Arkansas Fly Fishing Report | Little Red River & Saline River
Arkansas Fly Fishing Report | Little Red River & Saline River
The Arkansas Fly Fishing Report | Little Red River & Saline River covers current conditions for the Little Red River and the Saline River in Central Arkansas. River levels, weather, and dam releases can change quickly. Checking current conditions helps anglers plan safer and more productive trips.
The Little Red River below Greers Ferry Dam is one of the best trout fisheries in Arkansas. Generation levels often control where and how anglers fish. When water is low and stable, anglers can often wade and fish small nymph patterns. When generation increases, anglers may focus on deeper runs and adjust their rigs to reach feeding trout.
The Saline River offers a very different experience. This warmwater river supports strong populations of smallmouth bass. Rainfall can raise the river quickly, so water level and clarity are important factors. When the river runs clear and at a good level, anglers often find active smallmouth near rocky runs, gravel bars, and shaded banks.
Below you will find the latest river information pulled from real-time sources. This includes river gauges, generation schedules, and weather conditions to help anglers understand current fishing conditions across Central Arkansas. For a more in depth look into this information check out the Main Reports Page.
Current River Conditions
Little Red River
Water clarity: Slightly stained
Generation: Sporadic
Best methods: Small nymphs, egg patterns and sowbugs. Wooley buggers in black and olive/copper
Best water: Seams where water is pushing on low flows
Saline River
Water clarity: Clear
Water level: Normal
Best methods: Streamers and crayfish patterns
Best water: Rocky runs and shaded banks
River Conditions
Updated river snapshots from Reel Good Fishing. Gauge and forecast data are pulled automatically from verified sources.
Little Red River
Greers Ferry tailwater trout conditions
Guide notes
Water is extremely low with little to no generation. Caddis are starting to show up. Midges and eggs early, sowbugs by late morning, best drift is low and slow along gravel seams.
Weather snapshot
- Now: 82°F
- Wind: 5 mph S
- Tonight: Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Clear
Saline River
Central Arkansas smallmouth conditions
Guide notes
Water is still on the cooler side with the recent cold fronts. The water has some decent flow and depth and Bass are starting to move up to spawn with the warmer weather. Black wooley buggers and crayfish patterns are still working the best, the best areas are deeper pockets closer to the shoals.
Weather snapshot
- Now: 82°F
- Wind: 5 mph SSE
- Tonight: Mostly Clear
Greers Ferry Generation Schedule
Refresh nowSchedule date: FRIDAY,APRIL 10, 2026
Last updated: April 10, 2026 5:44 pm
- Units: 2
- Capacity: 110 MW
- Estimated discharge: 7,900 cfs
Hourly values were not available in the source format today.
Projected only. Always confirm official releases before wading or floating.
What Anglers Are Seeing Right Now
Best Flies Right Now
Little Red River
• Zebra midge
• Sowbug
• Pheasant tail
• Egg fly
Saline River
• Clouser Minnow
• Crawfish fly
• Olive bugger
• Popper
River Safety
Generation schedules can change quickly. Always check the Greers Ferry Dam schedule before wading the Little Red River. Rising water can occur without warning.
Weather Outlook
Stable weather often improves fishing conditions. Sudden rain can raise warmwater rivers quickly. Anglers should check recent rainfall before fishing the Saline River.
Little Red River
Heber Springs, AR
This Afternoon
78° F — Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Wind: 5 mph S
| Period | Temp | Forecast |
|---|---|---|
| This Afternoon | 78°F | Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms |
| Tonight | 60°F | Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Clear |
| Saturday | 79°F | Sunny |
Saline River
Bryant, AR
This Afternoon
82° F — Sunny
Wind: 5 mph S
| Period | Temp | Forecast |
|---|---|---|
| This Afternoon | 82°F | Sunny |
| Tonight | 58°F | Mostly Clear |
| Saturday | 83°F | Sunny |
Guide Insight
Recent trips have shown trout holding in deeper seams during lower water on the Little Red River. Small nymphs and sowbug patterns have produced steady action.
Smallmouth bass on the Saline River have been aggressive when water remains clear. Streamers and crawfish patterns continue to produce strikes.
Guided Arkansas Fly Fishing Trips
If you want help understanding river conditions, Reel Good Fishing offers guided Arkansas fly fishing trips on both the Little Red River and the Saline River.
Guided trips help anglers learn river structure, fly selection, and techniques that improve success. An Arkansas fishing license is required and can be purchased at the Arkansas Game and Fish.
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