Little Red River
river in Arkansas
The Little Red River below Greers Ferry Dam is a premiere Arkansas trout fishery with high catch rates and a strong guide presence; famous for heavy trout concentrations just downstream of the dam and for dry-fly and nymphing techniques.
Midge and BWO nymphs will be highly active subsurface
- 01Midge and BWO nymphs will be highly active subsurface.
- 02Look for opportunistic rises to BWO adults on overcast afternoons.
- 03Streamers are excellent for enticing larger, predatory brown trout and smallmouth.
- 04Egg patterns are crucial for trout keying into spawning activity.
- 05Flow data is currently unavailable, so adjust tactics based on real-time river levels.
Past reports week by week
11 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Olive Sculpin
Sculpins are a significant food source for larger predatory trout and bass. This streamer (size 6-8) is highly effective when swung or stripped along the bottom, particularly as flows fluctuate.
Flashback Baetis Nymph
Blue-Winged Olives are a key fall hatch on the Little Red River. This nymph pattern (size 18-20) effectively imitates the active subsurface nymphs.
Flashback Scud Wet Hare's Ear
Scuds are a consistent food source in the Little Red River. This versatile nymph (size 14-16) imitates various aquatic insects and scuds active in the currents.
Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) Comparadun
For selective trout rising to adult Blue-Winged Olives during fall hatches on overcast days. A size 20-22 is ideal for the low-profile presentation.
Buy at AmazonTunghead Prince
A versatile weighted attractor nymph (size 14-16) that is effective for a variety of subsurface insects, excellent for prospecting deeper runs in the Little Red River.
Black Woolly Bugger
An essential streamer for aggressive brown trout and smallmouth bass, especially effective in fall as water temperatures drop. Strip a size 6-8 slowly through deeper pools.
Zebra Midge
Midges are a primary and consistent food source in tailwaters year-round, making them essential for trout in the Little Red River as water temperatures cool. Fish a size 20-22.
Buy at AmazonBlood Dot Egg
Fall is prime egg season on the Little Red River. Drift an egg pattern (size 12-14) behind any spawning trout for opportunistic feeders.
Buy at AmazonWhere to fish and who to ask
Greers Ferry Dam Tailwater
Primary concentration area directly below the dam where trout are most predictable and heavily fished.
Higden / Heber Springs Accesses
Multiple public ramps and bank-fishing areas near Heber Springs and Higden used for half- and full-day trips.
Tyla Hole / Lower Tailwater Runs
Several deeper holes and tailrace runs downstream favored by anglers targeting big trout on streamers and nymph rigs.
Fly shops within 40 miles
The Ozark Angler Outfitter and Guide Service
Get Little Red River reports by email
Save this water and we'll email you a weekly summary of conditions, hatches and what's working.
Arkansas season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Read before you go
Winter Fly Fishing: Essential Cold Weather Tips & Tactics
Master winter fly fishing with proven cold weather strategies, gear selection, and tactics for catching trout when temperatures drop.
Fly Line Types Guide: WF, DT, Running & Shooting Heads
Master fly line selection with our comprehensive guide to weight forward, double taper, running lines, and shooting heads for every fishing situation.
Fly Fishing Pack vs Vest: Which Setup Is Right for You?
Compare fly fishing packs and vests to find the perfect gear setup for your angling style and fishing conditions.
Best Fly Fishing Sunglasses: Lens Color & Polarization Guide
Master lens color selection and polarization technology for superior vision and fish detection on the water.
Fly Fishing Nets – Rubber vs. Nylon & Why It Matters for Fish
The net you choose dramatically impacts fish survival. Here's why rubber nets are superior to nylon for catch-and-release success.
Best Budget Fly Fishing Combo Setups for Beginners
Expert guide to affordable fly fishing combos that won't break the bank but deliver quality performance for new anglers.
Quick answers
Common questions about Little Red River.
What flies work best on Little Red River?
Our top scored fly patterns for Little Red River right now are Olive Sculpin (80% confidence), Flashback Baetis Nymph (80% confidence), Flashback Scud Wet Hare's Ear (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Little Red River?
Little Red River holds Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
Is Little Red River fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Little Red River each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.