Students looking to fish recreationally will be happy to know that there are several different options when looking for a place to cast a line or to learn about this pastime.
The fishing team on campus provides the opportunity for students to compete with one another. According to the Harding website, the primary purpose of the organization is to “encourage camaraderie, sportsmanship, integrity, conservation, and development of the skills and knowledge needed to be successful anglers through participation in activities, special interest meetings and presentations, and competition both intra-club and intercollegiate.”
Executive vice president and team sponsor, David Collins, fishes on the Little Red River and learned to trout fish as a student. Collins said he loves sharing the experience with students and encourages them to take part in the activity.
“The Little Red is accessible by boat and also accessible by wading,” Collins said. “For students interested in trout fishing, there’s a walk in access to one of the best trout fisheries in the country. That’s something I always enjoyed as a student. I had never trout fished, but because it’s right here, I learned how to do it and really enjoyed that.”
Freshman Lane Carger, a member of the fishing team, said he prefers bass fishing, something his grandfather and father instilled in him, and shared his advice for places to fish in the area.
“There are many Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) nearby that provide many opportunities for fishing, such as Steve N. Wilson Raft Creek Bottoms WMA, and Henry Gray Hurricane Lake WMA,” Carger said. “Some of these WMAs have quite a bit of water and in some cases, a few lakes. A place that has easy access and is approachable to beginners is Bald Knob Lake. Fishing can easily be done from the bank here.”
A fishing license is required to fish in this area. To purchase a fishing license you can visit Wal-Mart. Collins suggests that students read the rules and regulations before fishing. You can visit the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission website at www.agfc.com to stay updated on current guidelines.
Senior Ray Zhang did not begin fishing until his arrival at Harding. Zhang has become an avid fly fisherman since, with the help of his friends, and said everyone should give the sport a try.
“The best way to start is to find a friend or faculty who likes to go fishing and talk to them,” Zhang said. “Most times they would love to take you and it’s really great for learning. For me, I can feel at peace when fishing and I can see God in nature. Early in the morning it’s really pretty, the fish are really pretty too.”
