March is the time of year when the first waves of migratory birds move through the Ozarks on the warm southern winds. Great crested gnat catchers, white throated sparrows, and red wing blackbirds all begin to show up at this time of year. The river bottoms and cane thickets grow thick with the calls of warblers and wood thrush.

What brings all these birds to the river? Bugs! Many of these birds move here to harvest the fresh crops of bugs hatching in the warm days of spring. These bugs also happen to land in the river, where hungry trout rise to feast on them from the wet side of the river valley. Blue wing olives and caddis hatch abundantly on the North Fork of the White River this time of year. Make sure you are there when the birds are calling and the fish are rising.

Check out the website and let Longboat Outfitters guide you on your birding and fly fishing adventure to one of the Ozarks great streams.