Let This Fishing Guide Make Your Gaston’s White River Resort Experience Memorable

Summer is finally here, and there’s all kinds of fun waiting for you at Gaston’s White River Resort—including guided fishing trips with David Wooten, a professional fisherman. 

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For first-time anglers, fishing might seem daunting, so Gaston’s—a family-owned and operated resort—offers full-service guided trips on the Arkansas White River, and Wooten promises you’ll catch more than a few trout. 

Fishing at Gaston's White River Resort

“So far this year, I have not failed to put at least 20 browns in the boat on a full day,” Wooten says. “Most of these browns average around 20 inches long.” Brown trout typically grow larger—compared to rainbow trout—and have longer lifespans, according to Discover Boating. 

Wooten is in his third year as a fishing guide at Gaston’s, but he brings an impressive 33 years of experience in guiding. “I’ve guided many places before, none like Gaston’s though,” Wooten says. “I absolutely love Gaston’s.” 

Unlike other resorts he’s worked at, Wooten emphasizes that Gaston’s prioritizes customer care like no other. They aim to personalize the experience by teaching guests how to handle fish they catch and helping them capture memorable photos. “It’s truly their day,” Wooten says. 

At Gaston’s, the guides strive to make the fishing experience as seamless as possible for their guests. “We want our customers to not have to worry about anything,” Wooten says. “Just show up, walk down to the boat dock, get in the boat and that’s all they have to do.” 

Providing beverages, bait and tackle, the guides go the extra mile. They offer instruction on casting and netting, as well as what to do once a fish bites. “It’s a really laid-back type of fishing,” Wooten says. “You don’t have to be a professional to catch these types of fish.” The trout at Gaston’s bite all year round. 

Wooten says fishing is in his blood. He was a professional tournament angler for eight years, earning a spot in the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame and even landing a 34-pound world-record trout. His father, Carl Wooten, has been a fishing guide for 52 years and counting. “It’s just something we absolutely love to do,” Wooten says. His favorite part about being a fishing guide now is connecting with his clients and bringing smiles to their faces. “I love to talk, I’m social, I like showing them what I was born to do,” he says. He enjoys sharing tips and showcasing his techniques. “It’s not hard, anybody could learn!” he says.

During a family fishing excursion last year with Wooten, a 10-year-old girl stayed out on the water for a full eight-hour trip, and she didn’t want to leave by the end of the day. “She gave me a hug and told me, ‘Mr. David, this was the best day of my life,’” he says. “To me, that is worth far more than money. That’s what I love doing this for.”

More from Gaston’s White River Resort

Gaston’s provides half-day and full-day fishing trips at varying prices depending on group size. With a guarantee of reeling in more than a few trout, customers are assured of a fun day with their fishing guide—Wooten is one of the 11 talented guides working at the resort. Visit Gaston’s website to view different packages and pricing.

Besides the highly acclaimed fishing guides, Gaston’s White River Resort features a restaurant with stunning river views. Believe it or not, many visitors utilize the resort’s airstrip to fly in for Sunday brunch. Moreover, the resort offers cottages and villas for lodging. There’s something for the whole family at Gaston’s!