Delayed entry
Giant fog bank engulfs Arkansas’ Lake Ouachita as start of FLW Tour competition pushed back 90 minutes
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Heading into the Lake Ouachita event, FLW Tour anglers knew that they were going to have to decipher many variables, not the least of which included the extremely high water levels that recently surged 3 to 4 feet above normal pool. However, at the start of Wednesday morning takeoff, the field was keenly aware that they will have to successfully navigate another important obstacle as well – dense fog.
Although FLW Tour anglers were scheduled to depart Mountain View Resort marina at approximately 6:30 a.m., due to safety reasons, takeoff didn’t ultimately commence until shortly after 8 a.m. undoubtedly, that delay will further complicate life for anglers who were set to head out in the earlier flights.
“I wouldn’t want to be in that first flight right now,” said FLW Tour pro Ray Scheide. “Those guys are going to have a really short day.”
Per tournament rules, anglers who are in the first flight have to head back to the marina first. By contrast, anglers in the last flight have more than an extra hour to fish throughout the day – which could be a huge advantage to kick off the Lake Ouachita event.
However, that being said, the fog delay could also affect strategies across the board.
“The top-water bite in the morning is going to be huge,” said Scheide. “That’s when most people are going to catch their big kicker fish. I had a bet with my roommate that I would have a limit by 7 a.m. today but that’s obviously not going to happen now.”
High water changes tournament dynamics
Due to some recent rains and flooding, Lake Ouachita is experiencing much higher water levels than normal. With more water coming up on the banks, there is now more cover for fish to congregate in and, correspondingly, more areas for anglers to attack this week.
“Normally the fish would be suspended in deeper water right now,” said FLW Tour pro and Chevy team member Jay Yelas. “But the water levels are up so there are a lot more fish up shallow, hanging out in the bushes. There are still fish out in deeper water, but now you’re going to find some good fish shallow as well as mid-lake. Because of this, a lot of different patterns are going to be working.
“Lake Ouachita is going to fish bigger than normal this week,” continued Yelas. “The (higher) water levels are really going to allow the anglers to spread out, which is fine with me. I actually like it when everyone is spread all over the place. During practice I was able to fish a few areas that I had all to myself. And that’s great. And because there are a lot more areas to fish, you can move around more. Personally, I really like moving around a lot and seeing all the different scenery.”
Scheide agreed that the higher water levels are really going to give anglers plenty of options and additional strategy decisions this week.
“You’re just as likely to pop a 20- to 22-pound bag shallow as you are deep,” he said. “It should be a fun tournament.”
That being said, Yelas said conditions could change rapidly – a fact that could throw a monkey wrench into any long-term shallow fishing strategy.
“I think the water crested on Monday and it’s actually dropped about 6 inches since then,” said Yelas. “If it falls hard over the course of the tournament, it’s really going to hurt the shallow bite. (Water levels) are going to be one of the biggest variables this tournament.”
With so many different areas of the lake in play, how do the anglers approach this type of fishing environment?
“There are a lot of ways to catch fish on this lake now, more than any tournament I’ve fished recently” said Yelas. “There are two reasons for this. For one, the lake is in a post-spawn mode which always allows for a wide variety of techniques. And secondly, the higher water levels will open up a lot more areas to fish. It’s going to be one of those tournaments where you can find some technique you like to do and just go with it.”
As such, Yelas said that anglers will be able to employ almost their entire arsenal this week.
“I think you’re going to guys flipping, throwing top-waters, Carolina rigs, swimbaits and even spinnerbaits,” said Yelas. “You’re going to be able to catch suspended fish on worms – all kinds of stuff.”
With a wide variety of techniques in play, high water levels and a healthy grass population providing extra good cover, Yelas believes anglers will have to really catch them in order to win the title outright.
“I think 60 pounds (over four days) will probably be the winning weight,” said Yelas. “But then again, nothing surprises me anymore.”
Scheide believes it could even be more.
“I think it could be more than 60 pounds,” said Scheide. “I’m actually thinking it might be closer to 68 to 72 pounds to win this. But again, you never know.”
Tourney format and event logistics
The entire FLW Tour field will compete for three days with the top-five pros advancing to the fourth and final day of competition based on their overall accumulated weight. At the end of day three, a co-angler champion will be crowned. After the conclusion of Saturday’s weigh-in, the tournament title will be awarded to the pro who has recorded the most combined weight over all four days of FLW Tour competition.
Anglers will take off from Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa, located at 994 Mountain Harbor Road in Mount Ida, Ark., at 6:30 a.m. each morning. The first three weigh-ins – Wednesday, Thursday and Friday – will also be held at Mountain Harbor Resort beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday’s final weigh-in will be held at the Summit Arena & Hot Springs Convention Center, located at 134 Commerce Blvd in Hot Springs, Ark., beginning at 4 p.m.
Fans will be treated to the FLW Outdoors Expo at the Hot Springs Convention Center on Friday from 4-9 p.m. and Saturday prior to the final weigh-in from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. The final weigh-in will be held at Summit Arena. There will be a drawing for a Can-Am ATV and rod and reel combos will be given to the first 300 kids under 14 in attendance on Saturday. The FLW Outdoors Expo includes Ranger boat simulators, the opportunity to interact with professional anglers, enjoy interactive games, activities and giveaways provided by sponsors, and learn more about the sport of fishing and other outdoor activities. All activities are free and open to the public. For a full schedule of events, additional information and to register for the ATV, visit FLWOutdoors.com/chevyopen.
In FLW Tour competition, anglers are also vying for valuable points in hopes of qualifying for the 2010 Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of bass fishing. This year’s Cup will be in Atlanta Aug. 5-8 on Lake Lanier.
Coverage of the Lake Ouachita tournament will be broadcast in high definition (HD) on VERSUS. “FLW Outdoors” will air June 27 from 12:30 to 1:30 ET. “FLW Outdoors,” hosted by Jason Harper, is broadcast to approximately 500 million households worldwide.
FLW Tour action continues at today’s weigh-in, scheduled to take place at 3 p.m. at the Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa, located at 994 Mountain Harbor Road in Mount Ida, Ark.
Bass-fishing fans take note
Want to watch the weigh in live but can’t make it in person? Then tune into FLW Live on FLWOutdoors.com shortly before 3 p.m. Central Time to watch live streaming video and audio of today’s opening-round weigh in.
Vital statistics:
Sunrise: 6:03 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 67 degrees
Expected high temperature: 84 degrees
Water temperature: 78-85 degrees
Wind: From the west-southwest at 3-6 mph
Maximum humidity: 73 percent
Day’s outlook: Foggy in the early morning hours followed by scattered thunderstorms