Quillback

Newport gauge is at about 25 feet right now, based on their operation procedures it needs to be down to 14 (and that's if the reservoirs are 70% of capacity) before they can move water out. They can do some emergency stuff to some degree, but as far as I can tell they are held hostage by the Newport gauge.

If you go to the AGFC website there is a selection that allows you to comment and express your support/non-support of proposed rules changes. Might be worth your time to submit your feedback as there are quite a few proposals that affect AR cold water fisheries, and warm water fisheries also. One example is that AGFC will start stocking Tiger Trout hybrids below Bull Shoals starting this year and they are asking if anglers want catch and release implemented for those hybrids. I think it is certainly worth providing feedback to them on their proposed rule changes. You'll need to set aside at least 15 minutes to take it, and it could take longer if you add your comments.

How often should we hold one?

Roscoe is so cute, I think you should keep him around as a pet. Speaking of relocating critters, the story I am about to tell is supposedly true, but was relayed to me secondhand. There was a retiree here in Bella Vista that had a chipmunk problem. So he started trapping them and relocating them to some park in MO. But as he kept trapping them, more would show up and he just could not get rid of them. He thought maybe they were returning to his place even though he relocated them many miles away. So to test his relocation theory, he started spraying them with orange spray paint before taking them up to MO, thinking that if an orange chipmunk showed up at his place, then indeed they were traveling back. Well one time he went up to the park in MO to release one of his trapped orange chipmunks, and a park ranger showed up and asked him what the heck are you doing with that orange chipmunk, he explained what he was doing which gave the ranger a good laugh and of course the ranger advised him there is no need to paint them orange as they won't make that trek back to Bella Vista.

But they can't run full generation as long as they are regulating to the Newport AR gauge, so instead of using the water for generation it gets dumped when the reservoirs get full.

I've got a 24 volt system myself and it will power my 19 foot glass boat all day. Supposedly the new brushless TM's draw less power so when I eventually upgrade from my Fortrex I will be looking at brushless, and they are supposedly quieter too. Heard good things about the Marathons, but haven't run any yet.

OA One bass tourney poll.

Yes, I THINK that we'll get better water, but that's my best guess. Someone else may have a better estimate that me. Weather will most likely be better temperature wise also.

Yeah may have to put a hand on them if they are lively. I'm not up for multi-species as of now, going to be concentrating on getting this bass thing working, if it works at all, other species will be on the back burner for now at least for me. Even then, it would probably work best if it's only one species, say walleye for example.

Well the first question is, assuming that COVID will still be around this winter, do you guys want to have a Jigfest this year? Or we could have it but put fewer people in each lodge, say 6 at the most, only drawback to that is it would cost us more and of course we'd still be together for meals. but we could work that out too I think. Another potential issue is if the river will be running high like last year. The Corps manages releases based on the gauge at Newport AR and they don't lower that measure until December 1 - so my bet is they won't be able to run off the water in Bull by then so most likely we'll face high water again. Of course there is the Norfork too If the White is way up again So we could change the date to the weekend of November 7, or the prior weekend October 31 to avoid the high water scenario, and those dates are before deer firearms season for those of us that deer hunt. Or we stick with our usual week after Thanksgiving which would be the weekend of December 5. Taney is another option, though in the past everyone definitely preferred below Bull. Seems early to thing about this, but it's 6 months away, not that far. What do you guys who plan on going think?

It's been drizzly here all morning, supposed to clear out, except for a chance of a storm at any time. I might do a little afternoon fishing on one of the Bella Vista lakes, hopefully there are still a couple left that didn't get stuck over the weekend.

Bill Jr. won by a whisker with a 19.5" largemouth.

The judges have unanimously decided that Bill JR wins by a whisker. Congrats! Bill - I will send you a PM, and copy Phil, so that he can get the plaque to you. I'd like to do another one of these, but have to do some polling to see what interest level there is in doing this again, have heard lots of feedback on possible changes, so I'll get back to everybody soon to see what the membership feels about doing this again.

LOL, man you have some smart critters in your hood. Don't know what trap you've got, but the one I have you can adjust the lever that drops the lid so it's more sensitive. Maybe wedge the bait in the trap plate so they have to work to get it out. But on the bright side, they now think they can get those mallows and get away with it, which will be their undoing.

Watching the radar last night we got lucky that the bulk of the precip fell just to the west as the storm moved north near the OK/MO border. Here in NWA we never got anything like the rain that was predicted to fall on Sunday and Monday. It finally rained and stormed last night, but moved through fairly quickly. It's not over yet, but doesn't look nearly as bad now as it did last Friday.

Didn't know about that click and zoom feature, thanks Bill for pointing that out. Works for Wrench's pic too.

Dunno, that's one of those things I'll figure out if the day comes where I trap one.

Those thieving rascals! Had a problem one year with coons getting into the tomato plants, got one of those live traps, and baited it with the half eaten tomatoes they left behind. Got 2 young'uns the first night, then their mama the next. Mama was a tad ticked off. I'd run a long rope to the trap just in case you get a skunk.

I have never stayed at Bill's White River Lodge, (it's on my to do list), but it sure looks like a great place to stay. Bill could certainly give you some recommendations as far as getting the boat in the water. Anyway check out their website, show it to the wife to see what she thinks. https://www.whiteriverlodgebb.com/

https://www.newson6.com/story/5ecb10d1259e590bc7b00315/new-oklahoma-fishing-record-broken-at-keystone-lake?fbclid=IwAR1Nz67oqKLIn21DEDxQ1Pl-DsBzscUTlius45hPQBx6EIqaoI6jze18Lhc

Always wondered what the chuck and duck deal was, now I know. Used to use a similar rig except on a bait caster for steelhead fishing, with eggs clusters.

"Rental boats operated by idiots" - that cracks me up! But glad to hear you got your friends into some good fishing.

Great fish, congrats!

Son of a gun, they are sold out except for one color, Shad Scales. I ordered one, I like the color.

Hope so too, I have a whole collection of non-waking wake baits.