Oil Trough, AR 8/2/23

[Ham]

Made a trip down to Oil Trough again looking for a Hybrid Striper or Silver Carp or True Striper or something unexpected. 
got a little bit of a late start and planned on stopping early because of the heat. Sadly, I used to cool part of the day driving down. 
idling away from the ramp I saw dimples on the surface and I had to check it out.I got out the Bug Launcher and in a couple of minutes. 

I caught another one to make sure I wasn’t just Lucky. 
We had a little bit more water than the last time I was there so I checked out a pocket out of flow. Sure enough, it had Silver Carp. I made a bit of it.
I ran further upriver to another promising spot. A little water running over a low water road. Big back Eddy. I have caught a variety of species there before. Today, I missed a bite. I had a fish on briefly. And I saw a big grass carp actively feeding. 
I ran to another of my spots. Nice flow cycles around and hits a clay wall. It should be fantastic. I have caught a couple there, but not like I should. 
I hung a heavy fish and it came off as I was stripping it in. I had a hard strike and brief hook up. I saw a few Mooneye looking at insects. I saw Skipjack flashing at my flys. Eventually…headed towards my best spot hoping to find Shad getting abused. But along the way we discovered this. the goat was stuck clinging to a small shelf on a Bluff wall. I have no idea how long it had been in the water or how far down river it had swam/floated. It was tired and frightened. I couldn’t leave the goat to drown. So we spent a 1/2 hour working on our Goat Problem. The simple solution of a goat in the boat was not without risk to our gear. The goat did not want in the boat. She considered it, but decided against it. So. We had to manhandle her down to a less steep section of bank where she would have enough of a footprint to scramble up. It took a little doing, but we got it safely up the Bluff and into a pasture. 
so we got to our “best” spot. I got a decent Largie immediately. We both caught a fair number of skipjack. Ian got a couple of White Bass. I lost another decent fish. I worked multiple groups of grass carp and they all said no.

I rant to another side channel and tried for Silver Carp. We observed several, But I could not get a hook in one.

We ran back towards the ramp and I hide that side pocket again. Clearly, observed more Silver carp, but no luck.
it sure was Hot.  

[BilletHead]

10 hours ago, Ham said:

Made a trip down to Oil Trough again looking for a Hybrid Striper or Silver Carp or True Striper or something unexpected. 
got a little bit of a late start and planned on stopping early because of the heat. Sadly, I used to cool part of the day driving down. 
idling away from the ramp I saw dimples on the surface and I had to check it out.I got out the Bug Launcher and in a couple of minutes. 

I caught another one to make sure I wasn’t just Lucky. 
We had a little bit more water than the last time I was there so I checked out a pocket out of flow. Sure enough, it had Silver Carp. I made a bit of it.
I ran further upriver to another promising spot. A little water running over a low water road. Big back Eddy. I have caught a variety of species there before. Today, I missed a bite. I had a fish on briefly. And I saw a big grass carp actively feeding. 
I ran to another of my spots. Nice flow cycles around and hits a clay wall. It should be fantastic. I have caught a couple there, but not like I should. 
I hung a heavy fish and it came off as I was stripping it in. I had a hard strike and brief hook up. I saw a few Mooneye looking at insects. I saw Skipjack flashing at my flys. Eventually…headed towards my best spot hoping to find Shad getting abused. But along the way we discovered this. the goat was stuck clinging to a small shelf on a Bluff wall. I have no idea how long it had been in the water or how far down river it had swam/floated. It was tired and frightened. I couldn’t leave the goat to drown. So we spent a 1/2 hour working on our Goat Problem. The simple solution of a goat in the boat was not without risk to our gear. The goat did not want in the boat. She considered it, but decided against it. So. We had to manhandle her down to a less steep section of bank where she would have enough of a footprint to scramble up. It took a little doing, but we got it safely up the Bluff and into a pasture. 
so we got to our “best” spot. I got a decent Largie immediately. We both caught a fair number of skipjack. Ian got a couple of White Bass. I lost another decent fish. I worked multiple groups of grass carp and they all said no.

I rant to another side channel and tried for Silver Carp. We observed several, But I could not get a hook in one.

We ran back towards the ramp and I hide that side pocket again. Clearly, observed more Silver carp, but no luck.
it sure was Hot.  

   Fun Ham! Reminds me of @curtisceand I rescuing the fawn stuck on a bank just like this on spring river. Good going buddy.

[FishnDave]

13 hours ago, Ham said:

  

This makes so much sense... cuz you're the GOAT!  And maybe explains why I've been catching so many turtles.... 😜

[bfishn]

What are the water temps like on that stretch this time of year?

[Ham]

Honestly, I have no idea. My guess is low 80’s. Very pleasantly cool. Not a shock to the system, but cools you off in a hurry. 

[Ham]

1 hour ago, FishnDave said:

This makes so much sense... cuz you're the GOAT!  And maybe explains why I've been catching so many turtles.... 😜

Real recognizes real. The goat looked at me and said “ No way Bro”. I hope I don’t get cancelled for putting my hands on a female that clearly was not interested in being touched. 

[netboy]

Would have make some nice cabrito on the grill.😀