In the classic movie “The Sound of Music” Julie Andrews sings the oft-parodied "My Favorite Things". Personally, “raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens” don’t find a place on my list, but what I do identify with is the simplicity of the things named. We seem to strive for the grandiose, but it’s usually the simple things in life that bring us real joy.
One of “my favorite things” is a nearly daily occurrence on the Little Red River. It’s the river mist, a fog that forms almost daily throughout much of the year in the early morning and late afternoon.
A simple thing, I know, but it’s beautiful. Sitting in the mist while you’re trout fishing, you sometimes can’t see more than a few feet past the end of the boat.
The Old Testament speaks of a dense cloud that would appear in the Temple, a visual representation of the presence of God... Maybe that’s why I feel a little closer to Him on the river…
One of the great things about being a real estate professional in a resort community is that there are times you can engage in outdoor recreation and still call it "work". As my colleague Howard Calhoun says, sometimes it’s like being a professional golfer.
This was one of those times.
We had been brainstorming about ways to provide useful information to people visiting our area and came up with the idea of doing a series on basic trout fishing techniques. Trout fishing on the Little Red River is something that I did with my dad from a young age. Now that I’m pushing 40, I do the same with my own kids. Our first video, “Trout Fishing 101,” is the most basic approach for catching trout and it’s probably the best way to go if you have small children that aren’t yet skilled enough to work an artificial lure.
Normally in real estate, the term "red lining" is a bad thing. It refers to the practice of denying (or increasing the cost of) services to certain areas. The term originally came from the practice of marking a red line on a map to delineate areas where banks would not lend. However, the “red line” on water front property on Greers Ferry Lake is something different altogether.
Many people familiar with the US Army Corps of Engineers project known as Greers Ferry Lake understand the “white line”. It is the “fee taking line” where private property ends and the government property consisting of the lake and its surrounding real estate begin.
Fewer people, though, have an understanding of the “red line”.
The red line refers to the flowage easement up to 491’ above sea level. Normal pool of Greers Ferry Lake is 461.3 feet above sea level. When land was purchased to create Greers Ferry Lake, the Government also purchased easement rights for property that remained privately owned, but fell below 491’ sea level. The flowage easement grants to the Government the right to periodically flood the land up to the 491’ level. Because of this, structures for human habitation and septic fields are not allowed below 491’. There are trees marked with red paint in the general location of the 491’ line, however, the exact location at any given point varies with the contour of the land. Therefore, it is recommended that a landowner obtain the services of a professional surveyor before commencing any new construction near the red line. For other structures such as roads, outbuildings and electric service lines, permission must be first obtained from the Corps of Engineers before placing onto the flowage easement area.
For more detailed information on the shoreline management policy, check the website of the Corps of Engineers Greers Ferry project.
Boyd Anderson Crye*Leike Brock Real Estate Principal Broker www.HeberSpringsRealEstate.com (501) 206-8845 cell (501) 362-5868 office
Well, I didn't completely skip work. I worked from home with laptop and cell phone and actually made it to the office for a few hours late in the day. But this morning we had snow. I know, I know... you northerners don't see what the big deal is. You think it's ridiculous that our schools shut down and everyone raids all the milk, bread, & eggs at the local grocery when we see a couple of flakes. Maybe it is ridiculous. But we don't usually get more than one or two snows a year... and you should see the looks on my childrens' faces when we do. It's like Christmas to them.
Someday when I'm laying on my deathbed, I won't wish that I spent more hours at the office. But I'll treasure the memories of being with those I love. There are a lot of real estate agents out there... but my children have only one daddy. Yes, I'm a hard worker. Yes, I often have to sacrifice time that should belong to them just so I can put a deal together and get paid in order to provide for my family. But sometimes they need to know that they are the priority. Work is important... very important. But it's not all important. I don't trust a man who thinks otherwise.
Today I played in the snow with my kids. We rode our 4-wheelers. We made snow ice cream. I cooked a big breakfast with eggs, biscuits, & gravy. And the real estate world survived for a few hours without me.
C. Boyd Anderson Crye*Leike Brock Real Estate Principal Broker www.heberspringsrealestate.com (501) 206-8845 cell (501) 362-5868 office
Main 501-362-5868 Cell 501-206-8845 Dir 501-206-8845
Greers Ferry Lake & Little Red River Area Real Estate
Heber Springs, a poplar recreation and relocation community, was developed around Greers Ferry Lake, a 40,000 acre reservoir that boasts year-round conditions suitable for boating, fishing and hunting. From the Greers Ferry Dam begin the cold waters of the Little Red River which boasts a 40 pound, 4-ounce world record brown trout caught in 1992. Greers Ferry Lake and the Little Red River are located in the foothills of the Arkansas Ozark Mountains.
While most of my water front buyers usually buy on Greers Ferry Lake, there are a few reasons why you may want to consider the Little Red River as an alternative. Of course, if you're more interested in trout fishing than water-skiing, that's a no-brainer. But other reasons may include:
Greers Ferry Lake is a Corps of Engineers project. The property line for "lake front" property actually only goes to the white line, which means you can't clear trees past that point. The effect is that many lake front homes have little or no view of the water. River front property is completely different. In most cases, the property line actually goes to the middle of the river. River front homes typically have wide open views of the water.
With a few rare exceptions, the shoreline policy of Greers Ferry Lake prohibits private docks. Most river front properties are able to build and maintain a private dock.
COLD WATER! The cold water of the Little Red River makes fishing during warm weather a real pleasure. The ambient temperature of the air, especially at the water level, is usually noticeably cooler. Also, a thick fog sometimes forms over the water in the mornings or late afternoon that I find absolutely beautiful.
You can have the best of both worlds! Buy a river front home with a view and a dock and keep your ski boat in a slip at one of our local marinas! You can spend the day on the lake and come home to the river and grill out on your deck overlooking the water. Sounds fun, doesn't it? I highly recommend trying it!
Did I mention trout fishing? Did I mention that the Little Red River is home of the world record brown trout?
Even if you decide to buy an off-the-water home in Heber Springs, public access points for both river and lake are always only a short distance away. The clean, clear water is inviting you to come and play!
Shopping for lake front property on Greers Ferry Lake is often an educational process for buyers. Commonly the first questions out of a buyer's mouth is, "What about installing a boat dock?" or, "Can I clear trees to open up the view of the lake?" While there are a few properties around the lake that have private docks, they are by far the exception to the rule and the Corps of Engineers is unlikely to issue more permits in the future. Also, a large number of lake homes do not actually have a view because of the trees and other vegetation that surround the lake. The main difference between a Corps of Engineers lake such as Greers Ferry, and most other lakes, is that the Corps actually owns ALL of the 276-mile boundary around the lake. (From that perspective it could be argued that there really are NO lake front homes on Greers Ferry!) The point at which private property ends and Corps property begins is locally referred to as the "white line". The white line is most easily located by white paint around trees. The trees, though, are an approximate location. Actual survey markers can sometimes be found nearby. Survey drawings will usually indicate this line as the "fee taking line". The Corps allows a property owner to maintain a 6-foot pedestrian path (i.e. cleared and mowed) in order that the property owner may be able to access the lake. A ranger from the Corps will meet with the property owner and will flag the location that the Corps has determined for the path. Any other "vegetative modification" is normally not allowed. Why then, in light of these restrictions, would you choose to own a lake home on Greers Ferry Lake? My answer is: because of the very shoreline policy that I have just explained. Our shoreline is one of the most beautiful and scenic you will find anywhere. The abundance of nature that surrounds the 276 miles of lake shore, in addition to numerous islands located on the lake, makes boating on Greers Ferry Lake a pleasure rarely found anywhere else. I like the fact that the shoreline is not crammed with dilapidated boat docks and houses overlooking clear-cut lawns. Being on the lake doesn't give you the sense of an over-developed, busy tourist trap. It is a clean, pristine place to enjoy and reconnect with Creation. If that sounds inviting, come visit. I think you'll be hooked!
C. Boyd Anderson Executive broker Crye*Leike Brock Real Estate Heber Springs, Arkansas (501) 362-5868 office (501) 206-8845 cell boydanderson.crye-leike.com
Living in the Greers Ferry Lake area of Heber Springs is amazing. I never grow tired of being here. As a friend of mine says, "Water is therapeutic"... and we have lots of it! With over 40,000 acres of clear lake, one of the often overlooked features of the area is the Little Red River. The world-record brown trout was caught there, but the beauty of the river is something to enjoy whether you care to fish or not. If you love the outdoors, I would invite you to consider a visit to our area. If you decide to make it home (or second home!), give me a call.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
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