We're headed down the home stretch of the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette annual fish story contest, a chance for weekend anglers to become published authors and win a bunch of fishing lures to boot.
Let's take a peek at some of the entries received so far, but first, here's how to get in on the fish-story fun.
Deadline to enter is May 31,so there's a little more than a week left to send us your true fish story. True is the operative word here. No tall tales, please. Believe me, our panel of fish-story judges can sniff out a yarn before the third paragraph.
Stories can be something that happened yesterday or long ago, on waters near or far from the smallest stream to the deepest ocean. Write down your story or fire up the computer, just get your entry here to fish-story central by May 31.
Email your story to [email protected] and type fish story contest in the subject line. Or postal mail entries to Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 2560 N. Lowell Road, Springdale, Ark., 72764.
Be sure to include your name and a daytime phone number. That way we can award you the grand prize: a fine bag of fishing lures courtesy of War Eagle Custom Lures in Rogers and Arkie Lures in Springdale.
Now, let's take a gander at some stories.
Here's a great one. Bet you didn't know that nightcrawlers possess magical powers. One young angler knows it's true from catching a million bluegill and a giant catfish all on the same nightcrawler.
Grandpa and others were witnesses to the juicy worm's mystical powers on a June day at Lake Brittany in Bella Vista.
Catfish seem to be a popular theme for fish-story scribes this year. One particular author fished with a rod and reel given by his wife on their anniversary. The hot dog he munched while fishing was delicious. It also made dandy catfish bait.
A big 'cat pulled his keepsake rod right into the drink. That rod sank deep into cold water and our author was in hot water. Or was he?
Even courtroom judges get in on the fish-story action. Here's a story from a federal judge in Fayetteville about fishing on the lovely Fourche La Fave River, a jewel of a stream in the Ouachita Mountains.
The judge also has a flair for art, judging from the cartoon he drew that accompanies his story. Fish-story scribes are welcome and encouraged to submit a photo or drawing, like the judge did, to go with their story.
The tables are about to be turned on hizz-honor because the judge's entry is fixing to be judged by our trio of fish-story magistrates. Reading your stories this year are stream angler extraordinaire Becky Roark with Beaver Watershed Alliance, park ranger Alan "Mr. Beaver Lake" Bland with the Army Corps of Engineers, and my cat, T.C.
We'll announce the 2018 fish-story champion in June, and include the author's picture and his winning story. Plus we'll run all the fish stories we can fit into NWA Outdoors in print and online.
Fish-story fame and the bag of fishing lures could be yours. Just get your story in by May 31. What better excuse to go fishing than a contest for fishing stories.
"Sorry hon, I can't (insert your least favorite chore here). Gotta head to the lake and get material for the fish story contest."
Good luck to all our writers.
Flip Putthoff can be reached at [email protected].
Sports on 05/22/2018