Quillback

From AGFC: When in the field, we occasionally come across things that make us scratch our heads. You may recall that on September 11th, we sent an email about observing a turtle swimming across Norfork Lake. Being as it is 2020, we wanted to provide another unusual observation that occurred on Norfork Lake. Freshwater Drum, often referred to as "gaspergou," are native to Arkansas. Commonly found in large rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, drum derives its name from mature males' ability to contract a unique set of muscles that vibrate against the swimming bladder to produce a loud drum-like sound. The Fishes of Arkansas and Fishes of Missouri books both indicated Freshwater Drum are present in all of the Upper White River reservoirs except for Norfork Lake, as well as in the White River below Bull Shoals Lake. Previous biologists have also indicated that they have never observed Freshwater Drum while sampling Norfork Lake. With the craziness of 2020, it isn't surprising that we just happened to collect several Freshwater Drum for the first time on Norfork Lake. Individuals were sampled in different areas of the reservoir while electrofishing for black bass this fall. Shortly after that, Darrell Binkley of Bink's Fintastic Guide Service called us to report catching one. In his 29 years of guiding, he said that was the first one he had caught on Norfork Lake. Though we are unsure how the Freshwater Drum got into Norfork lake, we do not believe the introduction will impact the existing fisheries in Norfork Lake.

Man I hate driving 65 through Harrison. Pretty unavoidable however when I drive over to the White river. I wish they would build a 4 lane bypass around that burg.

Got a message from Miles last night, I think he is wanting a confirmation. I have it at 10 people total. I think you're all fine with staying at Cedar Gables, cost for Thursday night to with Sunday departure is $950 so $95 per person. I plan to call Miles back this afternoon to confirm, so if anyone else is coming or ya'll decide you also want the River Villa, now is the time to let me know.

HA, this furry thing is another reason to stay close to home. So ya'll I posted a question on BBC about it just to get a wider perspective. Seems like the furry ones have a convention every year, it really is a 'thing'. Someone also mentioned there are furry dressers that dress as 'Bronies' - something to do with the Little Pony movie they say. Probably should quit talking about it, I'm afraid I'll start getting furry related ads in the popups.

I'm not qualified to answer that question, however there are people that you can pay by the hour that have PHD's and have couches for you to lay on that will be happy to have a discussion with you on this subject. 😀

I guess I am out of touch, I did not realize that there was some kind of weird furry dressing thing going on.

HAHA, good one!

Get well and hopefully you will have no or minimal symptoms.

That's a good one Dutch!

Cool, look forward to maybe watching some of the shows. It really depends on the lake and how they are fishing that gets me to watch. I can't stand watching people fish drop shot, no matter if they are catching dinks or 5 lbers.

See this thread, 10 so far. Mostly St. Louis types. 😀

OK, so far looks like 10, I'd say you're at capacity for the Cedar Gables. Do you guys want it Thursday night through Saturday night (leave Sunday)?

Same here.

Sorry about that, it was full. You should be able to PM me now. @bfishn

That's a really good day!

Speaking of blues, came across this article. https://wlos.com/news/local/lightning-strikes-twice-for-trophy-catfishermen

Nice fish! I was out yesterday also on the upper White. Super foggy start to the day, which helped as I didn't go far from Big M and ran into a short duration top water bite. It didn't last long, but it was a bite on just about every cast for maybe a half-hour. I tossed a 1/4 oz Kastmaster at them, I think I boated 8, with one keeper before it ended. After the fog cleared I bounced around fishing chunk rock with the Ned, found one bank that held some in 10-15 FOW, all spots. Ended the day with 19, but only one keeper. I lost 3 fish that were decent sized, obvious keepers, every one of those 3 jumped 3 feet into the air and tossed the bait. Always fun t watch them jump. WT 59-60

Thanks buddy, if you want to PM Ham or I that would be awesome and I promise I won't post any background pics. I know where to get some 1/4 oz marabou jigs with fairly stout hooks. Catching those shad for bait is always a challenge, but maybe some bass minnows - I'll see what Ham wants to do, it's all about him. 😄

Just tell them next time you're in there you'll try not to miss. 😃

Never have shot or eaten prairie chicken or sage grouse. I have had ruffed grouse which was decent. There were also spruce grouse and blue grouse in Washington state. Never hit one of those or ate one either, but had a couple of shots at them.

Used to run into a covey of huns maybe once or twice a year while chukar hunting, dark meat like a dove. Marinate for 24 hours in Teriyaki marinade, wrap it with bacon, grill and it would be edible. Chukar would usually get the same treatment. Quail are always good, young pheasants are good, but the old birds always got the marinade bacon wrap thing.

I'm OK with those over feathered, over loud, goofy birds hating on me.

Thanks for putting this on Brett.

Nice ones! I heard a report from a friend that one of his buddies got into some deep, 50 feet down, on a spoon. Saw the writeup on Cody Huff's win this week on the FLW and he caught them deep on an ice jig.

Man I hate peacocks, they are the loudest bird out there. I wonder if they are any good to eat? Never heard of anyone eating one. Haven't seen any pelicans this fall, seems the only tine I see them on Table Rock is early spring and then they are only around for a few days.