Quillback

I went. Saw Marty and Pat, did not see Bfishin, but I was outta there about 1145, so he may not have yet arrived. A lot of people in a small area, it was a lot more than I expected. But it was good for a visit. Got some free food, several bowls of excellent Jambalaya which seemed to be the most popular deal for the cookers out there. Only squirrel I got was in a sort of Asian soup, but it was good. Also ate an Asian Carp fish cake, my first taste of that particular fish, and it was pretty darned good. Scored a couple of fried crappie chunks and a piece of goose sausage. It was all good stuff. Ended up spending money on a T-shirt, but got out of there without any other wallet damage. Visited the nature center for the first time. It's more geared towards kids, if you're ever in NW Arkansas and are looking for somewhere to take the kids, I'd recommend it. Had to walk a half mile from the parking lot (I need some exercise so no big deal). If I ever go again I'll shoot for getting there right before they open for closer parking and more food is available. Could not ask for better weather. Temps in the low 70's, bluebird skies and no humidity. Pack goats: Weird stuffed elk (leucistic?) Spotted kingsnake:

Those gar are nothing but muscle. I read something the other day, I believe it was on the AGFC website, that they are releasing alligator gar fingerlings into the lower White to boost the population.

I'll be sporting my light camo big brim all around hat. Kind of a light gray camo. Probably get there around 11 AM. I'll dig out my green camo T-shirt. Of course with all that camo on, I'll be hard to spot.

I hear good things about Mark IV's. I have thought about getting one, but now that they've come out with a Colt King Cobra chambered in .22, I kind of like that one too. Handgun market has exploded, so many choices out there.

Beautiful fish!

It's scattered all over the place. Find some flats where the water is 20 feet deep and drag something like a c-rig or football jig and there's a chance you'll dredge some up. You might be able to spot some on the bottom in places too if you look around. I have not seen anywhere where it grows to the surface.

That is a good one for sure.

You going to wear the big furry hat? So I can spot you in the crowd of course.

I hope it moves fish shallow, or gets a top water bite going. I looked at the list a couple of weeks ago and noticed there was some kind of "youth" tourney and a BFL on the same weekend. Is it this coming weekend or the next? Whenever it is, it is a lot of boats.

Dang that's cold! My body has adjusted itself to tolerate mid 90's, dunno if I can handle 51, might have to turn the heat on! 😃

Every year I think about going, maybe this will be the year. 😀

I hooked one on a plopper that got off. Maybe it is time to start throwing it more. Couple of big tourneys coming up, I think mid-month. I bet there will be a lot of top waters being thrown.

Dutch and I hit the water at first light and down the lake we went. A bit cool with a little breeze out of the east, pretty nice morning. Was hoping for an early top water bite, but it wasn't happening, very little top water activity except for gar. We broke out the dragging baits and caught some bass on the c-rigged craw, shakey head, and one or two jig fish. We caught 14 if I remember correctly and 4 were keepers, 3 of the keepers being smallmouth. The fish were shallow, I don't know if we caught any deeper than 15 feet. Rocky, gravelly banks were the best. A fish here and there kind of deal. Very little rec traffic out there today, Big M campground was about empty. WT 81

Saw one yesterday on the gravel drive beside the barber shop. Usually see them around Table Rock. There's a few that hang around my house. Seems to be the usual number I always see.

Went out yesterday with OA member Jeb up at Indian Creek. It was slow, we caught some 10-12" bass, Jeb did catch one keeper sized smallie. Some early topwater action, I was trying out a Lucky Craft Bevy popper, small 1/4 oz popper, hooked several decent bass on it, but every one of them got off. Rear treble on that lure is really small, I'm going to up size the hook. Jeb broke off a big ol' something, most likely a striper, on a popper.

I remember that there were trout in that stream, but I thought it was all in private land not open to the public. That's a big ol' chub Ham.

Weatherfish - Yet another species I have never heard of. Kudos on being able to get a bowfin!

Ditto.. Or a snowstorm.

None here that I know of. Chiggers and ticks are bad enough, don't need any extra biting bugs.

Thanks for the trip! It has gotten hot for sure.

Dang, that is pretty good, congrats!

Royals are now only a game behind Cleveland. They've got 7 games coming up against them, 4 at their place next week, then 3 in KC the following week.