Little Red River

Low water: wade and sight-fish

Sowbugs are the top fly on the flats. Use long leaders, 6X–7X, and a single small fly.

Sowbug #14–18 gray or tan, Zebra Midge #18–22, red Brassie, Flashback Pheasant Tail #14–18, Hare's Ear, Copper John, Red Ass #16–20

Water about to rise

The first push knocks bugs loose and fish can feed hard. Make a few drifts while you walk out. Don't stay in the water.

Sowbug, San Juan Worm, small sculpin

One unit: drift with an indicator

Prime drift-boat water. Dead-drift two flies under an indicator.

San Juan Worm #12–14, beadhead sowbug #14–16, Pheasant Tail, egg #12–16, Red Ass #14–16

Two units: streamers

Pound the banks from the boat. Go bigger and darker if the water's dirty.

Sculpins, Clousers, Woolly Buggers in black, olive or brown, #2–6 on 2X

Falling water: follow it down

The upper river drains first. Start near the dam and move downstream as each shoal comes back into wading shape.

Sowbugs and midges, plus a streamer for the deeper edges

Wading and dries

A 4- or 5-weight, 8½ to 9 feet. Long fluorocarbon leaders, 5X to 7X at low water.

Streamers from the boat

A stout 6-weight. Floating line with a 9-foot 3X leader in clear water; a sink-tip with a short 3–4 foot fluoro leader when it’s off-color.

Low-water approach

Wade slowly and quietly. Spot individual fish when the sun is up; cast from a knee in low light.

Daily limit

2 trout of any species. Release any trout 14 inches or longer immediately. In effect since Feb 1, 2026, until further notice, because of the hatchery shortfall.

Catch-and-release zones

JFK: 100 yards below the dam to the last hatchery outlet, about half a mile, year-round. Artificial flies and lures only, single barbless hooks.

Cow Shoals to the mouth of Canoe Creek: Oct 1 – Dec 31.

Dunham Shoal to Mossy Shoal: year-round.

Licenses

Arkansas fishing license plus a trout permit.

From public sources as of Nov 2026. AGFC is consolidating its trout rules. Check agfc.com before you keep a fish.

The river can rise as much as 8 feet in a few hours once generation starts, and it’s narrower than the White or Norfork, so the rise hits harder.

Note landmarks and your way out before you wade deep. If the water starts rising, leave. Don’t wait for it to look dangerous.

Check by phone: current generation (Corps) 501-362-5150 · projected schedule (SWPA) 866-494-1993