I will be staying in Hot Springs- in early Nov, and again in mid Dec. In Nov, I'm staying on Lake Hamilton, not sure yet where in Dec.

Are there any decent fly fishing opportunities near Hot Springs? I went there probably 15 years ago, and was able to snag a few very small stocker rainbows below the Lake Hamilton Dam, but I remember thinking wading would have been tough there.

Or, should I just stick to fishing the lake off of our little dock at the rental house? Not expecting much from that. But I would REALLY like to throw some flys, for trout or smallmouth (never caught one on a fly rod before).

Any advice on AR fishing near Hot Springs would be greatly appreciated.

Ouachita Outdoors

This place has a small fly shop in it and were really helpful. Been wanting to go back for a guided small mouth trip. Id give them a call

I'm sure others here will have some good knowledge for what you are looking for in that area as I'm not a big fly guy.. just stopping in to say I'm jealous! Love the Hot Springs/Ouachita area and sad that we missed our annual trip this year to LOSP.

Can't help you much on the fly fishing but water temps are dropping up here in Ark/MO and Crappie are moving into brush piles. Also Smallmouth has picked up this last few days of cooler weather. Little bit further north than you but good luck.

Evan is a friend of mine and pretty much the only fly guide out that way. Plenty of great smallmouth water over there. I used to live in Little Rock and fished all over that area.

https://www.ouachitaflyanglers.com/