5/26 Dam Site report, a day of firsts

[kjackson]

Braved the wind and high-water to see if I could find something to catch. On the way to the launch, I saw my first wild turkey in Arkansas. I also saw uprooted trees floating upright with the tips sticking out of the water and branches spread out to the side--first time ever for that. I also saw carp spawning on top of a concrete picnic table (never saw that before) at the Dam Site campground...so that gives you an idea of the lake level.

But I really wanted to fish.

I came up with a Ned rig version that I had to try, but it was no go. However, with the lake as high as it was--I was looking down on green bushes in eight feet of water--I couldn't buy a strike in shallow. Fished with regular Ned in shallow and deep but had only one mighta-coulda-been a bite that felt like a bluegill.

Decided to troll for a while in the main lake as I'd noticed a lot of suspended things between 15 and 25 feet---no real concentrations or schools but individual marks. Caught a decent largemouth and shaker smallie in 30 feet of water with the baits running above 20. Ended up with half a dozen smallmouth, one of which was decent, the largemouth and a smallish walleye dinner guest before I pulled the plug.

The wind today stirred up a pretty good mudline on exposed banks, and that was where I caught the walleye and the largest smallmouth.

Water clarity varied from the usual clear to not-so-much near exposed banks.

[J-Doc]

Same thing I found Saturday. Shallow bite was completely dead. One area I was about to leave suddenly became active when people walked down to their dock making a bunch of noise and talking. It turned on the fish.

Beaver.

Think opposite. :-/

High water, colder temps, and boat traffic has them in a funk. Fish scattered all over. I have found large groups, I just haven't gotten them to bite. But I have been by myself and not trying a ton of things.

[Quillback]

I've seen turkeys only one time myself on Beaver and that was up Indian creek.

[Ron Burgundy]

Back when turkey populations were probably at their highest in the early to mid 90's we saw and heard turkey's up in the Big Clifty arm often.

[Amery]

I see/hear them around parkers a lot.

[Stump bumper]

I used to see turkeys more than bobcats, but now that I have seen more bobcats I see less turkeys. I think there is a link there, I have even seen a bobcat in the city of Rogers.

[Amery]

I don't think Bobcats have very much to do with the turkey population. I hear it's the wild hogs causing the problem. Destroying nests.

[M_Taylor]

I think the stripers are eating the turkeys.

Seriously though, thanks for the the report!

[J-Doc]

^

Bahahahahahahaha!!!!

Why not. They've been accused of eating everything in the lake. I bet they are moving on to other diets.

[Dan the fisherman]

"I think the stripers are eating the turkeys. :D"

Lol that's a good one. Lmao.