Reports

January 18, 2009 | FISHING REPORT - LITTLE RED RIVER

UPDATE: 1/19/09 - I just learned that the scheduled full time release at Greers Ferry (mentioned in the report below) has been rescheduled to a date yet determined.  Sorry about that!  I will find out more about this situation tomorrow when I call the Corp and will let you know.

Little Red Fishing Report: January 13, '09

The water releases at Greers Ferry are being controlled by Southwestern Power Administration in Tulsa, OK. According to them, we are in for a big change of protocol. Hydroelectric power generation from now until the 19th of January will occur in direct proportion to the power demands from the grids, i.e. early morning releases from 6:00 to 9:00 or no releases at all, etc. Beginning on the 19th, however, Greers Ferry will begin blowing both barrels 24/7 for two weeks. That is to say, both generators will be brought on line for two weeks non-stop. There is a lock and dam on the White River near Batesville, AR in need of repair and maintenance. To accomplish the work, smaller than average flows will be required from the Bull Shoals and Norfork facilities. Greers Ferry will be used to generate and regulate the power not being provided by the other two projects. I see good news in this plan. Heavy water releases at Greers Ferry will reduce the lake level from it's current preferred maximim (top power pool of 461.4 feet above mean sea level) by several feet making room for spring rains. Also, restricting releases at Norfork and Bull Shoals will create some wadeable water at those locations for two weeks. They could sure use the business after all the high water they experienced throughout 2008.
There are some new regulations concerning brown trout on the Bull Shoals and Norfork tailwaters. Effective January 1st, '09 the limit is only one brown trout per day per angler. The minimum length limit is now 24 inches. The old regs called for a 16 inch minimum and a two fish daily limit. There are no new regulations on the Little Red for 2009.
Trout Unlimited is celebrating its 50th anniversary on January 14th. TU is a national organization with over 400 chapters nationwide and more than 150,000 members. They work at the state and federal level, providing a voice for fish and coldwater resources, strengthening existing protections and challenging new threats to trout and salmon. There are three chapters in Arkansas including the Arkansas Chapter in Fayetteville, the RATs (River Action Team) chapter 722 in Heber Springs and the Mountain Home chapter. Trout Unlimited is not a fishing club but a group of conservationists interested in preserving, protecting and restoring watersheds where trout and salmon live. You don't have to be a fisherman to belong. You can be a part of the action by joining your nearest chapter of Trout Unlimited. You will receive a membership card, Trout magazine, a beautiful full-color fly fishing calendar and a TU decal. I will be pleased to assist you if you would like to join TU. Joining our chapter is $17.50 a year for a new member and the money will only be spent on improving the Greers Ferry Lake/Little Red River watershed. Please call me at one of the numbers below if you would like to sign on.
Aquatic insect hatches continue to be sparse with midges being the most prominent player. Midge hatches are occuring every day along the Little Red mostly in the afternoons. The dry flies that are working the best include the midge (#22 or smaller in cream or black), para adams (#18-#20) or crackleback (#14). Sub-surface flies that are working well are the sowbug (#14-#16 olive, tan or peacock), chronic (#14), zebra midge (#16-#22 red, black or copper), egg pattern (#14 salmon), red @ss soft hackle emerger (#14-#18), Chuck's emerger (#16), San Juan worm (#14-#12 red or worm brown) and woolly bugger (#8-#12 olive, brown or black).
The Little Red Fly Shop continues it's customer appreciation discounts with 20% off all Fishpond items until the 15th of February. Fishpond makes a high-quality line of packs, utility belts, wading staffs, soft-sided coolers, etc. Prices of our Columbia fleece vests and jackets are 50% off while they last! Ya'll come!
If you have questions about anything in this report, please 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. You can send an e-mail to me at shop@littleredflyshop.com. I'm Little Red Jed Hollan, mgr.

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