There's no ramp, but expect plenty of boat traffic during warm weather. When mayflies or caddis dance atop the water here, the surface erupts as trout gorge on the hapless insects.

LOBO LANDING
Two miles farther downstream, off Route 337, you'll find an AGFC-maintained ramp and a private resort with a dock, restaurant, cabins and bait shop at Lobo Landing. Fly-fishers generally leave this deep spot to boaters.

Sculpins, a bottom-lurking baitfish found in Ozarks streams, were illegally stocked in the Little Red a few years ago. If you can catch some with bits of worm on tiny hooks, they're excellent brown trout bait here and in other deep areas.

PANGBURN ACCESS
At the state Route 110 bridge 24 miles downstream, the Pangburn access has no boat ramp, but it's comfortable for folks who like to wade or fish from its sandy banks. It features the old highway bridge with the center removed, providing a generous fishing platform on each side of the river with dramatic views into the water. Room is limited, but so is the fishing pressure; rainbows are larger than average here.

Trout patrol woody debris around the pilings and take bait fished from above. This is a perfect place for practicing with streamers. Instead of dead-drifting nymphs, cast Woolly Buggers or Clouser Minnows upstream and strip them back, or cast down and across and let them swing in the current.

Literature and advice on flies, water conditions and bait are available at area fly and tackle shops.

COLLINS CREEK
If you know Dry Run Creek on the North Fork River, Collins Creek is the Little Red's downsized equivalent. This scenic, manmade stream follows a natural creek bed and empties into the river. It opened in 2004.

According to AGFC fisheries biologist Tom Bly, the creek holds a good trout population, and rainbows, browns and cutts spawn there. However, because it's fed by river water pumped from the dam -- in contrast to Dry Run Creek, which receives fertile effluent from a fish hatchery -- Collins Creek doesn't have the same potential to grow lunkers.

Anglers under 16 years old may fish the entire creek, and below the wooden vehicle bridge in the park, licensed anglers over 16, including those with physical challenges, may fish -- but only while they're with an angler who's under 16. Three wheelchair-accessible fishing platforms overlook the lower creek.

Collins Creek is open from sunrise to sunset year 'round for catch-and-release fishing. Only artificial lures or flies with single barbless hooks, fished on one rod per person, are legal. You can always "match the hatch" with a sow bug fly in sizes 14-20. Black, olive or white marabou micro-jigs, drifted under small casting bubbles, work on light spin gear.

MORE INFORMATION
Tailwaters are outstanding fisheries for wading anglers, but they're also treacherous. Enjoy them safely with a few common-sense habits such as monitoring immovable objects to detect rising water. For more hints, call the AGFC at 1-800-364-4263 for a free "Wading Safety" brochure.