We are a Fly Fishing Outfitter in the Arkansas Ozarks. We operate on the White, Norfork, Little Red, and Kings River. Our Rivers, Community, and Guides are welcoming to all ages and experience levels. Come see why the Ozarks is the last best place in the U.S.

Read below to meet the guides!

Ben Woodard - Owner

Benjamin Woodard is a full time Guide on the White, Norfork, Kings, and Little Red River. He has guided in the Ozarks and Ouachitas since 2015. His family Lineage runs deep in Arkansas dating to the 18th century outside of Harrison. Ben is at home on the Ozark waterways where he spends every waking moment hunting fish. In past, Owner of a Fly Rod Company, Film Producer, and Fly Fishing Retail Manager, Guiding on multiple rivers for multiple species, He’s got the experience to put you on fish no matter the condition.
Ben started Woodard Fly Fishing in 2019 upon moving full time to Cotter from the Kings River, changing his former named Southern Fly Outfitters. He has built his business on developing anglers, relationships, putting people on big fish, and creating experiences that will last a lifetime.
He Guides or has Guided on the White River System, Little Red River, Kings River, Ouachita River, Caddo River, Little Missouri River, the Big Hole River in MT, and the Beaverhead River in MT. Ben is board member for his local Trout Unlimited, a Certified Casting Instructor, a Fly Rod Designer, Fly Designer, Professional Sandwich Artist, Retired Bartender, and scared of the ocean.
He specializes in Trout and Smallmouth, but will chase anything with a fly rod.  He lives in Cotter Arkansas with his beautiful wife Jenny who is also an accomplished angler. They and their 3 dogs call the White River home.

Jacob Commer

Born in Fayetteville, Raised on the White River, and now a Full time guide for Teton Valley Lodge & Woodard Fly Fishing, Jacob is the fishiest kid I’ve seen work. His diversity in his fisheries have sharpened his hooks and he can’t wait to show you the river he learned on.

“My name is Jacob Commer. I am a fly fishing guide for hire through Woodard Fly Fishing. I am captivated by the search for fish using a fly rod. It’s too much fun to not share it.

It is with great pride, and great reverence, that I guide on these rivers. My earliest memories of fishing, float trips, leaky waders, are rooted here in north Arkansas. I am proud to share these places with the people in my boat and I cherish the opportunity to do so. My reverence is for the power, and the puzzle, of these rivers. In a dynamic year round fishery like the White river, every day holds a new challenge, and a new opportunity.”

Alex (AL) Tennyson

A product of the Ozark Mountains, Al was born and raised in Harrison, Arkansas. He grew up on the banks of Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River. In his teenage years he was avid with sports and fishing spin tackle for smallmouth bass. After finding his first fly reel in an older house his parents bought, he soon bought a rod to pair it with and dove into fly fishing. Al attended the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville and started a career in sales after. He spent most weekends fishing or camping which worked his way into the guide world. He truly loves this area and showing off the beautiful fishery’s we have in this area. He decided that after eight years of corporate sales moving back home and chasing his passion was his true desire. Al is a gear guy and loves the preparation it takes to make a successful day out. Whether the first one on the water, or the last one at the ramp, he enjoys the grind. He is most certainly a streamer junkie, but is a kid in a candy store when the bugs start to hatch. Being an avid fly tier, expect to use plenty of Al tied flies when you fish with him! He is TFO and Airflo prostaff member.

Ethan Kowert

A Midwestern forged fly angler who ventured to the Ozarks from the Great Lakes region after graduating from Michigan State for new employment and incredible angling opportunities. Ethan is immersed in all facets of fly fishing; especially coaching enthusiastic anglers to understand the science and art of fly fishing’s intricacies.

His love for fishing began as a little guy using conventional tackle in Illinois ponds for Sunfish and Bass. On a summer vacation in Northern Michigan his fascination with Trout emerged. He decided to reside in the state for college to play lacrosse and target Steelhead, Brown Trout and Salmonoids in the infamous cold water streams rather than attending his least favorite classes. Ethan casted his first fly fall of freshman year and hasn’t looked back since.

Smallmouth Bass became his forte when trout water was a great distance away. Whether in the prairie streams of Illinois or deep in the forests of “The Mitten”, he quickly learned the tendencies of these accessible fighters. He was drawn to Arkansas’s pristine environment for these prize fish in remote freestone streams and also to tangle with world famous White River Brown Trout.

Book a trip with Ethan and you’re bound to learn something new and stick some fish along the way

Jordan Gardner

Jordan, an Arkansas native, grew up in the northeast part of the state where the land is primarily flat and waterfowl hunting rules the roost. His introduction to the outdoors was through hunting ducks, whitetail,and fishing for largemouth bass wherever he could. Eventually, he was introduced to rock climbing which led him to exploring the Ozark mountain region and its small streams and rivers. It was in these streams where his passion for the fly rod and smallmouth bass started. The challenge of fishing these native fish on a fly rod lit a fire for him to sharpen his skills as an angler and fly tyer. He continues to develop an ever growing appreciation for the diversity our state has to offer.

“My name is Jordan Gardner, part time fly fishing guide for Woodard Fly Fishing. I’ve fished for years and my love for the outdoors, the fly fishing sport, and mountains eventually lead me to the pursuit of trout and small mouth bass in the rivers and small streams of Arkansas. After meeting Ben Woodard, it was clear that we both share the the same passions; those being our sportfish and preservation of our fisheries, particularly the Kings River. I’m stoked to guide for Woodard Fly Fishing and assist Ben with teaching anglers our rivers and native fish. Alongside Ben and the team at Woodard fly fishing I hope to share my love and appreciation for our fish and waters with anglers from far and wide.”