Live Big on the Little Red
Cow Shoals is a walk-in area with almost a mile of fishing. Brown trout spawn here during the fall, and anglers often stand shoulder to shoulder. Despite catch-and-release regulations from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, many guides and local anglers feel it is unethical, and harmful to the wild brown trout population, to target actively spawning trout. Fish the deep water above or below the shoal area, or avoid Cow Shoals altogether during the fall—there are many other fine places for fall fishing where you won’t negatively impact the trout population.
For fly fishers, Cow Shoals is best in the spring, when there are many smaller, more aggressive browns around. From February through April, there can be excellent dry-fly fishing during periods of low flow. Earlier in the year, this is primarily a midge-fishing affair, with #18-22 Parachute Adams and Griffith’s Gnats, but in April you’ll also need #16-20 BWO imitations when mayflies join the hatch in the afternoons.
Barnett Access (Winkley Shoals is just downstream), is a popular walk-in area with good numbers of rainbows and browns. It includes a half-mile of good wadable water with skinny flats, fast riffles, drop-offs, slow-moving deep pools, and plenty of large submerged rocks. Use the Barnett Access boat launch to motor upstream a few miles to places like Ritchey Shoal, which is not walk-in accessible.
If you find yourself fishing at the dam or at JFK Park, and Southwestern Power Administration begins generating electricty, jump in your car, drive to Barnett Access, and walk down to Winkley Shoals, where you can fish for about an hour before the high water arrives.
Most anglers who launch boats at Lobo Access motor upriver to fish. Along the way, you’ll pass Libby Shoals (which is also accessible by foot), Moss Dam Shoal, Scroncher Shoals, Baker’s Ford, and the lower end of Winkley Shoals. These are all shallow-water areas where the bottom structure attracts and holds big trout.
The highest numbers of large brown trout are between Beech Island and Winkley Shoals, but monsters can turn up anywhere. From Libby Shoals downstream, there are more holdover 14- to 16-inch rainbows than in the upstream areas.
From Pangburn Shoal downstream, pay attention to rainfall and water conditions, as tributaries such as Big Creek can muddy the water after a heavy rain.
Filled with folklore and fish, the Little Red invites fly fishers to visit its waters year-round. With very few restrictions, lots of access, and hospitable Heber Springs nearby, this destination should appeal to anglers of all skill levels.
Barbara Baird is a freelance writer and publisher of the Women’s Outdoor News. An avid outdoorswoman, Baird is also a NRA-certified handgun instructor. She lives in the Missouri Ozarks and this is her first article for Fly Fisherman.
Resorts and Shops
• Burke’s Guide Service
(501) 362-5502
burkesguideservice.com
• Lindsey’s Resort
(501) 362-3139, (800) 305-8790
lindseysresort.com
• Little Red Fly Shop
(501) 887-9988, (888) 442-4022
littleredflyshop.com
• Lobo Landing Resort
(501) 362-5802, (800) 659-8330
lobolandingresort.com
• Ozark Angler
(501) 362-3597
ozarkangler.com
• Red River Trout Dock
(501) 362-2197
redrivertroutdock.com
• Swinging Bridge Resort
(501) 362-3327
swingingbridgeresort.com
Copyright © 2012 Intermedia Outdoors
Comments