliffs and woods around you and crystal clear water.Go to the Trout Docks/ They also rent boats and motors if you dont want a guide.

Fishing was fantastic for my boat. The other 2 boats that went with us didn't do so well. You can catch rainbow all day by the 100's. Browns are tougher. We had Dug (that is how he spelled it) as a guide and he was awesome. We caught 7 Brown trout since he had the right bait and knew what he was doing. The other boats, not so much. We did the camping, wish we would of stayed somewhere else. We didn't have young kids with us, but we had a teenager and two 20 year olds. The cooks and guides we very "authentic", Food was amazing, but they did not really care about their language or inappropriate jokes. Maybe they turn it down a notch if the crowd is younger. They also slept in the tents with us, thought that was kind of weird.Recommend for older, white, men on a business trip. No church groups. If you have kids, or any other ethnic person with you other than white, probably skip this one.

Our group has been fishing with CTD for over 10 years. Their service is top notch and their guides are the best on the river. We have always had a great experience and plan to keep coming back every year. We have fished with others and I can attest that you cannot do better than Cotter Trout Docks.

I have been using Cotter Trout Dock almost every year since about 1995. Debbie and Ron bought it about seven or eight years ago I think.Their level of service is without peer. They will bend over backwards for you to make sure that you get a good guide and you have a great experience with your family or friends.They make it fun and easy.The various resorts and cabins around the area will pressure you to book through them, but I would advise to stay where you want to stay, but book your own fishing guide through Ron and Debbie. We always have and will continue to do so no matter where we stay.

The trip was everything we hoped for and more. We caught lots of fish. Our guide Greg was very helpful and very knowlegable about the river and fishing techniques. Food was fabulous. Lonnie is an excellent cook. My grandson and I did the trip for his high school graduation. We would recommend highly and would do it again in a minute.

Thanks M.,We look forward to seeing you and your family return to the river! We appreciate your time in providing a review for us. Thanks!

Hey Jimmy, Finally get to say "Thank You" for taking time to write a review. You are so appreciated and we're glad we have been able to be part of your vacations for 30 years!! See you soon.

...We fished the mornings of 9/10 and 9/12 with Guide Wayne. He is obviously very experienced on the river and a Master of his trade. He's also very personable and fun to share a boat with. Landing more than 150 trout on the two mornings fishing only artificial lures was only part of the huge success of these trips.......seeing eagles, raccoons, great blue herons and other waterfowl and making new friends was just as enjoyable. This is a top shelf operation from the owners down, at a truly value price....cant wait to return...

Debbie and Ron run a top-class service. They are very friendly and accommodating. This was our 2nd trip in two years and both times we caught plenty of fish. We also did the shoreline lunch both times. Nothing beats fresh fish. I'm looking forward to our trip next year with Cotter Trout Docks.

This place really takes care of you, Debbie was so sweet and Wayne was such a great guide. Cannot wait to go back and fish with them again!

I've fished with the folks at Cotter Trout Dock several times and each time they make us feel like their most important guests. The guides do everything they can to make the trip enjoyable and are clearly knowledgeable on the fishing conditions. Ron & Debbie run a first class business.

My wife has wanted to learn to fly fish for a very long time. We scheduled this day trip and it exceeded our expectations. Our guide helped Jeanne learn to fly fish very quickly. She had trout in the boat even before I has my fly in the water. Our guide knew the river, where the trout liked to hang out, and consistently put us into good trout action. We took a break around noon and he fried up fresh trout, hush puppies, and fried potatoes and onions. What a refreshing break over a great shoreline lunch.Back onto the water again after lunch, and the action continued. Would I use the services of Cotter Trout Dock again for another trip? In a heartbeat.Thanks Debbie for a wonderful day and lifetime memory.