Well folks, I just got back from a weekend of fishing at the Little Red. Since I was there for only three days, I fished the cow shoals area only. The fish are moving, but they seem to have lock jaw right now. I pulled in a couple nice nice browns mixed with a couple rainbows. The largest brown I caught legitimately (hooked in the mouth) was ~22 inches. Sunday morning I landed about 6 fish, half of which were foul hooked. Only one of those six fish were under 20 inches! So the big ones are in there! It looks like we need to wait a week or so until it really turns on. All of the locals told me that it was still too early and not to believe the the reports in the internet. I'm headed back in December when it is nice and cold.

What was working? On Saturday, I didn't catch more than one fish on a single fly. Fish were caught on eggs, red asses, copper Johns, and sow bug. Sunday, it seemed that red asses were the ticket. I'm not sure if the same pattern will be working later on in December, but I'll let you know.

Although the fishing was slow, the scenery was nice. Fall foliage in full display. Also gun shots in the back ground (apparently deer season started).

Maybe next time I'll have pics.

cool, i'm headed up there thursday for 5 days.

hey where did you fish at cow, up at the top, middle or all over. How was the crowd?

Thanks

Crowd wasn't too bad. I found everyone to be friendly and accomodating. Saturday morning I fished the island which is about 400 yards up stream. The river gets choked off a bit, so the fish are stacked in that area. If you attempt to go there, bring a head lamp and get there early (pre-dawn) because that is prime realestate. If the dam releases water, you better get out of there fast (its a long walk back)!

Otherwise, the next best spot is just to the right along the far bank when you come down the steps from the parking lot (just left of where the run off hits the main river, up stream from a lay down). There is a hole where the fish get stacked up. If the water is low, you will see packs of fish moving up the river in water about six inches deep. If the dam released water in the evening, then the fish are all over the river and any place 50 yards down stream to 200 yards up steam of the entrance is good fishing.

I have also had luck at the park by the dam. This is the fist place you should try right after the dam stops releasing (if they release during the day). Recently all releases have been in the evening.

Bring plenty of red asses for the trip. You can also buy flies at the gas station before the turnoff on 110 to cow shoals.

Yall are talking about my old stomping grounds. I used to live in Conway and make the drive up to the little red quite often.

The ozark angler is also a good place to get flies. There is one in Little Rock and one in Heber also. I always got mine in Heber.

check out www.ozarkangler.com
There is quite a bit on there. There used to be a fishing and river report and fly recommendations. I haven't been there in quite a while.

Stop by the shop and ask them what everyone has been catching fish on. They were always more than happy to help me.

I would venture to say 90% of the trout I caught on the Little Red came off of a RedAss or a Green Soft Hackle.

Good luck. If you need a beer or any other type of drink (Heber is in a dry county) while you are there, go check out the The Yacht Club at The Narrows. Don't let that name fool you either. It is a nice place but not real fancy like the name implies.

Hey boilermaker, I think I saw you at Cow Shoals, with 50,000 other people. What a mess!! Was it opening day trout season. Oh my God!!!! I am not used to that. I prefer small spring fed creeks, great fishing, and SOLITUDE!!! I did manage to catch a few fish, and the scenery was wonderful. Just not my cup of tea. My fish were caught on egg patterns, and I did manage to catch a few trout on a blue winged olive late in the day, but the fish were small. I did find the people friendly, mostly because noone was catching fish, they were bored, and talking to the thousands of others kills time. The food was great up there. Ate at Klasers, and had awesome fajitas at a place called El Rey. Overall a decent time, but probably won't go back. Though it was kind of a tourist trap. I did see the rod and reel that caught the world record brown trout. Piece of [censored], and 4 pound test line. Are you kidding me!!! Probably bought that combo at Walmart. After all of the time and money we spend on this sport, that guy catches that fish on that piece. Oh well, it's the time outdoors that makes it all worthwhile.

Trout Bum, Unfortunately Cow Shoals does have that reputation for combat fishing. I too like a bit of solitude, but I'm willing to put up with the crowd as long as people don't try to squeeze you out. We are all out there for the same reason, so I think it is rare to find someone with a bad selfish attitude.

There are other walk in access points which do not get as much traffic. Libby Shoals may not have as much traffic. Although I have never done it, I think you can hike down stream from Winkley Shoals and find some space.

The worst crowd I have ever seen was the St Josephs river in Michigan during the Steelhead run. People are literally shoulder to shoulder (and they are mean).

I'd like to get some tips for where you like to fish. I'm looking for some good waters in CO, MT, WY, ID. I'm loosing my job in three weeks and I'm going on fishing road trip next fall (taking a year off). I want to find some good public access places across the country. One person mention the Taylor River in CO.

By the way, if you have the means...The Owyhee in Oregon has some really good fishing too. My buddies in Idaho go there all the time, and it is really scenic! The river has 20+ inch browns as well.

Boilermaker, send me a pm, and I can hook you up. I am as close to a guide as you can be, without guiding in Southern Colorado. I did go and catch a Brook Trout at Libby Shoals, and stayed at Lobo Landing, which was really nice. Don't get me wrong, I love people, and talking to people. I am a very outgoing person, and enjoy talking about fishing, and life in general. Just not while I am dialed into fly fishing. I enjoy the time when I am in one with nature.
Later, Troutbum

Hey guys, I forgot to add one thing. I did meet a real good and intense fly fisherman this weekend. His name is Aaron, and he is the originator of TroutPredator.Com. Awseome guide, and website.
Check it out.
www.troutpredator.com

No Way! That guy was there! I was checking out his post on Youtube prior to this trip. His video was one of two posts on tying a sowbug. He seems like a very keen fly fisherman.

Yeah, he was there both Sunday and Monday. He was positioned right at the end of the steps at that killer spot, where most of the big browns were caught. If I am not mistaken, he fished the Northfork on Saturday. Cool guy, and great conversation,