BEAVER LAKE STRIPERS

Nestled in the Ozark Mountains nine miles northwest of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, Beaver Lake is the newest of the “Great Lakes of the White River”. Its 28,200 acres and 449 miles of shoreline wind for over 70 miles through the hills. The depths of Beaver Lake are also home to one of the best striped bass fisheries in the nation.

“Stripers can be tough to locate and catch,” said Don Andreason of Beaver Fever Guide Service. “On the other hand, once anglers figure them out, stripers can be caught all year long.”

July doesn’t seem like the best month to fish, but Andreason put me on stripers in a matter of minutes. “Rod down,” he yelled “Try to break his neck,” came further instructions.

I snatched the heavy rod from its holder, faced the opposite direction, and slammed the rod forward with all my might. “Good hookset,” Don said with a smile.

The big reel literally sang as line burned form the reel. “They put their head down and run like a bulldog,” Andreason had said earlier. He had not exaggerated.

After a tiresome 15 minute battle, the magnificent silver and black fish slid to the boat where Andreason lipped the 30-pound monster and hauled it into the boat. He quickly placed another 8-inch shad on by hook and I soon repeated the battle with a smaller fish.

Beaver Fever Guide Service provides everything needed for a day or half-day chasing big Beaver Lake stripers. Don has been guiding for over 30 years and knows the where-abouts of the lake’s stripers any day of the year.

Good boats, good tackle, good baits, good fish, and good service are the trademarks of Beaver Fever Guide Service. For the thrill of a lifetime check them out at http://www.beaverfeverguides.com/.