Quillback

Pulled this off the AGFC website for those that are interested. Arkansas darter: the little fish on the prairie FAYETTEVILLE - Arkansas darters inhabit small, sunlit, spring-fed tributaries often flowing through grasslands throughout the Arkansas River basin from Colorado to northwest Arkansas. Efforts to restore the darter are underway at Wilson Springs Conservation Area in Fayetteville. Retired U.S. Forest Service biologist Joe Neal described the darter as a "lovely, two-inch long native fish that looks like gold in the shallow clear water where they live." The Arkansas darter is a candidate for federal endangered species listing and is one of the rarest fishes in Arkansas. Found in only seven areas in the state, including Wilson Springs Conservation Area where they were first discovered in Arkansas in 1979, the species is of special concern, tracked by the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission and prioritized for conservation need in the Arkansas Wildlife Action Plan. As home to one of the last populations of Arkansas darter in the state, and one of the last tall grass prairie remnants in the region, Wilson Springs has been the subject of public concern for many years. The namesake Wilson Spring runs from the east. An unnamed tributary comes in from the north. They converge within the conservation area with Clabber Creek, near its headwaters. Wilson Springs Conservation Area was named for Steve N. Wilson, long-time Arkansas Game and Fish Commission director, who did collegiate graduate research in the area. This system of spring-fed streams once flowed across undisturbed wetlands, providing the ideal habitat for the Arkansas darter. Land changes due to agriculture conversion and urbanization, however, coupled with fire suppression and lack of maintenance by large grazing herbivores, led to an overgrowth of woody and invasive plant species completely shading the once sunlit stream and raising concern that this population, like others before it, would soon disappear. After several preservation starts and stops over the span of two decades, the original 289-acre property was reduced to its current and not-quite-contiguous 121 acres. In 2011, ownership and management were transferred to the Northwest Arkansas Land Trust for restoration and permanent protection. A State Wildlife Grant from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, along with support from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, allowed the Northwest Arkansas Land Trust to begin habitat restoration in 2012. Stream ecologist Dr. Arthur Brown had advised that proper habitat for the darter required sunlight along the spring that would in turn nurture aquatic vegetation required by the darters. Following this advice, recent restoration activities have focused on the removal of understory (dominated by non-native Amur honeysuckle) and trees less than 8 inches in diameter at breast height from the Wilson Spring riparian zone and surrounding 19-acre savannah. This treatment successfully opened the canopy by over 80 percent and with sunlight restored, streamside and aquatic vegetation, including in-stream patches of watercress returned. This provided conditions most suitable to the Arkansas darter. During an October 2014 survey conducted by Mike Slay with The Nature Conservancy and Brian Wagner with the AGFC, 52 darters were netted and quickly released in the newly restored habitat. While the first phase of restoration netted positive results, there is plenty more to do and future challenges to be met, especially in light of the ever increasing pace of development in the surrounding watershed. A priority for the next phase of restoration is to apply the same clearing treatment to the unnamed tributary which enters the property from the north. This tributary historically served as further refuge for the darter, accommodating the need for seasonal movement between sites. During the same October 2014 survey, only seven darters were netted in this reach, all in association with limited patches of streamside vegetation where sunlight still manages to penetrate the overgrown canopy. By extending habitat management here, the land trust seeks to expand suitable habitat while also establishing a second refuge in case of threat to either tributary. The next part of the success story at Wilson Springs involves the plant community, which, like the darter, has responded favorably to the removal of dense overgrowth. Biannual surveys documented the return of native prairie and wetland plant species since restoration began, including four species tracked by the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission and two new county records. Tracked species include David's sedge, Hitchcock's sedge, Swamp Milkweed and Wolf's Spikerush. New county records include Knotty leaf rush and Grassleaf rush. Continued clearing of the sites' former tall grass prairie is another top priority for the next phase of restoration. A 35-acre plot is targeted. The relic seed bank is expected to respond with equal vigor.

Yeah but where are the free T-shirts? All kidding aside, I agree, Dave is a pleasure to do business with.

Hard to believe when It's 15 at dawn this morning with a dusting of snow, 70 is going to feel great!

It was last Friday, and it was a cold morning, 23 or something like that to start. Too freakin cold IMO, don't know why the heck I was out there.

Nah, they don't want anyone walking around the premises wearing a jersey.

Correct.

I agree on the "We need some rain" thoughts, I'd love to see 917-918 myself by the spawn.

Yep, looking forward to it!

Sounds like a guy Mizzou (or any college) would be happy to have.

Well the wind made it tough for me today, I like to fish slow and relatively deep, and a good gusty wind just messes me up. I caught 4 bass, 2 were keepers, one being a near 17" spot that I was happy to catch. All came on a 1/8 oz Ned tipped with a Zinker chunk. Threw a tube around for a bit, missed 2 fish on it. I think they wanted to bite today, just could not slow down enough to catch them like I wanted. Talked to a fellow that was out throwing an A-rig, he had only caught one on it. Water temp - 41.

You're expired my friend The Beaver lake COE office is not too far from you, you can go there to get a new tag. http://www.bing.com/local?lid=YN57x415413&id=YN57x415413&q=U.S.+Army+Corps+of+Engineers%2c+Beaver+Lake+Arkansas+Rogers+AR&FORM=SNAPST

What position does that Beckner kid play? Watched most of the Kentucky/Mizzou game - Tiggers hung in there for the first half at least. Kentucky is just at another level than the rest of the SEC. Lots of talent and a deep bench. Hogs are a bit of a disappointment this year, starting to look like a bubble team, I thought they should be good enough to be a lock to make The Dance.

Why didn't they have those cool camo rod/reel combos when I was 4 years old?

Good to see you got into them, love those chunky Kentucks.

No problem.

Champ - It's been no A-rig since the beginning, here's a recap of the rules just in case. OK, let's do it - March 14, 2015, Eagle Rock COE Ramp, 0700 start time, Tournaments ends at 1400. Big bass format, largest weight wins. Any black bass (Largemouth, Smallmouth, Spotted Bass, Meanmouth) are eligible, but only one bass will qualify as the biggest. No entry fee, trophy will be awarded to the winner (and just think of the bragging rights you will have on the forum). Immense prestige will accrue to the winner of this tournament. You can fish multiple people out of a boat, but the trophy will go to the individual that weighs in the biggest bass. Typical bass tourney rules apply - No bait, no trolling, and no A-rig or multi-arm lures. We'll have a couple of grills going, so plan to stay around for a bit after the tourney and meet some folks. Hamburgers, hot dogs, and other food stuff will be available, just bring your own drinks. Always a chance that weather could be bad in March, if it is looking bad enough to make travel treacherous then we will have to reschedule. We'll notify everyone a day or two in advance it if look like bad weather. Feel free to take some pics during the tourney and post them on the forum. As of now looks like we have close to 30 participants.

Not looking to have several cameras, would rather have one that does a good job on many fronts. Cameras are like boats, always compromises to be made.

I looked at Pentax, read reviews, etc., biggest knock on the Pentax was on the video side.

Cool - I just picked up a Nikon D5300. Still learning to use it, but hope to get out there soon and start taking some pics with it.

Thanks for the report, good to hear there was a bite on the jerker.

That is awesome, what a great lake to live on!

if Dave quits making them, they will become collectors items and fetch $50 each on Ebay.

Nice bow! I'll throw in my pic of one I caught a month ago.

Good pic, what camera are you using?

Welcome Kchap, glad to have you here. The name of the show is "Krappie Kings". Link below: http://www.thesportsmanchannel.com/shows/krappie-kings-tv/