Fishing the Pond Kindly: Catch and Release

The pond at Fort Smith-Alma RV Park is catch and release, and that's the part that makes it worth fishing. A pond this size doesn't have a big water body to absorb mistakes. Every fish you land and handle badly is one fewer for the next kid with a rod. Handled well, the same fish gets caught again next month, bigger, and the next family gets to feel the same tug you did.

The legend of the big one

The park's own copy tells of a catfish of roughly ten pounds, the master of the pond, that has not been landed. You can take that for what it's worth. Every good fishing spot needs a story, and this one is shared by people who've presumably looked at the water and wondered. Whether you ever feel a heavy pull in the dusk or not, the story gives the afternoon a purpose beyond a cooler of drinks.

Start with the rules, not the rod

Before you wet a line, check with the office about pond rules, and check current Arkansas Game and Fish rules for anything that applies to you, including licensing. We won't state specifics here because they change and they depend on who is fishing. A two-minute question at the office, (479) 632-2704, saves a real headache. The office is open Monday through Saturday, 9 AM to 6 PM, and Sunday, 1 to 6 PM.

Gear that makes release easier

• Barbless hooks, or regular hooks with the barbs pinched flat using pliers. A barbless hook comes out cleanly and does far less damage.
• Single hooks instead of treble hooks when you can, since trebles can snag in multiple places.
• Needle-nose pliers or a hook remover for quick, calm extractions.
• A wet rag or small towel, and a pair of fishing gloves if you're handling catfish.
• A small net with a soft rubber mesh, if you carry one. Knotted nets scrape off the protective slime coating on a fish.

How to handle a fish

The rule of thumb is simple: the fish should spend as little time out of the water as possible. Wet your hands before you touch it, since dry hands strip the slime that protects the skin. Keep the fish low over the water so a slip means a splash and not a drop onto dirt. Don't squeeze it, and don't hold it by the gills. If you want a photograph, have the camera ready first, take it quickly and put the fish back.

Catfish deserve extra care. They have sharp spines on the dorsal and pectoral fins that can give you a painful poke, so grip the fish firmly behind the head with a wet towel, or use gloves. Support the belly with your other hand. When it's time to release, don't toss it. Lower it into the water, hold it facing into any slight current for a few seconds, and let it swim out of your hands when it's ready.

Where and when catfish bite

Catfish generally feed more actively in low light, so early morning and the hour around sundown tend to be the best windows. They also hang around structure and slightly deeper water, and they respond to bait with a strong scent. If you're after one, fish near the bottom, be patient, and keep your line fairly still. Leave the rod in a holder, keep an eye on the tip and let the fish take the bait before setting the hook.

The park describes its sunsets over the water as a highlight, and it's easy to see why this works well for a fishing evening. You get the golden hour, the cooling air and a decent chance at a bite, all within a short stroll of your site or cabin.

Fishing with kids

A small pond is a good classroom. Let children handle the rod, but have an adult handle the hook and the fish at first. Teach one idea: we hold the fish gently, we get it back in the water quickly. Kids tend to pick up that habit in a single outing if you model it. There's a playground on site for when the fishing goes quiet, which it will, because fishing does that.

Keep a bit of space around your rod, too. A cast near the bank, the pond edge or another camper's line is how hooks end up in the wrong place. Look behind you before you swing.

Leave it better than you found it

Pack out your line, wrappers and hook packages. Monofilament left on the bank can tangle waterfowl, and the pond has its share of geese. Fish gently, release quickly and tell the next angler what worked. That's how a small pond stays good, and how the old catfish keeps its reputation. Nobody wants to be the one who breaks it.