James Smith, founder of River Ridge Inn
BELOW IS AN ARCHIVE OF JIM'S WRITINGS FROM FOUNDING WEBSITE:
Many of our visitors decide to hire a guide that will put them on fish, teach them new angling techniques, and take the work out of fishing. At River Ridge Inn, we think there is more to guiding than catching fish. Your guide needs to know that he or she is responsible for the welfare and safety of everyone under his guidance. This responsibility starts the minute the journey begins and does not end until you and your party are back at the Inn. In Arkansas, the requirement for becoming a "licensed guide" is to be able to come up with the $25 fees for the "license". There is no requirement for insurance coverage, no requirement for having first aid knowledge, and no requirement for knowing that before all else, safety comes first.Your host, Jim Smith, is a licensed U.S. Coast Guard Captain. He has been trained in the safe operation of vessels and the care and well being of the passengers that have hired him. He has completed extensive education in first aid including Current Aspects of Trauma and Cardiac Care. Years of experience, both inshore and offshore, give him the knowledge and training to assure that your safety will not be compromised. Our guides are required to carry liability insurance of their own. We are very particular about our selection of guides for our guests. We will not compromise the health and safety of our guests. We will not compromise the health and safety of our guests for the pleasure of catching fish. The photos of the Northern Pike were taken at Campbell Lake in upper Manitoba during May/June 2014. They were 47 3/4" and 48" and taken on a fly and released. Current records kept by the Manitoba Master Angler Listing puts them as the 2nd and 3rd largest Northern Pike caught and released on a fly to date. They were caught 30 minutes apart in the same location. You have got to try this you haven't. Breathtaking!!
The avid trout fisherman will already be aware of the awesome and legendary fishing that the cold waters of the North Fork and White River tailwaters have to offer. The beginner fly fisherperson only needs to read a few of the articles and should then become equally excited about planning their trip here. The North Fork of the White River was home to the world record Brown Trout 38 lbs. 9 oz. (six days later a 34 lb. 8 oz. Brown was caught in the same area) until it was beaten by a new, world record Brown (40 lbs. 4 oz.) caught on the Little Red River. The Little Red River is also part of the White River complex. Other record trout caught in the cold waters of the North Fork River include a 5 lb. 0 oz. Brook Trout. The tailwaters of the White River accounts for record-breaking state records for Rainbow Trout, 19 lbs. 1 oz. and the Cut Throat Trout, 9 lbs. 9 oz. Will you catch a new, world or state record trout on your visit with us? We sure hope so. Will you catch fish? Most definitely! Equally as important, you will have fished in one of the most relaxing environments one can find.
You will have fished on streams that have unparalleled natural beauty. The serenity and beauty of the clear water with riffles, shoals, and pools can only be surpassed by the majestic statue of the bluffs, cliffs, and caves that line the banks of the streams. Wildlife is abundant all along the banks of all the rivers. Eagles, deer, elk, black bear, mink, beaver, turkey, fox, waterfowl, and maybe even a Razorback are likely to cross your path while you meander down one of the streams.
All of this beauty and wonderment won't put more fish in your creel, but it will make those fish seem bigger than they actually are. If you plan on fishing the river complex by boat, plan on renting one, unless yours is a riverboat. Anything other than a shallow draft riverboat or canoe will be cause for going aground and making your outing more work than pleasure.
