April 4, 2024
Film explores trout tourism on the Little Red River
CONWAY, Ark. (Arkansas PBS) — "Arkansas Wild: The Story of Trout Tourism on the Little Red River" – a film exploring the tourism impact and conservation challenges facing the river, home to the former world-record brown trout and Arkansas's only self-sustaining wild trout population – will premiere on Arkansas PBS Thursday, April 11, at 7 p.m.
Filmmaker and University of Central Arkansas Associate Marketing Professor Dr. Benjamin Garner, a native of Searcy, returned to his roots to showcase the natural beauty and recreational opportunities the river offers. Through interviews with Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Deputy Director Ben Batten, local fly-fishing guides Jamie and Kati Rouse, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff fisheries biologist Dr. Steve Lochmann, and the staff at Lindsey’s Fly Fishing Resort in Heber Springs, Garner sheds light on the importance of preserving this unique ecosystem.
"The Little Red River holds a special place in my heart,” Garner said. “It's where I learned to fish for trout, and I've seen firsthand the impact tourism has had on the river.
"With this film, I hope to raise awareness about the conservation challenges facing the Little Red and inspire others to take action to protect this valuable resource."
Located in the Ozark Mountains, the Little Red River is the tailwater of the Greers Ferry Dam, which was completed in 1962. In the 1960s, trout were planted in the river, and the first brown trout eggs were planted at Cow Shoals in the 1970s by Dave Whitlock and the Arkansas Fly Fishers. Since then, the Little Red has become a popular spot for anglers across the world looking to catch world-class brown trout. However, local guides and anglers report that in the last 20 years they are seeing fewer large fish than they did in the 1980s and ’90s.
A free screening of “Arkansas Wild” will be held Saturday, April 20, at 6:30 p.m. at Thaden School in Bentonville in partnership with the Arkansas Cinema Society.
Additional information about “Arkansas Wild” is available at benjaminrgarner.com.
About Arkansas PBS
Arkansas PBS, Arkansas’s only statewide public media network, empowers learners of all ages by educating, informing, entertaining and inspiring communities. Arkansas PBS serves as a daily and essential resource for Arkansans by creating, sharing, celebrating and driving conversation around Arkansas stories and classic, trusted PBS programs through multiple digital platforms, including livestreaming at myarpbs.org/live, on-demand services and YouTube TV, and the distinct channels Arkansas PBS, Arkansas PBS Create, Arkansas PBS KIDS, Arkansas PBS WORLD and Arkansas PBS AIRS on SAP. Members with Arkansas PBS Passport have extended on-demand access to a rich library of public television programming. Arkansas PBS depends on the generosity of Arkansans and the State of Arkansas to continue offering quality programming. Additional information is available at myarkansaspbs.org. Arkansas PBS is broadcast on KETS (Little Rock), KEMV (Mountain View), KETG (Arkadelphia), KAFT (Fayetteville), KTEJ (Jonesboro), KETZ (El Dorado), KETS (Russellville), KETS (Forrest City), KETS (Gaither) and KETS (Yancy).
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