A strong east wind coupled with east-flowing current created violent boating conditions for the championship round of the Costa FLW Series Central Division opener presented by T-H Marine Saturday at Lake Dardanelle.

Add a clear blue sky, and you have the perfect recipe for an imperfect fishing day.

Fishing was difficult for Brandon Lee of Ratcliff, Ark., who started the day tied for fifth with Josh Ray of Alexander, Ark. Lee had not caught a keeper by noon in the fabled “Ranger Hole,” or in a vast expanse of prime bass habitat in Mud Creek.

Shannon Pierce of Pine Bluff, Ark., locked out to make another long run downstream, and Zack King of Hot Springs, Ark., left his beaver pond area around noon to visit the Ranger Hole.

Boating conditions were especially violent at noon, especially at the confluence of Piney Creek.

Tom Silber of Labadie, Mo., made another long run which seemed to pay off this morning. He had three solid keepers when we left him at noon.