How about them brown trout?

Arkansas anglers having luck landing popular fiesty fish

Arkansas Wildlife Editor There is little that rivals hooking a fiesty brown trout on an Arkansas steam. A trio of anglers – Kyle Gamble (below right), Melissa Holland (see Page 11 top) and Natalie Gay (see page 14 bottom) – each had a big, memorable time on the Little Red River recently with guide Greg Seaton catching browns. Greg says the browns have been more active during the current hatch of caddisflies, with fish also taking emergers, caddis pupa and midge pupa. Rainbows are biting well, too. With Greers Ferry Lake (and just about all other lakes statewide) up due to significant rainfall this past couple of

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weeks, there is 12-hour-aday generation going on at the dam and flowing into the Little Red, something to watch for if you head that way this weekend.

Also, take note if you're fishing around the Arkansas River of the heavier flows late this week.

We hope more of you (anglers, guides, baitshop and resort owners) will have even more photos to send to the AGFC's Weekly Fishing Report. You can always submit them directly to the editor of the page at jim.harris@agfc.ar.gov, or to this newspaper at news@theeveningtimes.co m. As we move into May, we know there is a major catch (or maybe even just someone's first, magnificent catch and plenty of smiles) waiting out there.

• Several anglers have asked the AGFC Fisheries staff about whether the black bass tagging effort on Norfork Lake was for promotional reasons or scientific research. The answer: This effort is very much research-driven and is being conducted to add another piece to the Norfork Lake black bass management puzzle.

Fisheries staff put forth a considerable amount of effort on Norfork Lake toward this research in the fall 2020 and spring 2021.

Between the two tagging seasons, the staff tagged and released 1,464 largemouth bass, 159 spotted bass, and 16 smallmouth bass at 231 collection locations over 20 days or nights of sampling. The fish were tagged and released in proximity to the collection location.

This research is dependent on help from anglers. If anglers catch a tagged bass on Norfork Lake, the biologists ask that you please CLIP THE TAG from the fish instead of trying to

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pull the tag out. Call the number on the tag (1-870-706-0150) to report the catch. Even if you want to keep the tag or are not interested in the reward money, we ask that you still report your catch.

When you call, staff will ask a few quick questions about your catch. By reporting your catch, you have the opportunity to participate in valuable fisheries research and contribute to the black bass management on Norfork Lake.

• Some major fishing events are coming up in June that are worth recording on your calendar (we hope that's an AGFC calendar, which you can get when you subscribe to Arkansas Wildlife magazine).

Anyway, parents should note that those much-loved fishing derbies at the AGFC state hatcheries will be returning this June after a year off due to COVID.

Mark Saturday, June 12, as the date, with the derbies being held from 8 a.m. to noon at Centerton (C.B.

'Charlie' Craig Hatchery), Hot Springs (Andrew H.

Hulsey Hatchery), Corning (Wm. H. Donham Hatchery) and Lonoke (Joe Hogan Hatchery). Note, however, that there will not be a derby held at the Jim Hinkle State Trout Hatchery at Mammoth Spring this year.

Pre-registration will be required. We will have more information on the derbies next week in this space and in the Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Newsletter.

And teenage anglers need to be making plans for the annual Commissioners' Cup High School/Junior High Fishing Tournament, presented by Xpress Boats. The one-day tournament will take place Saturday, June 19, on Lake Ouachita. All participants fish one day, there is no cut. Launch and weigh-in will take place at Safe Harbor Brady Mountain boat ramp. More information for the tournament can be found online by going to www.agff.org/ commissionerscup.