Ep. 156 - Ben Levin - Mastering the White River Caddis Hatch: When & How to Catch Trophy Brown Trout

The White River in Arkansas has quietly become one of the premier caddis hatch destinations in the country. In this episode, fly fishing legend Ben Levin joins us for an in-depth, no-fluff masterclass on fishing the caddis hatch: how it works, why it’s exploding in popularity, and exactly how to fish it to catch both numbers and trophy browns.

Whether you’re new to fly fishing or a seasoned angler looking to master a specific hatch, this episode is a deep dive into the science, art, and strategy of fly fishing the spring caddis hatch on the White River. Ben’s experience and insight are unmatched, and his storytelling brings the Ozarks to life.

Book a trip with Ben: Fly South Adventures

Support for this episode

Vortex Optics - Industry leading scopes, rangefinders, and binoculars

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[00:00] Why Ben keeps coming back to the Ozarks after fishing around the world

[07:00] How the White River has evolved into a world-class trout fishery

[10:00] Understanding the caddis hatch: history, timing, and impact of minimum flow

[14:00] Why bug numbers exploded post-2011 and how it affects trout behavior

[19:00] How the caddis hatch rivals those in Montana and Colorado

[21:00] The full caddis lifecycle and when trout are most likely to feed

[28:00] Dry fly vs. pupa patterns: what works and when

[34:00] How to identify, imitate, and fish each stage of the hatch

[39:00] Best months and conditions to fish the caddis hatch

[42:00] Top fly patterns: The Sunday Special and buggy guide variations

[45:00] Where to find the most productive hatch zones on the river

[47:00] Strategy for targeting big brown trout during the hatch

[52:00] The 31-inch brown trout story that landed Ben in a MeatEater article

What is The Ozark Podcast?

In the Ozarks, people have always lived in rhythm with the natural world. Hunting, fishing, and living off the land, aren't just things we do, it's who we are. And though our lives are inextricably linked to the land we live on, we've never been more disconnected from it. So join us, as we travel across the region to bring you the voices of the Ozarks to deepen your connection with the land, sharpen your skills in the outdoors, and help you learn what it means to be an Ozarker.

Our hosts are Kyle Veit and Kyle Plunkett - and our producer is Daniel Matthews

Theme music: 'American Millionaire' by JD Clayton

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PLEASE reach out to us with any recommendations or inquiries: theozarkpodcast@gmail.com