Hatch-chart pattern list
Best Flies for Spring River (Arkansas) (Arkansas)
The Spring River (Arkansas) in Arkansas fishes as both a wade and a float. It is a spring creek fishery for Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout, with the most reliable window in March, April, May. The patterns below are matched to the hatch chart we publish for this water. They are not a live report of what other anglers caught this week.
This is not a live report of other anglers' catches. Presence and flow live on the Spring River (Arkansas) river page and the Arkansas destination guide.
What's hatching now
Month, insect, size, and pattern from the Spring River (Arkansas) hatch chart. October is highlighted when that month exists in the chart. We do not invent a hatch that is not on the chart.
| Month | Insect | Size | Pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| March | Midge | #20-26 | Zebra Midge |
| Blue-winged Olive | #18-22 | Parachute BWO | |
| April | Blue-winged Olive | #16-20 | Sparkle Dun BWO |
| Midge | #20-26 | Mercury Midge | |
| Caddis | #14-18 | Elk Hair Caddis | |
| May | Caddis | #14-18 | X-Caddis |
| Sulphur | #16-18 | Parachute Sulphur | |
| June | Terrestrials | #12-16 | Foam Beetle |
| October | Blue-winged Olive | #18-22 | Parachute BWO |
| Midge | #22-26 | Brassie | |
| November | Midge | #22-26 | Zebra Midge |
| Blue-winged Olive | #18-22 | Parachute BWO | |
| December | Midge | #22-26 | WD-40 |
Nymphs
Subsurface patterns matched to this river's chart and catalog. Fish them at the size the chart lists, not the size that looks good in the bin.
Dries
Dries and terrestrials for the Spring River (Arkansas). If the chart says a size 18 PMD, do not start with a 12.
Streamers
Streamers and wets for stained water, banks, and low light. This is not a claim that streamers are "on" today.
Setup
5X and 6X fluorocarbon on nymphs, 5X on dries unless the fish are on Tricos, then 6X or 7X. A 3.0–3.8mm tungsten on the point and a lighter dropper is a default until you see the water. Tight-line the near bank and the heads of pockets. Use an indicator only when you need to search water you cannot euro.
FAQ
- What flies work on the Spring River (Arkansas)?
- Start with BWO Sparkle Dun and Zebra Midge, then match size to the hatch chart for the month you are standing in. The Spring River (Arkansas) does not need a 40-pattern box. It needs the right size on the insect that is actually in the drift.
- When is the best time to fly fish the Spring River (Arkansas)?
- The editorial window we list is March, April, May, October, November, December. That is a planning month range, not a guarantee. Shoulder months can fish well if flows and water temperature cooperate.
- Do I need a guide on the Spring River (Arkansas)?
- Arkansas has walk-up wade water and, on some sections, float water. A guide is worth it for a first float or a technical tailwater. A hatch chart and a gauge are enough for a first wade if you already nymph. We list local guides and shops on this page when we have them.
- Where can I see live flow for the Spring River (Arkansas)?
- The Spring River (Arkansas) has no USGS gauge mapped yet. The river page says so; we are not guessing a number. Access notes and the hatch chart are on that page. We do not publish other people's spots or fish counts.
- Is this a report of what's working now on the Spring River (Arkansas)?
- No. Executive Angler does not publish other anglers' catches, GPS, or a crowdsourced hot fly. This page is hatch-chart patterns plus catalog flies. Presence on the river page is gauge and weather only.
Related
River guide
Spring River (Arkansas)
Access, hatch chart, USGS gauge.
Destination
Arkansas
Trip planning for this region.
Pattern
BWO Sparkle Dun
Dry
Pattern
Zebra Midge
Midge
Pattern
BWO Parachute
Dry
Fly shop
Angler's White River Resort
Hardy, AR
Fly shop
Anglers Choice
494 AR-345, Cotter, AR 72626
Nearby water
Little Red River
Open the river guide, then its fly list.
Nearby water
Norfork River
Open the river guide, then its fly list.
Nearby water
White River (Arkansas)
Open the river guide, then its fly list.










