Compressing the field

Rising water forcing anglers into smaller areas at Dardanelle

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – At Lake Dardanelle State Park this morning, the water was a little higher and a little more stained than Wednesday.

For anglers fishing day two of the Wal-Mart FLW Series BP Eastern Division event, it was a worrisome sight.

The muddy, high water, which has been working its way south all week, has finally started to encroach on the middle and lower-lake bays. And while there is still clear, stable water to be found on the southeast end, all 197 boats know where it is.

“This is really going to pack boats into this lower end,” noted Jerry Williams of Conway, Ark., who is currently in fifth place. “When those guys who have been fishing up the lake get up there and see their water this morning, they’ll be doing a U-turn and coming right back down here.”

Intrusive, muddy water is not exactly good news for the offshore enthusiasts either.

“The pond is rising, and that’s not good for me,” announced cranking king David Fritts of Lexington, N.C., who is in 20th place. “I’m already fishing shallower than I’d like to be fishing here, and this rising water just makes them go shallower.”

Shortly after takeoff this morning, boats began lining up along the Highway 64 riprap on the lower end of Dardanelle. Most anglers were throwing fast-moving baits such as swimbaits, ChatterBaits and swimming jigs.

“I’m after a big bite today,” said Arkansas pro Ron Shuffield, as he whizzed a swimbait down the riprap. “I didn’t get one yesterday, so they owe me today.”

The day-two weigh-in begins at 3 p.m. Central time at Lake Dardanelle State Park.

On the Web

For those who can’t catch the weigh-in action in person, FLWOutdoors.com offers FLW Live, an online application that brings fans real-time weigh-in results, streaming video and audio.

Thursday’s conditions

Sunrise: 6:13 a.m.

Temperature at takeoff: 66 degrees

Expected high temperature: 80 degrees

Water temperature: 70-73 degrees

Forecasted winds: light and variable

Day’s outlook: 60-percent chance of thunderstorms