We rolled into Russellvile, Arkansas for the second LBAA event of the tour. I can honestly say that Lake Dardanelle is one of the most beautiful lakes I have ever fished. I was prefishing with my future wife, Karen Rae Elkins. We had clear skies and the temperature was hot, hot, hot. This lake offered some of the most scenic rivers you could imagine and nature contributed to a tranquil atmosphere. We started our prefish on a flat down at the North end of the lake where water depth was an average of 4 foot. Water temperature was 79 degrees F. Karen immediately started catching fish on a tight warbling crankbait. We then moved on down the lake fishing shoreline edges, points and creek channel openings. During the next few days, Karen wanted to explore the back rivers. We made our way up as far as we could go, searching for bedding fish. These back rivers would open up to stump filled bays and I can tell you I have never seen so many snakes swimming in the water. We were very fortunate to find a local fisherman way up the river that was just getting ready to head on out. Karen asked the gentleman “ If you wouldn’t mind…could you show us how to run on back down” The fisherman replied “sure, if you can keep up” Karen and I looked at each other and smiled. She cranked up the Yamaha SHO and we followed the fisherman thru the maze of stump fields without any problems of “keeping up”.
Tournament day offered no wind. It was hot and a long time between bites. The women struggled to even get a limit. Day 2 was also a hot one. A small breeze had started up in the afternoon, giving some women a few late bites before they had to head back for weigh in. Karen actually caught a keeper on her last cast. While she was reeling in the fish, her reel come off her rod seat. Without a hiccup, she grabbed onto the line and brought that fish in so her Co angler could net him. Check in was at 3pm. I was at the State Park watching the women come in. I looked at my watch and it was 2:58pm. I didn’t see Karen anywhere. I started to panic thinking something might have happened. 2:59pm and I see this boat just a hummin’. As it got closer I could make out the 2 PowerPoles. I knew it was her. She banked left and stood on it. That Z520 was rocking back and forth, hard , on it’s pad. When she come off of plane she had 15 seconds to spare. Karen managed to finish the tournament in 11th place. I’m very proud of her. She had just lost her father on April 12th of this year and while fishing this tournament found out her mother had terminal cancer. We packed up and headed back to Alabama as quick as we could drive. Her momma passed away the very next day. I would like to congratulate Kim Bain-Moore on her win with 21.52lbs. and Pam Martin-Wells with her 19.72lb second place finish.