Top Tips From Lindsey's Resort

WYou don't need a reason to go fishing, you just need to go.

Trout fishing is not just a pastime; it's an experience that connects you with nature, challenges your skills, and offers the thrill of the catch. At Lindsey's Resort, nestled in the heart of stunning landscapes, anglers of all levels can find the perfect spot to cast their lines. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a beginner, these top trout fishing tips will enhance your experience and increase your chances of landing that prized catch.

If you want to see the ghost that haunts every angler on this river, you walk yourself into the old Pot O' Gold now known as Bully’s on the River—the restaurant right here at the resort. Hanging there is the mount of the beast Howard "Rip" Collins pulled out of these waters. It’s a 40-pound, 4-ounce Brown Trout that didn't just break a record; it broke the collective mind of the fishing world back in '92. Now, pull up a chair and pour a tall one. We’re going deep into the seasons, the struggles, and the secrets of the Little Red.

Rip Collins & his 40 pound 4 ounce World Record Brown Trout, May 9, 1992.

The 40-Pound Miracle: Rip’s World Record

When you’re sitting in Bully’s, take a good, long look at that fish. Most folks see a trophy; I see a lesson in humility. Rip wasn’t out there with a deep-sea rig or a cable. He was using 4-pound test line. Do you know how thin that is? It’s like trying to land a Volkswagen with a piece of dental floss.

He hooked that monster near the old Swinging Bridge, folks know it as Barnett Access today, on an olive-green marabou jig. For five minutes, time stopped on the Little Red. That fish stood as the All-Tackle World Record for nearly two decades, and it still holds the 4-pound line class record today. It’s the Arkansas State Record and a reminder that on any given Tuesday, a monster could rise from the moss and change your life.

The Little Red isn't just a river; it's a factory for giants. And having that mount right there at the resort means you can start every morning with a reminder of what’s possible if you play your cards right.

Spring is the season of hope, but we’re fishing smart this year. Because of the drought and the hatchery stocking issues, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has put us on a temporary two-fish limit. Is it a bummer? Maybe to some. But to those of us who love this river, it’s a blessing. It protects the stockers so they can grow into monsters.

When the Caddis bugs start popping, the surface of the river looks like it’s boiling. It’s the one time of year when dry fly fishing is king. There’s nothing like seeing a 20-inch Rainbow sip a Caddis off the surface in the morning mist.

The new concrete boat launch and the beautiful 30-slip marina will be the hero of spring. Rain can turn the riverbanks into a slip-and-slide, but access to the marina and our concrete launch stay solid. Guests staying on the property can either keep their boat in a slip or rent one of ours. Be sure to use code ROGO for rent one day and get a second day free when you book online*. Our guests love the ease of it—less time wrestling with a trailer, more time casting into the rise.

*Some restrictions apply, while supplies last.