Nice weather attracts fishermen

Nice weather attracts fishermen

Times Outdoors Columnist These last few days of sunshine and 60 degree weather has really brought out the fishermen. If there was no wind, the weather would have been perfect, but the wind chill made it a little uncomfortable.

That being said, that’s what they make warm clothes for. The local lakes and ponds were packed with excited and hopeful folks looking to catch supper.

Horseshoe Lake attracted the most fishermen because of a couple of bass tournaments and many boats trying to catch crappie. State-owned Bonds’ Launch and KampKare Free were both packed with boats and trailers and fishermen waiting their turn to launch, with parking all the way out to the road. The wind roughed up the lake and the fishing was not as good as hoped.

Fishermen that knew the lake and could fish in their favorite places had a good day, while the rest struggled to find the fish.

As usual the trollers were having the most success.

KareFree is being rebuilt but the $5 launch ramp is open.

Tilden Rodgers Lake had many people fishing from the banks and overall the fishing was not as good as hoped. Trout are still being caught so make sure you have a state trout stamp if the fish are kept. Some nice catfish and small bream filled up most of the stringers. As usual, there were many walkers circling the lake.

This park is a great asset to the citizens. Crittenden County citizens make up the majority of the people, but there are many out of towners enjoying the facility.

The water at Wapanocca is looking much better with improved clarity and the launch site is almost at normal levels. Short boots are needed to get a boat into deep enough water.

There were 12-15 boats and trailers and fishing results were mixed. A few fishermen were fishing the spill way close to the headquarters with very few fish being caught. The Memphis Kayak club had about two dozen boats traveling the boat trail that goes through the flooded woods of the refuge. They said Wapanocca was one of their favorite trips. They were not fishing but enjoying Mother Nature.

Going by the headquarters a pair of wildlife grad students were holding a survey of visitors. Tom Kelly and Drin Tague, from up north in New Jersey and Pennsylavania, wanted to know the age of the visitors, what they liked best, and what needed to be improved on the refuge. Every two weeks they go to a different federal refuge that has at least 50,000 visitors. They are employed by the non profit group American Conservation Experience and by Ohio State University that analyze the collected data.

The U.S fish and Wildlife Service is in control of the program. There were very few complaints and there are many people returning to enjoy the fishing. They say it is a wildlife sanctuary. We should be proud of our Crittenden County refuge. Wapanocca is wonderful place to visit and the fishing can be great.

Don’t forget the hunter education course at Marion First Baptist on March 30. Call Fred Hollowell at 870-636-0661 or Dick Howard 901-634 3770.

West Memphis Christian School is sponsoring a sporting clay shoot at the Great River Lodge , March 30. Call 870-400-4000. It is fishing time so take that young fisherman with you.

Lakeside Taxidermy does a great job mounting your trophies at a reasonable price, fast service, and great work.

Papa Duck Lakeside Taxidermy 870-732-0455 or 901-482-3430 jhcriner@hotmail.com

By John Criner