Reports

December 1, 2009 | FISHING REPORT - LITTLE RED RIVER

UPDATE: Dec. 2nd,'09 - I just got off the phone with the Corps.  Two flood gates were opened at 8:00 am today at Greers Ferry Dam.  We now have the equivalent flow of 2 1/2 generators pegging out 111 mwh!   If all goes well, they plan to open two more flood gates tomorrow increasing flows to 3 full generators for the next ten days.  This is the first time this has been done since the flood of 1983 when the lake went up forty feet.  The river level is expected to rise to 3-5 feet over two units.  This will lower our lake level about one week earlier than with past protocols.  More normal operations are expected at that time.   

Little Red Fishing Report: December 1, '09 

     Protracted water releases have been occurring at Greers Ferry and will continue until our lake level is down to top power pool which is 461.44 feet above sea level. Our current lake level is 474.00 feet asl. Last night at midnight, the Corps upped the ante by increasing water release volume at Greers Ferry, Norfork and Bull Shoals. Basically, they turned on everything wide open in an attempt to more rapidly lower the three lake levels. Now that larger releases have begun, Greers Ferry should be down to top power pool in about 45 days, that is, if we receive no big rains. When both generators are operating near their maximum, do not try to fish from a boat on the Little Red unless you possess the skills of a fishing guide, otherwise, hire a guide with a boat.
     The average temperature of the water flowing though our dam is 57 degrees fahrenheit with an average dissolved oxygen level of 4.9 mg/L. The DO is dropping but lake turnover should remedy the problem soon.
     The weather patterns in the last few years coupled with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers policies have colluded to do a real number on the trout fishing industry in northern Arkansas. The Corps' refusal to lower lake levels during the winter in anticipation of spring rains has created yet another devastating year for our tailwater fishing. Their continuing refusal to consider tourism, the largest industry in the natural state, when executing water releases shows no consideration for the state's anglers. Now, the Corps plans to spend 6 million dollars on the Norfork facility to provide minimum flow. There is no doubt that running a steady flow of lake water through the Norfork dam will improve the dissolved oxygen problem and enhance the fishery. According to Mike Armstrong, assistant director of the Arkansas Game & Fish Commison, "Our survey told us that anglers within a two-hour drive of the tail waters would make more fishing trips to the region if minimum flows were instituted. Each fishing trip to the area represents $100.00 to $125.00 per day in direct expenditures. Minimum flows should have a very positive benefit in this area as more people make more trips. They'll stay longer and spend more money". Spending 6 million dollars to attract anglers while the corps' policies ignore anglers is problematic. About ninety percent of fly fishermen wade the rivers. When water releases occur, such as is occurring now with months of high water in the offing, wading is not possible and the anglers will not come. As long as the Corps' policies remain unchanged, minimum flow will do nothing to help the wade fishermen. You can't wade in river water that is ten feet deep!
     Because of the high water in the river and, given the fact that it is likely to remain high for over a month, the Little Red Fly Shop is going to close Monday through Thursday. I will be operating the shop every Friday through Sunday from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm. However, we  are still celebrating the holidays with a 20% discount on many items in the store, including TFO fly rods, Columbia clothing and Fishpond packs. We would appreciate your business. Shop til you drop at the Little Red Fly Shop! (discounts not offered online so visit or call)
     The presence of macroinvertebrates is a sign of a healthy habitat. Hatches of these aquatic insects, however, are not as spectacular as they were during the summer and fall. Predictably, the caddis fly and march brown mayfly hatches are mostly over. I am seeing the remnants of the blue winged olive mayfly hatch here and there but mostly it's midges coming off every day. Fishing with dry flies in our high water is problematic. Again, I suggest that you hire a fly fishing guide before you fish in this high water. Try an adams (18), bwo (18-20), midge (22-32 cream or black) or an elk hair caddis (18-20 tan). Your best bet for fishing from a boat is to fish deep. Tie on an egg pattern (14 roe, salmon or bubblegum) or a San Juan worm (12-14 hot pink or fl. cerise) or both along with sufficient weight (AAA split shot) to get the flies down to the streambed and a large enough strike indicator to float it all. Other sub-surface flies to try include sowbug (14 peacock), chronic (14) or woolly bugger (8-6 purple or copper). All of the above flies have been catching trout on our guide trips.
     If you have questions about anything in this report, direct them to me at the Little Red Fly Shop of Heber Springs, Arkansas. My numbers are #888-442-4022 toll free or #501-887-9988 Friday through Sunday. You can send an e-mail to me from our web site, which is: www.littleredflyshop.com. I'm Little Red Jed Hollan, mgr. <*((((><

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