Fishing The Little Red

[Phil Lilley]

The water that flows downstream from Greers Ferry Dam for approximately 30 miles is, without a doubt, some of the best trout fishing water in the South. Anglers can fish for monster Rainbows that in some cases push 20 pounds. There are also some very beautifully colored Brown Trout that can grow to massive sizes. There is also the chance for the "Grand Slam", since the Little Red River is also home to Brook and Cutthroat Trout. The river has islands, shoals with faster running water, moss beds and boulders that make up a variety of trout habitat.

Construction on Greers Ferry Dam started in 1959 and was completed in 1962 near the town of Heber Springs, Arkansas. President John F. Kennedy dedicated the dam on October 3, 1963. It was one of his last official acts as president before his assassination in Dallas. A federal fish hatchery was built near the dam, where Arkansas Fish and Game raise Rainbow, Brook and Cutthroat trout. The first rainbow was stocked in 1965, and Fish and Game now stock roughly 300,000 rainbows per year. The Brook trout seems to have established itself with many fish being caught that run smaller than the 6" stocking size. Unfortunately the chances for a Grand Slam are slipping away, since there seems to be less and less of the beautiful cutthroat trout and Fish and Game has a proposal to stop stocking them. At first, Arkansas Fish and Game were against stocking the Brown trout, since they are such notorious cannibals and would have had a feast of hatchery trout. But, in the early 1970's, several unknown fishermen took it upon themselves to buy brown trout fingerlings and place them in the Little Red. The next year several Vibert hatching boxes filled with fertilized brown trout eggs were also placed in the river. Regulations now exist that prohibit these types of actions, but the initial stockings took off and now the Little Red is probably one of the best brown trout fisheries in the world, and has the world record brown to it's credit. On May 9, 1992 Howard "Rip" Collins caught the world record brown, weighing in at a whopping 40 lbs. 4 1/4 oz. The beauty was traced back to the initial stocking of the mid-70's.

To properly fish the Little Red, your fly box should include: Sow Bugs, Scuds, Wooly Buggers, San Juan Worms and a few Crayfish imitations. Other well known and successful patterns include: the Prince Nymph, March Browns, Brassies and a Red Ass Soft Hackle. In periods of no generation and low water, there are incredible midge hatches and midge fishing can be outstanding. Griffith's Gnats, small BWO Emerger patterns and Zebra Midges work great as do egg patterns in season.

The "standard" fly rod is an 8-9' 4 or 5 weight rod. A 6 weight is also a very popular rod. Leaders of 4X and 5X work in most conditions and situations. In periods of low water, 6X or 7X tippets will be mainly used in midge fishing. For delicate presentation in midge fishing, there are anglers that will drop down to a 2 or 3 weight rod. Neoprene waders are a must for colder weather fishing. There is no closed season in Arkansas; some beautiful fish can be caught during the colder months and you could end up being on the river virtually all by yourself. Breathable waders are sufficient for warmer weather fishing. The river bottom is notoriously slick so felt soles are a must. Polarized sunglasses are also a necessity.

The most important thing to remember about the Little Red is that it's a tailwater, and water flow can and will fluctuate. The Corp of Engineers does have a warning horn they sound prior to generation, but at any sign of rising water, for your safety, leave the water immediately.