Weather has big impact on little Lake Overcup
Outdoor writer and photographer Corbet Deary is featured regularly in The Sentinel-Record. Today, Deary writes about Lake Overcup.
My friend, Kenny Talbert, and I recently hooked up to the boat and embarked upon a short journey to a small reservoir located just north of Morrilton. Neither of us had ever fished Lake Overcup, nor did we know much about the small impoundment.
It had been around for awhile, however, as the lake was completed in 1963. One would suspect that a 54-year-old body of water has experienced its share of fishing pressure throughout the years. But this particular destination was also suspect of benefiting from management practices, as it is an Arkansas Game and Fish Commission-owned body of water.
Regardless of circumstances, we were also aware that we were behind the proverbial “eight-ball.” The forecast called for high winds and bluebird skies. Let alone the fact that a combination of temperatures hovering in the mid-90s and a high humidity would lead to a heat index near the century mark. It was panning out to be the hottest day we had experienced since last summer.
But one thing was for certain. Our chances of success would be nonexistent if we stayed home. So we hit the road prepared to face whatever transpired. If nothing else, this would prove a great opportunity to get better acquainted with and better prepared for a possible return to the body of water.
The lake was easy to locate. We headed north on Highway
5 from Hot Springs and veered left onto Highway 9 at the Crow Community. Following the highway to William’s Junction, we turned left at the intersection and continued on Highway 9/10 for 28.4 miles. Just north of Morrilton, we took a left onto Highway 915 and traveled 1.4 miles to the marina/launching ramp.
We opted to stop in at the marina, before backing the boat into the water, for an up-to-date fishing report. We noticed that the reservoir was infested with timber and other partially submerged cover immediately upon our arrival. And judging from the substrate surrounding the lake, we would be navigating very shallow waters.
So our purpose for visiting the proprietor of the marina was twofold. Of course, we were interested in knowing exactly what the fish had been hitting. but we also were interested in any tips he could share about navigating the lake without damaging my lower unit.
The fella was quick to agree with the information I had obtained via the internet. The lake was renowned for coughing up crappie. In fact, I had read that
29 percent of the anglers fishing on Overcup were in pursuit of this particular species.
AGFC surveys suggested their average length was 11 inches, and their average weight was two-thirds of a pound. Most folks would be satisfied with crappie of this stature. However, large and small fish were all taken into account during the data gathering procedure. In turn, crappie far exceeding the average were commonly caught on the lake, as well.
According to the store keeper, a fair share of catfishing enthusiasts also frequent the reservoir. In fact, he suggested that catfish had been the most active species throughout the past few weeks. Of course, channel cats were most plentiful. But judging from the huge skull that had been nailed to a stickup in the middle of the lake, flatheads also swim within its perimeters.
The shad population was bountiful on Lake Overcup, as well. And one can rest assured that where the shad are, the bass will follow. We noticed several breaking during our short stint at the lake. A short conversation with a local angler who was loading his boat as we were preparing to put in, however, lent to the idea that this particular species had not been very cooperative for the past few weeks. He had been on the water since early that morning, and it was nearing 10:30. And he had only managed to catch one.
The fishing reports we had received were interesting. But we had another species in mind. We were geared up and ready to spend the day soaking crickets. We were focused on coaxing a mess of bluegills into the boat. Of course, the small ones always have a voracious appetite and will devour practically any small insect that happens to fall within their sight. But we were in search of those bream that make table fare. I’m talking specimens as large as the open hand.
Well, it just so happened that the ol’ boy at the marina was a bream fisherman, too. He shared stories of anchoring the boat and catching as many as 80 from one location. But that was another time and another day.
According to him, the spawn had proved sporadic throughout the entire spring. If an angler managed to be on the water, by chance, when they were on the nests, success would follow. But these magical experiences had proved few and far between during the past few months. In fact, he suggested that his usual hot spots had proved far less productive than usual, He did, however, suggest fishing near buckbrush and willow trees.
We backed the boat into the water with all kinds of newfound information under our belts. And even though the report had been less positive than hoped for, Kenny and I still had aspirations of boating our limits.
Beginning on the shoreline opposing the marina, we cast into waters that averaged about 2 feet in depth. We were fishing near the suggested type of cover. But a majority of our casts went in vain.
We eventually opted to head a little farther down the lake to deeper water. We could see exactly where we wanted to fish. There was a row of houses and docks on the adjacent shoreline. It wasn’t that far away. But getting from point “A” to point “B” on this particular lake was much more difficult than in the waters I’m accustomed to fishing.
The boat lanes were well marked. But it was a matter of choosing the proper route that would lead to the destination of choice. And even though these lanes were obviously traveled on a regular basis and were navigable, I refused to travel much faster than at an idle.
Eventually reaching the spot we had seen from across the bay, I grew hopeful upon noticing the depth had doubled. And we both suspect the bream might be bedding close to the docks.
Sure enough, we managed to coax a few into biting, a couple of which were large enough to grace a skillet. But generally speaking, fishing was still slow. As the day progressed and the wind strengthened, Kenny and I eventually opted to bid this little lake farewell.
I’ll be the first to admit that the success we experienced on Lake Overcup was far less than what we had hoped for. But I’m also aware that the weather was also far from perfect and might have been responsible for our results. That in mind, I’ll be more than happy to return to this particular destination, and try my hand at coaxing fish from its waters at least one more time.