When the crappie are biting and I start shedding, you know it's time for the annual Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette fish story contest sponsored by the Outdoors section of the paper.
Time to fire up the computer or get out the Big Chief tablet and enter this prestigious literary contest for true fish stories. It's easy to get in on the fun, and you might win a swell prize. The contest is your ticket to fish-story fame, because we'll publish a photo of the winner with his or her champion story right here in Outdoors, along with many of the other entries we receive.
Here are the rules: 1. Write down your story. 2. Send it in.
We'll accept entries through May. On June 11 we'll announce the winner and run the championship story, along with other true fish stories. True is the operative word here. We're on the honor system, so no yarns please.
Stories can be about something that happened yesterday or long ago. It might be a story from Beaver Lake or some far flung sea or ocean. As long as our panel of judges can read it, it's in the contest. Fish story scribes are welcome to send a photo with their story. Kids can draw or color a picture.
We don't dock for spelling or grammar, so no worries there. We're pretty easy here at fish story central.
Be sure to include your name, where you live and a phone number we can call during the day if you win. Email your story to [email protected]. Type fish story contest in the subject line.
Or, snail mail it to Fish Story Contest, Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 2560 N. Lowell Road, Springdale, Ark., 72764.
Such an acclaimed writing contest naturally comes with an appropriate prize. Our winner gets a nice selection of fishing lures almost guaranteed to catch the big one at your favorite lake. Thanks to Keith Brashers at War Eagle Custom Lures in Rogers and Mitch Glenn at Arkie Lures in Springdale for supplying our prize again this year.
Our trio of fish story magistrates are eager to start reading your stories. Judging this year are Aaron Jolliff, co-owner of Hook, Line and Sinker fishing stores in Rogers and Bella Vista and Sheila Rosssh, fish and cat artist extraordinaire, also known as my aunt Sheila, who takes care of my needs and whims when the cat butler is away.
I, Boat Dock, will don my black robe again this year to serve as chief judge.
The fish story contest may be the only competition where we help you win. Top tip: It's a fish story contest, not a fish novel contest. No long-winded fish story has ever won. Concise and to the point boost your chances.
I can hear you readers now. "Boat Dock, I want those lures, but don't have a thing to write about." What better excuse to skip work and go fishing to gather material for a story.
Fish on and good luck in the contest.
Boat Dock is feline outdoors columnist at the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. His column appears when he feels like writing one.
Sports on 04/30/2015