Fish Tales with Mike Brower

Stuck like a Duck

Last month I was with the group that goes to Missouri every February for trout fishing. The creek we fish is mainly rocks -- gravel up to reasonably large stones, which are easy to walk on since they aren’t covered in moss or scum. But, there is the chance you hit the spot where there is mud, and that’s what I walked into.

I was catching a nice trout when I realized I was slowly sinking into the mud, and nothing about that is good when you are wearing waders. After releasing the trout, I started trying to get my feet out of the mud, which I had sunk in over my boots and about a fourth up my calf. After working my feet around for about five minutes with no success, I debated yelling for help or spending the day standing there. If I had yelled for help, I would have been required to listen to all the jokes that would be told. If I stood there all day, someone would fish down to me sooner or later, and the outcome would have been the same as calling for help.

I worked hard to release my right foot and turn around, and when I did, it just sunk back down into the mud and became stuck again. I was about two steps away from solid ground, but getting there was easier said than done.

After about 15 minutes of working to free myself, one part of the group came by and fished just below me. So for about 20 minutes, I stood there in a funky, contorted position and went back to fishing until they got around the bend. After about 30 minutes, I finally got out, and no one was the wiser. I was not going to be harassed for getting stuck. I don’t mind being laughed at for falling and getting my waders full, but not for getting stuck.

1st • BREAKFAST WITH THE EASTER BUNNY

Make sure you keep room on your calendar for the annual “Breakfast With The Easter Bunny” at the Texarkana Arkansas Recreation Center. This year you can hop on down to the Recreation Center on Saturday, April 1st, (this is not an April Fool’s joke) for breakfast, games, crafts, gift “bags” and a chance to have your picture made with The Bunny! Free to everyone, no reservations needed. Mark your calendars and plan to spend the morning with us at Texarkana Parks and Recreation.

2nd • A TASTE OF SUGAR MILL

Join us for our largest tasting of the year! If you are planning a wedding, reunion, shower, party or any other event that needs catering or sweets this is the event you don’t want to miss! We will have samples of tons of our sweets and catering selections, with consultants on hand to chat with you about pricing and availability. Lots of door prizes and discounts for those who book on the day of this event. Join us at 11am at Sugar Mill Bakery, 113 N West Street, New Boston, TX.

7th • GLOW IN THE DARK EASTER EGG HUNT

KIDZ412 presents our annual Glow in the Dark Easter Egg Hunt on April 7, 2023. Located at Northern Hills Baptist Church, 6000 Sammy Lane, Texarkana, AR, we invite our entire Texarkana community to join us for a FREE night of hunting glow in the dark easter eggs for ages 4 years old through 6th grade. Pizza will be served and we have a christian illusionist! Sign up here: https://northernhillsbc.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1657086

22nd • CASA COLORFUL 5K

Benefiting CASA for Children and the Texarkana Children’s Advocacy Center and the services they provide to more than 1,300 abused and neglected children each year, the 9th CASA Colorful 5k is a 3.1 mile fitness running/walking event on a cross county trail. The run begins on an open field and winds through a dirt trail system. The route is repeated once. The race begins with each participant releasing a bag of color into the air creating a beautiful burst of color. Stations will also be located throughout the race route where you will be showered with brightly colored powder, turning your white shirt into a color explosion. The color is made from eco-friendly food colored cornstarch. ONSITE REGISTRATION BEGINS at 8:00 am. Registration fee is non-refundable and includes 1 color bag and 1 t-shirt per paid registrant while supplies last.

29th • BOOMTOWN BORDER CITY STEAK COOKOFF

Dot’s Ace Hardware in Texarkana will host its second SCA-sanctioned steak cookoff in April 2023. We will be awarding over $3,000 in cash prizes to the best steaks and (drumroll) burgers & “Anything with Cheese” for our ancillary categories. If you love BBQ, we want you - anyone with a grill can enter! Entry fee for steaks $160 and ancillary categories TBA. Complete rules and regulations are available on the SCA website, or inquire with Devin in our store with questions. https://steakcookoffs.com/rules

30th • WALKING FOR WILLIAMS

We are beyond excited to announce the 4th Annual Walking for Williams on Sunday, April 30th! This family-focused event will take place outdoors on the church grounds at Williams Memorial, 4000 Moores Lane, Texarkana, Texas. The afternoon will consist of a family warmup and walk for all ages, live music, carnival style games for kids, and refreshments. Contact Williams School office to get your family signed up for this event. 903-838-9517.

What a place to be...waking up in the mornings, overlooking the lake on SW Arkansas best kept secret, Beautiful Lake Erling. Privacy, seclusion, and serenity, all while watching the deer, turkey, and other wildlife in your own back yard. You are steps away from some of the South’s best fishing. These beautiful lots with lake frontage are limited and are beginning to sell quickly. This is a gated subdivision with limited access. Lakefront property is extremely hard to find and availability is very limited on this lake. B.A.S.S. ranked Lake Erling the top 100 lakes in the United States.