Looking Back at May.

Here's the lowdown on all the good, bad and watery things that came our way this May.

1) Flowers, butterflies and unusual moth species?
We got excited by deceptive signs of Spring early in the month and thought that maybe all our unfortunate weather was behind us. No such luck.

Butterfly Bushes work their magic.
A Cecropia Moth-or so our handy Field Guide and Google Images tell us.

2) Flooding Scares.
May in the Ozarks brought some of the most "unprecedented" weather in recent history. Torrential Rain, Tornado warnings, and frighteningly high water had us hearkening back to March 18th, 2008, when our office ended up 5 feet under water. Altogether, we can say we were blessed. Several other homes and businesses on the White River were not as fortunate. We ask our customers to keep victims of tornadoes in Missouri, and Oklahoma in prayer.

Keep out of our pool, river....

At least these guys were enjoying themselves...

3) Cicada Brood Hatches
The "Great Southern Brood" has hatched throughout Arkansas, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Mississippi. And they are making themselves quite comfortable here at WBR. Cicadas are harmless, (and edible actually!) despite their beady-eyed appearance. We are torn between being fascinated and annoyed at all the noise they make. This is the World's Largest Brood of Cicadas- hatching after being buried underground for 13 years. This species won't emerge again until 2024.

For more on "The Brood": click here

"Look into my beady red eyes...."

"Do you have any camper cabins open for this weekend??"

4) Red Horse Sucker Fish
As always, high water is bad for fishermen, good for the fish. We always start seeing unusual species when the water goes up. This lady angler caught these Red Horse Sucker Fish specimen fishing off the banks. We couldn't even identify them off hand, and had to find them online.

Sucking on each other!

5) A Successful Memorial Day
Despite some cancellations by disgruntled fishermen, it was a hot, fun, and busy Memorial Day weekend. The pool was crawling with kids, and our campground was packed full of families cooking out, playing games, relaxing by the river and generally enjoying each others' company.

Sounds like success to me.

Memorial Day.

Fun in the Pool!

Happy Memorial Day!

The 6 Best Things to do when the Fish Aren't Biting.

Okay. Let me be honest here, blog readers.

I am not the most hardcore of all fisher-women. Disappointing, I know. I'm sorry if you feel lied to.

I do fish sometimes. And when I do, there really is no better place for a Super Rookie like me than right outside my front door on the White River. But frankly, when I get a day off, I can't say my first reaction is to reach for my fishing pole...

Thankfully, there are plenty of other things to do in the Mountain Home / Northwest Arkansas area. Here are a few activities the less trout-inclined members of your party might enjoy.

In no particular order:

1. Horseback Riding at Stone Creek Ranch

Like no trail ride you've ever been on. Most horse back riding experiences consist of your horse following the backside of the horse in front of it, but trail rides at Stone Creek Ranch take you through 2,000 acres of private land and Ozark Upland scenery.

2. Bull Shoals Dam & Visitors Center

One of the largest concrete dams in the United States, a truly impressive sight. The Visitor's center contains a lot of area history, including the state's record breaking trophy fish mounts.

3. The Zone

Go Karts, Mini golf, Batting Cages and Arcade Games, all right up the road from White Buffalo Resort.

4. Big Creek Golf Course & Country Club

If mini-golf isn't your game, there's a Bigger way to golf, right in the middle of Mountain Home. Big Creek has been on Golf Digest's places to play list every year between 2004- 2010, and won both National and State awards for service and conditioning.

5. Branson, MO

If you don't mind a bit of a road trip, Branson, Missouri is worth the hour and a half drive. With shows, shopping and several (let's be honest) weird attractions, Branson is known as the Las Vegas of the Ozarks- albeit a little family friendlier.

6. Pool / Playground / Volleyball Net

Can't resist the urge to keep you here with us. :) But really, there are plenty of ways to have fun off the river at WBR. Our pool and patio are already open for the summer. In addition we have hiking trails, volleyball, ping pong, a playground and open field for all kinds of games.

How about you, WBR fans? What off-river adventures have you gotten into with your families in your years of vacations with us?

Happy Almost Summer, however you choose to spend it. :)

Make Some Memorial Day Memories.

Q. How many long weekends are there in a year?
A. THREE. That's right. Only three.


In all your hectic living, you may not have noticed that one of them is THIS weekend.

Never fear Last Minute Vacationers, White Buffalo Resort still has availability for THIS long weekend! We still have Deluxe Lodges Sisters and Trophy open and ready for your Fishing Adventure.

DON'T SPEND THIS MEMORIAL DAY IN FRONT OF YOUR TELEVISION.
Grab your buddies, grab your kids and make some memories.

Call now to Reserve: (870) 425-8555

We don't like to brag...

...Which is why we're happy to let our customers do it for us. :) Just kidding.

This comment was sent to us by Gary, a friend and longtime fan of the White River. In recent years, he has begun bringing corporate groups to White Buffalo for a little R & R, not to mention some serious fishing. We cater meals for his group too. Read on...

Dear John and Eileen,

I just wanted to tell you how truly great our recent customer outing was. The accommodations were as always first class. Eileen, you and John's cooking is the essence of homemade. Finally, lets talk about the fishing. 2 boats, 5 guys and over 300 trout caught in 2 days! Need I say more. All of these things are why for 16 years I have been coming to the White Buffalo Resort on my own and with groups of twenty or more customers. You make it a home away from home and I know why ESPN called it one of the top five trout rivers in North America.

Gary

5 /19 / 2011

This is what makes it all worthwhile!

I could not resist sharing this unsolicited e-mail...

Dear Eileen & John,

Thanks VERY much for being such wonderful hosts on our recent visit to your resort !!! We all had a ROCK STAR time, including the wonderful cabin, excellent guides and great lunches. No wonder why you are so popular as a great family resort. My guess is that those whose missed our trip will want to come next time we head your way.

Thanks for having everything so well arranged and comfortable and WOW my son and I caught 74 Trout the first day and my brother Nick and his son caught over 60 Trout...where can you do this ??? Plus included a photo below as proof.

Thanks Again & Best to YOU !! Peter

What a Difference a Day Makes

Did you have a reservation with us this past week but were skeptical about river conditions and fishing not being up to par? Did you cancel or reschedule your long awaited trip because of reports of flooding and high water? I'm here to report the fishing conditions the last three days have been phenomenal with one group tallying up to 86 fish caught in one day between the public access and our boat dock and another boat in the same party on the same day reporting 67 fish caught in the same area. In addition to the great fishing, the weather has been gorgeous and Bull Shoals has been generating nice and easy with 3 units- allowing our fishermen to get above the shoals if they want to. Wish you were here...