Little Red River

The Little Red River below Greers Ferry Dam in north-central Arkansas holds a special place in American fly fishing history as the home of the former world record brown trout, a 40-pound, 4-ounce specimen caught in 1992 that stunned the angling world and put this modest Ozark tailwater on the international map. While the specific conditions that produced that extraordinary fish are debated to this day, the Little Red continues to be one of the finest tailwater trout fisheries in the South, with cold, clear releases from Greers Ferry Lake supporting dense populations of rainbow trout and a smaller but significant population of trophy-capable brown trout.

The Little Red's upper section near the dam is the most productive trout water, with approximately 30 miles of cold tailwater supporting excellent populations of rainbows averaging 12 to 16 inches and browns that commonly exceed 20 inches. The river's prolific scud and sowbug populations are the foundation of its productivity, and anglers who master subsurface patterns in pink and tan will find consistent success throughout the year. Surface fishing peaks during the river's reliable blue-winged olive and midge hatches from fall through spring, when attentive anglers can spot pods of rising trout in the quieter pools and tailouts. The Little Red's combination of accessible wading during low generation, consistent year-round fishing, and the ever-present possibility of a truly extraordinary brown trout makes it a destination that should be on every serious trout angler's list.