July 1–July 31, 2026
The Little Red River Guide Association is composed of full-time trout fishing guides with at least five years of experience and a minimum of 50 guided trips per year. The LRRGA exists to provide partners with accurate, current reporting on angling opportunity across the 32 miles of managed tailwater on the Little Red River.
Whole-River Summary
LRRGA contributors reported 28 guide trips during July. These trips included 75 guided clients, who caught 618 rainbow trout and 15 brown trout.
Average Trip CPUE: 2.04 trout per client-hour
LRRGA Preferred Standard: 4.0 trout per client-hour
Client Return-Likelihood Rating: 3.46 / 5 stars
LRRGA Passing Standard: 4.0 / 5 stars
Trophy Trout: 12 total — 2 rainbow trout and 10 brown trout
Estimated Client Spending: $43,235
One trip did not include a spending estimate, so the spending total reflects 27 of the 28 reported trips.
Angling Opportunity Assessment
Both primary measures fell below LRRGA standards during July. Average trip CPUE was 2.04 trout per client-hour, approximately half of the preferred rate of 4.0. The average client return-likelihood rating was 3.46 stars, below the passing rating of 4.0.
CPUE measures the catch experience clients had on the water. The client return-likelihood rating is a restaurant-style five-star rating that considers the complete guided-trip experience. It includes the fishing, quality of the catch, river conditions, guide service, client enjoyment, and other factors that may influence whether clients want to return.
Because the rating considers the entire experience, clients may still enjoy their trip even when catch rates are low. However, July’s average rating indicates that the overall experience was not consistently strong enough to meet LRRGA’s passing standard.
Partner Takeaway
The July reports indicate that guided angling opportunity was below preferred levels on the Little Red River. Guides reported trophy-trout opportunities and an estimated $43,235 in client spending, but neither catch rates nor the overall client return-likelihood rating met LRRGA standards. Continued reporting will help partners track whether fishing opportunity and the complete guided-client experience improve or decline over time.
Report Notes
- Trip CPUE is calculated as total trout caught divided by total client-hours. This allows trips of different lengths and client counts to be compared more fairly.
- After each trip, the reporting guide assigns a one-to-five-star return-likelihood rating based on the guide’s observations and client feedback. Similar to a restaurant rating, it summarizes the complete experience rather than fishing success alone.
- A return-likelihood rating of 4.0 stars or higher is considered satisfactory. A rating below 4.0 stars is considered unsatisfactory.
- LRRGA’s preferred client CPUE is 4.0 trout per client-hour.
- LRRGA defines a trophy trout as any rainbow trout or brown trout measuring greater than 18 inches.