Brown Trout in the Little Red: The Spawn

Fall weather has cooled air temperatures, but fishing is still hot at many Arkansas rivers. Based on recent reports from actoss the state, fish are feeding aggresively in anticipation of the lean winter days.

The Little Red River and other hot spots are still attracting good numbers of anglers, but many streams and rivers are becoming less frequented with the decline of the casual angler. That means more room and better fishing for me and you. Many of you are familiar with the Little Red River in north-central Arkansas. This river was, until recently, home to the world record brown trout, a 40lb. 4oz. monster of a fish. It still is home to monster fish, and is a breeding ground for monster browns year in and year out.



Brown trout will be spawning in the upper sections of the Little Red over the next several weeks as the temperature begins to fall. If you plan to make a trip in the near future, pay close attention as you wade, and you will likely see them in the more shallow areas of the river. Most often, brown trout choose spawning sites with gravel bottoms and highly oxygenated water flow. By fanning her tail, the female digs a shallow pit in the gravel bed of a riffle, then deposits 4,000 to 12,000 eggs into the nest, or redd. After the male deposits his fertilizer, the female moves upstream to make another. While making another redd, the displaced gravel covers the eggs downstream, thus protecting them throughout the winter. The eggs develop slowly over the winter months, hatching in the spring.

It's not uncommon to witness more novice anglers attempting to hook into one of these spawning fish. That's a bad idea. When engaged in the spawning routine, these fish are much less likely to give any attention to your fly. Moreover, if you stress, kill or drive away the fish guarding these nests, the eggs may not survive. It is important that we continue to care for these redds and preserve the future brown trout population in the Little Red. One misstep while wading can completely destroy an entire nest. While the AGFC does stock Arkansas rivers with browns, the natural reproduction process is important for a healthy brown trout population.

On the other hand, fish that are not spawning will oftentimes wait downstream in hopes of slurping down a stray egg or two. This is where the action for you heats up as these fish are hot and hungry. These fish will likely be hiding out in structured areas. Your best opportunity to hook into one of these guys is in late November using various egg imitations, along with streamers and standard nymphs. 

Remember, as you go out in the next couple of weeks, respect the spawning process. Please be very careful not to step in spawning beds while wading through shallow waters. Additionally, use extra-special care when handling the egg-filled browns. Last but not least, don't forget to cast to The Other Side and, as always, have fun. Good luck.