Reports

February 3, 2009 | FISHING REPORT - LITTLE RED RIVER

Little Red Fishing Report: February 3, '09

All the melting ice in the northern counties of Arkansas continue to raise the lake levels at Bull Shoals and Norfork. These two lakes are now into their respective flood pools so the Army Corps of Engineers is releasing water to lower those lake levels. This should be accomplished this week. In the interim, lighter than normal releases are scheduled to occur at Greers Ferry. When top power pools are reached at BS and NF, those two dams will be virutally shut down for a time to facilitate a repair and maintenance project at a lock and dam on the White River near Batesville, AR. Heavier than normal releases may then occur at GF until the project is completed sometime around February 9th. Keep in mind, this is accurate information as I prepare this report but is subject to change without notice.
The incredible ice storm that occurred last week has crippled the reporting systems on the White River impoundments. The phone recordings as well as online reports have been unavailable for the past several days due to downed power lines at the Bull Shoals facility where this information is created and disseminated.
Speaking of dams, we've got a pretty good one. The purpose of the Greers Ferry dam is two-fold: flood control and the generation of hydroelectric power. It also provides a source of drinking water and offers recreational opportunites. Did you know that our dam is 1,704 feet long created with over 856,000 cubic yards of concrete? The top of the dam is 503 feet above mean sea level and 243 feet above the streambed. The Greers Ferry dam construction began in March of 1959 and was completed in July 1964. The total cost of construction was $46 million. FYI.
Some of you are calling to get information about the projected water releases at Greers Ferry. We are always glad to hear from you so don't stop calling, however, most of the information you are seeking is available using the links at the bottom of the "Reports" page on our web site (www.littleredflyshop.com). You can get info about recent rainfall in the watershed by clicking on "Little Red Graph". This is useful to determine possible water releases or problems associated with murky water. If you click on "Current Flow Information" you can see how much water has been released at each of the five White River impoundments and at what time of day. Clicking on "Predicted Generation" will take you to a Southwestern Power Administration web site that states their plans for future water releases at all 18 facilities that they control. I know it says 19 facilities on their site but, if you look closely, you will discover that there is no number nine. Greers Ferry is number 16. We even have a link to the National Weather Service when you click on "Weather". If you don't feel like doing all this, please do not hesitate to call us at the numbers below.
Aquatic insect hatches are about the same as in previous reports with midges being the primary bug "coming off". This is typical for this time of year but will be changing in the next month or so when caddis flies and march brown mayflies join the midge armada. The best dry flies to use include the midge (#22 or smaller in cream or black), parachute adams (#18) or crackleback (#14). If you want to "dead drift" a searching pattern, try a sowbug (#14-#16 olive, tan, uv tan, peacock, uv light gray), zebra midge (#16-#22 red. copper or black), egg pattern (#12-#14 roe or salmon), red @ss soft hackle (#14-#18), San Juan worm (#12-#14 red or worm brown) or woolly bugger (#8-#12 olive, brown or black).
The Little Red Fly Shop continues it's customer appreciation discounts with 20% off the price of all Fishpond items until February 15th. Fishpond makes a high quality and colorful line of waist and chest packs, soft sided coolers, wading belts, wading staffs, doggie beds and bowls, fishing tools, hats, etc. If there is a Fishpond item you want that is not in our stock, we will order it for you and you still get your discount.
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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