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THE LITTLE RED RIVER A tailrace like the
Northfork and the White, the Little Red is a true brown trout success story. It's abundant
aquatic vegetation, sowbugs and scuds, allow trout to grow up to ¾ of an inch in a month.
The Little Red produced the current world record for brown trout at 40 pounds and 4 ounces
by the late Rip Collins. Rainbows, cutthroats and brooktrout are stocked through out the
river. Most of the brookies seem to congregate in the upper stretches below the dam while
the predominant browns, rainbows and the cutthroats remain scattered through out the
river. Apparently the Little Red was never stocked with browns by the state, but by local
fishing club(s). The brown trout population took off like a rocket and natural
reproduction became evident around 1982.
In early October the browns start their upstream migration and start digging
their redds within the next 2 to 3 weeks. The run on the Little Red is usually a month to
six weeks ahead of the White, which gives anglers more opportunities for a big fish.
Rainbows are always present below the redds of the browns. On the Little Red they usually
run in late November.
The first access point is at Ramsey Public Access, which is around 30 miles
down river. Next up would be Dripping Springs with the Mossy Shoal and Dunham Shoal before
Lobo Landing, which is about 17 miles below the dam. Four more shoals: Libby Shoal, Moss
Dam, Scroncher and Winkley Shoal separate Lobo Landing from the Swinging Bridge or Barnett
Access. They are best reached by canoe due to private property along the river.Up from
Barnett is Ritchey Shoal with a couple of islands followed by Cow Shoals, which is the
catch and release area and the most popular access point. From there on the river is deep
and wide in most places and again best fished out of a canoe or Jonboat until Kennedy Park
Access just below the dam. Be aware of water fluctuations.
Thanks to Tom Bly, fisheries
biologist for the Little Red, for his time and information. He can be reached through the Ozark Angler Flyshop.