Fishing Report July 3, 2024

Hey folks, it’s Mike Winkler here with your latest update from the Little Red River. 

The generation schedule lately has been minimal, with the SWPA running water for just an hour or two each night. Daytime temperatures are soaring into the 90s, and coupled with the lack of released water from the dam, we’re hitting the river early to beat the heat. Remember, fish can get stressed when water temperatures hit 68 degrees, so it’s crucial to practice quick catch and release.

The best bite has been found in deeper sections around moss beds, where fish seek cover and shade from the sun. Look for areas with some current and a drop-off into deeper water for optimal results.

Lately, the hot flies have included a Pink San Juan Worm under an indicator. When fishing these mossy areas with minimal current, try adding a bit of action to the San Juan Worm by flicking the rod tip or giving a slight mend to the line to simulate movement. Other successful flies have been the Pheasant Tail Nymph, Guides Choice Hares Ear, and Rootbeer Midge.

Get out there early, stay cool, and tight lines!

Fishing Report May 29, 2024

Hey folks,

Just got back from a few days on the water, and let me tell you, it’s been quite the adventure out there! The SWPA’s been keeping us on our toes with their water release schedule. They’ve been running two units of water through the turbines consistently, although the start and stop times have been a bit unpredictable.

With that said, I’ve been having some solid luck fishing near the dam using a deep water nymph rig set between 9 and 12 feet deep. Those deep pockets have been holding some nice surprises. And for a change of pace, I’ve been trying my luck around the docks, casting a Pink San Juan Worm about 6 to 7 feet deep into the moss beds. It’s been paying off, especially in the slower deep water sections.

Hot flies have been Pink San Worms , pheasant tail soft hackle,  caddis flies 

Oh, and if you’re into streamer fishing, now’s the time to be out there. The high water release has really got those streamer bites going strong. So grab your gear, check the schedule, and let’s hit the water! 🎣

Fishing Report May 16, 2024

Hey folks, it’s Mike Winkler here with your latest fishing update from the Little Red River. The Army Corps of Engineers has been keeping things steady with a consistent generation schedule, pumping out 40 megawatts 24/7 through the dam. 

This week, it’s been running at just under one full unit, meaning we’ve got a touch less water than usual. But fear not, the fishing’s still on point!

I’ve been having success with a Pink San Juan Worm, rigged up about 6.5 to 9 feet deep, under an indicator. Target the banks near moss beds and ledges, or try your luck around the docks. For those feeling adventurous, run the same rig deep down the middle of the channel.

Keep an eye out for caddis flies, especially on warm, sunny days around 11 in the morning. They’ve been making appearances, so it might be worth switching up to a caddis pattern when they’re hatching.

Streamer fishing has been solid, especially when the clouds roll in. Give the Yellow Double Deceiver or Dungeon flies a shot, casting towards the banks. You might just reel in a beauty!

Tight lines and happy fishing!

Fishing Report April 24, 2024

Hey folks,

Just wanted to give you a heads up on the current fishing conditions out on the Little Red River. With Greers Ferry Lake holding steady at power pool levels and SWPA taking a break from water releases, the river’s running low these days. It’s a bit unusual for April, but hey, that’s fishing for you!

Now, here’s the scoop: we’ve got rain on the forecast this weekend, which should bump up the lake levels a bit. But for now, take advantage of the low river levels for some prime wading opportunities. It’s not every day you get these conditions in April!

As for the fishing itself, it’s been solid lately. Caddis flies are out and about, especially in the warmer parts of the day. Try hitting the river with a nymph rig, using a pheasant tail soft hackle or a Guides Choice Hares Ear under an indicator. And keep an eye out for those rising fish later in the day – an elk hair caddis might just do the trick when they start sipping bugs off the surface.

So grab your gear and hit the water while the conditions are right. And if you need any more info or want to book a trip, you know where to find me!

Tight lines 🎣
Mike Winkler

Fishing Report April 11, 2024

 

 

Hey anglers! Here’s the scoop on the latest fishing action:

Greers Ferry Lake: 

The lake just hit power pool, and they’ve been running one unit 24/7 to lower the water levels. SWPA projected releases but didn’t execute any water runs. Keep an eye out for the generation schedule this week to plan your fishing trips accordingly.

Little Red River

Things are looking up here! The caddis hatch is in full swing, and the fish are loving it. Try using a Guides Choice Hares Ear or a soft Hackle Pheasant tail nymph under an indicator, adjusting the depth based on river levels.

Streamers

Streamer bite is on fire! Opt for an 8# weight fly rod with a 330 grain sink line. Double Deceivers and Peanut Envey flies are doing the trick, especially in yellow and brown or olive and yellow colors.

Happy fishing! 🎣

Fishing Report April 4, 2024

Current Conditions:

The Little Red River has maintained a steady generation schedule over the past week, with the Army Corps of Engineers consistently running one unit of generation 24/7. Greers Ferry Lake is anticipated to reach power pool levels on April 5th. Anglers are keeping an eye on the upcoming weekend and next week to monitor any changes in the generation schedule.

Preferred Fishing Spots:
Given the current generation schedule, launching the boat near the Dam has been a successful strategy. Fishing near the banks or in shallow areas of the river has yielded positive results.

Fly Fishing Techniques:

  • Double Nymph Rig: Set at 6ft deep, using an egg pattern as an attractor with a caddis fly or Pink San Juan Worm below it. This setup has been effective near banks and shallow river areas.
  • Deeper Water Setup: Set at 9 ft deep, adding a split shot above the egg pattern to reach deeper water. Hot flies include egg patterns, San Juan Worms, and caddis fly patterns.

Streamer Fishing:

  • Recommended Flies: Double Deceiver flies in White, Olive, or Brown and Yellow have been successful, especially on cloudy days.
  • Tackle Setup: Using a 330 grain sink line on an eight-weight fly rod, anglers are casting toward the bank for optimal results.

Additional Tips:

  • – Utilize the SWPA Generation Schedule to plan your fishing trips based on predicted generation for the day.
  • – Adjust fly depths and patterns based on water depth and conditions for optimal fishing success.

Fishing Report March 27, 2024

Hey fellow anglers! Here’s a quick rundown of what’s been happening on the Little Red River recently.

**Location:** Little Red River, Arkansas
**Guide:** Mike Winkler
**Website:** [littleredflyfishingtrips.com](https://littleredflyfishingtrips.com/)
**Phone:** 501-507-3688

**Generation Schedule:**

Last week, we saw a bit of variation in the generation schedule from the Army Corps of Engineers. They were running two generators in the morning for about 4 hours, then turning them off for a while. Later in the day, usually around 5 pm till 10 pm, they would start running two generators again. However, this week it looks like they’re shifting to running one generator around the clock, 24/7. The schedule has been a bit unpredictable in terms of start times and water release amounts, so it’s best to keep an eye on the SWPA Generation Schedule for updates.

**Fishing Techniques:**

We’ve been having success with a double nymph rig set between 6ft to 9ft deep, using split shot to help get the flies down. Hot fly colors have been White, Pink, or Chartreuse San Juan Worms, along with caddis patterns, all fished under an indicator.

**Streamer Action:**

The streamer bite has been good lately! The generation schedule is ideal for throwing streamer patterns towards the bank and stripping them in. Olive and yellow streamer patterns have been particularly effective.

So, grab your gear, check the generation schedule, and get out there for some great fishing on the Little Red River! Tight lines! 🎣

Fishing Report March 19, 2024

The recent rain, totaling two and a half inches, has caused the lake to rise above power pool levels. As a result, the Army Corps of Engineers is operating two generators 24/7 to manage the water levels. This generation schedule is expected to continue until Greers Ferry lake reaches normal pool levels, which is projected by the USACE Little Rock App for March 25th.
 
Given the current water conditions, Mike is launching his boat at JFK Park and using a deep water nymph rig set at depths ranging from 6ft to 12ft depending on the river depth. He’s having success with a Pink San Juan Worm with split shot above it. Additionally, the streamer bite has been good under the current generation schedule. Mike recommends trying Double Deceivers in White or Yellow and Brown, casting towards the bank and varying your retrieve to entice bites.

Fishing Report March 14, 2024

Hey anglers! Here’s the scoop on fishing the Little Red River lately:

**Water Conditions:** The South West Power Administration (SWPA) has been doing some interesting water releases from the dam. They typically start in the morning for a few hours, then turn it off, and then resume until around 9 o’clock. Be sure to check the SWPA website for the daily water release schedule before hitting the water.

**Best Fishing Strategy:** With the recent generation schedule, the best bet is to fish from a boat near the dam during high water flows. I’ve been having success using a deep water nymph rig set anywhere from 6 ft to 12 ft deep. The go-to fly has been a Pink San Juan Worm, set at various depths depending on where you are on the river.

**Contact Information:** If you need more info or want to book a guided trip, you can reach out to Mike Winkler at 501-507-3688. Also, check out their websites at littleredflyfishingtrips.com and littleredriverflyguides.com for additional details.
Happy fishing, and tight lines! 🎣

Fishing Report February 15, 2024

Well the generation coming out of Greers Ferry Dam has not been consistent as far as timing. They have been running a split generation schedule of lately two units in the morning then some at night. I’d expect this kind of schedule to last until they get the lake down or until we get a bunch of rain then they might shut it off for a bit. Then back to running high water.The bite has been good with them running two units of water. I’m primarily launching at the dam. I’ve been setting up two rods for nymping.

The first rod is set about 6 to 7 ft deep and I’m running a single Pink San Juan Worm above it is a small split shot to help get it down. I’m using this set up in slower water and casting to the banks. The other set up is a deep water nymp rig set from 9ft to 12 ft deep, with split shot to help get it down in the deeper sections. San Juan Worms, egg patterns or anything buggy have been working. The streamer bite has been good. We definitely have the water for it. Double Deceiver been consistent.