Fishing Adventures at PJ's Lodge

 

It was the fishing that first attracted Les and Julie to the White and North Fork rivers where there are unique opportunities to catch trophy sized trout. Early in the morning there is nothing more satisfying than catching German Brown, Cutthroat, Brook and Rainbow trout while watching the morning mist float gently above the surface of the water. There are a number of very experienced fly fishing guides and fly tackle shops in the area and we can help you in making all your arrangements to ensure a memorable fishing adventure.

 

The traditional White River float trip features a 20-foot jon boat slipping into the water in the early morning as the fog begins to lift and the trout start looking for breakfast.  At noon, the morning catch will provide the perfect lunch as you set-up on a gravel bar and partake of fresh trout, baked beans, onions and potatoes and  a salad.  Food never tastes better then when you eat outdoors!  By the end of the trip, you will be a veteran trout fisherman. 

 

Want to practice your casting?
PJ’s has a private fish pond waiting for you.  The over one-acre pond and its natural island provide learning challenges for both the novice and experienced fishermen alike. There are also a number of fly fishing guides and fly tackle shops in the area. 

 

Explore the Ozarks!

We may be well known for our fishing in the Ozarks but there are plenty of other things to do. You can enjoy beautiful scenic drives, hear music and see crafts first made a century ago, or ride an epic mountain bike trail and take a wild cave tour.

Explore the Ozarks!

 

 

 

 

Attractions near PJ's Lodge

 

Trails
A variety of trails can be found in the Arkansas Ozarks. Hiking and backpacking trails meander all through the mountains. Horse trails for those who bring their own horses plus outfitters that provide everything you need are also in the area.  The Buffalo National River, Leatherwood Wilderness, Sylamore Creek and Ozark National Forest are a few trail riding areas to choose from. Guests and their horses can enjoy the 50 acres of lodge grounds and river frontage for that early morning or evening trail ride. If mountain biking is your interest, then don’t miss the Syllamo Bike Trail near Mountain View. Only 40 trails across the nation currently hold the “Epic” status from the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) and Syllamo Trail is one of two in The Natural State. Information on all these trails are included in the Arkansas Adventure Guide.

 

 

Ozark Folk Center and Mountain View
The Ozark Folk Center State Park in nearby Mountain View is the only state park of its kind in the country as is perpetuates and preserves the Ozark Mountain way-of-life.  It features the music, dance and crafts of Ozark pioneers. In addition, you can learn the Ozark craft ways by taking part in one of the many classes offered at the park.  The town of Mountain View does its part in saving this heritage with free musicals every Saturday night on the Courthouse Square.
www.OzarkFolkCenter.com/ and www.YourPlaceintheMountains.com

 

 

Blanchard Springs Caverns
Located just north of Mountain View, these massive caverns were named the “cave find of the (20th) century when they were discovered in 1973.  Today there are three tours offered by the U.S. Forest Service who oversees the attraction.  The Dripstone is the least strenuous and can be accessed by those in wheelchairs if they have strong assistance.  The Discovery Trail is lengthy and has nearly 700 stairs.  The Wild Cave Tour, only for those who are physically fit, offers a view into the undeveloped area of the caverns. www.BlanchardCaveTours.com

Buffalo National River
Early American landscape artists such as Albert Bierstadt and Thomas Moran were the first to record the beauty of the Buffalo River. The pristine waters and breathtaking countryside led the movement in which Congress declared it the country’s first national river. It begins in the rugged Boston Mountain section of the Arkansas Ozarks and flows for 135 miles, merging with the White. Its 95,000 acre wilderness area is a favored destination for trail riders, campers and hikers. We can arrange fishing, canoeing or trail rides with qualified outfitters for guests staying at the lodge. www.nps.gov/buff/

Big Creek Golf & Country Club
Big Creek in Mountain Home has repeatedly been voted as one of the best courses in the country by Golf Digest with a five out of five star ranking.  “Golf at its absolute best. Pay any price at least once in your life.”  It sprawls over nearly 200 acres of rolling Ozark terrain featuring four lakes and Big Creek itself. White sand bunkers, lush zoysia fairways and L-93 bent grass greens provide a perfect setting for a memorable test of golf. A wide array of hole layouts makes the course challenging, yet enjoyable for all. Five sets of tee boxes ranging from 5,068 yards up to 7,320 yards, along with large greens, ensure that Big Creek offers both a challenge and fun to golfers of every level.  www.bigcreekgolf.com/

 

Norfork National Fish Hatchery
Only nine miles from the Lodge is one of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's largest producing fish hatcheries. On display are eyed eggs and various sizes of rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout.  Many guests enjoy hatchery tours and off-site presentations.  “Lunker” fishing for the disabled and for those 15 and under in the adjacent Dry Run Creek. For more information, visit the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service website: http://norfork.fws.gov/

 

 

 

Lake Norfork
When the U.S. Corp of Engineers completed the construction of the Norfork dam in 1944 it formed a lake of 2 million acre feet of water covering over 30,000 acres. Its many coves provide the boater privacy even on the busiest holidays. The water clarity has earned the lake the reputation of being one of the best inland water impoundments for the scuba diver. Several full service marinas on the lake provide jet ski, ski boat, diving equipment and supplies, pontoon and houseboats rentals. The Corps operates full service campgrounds maintains several access and launch areas around the lake. A number of annual bass tournaments are held on the lake and it is well-known for its population of lunker freshwater striped bass up to 40 lbs.www.swl.usace.army.mil/parks/norfork/

 

 

Birding & Hiking
Many guests find pleasure in a simple stroll through the woods, along the creek, on the gravel bar or just sitting on the banks of the river. Bird watchers use the deck as home base as they hunt for a Pileated woodpecker or bald eagle searching the river for a trout. Eagles are sighted daily during the winter months and often perch in the trees along the river’s edge. Yes there are many ways to enjoy the Ozarks and an opportunity to make many new friends while staying at PJ's. www.birdingarkansas.com.

 

 

Gaston Visitor Center

At nearby Bull Shoals, the $4.7-million center at Bull Shoals White River State Park is an environmental education learning center featuring interpretation of the river, dam and lake, and their histories. State-of-the-art interpretive exhibits are in the lobby, along with a gift shop, and Johnboat Theater and Exhibit Hall, a 1,720-square-foot area filled with images of the river, lake and dam. An observation tower, gift shop, two classrooms and park offices are also a part of the center.
www.arkansasstateparks.com/bullshoalswhiteriver

 

 

Mountain Village 1890 and Bull Shoals Caverns

Eleven main historic structures and numerous additional outbuildings, all of which have been brought here from various sites in the Ozarks, comprise the village. All are authentic, as are their contents, and all were being used in 1890. The Church at Mountain Village 1890 is available for private wedding ceremonies, by appointment only.

 

The caverns feature formations millions of years in the making. The site has been used by prehistoric natives, Civil War soldiers and moonshiners and includes an underground rainbow trout stream and miniature lake. Visitors tour the cave via concrete walkways; it contains no stairs.  At the back of the cave is a waterfall, available for private wedding ceremonies, by appointment only. www.1890Village.com and www.BullShoalsCaverns.com