HOBBS STATE PARK EVENTS
How to Successfully Fish Beaver Lake — April 1
Outdoors news reporter for the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Flip Putthoff, will be presenting, “How to Successfully Fish Beaver Lake.” Many new to Northwest Arkansas may have come from states where fishing took place in lakes that were only 30 or 40 feet deep. Adjusting to fishing in Beaver Lake, where the lake depth reaches to 200 feet can be a frustrating experience. Spring is prime fishing time at Beaver Lake and an upcoming free program at Hobbs State Park Conservation Area may help with landing those fish. He's been fishing at Beaver Lake for 39 years and lives on the lake. He's the outdoors reporter at the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
Topics covered in the 45-minute program include basic tackle, characteristics of Beaver Lake, and simple techniques to catch fish. Flip will bring examples of proven rods and tackle. This is a program for beginner anglers and he will teach the basics of catching bluegill, crappie, catfish and black bass at Beaver Lake during spring and early summer. It's designed for people who are new to fishing at Beaver Lake, those new to fishing or people who have never fished. After the formal program, Putthoff will give an outdoor demonstration on the art of filleting fish. Anyone interested in fishing is welcome.
This presentation will be held at the Hobbs State Park visitor center at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 1. There is no cost and no registration is required. For more information, contact the park.
Birds and Breakfast — April 14
Feathered friends will be center stage at the Conservation Area during the third annual program series, “Birds and Breakfast.” This is a chance to see all the feathers of a goldfinch, chickadee or other songbirds up close. The Wildlife Society of the University of Arkansas will be catching songbirds, handling and releasing them back into the wild. The event is scheduled from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Hobbs State Park Conservation Area Visitor Center on April 14. All activities are free and no registration is required. For more information, contact the park.
Mother Nature Reads Stories — April 14
Mother Nature herself has become a frequent visitor to Hobbs State Park Conservation Area lobby. She visits the park every second Saturday of the month and reads nature stories to children. Readings begin at 10:30 a.m. Storytime is followed by “hands-on” nature-craft activities. Children of all ages are welcome, however, most stories target children ages 3-6. Mother Nature Reading date is April 14, “Signs of Spring.” For more information, contact the park.
Park location and phone
The Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area Visitor Center is located on Arkansas Highway 12 just east of the War Eagle Road intersection. To learn more about upcoming Friends of Hobbs speakers and other park programs, go to www. friendsofhobbs.com and www. ArkansasStateParks.com/ hobbsstateparkconservationarea. The park contact phone is 479-7895006.