Quillback

Alligator Snapping Turtles in the Ozarks Retrieving fish sampling nets can sometimes feel like Christmas morning, as you are never quite sure what will be waiting for you inside. During October crappie sampling on Norfork Lake, two Alligator Snapping Turtles greeted us when we retrieved our nets. While rare, this isn't the first time we have caught this species on Norfork Lake and Bull Shoals Lake. These opportunistic feeders squeeze their way into the nets searching for an easy meal of fish. Alligator Snapping Turtles have three distinct rows of ridges running along the length of their shell and usually inhabit deep water. Alligator Snapping Turtles are the only reptiles with a predatory lure in their mouth; they lie motionless on the bottom with their mouths open, twitching a worm-like appendage on their tongue to trick investigating fish into becoming dinner. Please remember that Alligator Snapping Turtles are native to Arkansas and pose no threat to fish populations or humans. In 2021, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed labeling them as a threatened species, and AGFC Code 34.09 makes it unlawful to kill, take, or possess them without written authorization. We successfully released both turtles back into the lake and encourage anglers on Bull Shoals and Norfork to admire these ancient creatures from a distance. Retrieving an Alligator Snapping Turtle from a crappie net on Norfork Lake. Alligator Snapping Turtle showing off its worm-like tongue lure.

Sadly, I don't recall any french fried potaters, maybe next time.

John it was caught from a jetty, so you have a chance. 😃@Johnsfolly Albert McReynolds made history and national headlines when he landed this massive 35.6 kg (78 lb 8 oz) striper on the night of September 21, 1982, while fishing from the Vermont Avenue Jetty in Atlantic City, New Jersey. It took McReynolds nearly two hours to subdue the record fish in the midst of a Nor’easter after it hit the Rebel 5.5-inch black and silver lure he was casting. Although Gregory Myerson’s catch now stands as the new All-Tackle record, McReynolds still holds the IGFA Men's 10 kg (20 lb) Line Class World Record for his famous catch. No comments yet

When I was stationed in GA, close to 50 years ago, I fished the Chattooga river a couple of times. It has hike in access at some spots so you can get away from the competition. It also has tributaries that are in SC and NC (I think), so you can target a few states in one spot. Wild trout are there too. Chattooga River Trout Fishing

Indeed - those are some great fish!

And hey, the food was great! Thanks to you folks that did the preparation! And I got a nice T-shirt! Life is good! 😄

No fish pics from me. I fished one day in Brett's boat, we probably caught 50-60 trout on jigs, no big ones but a couple nice 14-16 inch fish. A lot of scrawny rainbows, they need to get those fish on a nutrition program. Here's DC III and the boat and motor both of which he has rebuilt himself. He's put together a nice ride. DC, if you want I'd be happy to email the pic to you. I did not take this pic, but me and Brett fishing with a neat sunbeam on us.

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Well I do have time for it, could not get away with it when I was young and working.

I have not found anything that's getting easier.

OK. looks to be a lot of wading. You've got two days to get into shape. Here is a wader workout instructional video.

According to windfinder, 5-10 MPH north wind Friday. Saturday light winds.

Picked these up at WalMart. It's like they designed these for Jigfest. TRAYS!

Lo Mein is good stuff!

That sounds almost like healthy food.

Late start today, started about 10 AM and fished until 4 PM. Fished the banks, caught 20 bass, mostly spots, on the ned rig. Fish were in 5 - 20 FOW. Around wood and rocks. This is the time of year the fat spots are biting, one of my favorite times to get them. No one on the water today, I saw 2 other boats. I can't remember the last time I was on this lake and only saw 2 boats. WT 54

It is getting close, if anyone wants me to bring any ingredients for food, let me know, I'm going to the store tomorrow to get the plates, etc.