Like Taneycomo---I try and avoid the rest of the chaos around there

I can recommend Gaston's with no hesitation.
I guess for nearly 20 years, that is where Molly and I used to go for our anniversary.
If you want a quick recon of the river....hire a guide from them or one of the other resorts.
Good accomodations,great people to deal with.
I used to photograph with Jim Gaston on occassion-- they have a visitor's center there just as you cross the dam--nice place.
Fishing up river at the state park is always pretty good-- it is one of the release sites on the White.
When they aren't running a lot of water---wade the area up near the dam--flies only...not sure if that is still the case--was a 'trophy area'
Always run over to Flippin for some fly fishing on Wildcat Shoals and use the river taxi service.
Never went to it, but you can schedule a factory tour of Ranger Boats if you are so inclined (ie if the fishing sucks)