Day 1 on the Ouachita River

We take you out on the water to see how the anglers adapt to a high and muddy Ouachita River.

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It was still a little dark when we arrived for Day 1 takeoff of the Carhartt College Series Central Regional.
It was still a little dark when we arrived for Day 1 takeoff of the Carhartt College Series Central Regional.
Welcome to Forsythe Landing where we will hold the launch each day for the Central Regional.
Welcome to Forsythe Landing where we will hold the launch each day for the Central Regional.
Anglers hangout in the dark waiting for takeoff.
Anglers hangout in the dark waiting for takeoff.
A lot to contemplate on the Ouachita River.
A lot to contemplate on the Ouachita River.
Boats line the bank as they await take-off.
Boats line the bank as they await take-off.
Anchor's out.
Anchor’s out.
The anthem plays.
The anthem plays.
Take-off begins.
Take-off begins.
Anglers make their way through the motions of take-off on Day 1.
Anglers make their way through the motions of take-off on Day 1.
Boats big and small here on the Ouachita River. The small ones often have the advantage on river systems like this.
Boats big and small here on the Ouachita River. The small ones often have the advantage on river systems like this.
The Tundra is pumping out the tunes this morning.
The Tundra is pumping out the tunes this morning.
Carhartt College Series Tournament Manager Hank Weldon calls out the boat numbers.
Carhartt College Series Tournament Manager Hank Weldon calls out the boat numbers.
B.A.S.S. officials check livewells and running lights.
B.A.S.S. officials check livewells and running lights.
Private property signs are scattered around the land bordering the Ouachita River.
Private property signs are scattered around the land bordering the Ouachita River.
Due to flood levels the
Due to flood levels the “private property” is now a part of the Ouachita River.
Junk mats of floating debris add to the bountiful cover on the river.
Junk mats of floating debris add to the bountiful cover on the river.
Anglers bury deep in the flooded forrest.
Anglers bury deep in the flooded forrest.
The Ouachita River is blanketed with stumps that are typically just above and just below the surface.
The Ouachita River is blanketed with stumps that are typically just above and just below the surface.
Now anglers find themselves fishing on what is typically dry land.
Now anglers find themselves fishing on what is typically dry land.
All the new targets to fish will make finding fish a difficult task.
All the new targets to fish will make finding fish a difficult task.
McNeese State University anglers make their way through the woods.
McNeese State University anglers make their way through the woods.
Griffin and Terrell were still looking for number one when we crossed paths.
Griffin and Terrell were still looking for number one when we crossed paths.
Anglers idle around in backwaters that are inaccessible in normal pool situations.
Anglers idle around in backwaters that are inaccessible in normal pool situations.
Looks like this guy needed a reminder to take his top down. Wouldn't have wanted to be there when he realized he might need a reminder for the next time.
Looks like this guy needed a reminder to take his top down. Wouldn’t have wanted to be there when he realized he might need a reminder for the next time.
Posted.
Posted.
The Ouachita River is fishing tough for many anglers but it's a beautiful fishery for all to enjoy.
The Ouachita River is fishing tough for many anglers but it’s a beautiful fishery for all to enjoy.
The LADT have signs like this so that no one stumbles onto the wrong land...
The LADT have signs like this so that no one stumbles onto the wrong land…
... only now theses signs are a good distance off land.
… only now theses signs are a good distance off land.
These high-waters are nothing new to the locals.
These high-waters are nothing new to the locals.
Water stretches way back into an area that is typically all dry land.
Water stretches way back into an area that is typically all dry land.
More signs of the high-water.
More signs of the high-water.
The trees on the outside line are usually on dry land. They now have 10 feet of water on them.
The trees on the outside line are usually on dry land. They now have 10 feet of water on them.
Another posted sign that almost went under.
Another posted sign that almost went under.
These channel markers are also typically well above water.
These channel markers are also typically well above water.
Slow no wake in several areas. Many permanent residents live in their boats on the Ouachita River.
Slow no wake in several areas. Many permanent residents live in their boats on the Ouachita River.
It's a pirates life for some on the river.
It’s a pirates life for some on the river.
For others, things aren't so bad.
For others, things aren’t so bad.
The law enforcement is out in the case that anyone needs anything.
The law enforcement is out in the case that anyone needs anything.
West Monroe hosts our take-offs this week.
West Monroe hosts our take-offs this week.
If the water gets much higher, it may be time to deploy.
If the water gets much higher, it may be time to deploy.
Though some anglers are deep in the woods of backwaters, some choose to stay on the main river and fight the current.
Though some anglers are deep in the woods of backwaters, some choose to stay on the main river and fight the current.
The anglers have a little competition out there.
The anglers have a little competition out there.
North Texas anglers work the edge of flooded timber.
North Texas anglers work the edge of flooded timber.
Although this looks like they're going down the bank, there's a lot of water behind those trees.
Although this looks like they’re going down the bank, there’s a lot of water behind those trees.
More anglers working into the woods.
More anglers working into the woods.
May need to get these anglers some hunter's orange.
May need to get these anglers some hunter’s orange.
ULM anglers work the edge.
ULM anglers work the edge.
Anglers are on the move hoping the rising river will crest today.
Anglers are on the move hoping the rising river will crest today.
Buried deep in the woods.
Buried deep in the woods.
Cheek of ULM is hoping the afternoon bite holds up.
Cheek of ULM is hoping the afternoon bite holds up.
Times like these, it's great to have a small boat.
Times like these, it’s great to have a small boat.
Most pitch jigs and soft plastics to the trees.
Most pitch jigs and soft plastics to the trees.