Reports

February 14, 2009 | FISHING REPORT - LITTLE RED RIVER

UPDATE: 2/14/09: The Corps of Engineers is operating both our generators non-stop for the next few days to lower the Greers Ferry Lake level back down to 461.44 feet above mean sea level (top power pool) after the three inch rain that occurred the other day.  The current lake level is 463.7 feet above MSL.   

Little Red Fishing Report: February 10, '09

Water releases at the Greers Ferry Power House continue to occur daily. In general, releases are beginning at 6:00 o'clock am utilizing both generators for about 4 hours then again around 5:00 o'clock pm for another 3-4 hours. With this protocol, wade fishing is possible at Winkley Shoal from dawn until roughly 9:00 o'clock am when the higher water arrives. The angler can then go downstream to Libby Shoal and wade fish until 10:30 or so. After lunch, wade fishing at JFK Park near the dam should be doable until the late aftenoon water release begins. If heavy rain events occur, you will probably see longer periods of water releases. As always, this plan is subject to change without notice so be on the alert for rising water throughout the day. You may want to call us before you leave to get the latest info.
Here are a few bits of wisdom for the novice flyfisherperson: Buy a fishing license. The state agencies that manage fish need the money. Watch what you say: it's a rod not a pole, fly not bait and line not string. When handling a new rod in a fly shop, don't scrape the ceiling with it. Fly rod ferrules are not supposed to fit snugly together all the way. Fly lines hate bug spray, sun tan lotion and UV light from the sun. Keep all your dry flies in boxes to avoid crushing the wings. Put your pants legs inside your socks before putting on your waders. Test all of your knots by pulling on them. Spit helps. Rub your new tippet with grass to remove the shine (Davy Wotton). Keep your rod away from cars or trucks. Doors and trunks break most rods. To feel your fly rod load, cast with your eyes closed. Never false cast more than five times! To cast with more power, take a lesson or buy a longer rod. If you hold the rod grip too tightly, you will get cramps and blisters. Try not to cast with the sun behind you. Your shadow alerts the fish. Modern graphite fly rods are also lightning rods. Setting the hook too fast is one reason for losing fish. Too slow is the other. Smash all the barbs on your flies. They will be easier to remove from the fish or you.
There is an event on February 28th that sounds like fun. "Totally Trout" is a day of seminars, demonstrations, biology lessons,, door prizes, lunch and it's all free. You can learn about spin casting or fly fishing for trout, how to rig a rod, tie a fly and more. It starts at 9:00 o'clock am and ends at 3:30 o'clock pm. You can pop in and check it out or stay all day. The event will be held at the C.A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center near Ferndale. Go west on I-630 in Little Rock which becomes Financial Centre Parkway and then Chenal Parkway. Turn left on Kanis Road. Travel 6.4 miles. Turn left onto Ferncliff Road and travel 1.1 miles. Turn tight into the 4-H Center campus. I am planning to be there.
Aquatic insect hatches along the Little Red River continue to occur with midges being the primary bug coming off. Of course, there are also sowbugs, scud, bait fish and the like available to the trout. If you want to try your luck with a dry fly, tie on a para adams (#18), midge (#22 cream or black) or crackleback (#14). Fishing sub-surface? Try a sowbug (#14-#16 tan, olive, uv tan, uv light gray or peacock), big eye scud (#14 gray or tan), chronic (#14), zebra midge (#16-#22 red, copper or black), egg pattern (#12-#14 roe or salmon), San Juan worm (#14 red or worm brown), red @ss soft hackle (#14-#18) and woolly bugger (#8-#12 brown, olive or black). I know the above list of flies seems to stay the same most weeks but I actually prepare a new listing of flies with each report. You may notice that I have added the big eye scud to the above usual suspects. Other dry flies that will work include the royal coachman (#16), para hare's ear (#16) and Griffith gnat (#20). Below the surface, tie on a green @ss soft hackle (#14), Chuck's emerger (#16), serendipity (#16 red or green) or Yong special (#22).
Only five more days to take advantage of our customer appreciation discount on Fishpond products. Through February 15, we are offering a 20% discount on everything that Fishpond makes including wading staffs, belts, packs, soft sided coolers, etc.
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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