2-6-15 Weekly Report

[Notropis]

"100% honest" are they fishermen? Sorry I couldn't resist!

Glad you took no offense F&F because none was intended. Probably should have used more tact and explained that I wasn't referring to your report. Just relating my past experiences and chuckles with fishing reports. Certainly the organizer of the reports and the sources make a big difference. Having been on both sides of fishing reports, I know how hard it is to get good information and present it in an organized fashion. I did observe a fair amount of marketing optimism from some sources but it's hard to blame them when their livelihood depends on attracting customers.

Cheers

[Feathers and Fins]

The reports like the one you see above comes from a page I started on Facebook some time back this is what is on the page to explain why;

When I first moved to NW Arkansas trying to garner any information about this lake was difficult at best. More troubling was reading the few reports that were available and those were less than reliable or helpful, let’s face it, anglers are less than forthcoming about where to catch fish and how.

I tried following the reports and had more unsuccessful days trying to do... what they said at a great cost in fuel and wrong baits purchased. I can only imagine how many other people have wasted countless money on bad tips and reports. I remembered back to my youth in Southern California we had a great weekly news paper that gave the “most accurate reports possible”. Granted they had to gather it and publish it but the reports were accurate. Combine it with daily fish counts by the sport fleets you could put together a successful day, now we have the internet so the published time can actually be that day!

Lately I have heard some troubling feedback so let me try to explain some things about this page.

First and foremost anyone who wishes to post a picture of fish they caught is not only welcome to but encouraged to do so. If anyone posts a negative comment to that post I will not just remove the comment I will ban the person from this page! That is not negotiable or even up for debate; I want people to feel they can share their good times on the water.

This page will only post truthful information based off reports by fellow anglers, I have never used and will never use (without consent) the names of any of the contributors. So unless you tell me it’s ok to use your name I won’t.

To make this page successful in its intent to help people catch fish it must have your continued support in reports, the lake is just too large for a few people to give accurate information. I ask all of you to remember your first fish or when you helped someone catch their first or their personal best. Those are things I think of each week when I try to put together the report.

So for 2015 let’s help people to have those good days.

What you said about reports being less than honest was the entire reason I started it, When I see in the middle of summer reports saying walleye are in 8 to 12 ft I know they are full of it especially when the report has been the same for 4 months and when I see the person making the report telling people the fish are in Indian Creek and he is launching at Prairie Creek and fishing there........WELL lets just say I wonder why?

Being honest to me saves people money, catches them fish and like yesterday smiles are worth more than any amount of money. I have been criticized for being to exact on spots sometimes so im just trying to give general areas, but if white bass are in the report you can be assured I will give exact location them dang things cost me money in replacing keitechs lol.

[Notropis]

Yeah, I remember (when I was compiling them) some reports that didn't seem to change for months which made them suspect (in my mind).

Looks like you have a good handle on the process. Keep up the good work!

[Guest]

thank god, we finally have very good detail on fishing reports.

I certainly appreciate it, the illustrations & regulations part is cool as well as the lake level & water temp.

I know exactly where to go next time, thanks

[Feathers and Fins]

Its fun for me and that is the biggest plus, I get more of a kick seeing people catch fish then when I get one, Heck if it wasn't for hunting and fishing I would hate to think what I would have gotten in to in my youth.