Three World-Record Fish, Four
World-Class Golf Courses, One 25-Mile Radius
By Jay Harrod
On license plates, Louisiana asserts itself as the "Sportsman’s Paradise." For those passionate about fishing or golfing, though, there’s good reason to argue there may be no ground – or water – more hallowed than that of Greers Ferry Lake and the Little Red River which is located in the scenic foothills of the Ozark Mountains and only about an hour from Little Rock.
It’s no stretch when the locals refer to the Little Red River as a
world-renowned trout stream. In 1992, the late H. "Rip" Collins
landed a 40-pound 4-ounce German brown trout, which was – and
remains – the world’s record. But the small stream is probably
better known among anglers and fly fishers from across the U.S. for
its abundance of big rainbows; those in the 20- to 30-pound range
aren’t uncommon catches. Lesser known, but equally impressive, is
the fact that two other world-record fish, the hybrid striped bass
and the walleye, were caught on Greers Ferry Lake, which is the
reservoir from which the Little Red flows. (The hybrid striped bass,
caught in 1997, weighed in at 27 pounds, 5 ounces, and the walleye,
caught in ’82, was 22 pounds, 11 ounces.)
But walleye and hybrid striped bass aren’t the only catches on the fishing menu at Greers Ferry. Every game fish native to the State of Arkansas has been stocked in the clear waters of the lake by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and it is especially revered as an excellent largemouth bass fishery.
Adding to the sportsman’s appeal is the amount of public access afforded along the river. Some 35 miles of the stream below the dam at Greers Ferry can support trout, and there are several riverside resorts that offer lodging, guide services and rental boats. And, because Greers Ferry Lake is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-managed impoundment, its shores are largely undeveloped. On the lake, there are more than 10 campgrounds, dozens of boat ramps and nine marinas, eight of which offer rental boats. But those fishing Greers Ferry certainly don’t have to rough it. There are five resorts, some offering plush accommodations, and dozens of other lodging options in towns near the lake.
Worth bragging about, too, is the region’s golfing. When officials from the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism announced in July The Natural State Golf Trail, the 18-hole championship course at the Red Apple Inn on Greers Ferry Lake was named as one of the 10 initial courses. Although the course, located on Eden Isle, is already well known among golfers in Arkansas and surrounding states, this new status will most likely help the course gain additional notoriety.
But, like the two lesser-known
world record fish pulled from Greers Ferry,
two other beautiful and
challenging public courses also located on the lake, Tannenbaum and
Mountain Ranch in Fairfield Bay, have caught the attention of
serious golfers and have been added to the list of golf courses on
the Natural State Golf Trail.
The course managers at Red Apple Inn, which was hailed by Golf Digest as one of the "50 Most Scenic Courses," applied to participate in The Natural State Golf Trail and had to meet stringent guidelines as well as gain the approval from an advisory group that played and scored each course based on a set of established criteria. The Red Apple Inn is also known as one of the state’s most lavish resorts. The inn, which is decorated in Old World Spanish décor, features 50 guest rooms (some with fireplaces and decks), rental condos, immaculate landscaping, two pools, tennis courts and an award-winning restaurant with an expansive view of the lake. The Red Apple also offers a driving range, a pro shop and an exercise room with a large hot tub, steam rooms and spa services. A full-service marina, which provides rental boats of all sorts, is located on the island, and golf, fly fishing and spa packages are also available at the inn.
Across the lake from the Red Apple Inn, Tannenbaum is an upscale resort and retirement community that – in addition to its top-notch 18-hole championship golf course – has tennis and basketball courts as well as spectacular, fully equipped lakeside chalets and condos with fireplaces and decks with hot tubs.
Also nearby, Fairfield Bay Resort features luxury condos, two 18-hole championship golf courses, a tennis complex with a pro shop and 10 courts, seasonal horseback riding, and an on-site shopping center with more than 30 retail stores and services. In addition, Fairfield Bay has a 357-slip full-service marina where boats, party barges, fishing guides and rental equipment are available.
Worth noting, too, is the beauty of the lake, the river and the surrounding countryside. Greers Ferry Lake is known for its clear waters and cliffs that line much of its shoreline. One easily recognizable geologic feature on the lake is Sugar Loaf Mountain, where a national recreational trail by the same name climbs the 1,000-foot summit on an uninhabited island (making it accessible only by boat). During warmer months, the fog that hovers over the cold water in the Little Red can create a striking effect. And visitors traveling from the south or east will certainly notice a difference as they enter the region’s hilly terrain.
A good place for an overview of the area’s geology, history and recreational opportunities is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Visitor Center, on Ark. Highway 25 near the dam. The stone and redwood structure houses an exhibit hall and a theater that features a 20-minute presentation, "The Saga of the Little Red River: A Tale of Two Centuries," which relates the history of the region prior to and through the construction of the dam. Near the visitor center, the Mossy Bluff Nature Trail extends about a mile along a tree-covered bluff overlooking the Little Red River and to a shelter that provides a panoramic view of the river and dam.
If, though, this sportsman’s paradise can’t hold the undivided attention of outdoor enthusiasts, the Ozark National Forest is just 45 miles due north. On the way to some of the best hiking trails and campgrounds in The Natural State, travelers would pass through Mountain View, "The Folk Music Capital of the World," and once there, they could take the "wild cave" tour at Blanchard Springs Caverns or try their luck on yet another renowned trout stream, the White River.