I took my grandson to fish in a "DARE" tournament Saturday. We went to D'Arbonne Bayou and launch at the only launch open with access to the Ouachita River near Monroe, the launch at the old Joe Bob's restaurant off of White Ferry Road. We started fishing up the bayou around 7:30 and had to quit around 10:30 in order to get back for the weigh-in. He was fishing with crickets and caught one small bass and one small catfish. I fished with several colors of jigs, but the one I caught my few fish on was the "Dodson No-Name Special", which is one of my hand tied hair jigs with a black head and chartreuse body and tail. I wound up boating 3 nice crappie and a 4 pound-5 ounce Opelousas catfish. Had plenty for supper and Payton had a great time. Thank You, Lord, for time with our families.

The water was petty and stumps showing everywhere. Talked to a man who works for a man who works for the Corp of Engineers. He told me that the Corp of Engineers does not expect to have the locks and dam at Columbia fixed until mid spring 2019.