07-26-2008, 11:10 AM
LITTLE ROCK - The small craft advisory on the Arkansas River has been lifted, and the Arkansas Big Bass Bonanza - the country's largest amateur bass fishing tournament - is set for Aug. 1-3.
<br>Arkansas River conditions have reached safe levels for small craft, as the Corp of Engineers reported that the Arkansas River flow levels are now below 70,000 cubic feet per second (cfs), the level considered hazardous for small craft.<br>
<br>Originally slated for June 27-29, the tourney had to be rescheduled following heavy rains upstream that made conditions on the Arkansas River potentially hazardous for people in small watercraft.<br>
<br>"By rescheduling for August, we have had additional time to promote the tournament and recruit more anglers - meaning more competition and potentially even more prize money to distribute," said Montine McNulty, executive director of the Arkansas Hospitality Association (AHA).<br>
<br>The tournament spans 300 miles of eligible fishing from Fort Smith to Dumas along the entire length of the Arkansas River within the state's borders. The five weigh-in sites are:<br>
<br>Clear Creek Park, Fort Smith
Dardanelle State Park, Russellville side
Alltel Ramp, North Little Rock
Regional Park, Pine Bluff
Pendleton Bridge, east of Dumas.
All anglers registered for the June tournament will have their registrations honored for the upcoming August dates, and the tournament rules and prize payout arrangements remain the same. Full tournament rules, format, and payouts are available at ArkansasBigBass.com.<br>
<br>For more information contact AHA at 501-376-2323 or via e-mail at Montine@ArHospitality.org.
<br>Arkansas River conditions have reached safe levels for small craft, as the Corp of Engineers reported that the Arkansas River flow levels are now below 70,000 cubic feet per second (cfs), the level considered hazardous for small craft.<br>
<br>Originally slated for June 27-29, the tourney had to be rescheduled following heavy rains upstream that made conditions on the Arkansas River potentially hazardous for people in small watercraft.<br>
<br>"By rescheduling for August, we have had additional time to promote the tournament and recruit more anglers - meaning more competition and potentially even more prize money to distribute," said Montine McNulty, executive director of the Arkansas Hospitality Association (AHA).<br>
<br>The tournament spans 300 miles of eligible fishing from Fort Smith to Dumas along the entire length of the Arkansas River within the state's borders. The five weigh-in sites are:<br>
<br>Clear Creek Park, Fort Smith
Dardanelle State Park, Russellville side
Alltel Ramp, North Little Rock
Regional Park, Pine Bluff
Pendleton Bridge, east of Dumas.
All anglers registered for the June tournament will have their registrations honored for the upcoming August dates, and the tournament rules and prize payout arrangements remain the same. Full tournament rules, format, and payouts are available at ArkansasBigBass.com.<br>
<br>For more information contact AHA at 501-376-2323 or via e-mail at Montine@ArHospitality.org.