Day 3 from the shore

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Day 3 on a dreary Dardanelle and even if you don't have a boat to follow the Elites, this lake is a pretty friendly one for road tripping around and seeing some action. I find Bernie Schultz north of the Arkansas Nuclear One power plant.
Day 3 on a dreary Dardanelle and even if you don’t have a boat to follow the Elites, this lake is a pretty friendly one for road tripping around and seeing some action. I find Bernie Schultz north of the Arkansas Nuclear One power plant.
As Bernie disappears behind a small island...
As Bernie disappears behind a small island…
Cliff Prince emerges from the other side.
Cliff Prince emerges from the other side.
Cliff looks to make the Championship Monday cut as of midday.
Cliff looks to make the Championship Monday cut as of midday.
Meanwhile a beaver swims by on a mission.
Meanwhile a beaver swims by on a mission.
Cliff takes another look...
Cliff takes another look…
And the beaver returns with some building materials.
And the beaver returns with some building materials.
Not far from downtown Russellville, Randy Howell works a rocky shoreline.
Not far from downtown Russellville, Randy Howell works a rocky shoreline.
Timmy Horton arrives...
Timmy Horton arrives…
...and Randy notices.
…and Randy notices.
Timmy moves down a bit to give Randy some space.
Timmy moves down a bit to give Randy some space.
Randy felt bad that the fans who had stopped at this area to watch him didn't see him catch a fish, so he acted like he had one on for us.
Randy felt bad that the fans who had stopped at this area to watch him didn’t see him catch a fish, so he acted like he had one on for us.
Timmy starts to work on the far end of the rip rap.
Timmy starts to work on the far end of the rip rap.
“I’m about to catch one for you!”
Fans enjoy the view. It would have been a perfect spot to watch Randy reel one in...
Fans enjoy the view. It would have been a perfect spot to watch Randy reel one in…
He probably can't use this bait left behind, though.
He probably can’t use this bait left behind, though.
Unfortunately, he did not find one while we watched.
Unfortunately, he did not find one while we watched.
Even after patiently working this wood near the shore.
Even after patiently working this wood near the shore.
Down in Jones Creek, Brent Chapman was near another shore fishing spot.
Down in Jones Creek, Brent Chapman was near another shore fishing spot.
Working a topwater popper style bait.
Working a topwater popper style bait.
Making precision casts...
Making precision casts…
The popper was making some gurgling bubbles.
The popper was making some gurgling bubbles.
Brent and I agreed that this would have been the perfect time for him to find a fish.
Brent and I agreed that this would have been the perfect time for him to find a fish.
Just follow the trail of bubbles.
Just follow the trail of bubbles.
While he didn't catch one when he was right in front of me...
While he didn’t catch one when he was right in front of me…
He did find two quick fish on back-to-back casts.
He did find two quick fish on back-to-back casts.
The only problem?
The only problem?
They weren't big enough to keep.
They weren’t big enough to keep.
Maybe we'll see you next time when you've grown up some.
Maybe we’ll see you next time when you’ve grown up some.
Brent's strategy was working...
Brent’s strategy was working…
...he just needed the right size to show up.
…he just needed the right size to show up.
He began to drift away and the road trip was done for the day.
He began to drift away and the road trip was done for the day.