New to River

[Deleted]

Hello everyone. I’ve been fishing the Little Missouri River in Arkansas for 40 years. Frankly, I need a new/another trout stream to fly fish. I’m trying to understand a few things about the river. If you asked me how to fish the Little Missouri head waters and tail waters of Lake Greeson, I could tell you where/when/how to fly fish the entire fishery. That said I have a few questions and would sincerely appreciate any tips and advice.
1. I know they release fish every other week. What does that mean?
a. Where, exactly are these fish released?
b. What size and how many trout are released? All rainbows or browns?
2. I recently read online “this or that area was over fished by 10 am...
Is this information correct?
3. I’m looking to make the two hour drive up to the LMF and find and area to wade and catch and release 8 or 10 fish in a morning and be able to do this regularly. Is the pressure so immense that this proposition isn’t realistic?
4. I know where/when/how to go catch 8 or 10 trout in Arkansas and where/when/how go catch 50 rainbows and what those conditions look like. Tell me about both these conditions at Beavers Bend. Please be specific. Where - exactly? Example: “go to Old Factory Site, park go 150 yards downstream where you see the old cross ties in the river and drift #12 bead head prince 4’ under an indicator. If that doesn’t work go below the rapids at Hinds Bluff and strip a #10 olive Woolly Bugger in the long pool while standing on the gravel bar by the old milk can.”
I just looking to get my feet wet on this river; enough to want to come back. Throw me a bone here.

[huntnfish2much]

Not trying to be a jerk, but asking exactly where they put the fish in the river is a little ridiculous. There are several stocking points all up and down the river, and they don’t always put fish in at every one every time. Hire a guide from the fly shop. They can show you exactly where and how to fish for rainbows and browns.

Trying to tell you “Go stand on this rock and cast toward that tree” isn’t going to help you at all. The fish are everywhere, and they eat different flies at different times of day. Some days, possibly, you maybe won’t catch anything!

Did you walk up to the Little Mo and just start catching fish? I doubt it. It takes time to learn a stream. Go enjoy the experience.

JR

[huntnfish2much]

beaversbendflyshop.proboards.com/thread/2049/zone-2-wading-water-temp

This thread gives some specific information on Zone 2.

JR

[huntnfish2much]

Jeff gives some really detailed info on where he caught fish.

beaversbendflyshop.proboards.com/thread/2031/nov-6-8

[golferjeff]

Fish come from the hatchery trucks approximately every other week and are released into the river. Commonly referred to as stockers. Often damaged, fins clipped and they eat just about anything put in front of them. No set schedule or spots. Regardless of the hatchery trucks, there are fish in the river year-round - holdovers, long term holdovers and even wild fish. A 10 fish day is sometimes a miracle, other times almost a lock. The more you know about the river, the better your chances. The fish are roughly 90% rainbows, 9% browns, and less than 1% other species (in the trout areas).

You won't find intel here like you described above. What works for one guy might not have a prayer with another guy. In general, smaller flies, finer tippet, good drifts, and finding a spot you have mostly to yourself are the keys to catching fish. Yes, it is often crowded. Bait guys right alongside fly guys (all with barbs pinched . In one of my recent visits, I caught fish on about 10 different flies, 4 different methods, and in a dozen different spots. This ain't the LI.

Good luck on the river.

[txktx123]

I appreciate your candor; I don’t think you’re a jerk. Sorry if my questions asked for too much “intel”. I’m not a spy. I get much more enjoyment by seeing new anglers on my home waters catch fish and feel welcome more than I need to catch another trout. You’re right, I can figure it out myself. But I appreciate the advice about getting a guide. 🤔. I’m just looking for a couple of productive runs to drift some midges. Sorry if that’s asking for too much “intel”. You have a beautiful trout steam up there. Check out the book “Home Waters” on trout fishing on the iconic White River system in Arkansas. It’s full of highly detailed maps and the kind of “intel” I was hoping for from this forum. Thanks anyway.

[jonbo]

I'll try to attach a little map for you after awhile here. I don't have time right now. Basically, within the Park there's plenty of fish all the time. Normally you can start at the Hickory Campground, near the downstream end of it, and work upstream. You'll eventually a big, slow hole. I normally fish moving water, so I bypass this. Then you're at the base of a bridge. The water flowing out there holds fish. The other side of the bridge going upstream, that's the "Evening Hole", and in the past, where most of the fly-fishing was done. There's plenty of fish all up it. The lower end and up kind of past it, what we often call the "Rockpile" (the giant rockpile has been mechanically loaded out of there), has the more moving water. I like the rock-pile area. Nymphs work throughout, zebra midges... Up beyond that are "The Bluffs" and "Cold Hole". I don't normally fish those. Beyond THAT, the other side of a bridge, is "Spillway Creek", 2-3 miles of pocket water. Everywhere has fish.

Below Hickory Campground is more iffy and requires more explanation. I might get to that later. You'll do fine either starting at the base of Hickory and working upstream, or starting at Evening Hole (the other side of the first bridge I mentioned) and working up. First time, I'd park at the Evening Hole bridge and work up.

[txktx123]

Thanks a million Jimbo! My plan is spend a four or five days over the holidays on your BEAUTIFUL RIVER. Your post is exactly what I was looking for! Hope you have a great Christmas!

[coach33]

So, I am "somewhat" new to the river but did have this question. Up and down the river is there mainly just wading areas or can I fish off the bank as well??

[FlyAndStream]

The river is completely walk and wade, or bank fishing, from the spillway dam to the boundary line just before powerhouse dam.