Everything from Fireworks Displays to Yoga Relaxation Weekends

January 31, 2012
FISHING REPORT
MOUNTAIN HARBOR RESORT
LAKE OUACHITA, ARKANSAS
OUT OF STATE – 1-800-832-2276
IN ARKANSAS - 1-870-867-2191; FAX #1-870-867-1205
PREPARED BY TODD GADBERRY, MARINA MGR.,

Largemouth bass are still very good on a pig and jigs in a watermelon seed or black and blue colors. Bama rigs are producing a lot of quality fish as well fished 15 to 30 feet deep with shad colored baits attached. Walleye are fair and being caught on bottom bouncer jigs, spoons, and trolling deep diving crank baits 25 to 35 feet deep around brush.
Stripers are good and being caught with live bait and trolling large hair jigs or crank baits 18 – 25 feet deep. Bream- No Report.
Crappie are fair and being caught near and over brush. Try brush in water 12 to 20 feet deep. Minnows or crappie grubs are working best. Tennessee shad and rainbow trout are the best colors for artificial baits.
Catfish are fair and being caught on cut bait and live bait on jug lines and trot lines from 20-30 feet deep.

LAKE CONDITIONS
WATER TEMPERATURE – 48 – 52 degrees
WATER CLARITY – Stained LAKE LEVEL – 578.21

Join us in February as we celebrate the majestic wild Bald Eagle population on Lake Ouachita! This year, as part of honoring these wonderful creatures, we will hold both a Wildlife Seminar as well as a Wild Bird ID Seminar, free eagle watching tours -AND most exciting- a live Bald Eagle Release from Harbor’s Launching Ramp!

-The Wild Animals Seminar with Eric Maynard will be at the Lodge Conference Bldg. on Sat., Feb. 4th at 10 a.m.

-Be part of free, private eagle watching barge tours on the weekend of Feb. 17-18th. Please call the marina at 870-867-1211 to reserve your seat!

-Also, join us for the Wild Birds of Prey Seminar with Rusty Scarborough at the Harbor Marina on Sat., Feb. 18th at 10 a.m.

Finally - we are very excited this year to host Tommy Young, founder of an animal rehabilitation unit, as he releases a Bald Eagle from the Harbor Launching Ramp on Sat., Feb. 25th at 11:30 a.m.

Remember, too, that the Harbor Lodge Restaurant will reopen for weekends only - so join us for lunch after each weekend's events.

February is, afterall, for lovers ...Choose from several romantic packages created especially for this weekend ... that are guaranteed to fit the hopes of your loved one - as well as your budget!

Most importantly, join us for a gourmet, candlelit dinner at the Harbor Lodge Restaurant on the evening of Sat., Feb. 11th - reservations only please. Chris Barnes, Food and Beverage Manager, and Harbor’s culinary team create a superbly unique menu of four courses to create a memorable dining experience. Call the Lodge to make dinner reservations - or, take advantage of a Valentine’s weekend package that also includes an overnight stay in a cozy Harbor North Cottage

New this year - the Couple’s Reconnect Package features dinner for two at the East Cove -a more private venue just a few minutes from the lodge, overnight lodging, and a couple’s massage to include instructional at-home massage techniques (so that we send a bit of romance home with you) alongside music and dancing following dinner. Your sweetheart will never forget a weekend like this!

March is full of all things beginning!

-Harbor Cheeseburgers, Onion Rings, Catfish and more!The Lodge Restaurant is now open 7 days a week - we would love to have you.

-Fantastic lake boating and sunshine without the heat, crowds, and insects!

-It's hiking and mountain bike season again at Harbor. Check out the 40+ miles of LOViT (Lake Ouachita Vista Trail) at Harbor's backdoor!

The Ouachita Cycling Club is now in its second decade of presenting the Ouachita Challenge - this year to be held March 31-April 1.

This unique event is a 60+ mile loop that provides two days of mountain bike touring and racing on two of our best trails - the Ouachita and the Womble. The start and finish is located off property at the Oden School yard.

Even though the 500 spots for 2012 are already full - you can be part of volunteering or observing challengers. For more details visit www.ouachitachallenge.com.

Registration for the 2013 race will open on Dec. 12, 2012.

Join us for a fun-filled celebration over the Easter holiday at Harbor! On Sat., April 7th, our annual Easter Egg Hunt starts at 11 a.m. at the East Cove Park.

Over 1000 eggs will be craftily hidden for our hunt...and the doggie hunt has fun, healthy treats and toys for our four legged friends to sniff-out! Treat yourself to our cookies and other goodies while you watch the kids enjoy the Easter party games! Following the party the Joplin Volunteer Fire Department is on hand with a fire truck parade to the lodge with a chance for all the kids to ride on an actual fire truck! Also, firemen will be in uniform to educate the younger ones on identifying safety personal in an emergency. Call the Lodge for more information. Participation is free. People and paws are welcome!

On Easter Sunday, which is April 8th this year, we welcome you to join us in a time-honored tradition here at Mountain Harbor. Amid the glorious sun rising up over Hickory Nut Mountain and the cool spring breeze rolling across the waters surrounding Marina Point, we pray, sing and rejoice in celebration of Easter. All denominations are welcome; service begins at 6:30 a.m. All God's creatures - big, small, furry or otherwise - may attend!

Mom deserves a little (or a lot) of pampering! Let's show all of the mothers (daughters, and sisters and girlfriends...) just how special they really are!

For Mother's Day, which is May 13th this year, get away for a weekend on the pristine waters of Lake Ouachita or if you only have a few hours, send her to one of the South's top-rated day spas - our very own Turtle Cove Spa. Located right here on property, we can offer you a variety of unique or traditional treatments sure to please, pamper and make any mom say "ahhhhhhhh."

The Blessing of the Fleet will start at 11 am in the main bay off our marina on Lake Ouachita on Saturday, May 26, and will be presided over by the Reverend of the Joplin and Mount Ida Methodist churches. Boats from all over come to be blessed on the water and receive a 'Certificate of Blessing' for your vessel. All donations go to the Joplin Methodist Mission Fund.

Be a part of this ancient maritime tradition and bring "fair winds and following seas" to you and yours!

Let all the Dads know just how special they really are! Remember this year for June 17th that Dads need pampering, too ... Take advantage of Harbor’s custom fishing boat rental and Ouachita fishing guides. They know all about the many lake "hidey holes." Call Chris Darby or Jerry Bean, our resident guides, (870) 867-7822 or (501) 282-6104.

Did you know that Boating Safety Classes are mandatory for everyone born on or after January 1, 1986?

On select weekends in June - dates to be announced - Todd Gadberry, our marina manager offers FREE boating safety classes for all of our customers. These training sessions last from 9-4 with a break for you to lunch. Sessions will be held in the training room at the new Fire Station. Call the Marina with questions about dates or details at (870)-867-2191.

Come gawk at the world's largest, and most patriotic
4-wheeler parade! Whether you're a participant or a spectator, be sure to dress the part in your red, white and blue finest.

The parade route will begin in Harbor South and make its way all through the resort, finally ending at Marina Point. Make sure to arrive early to get in the parade because each year we get bigger and bigger! Stick around after the parade for our annual 4th of July Flag Ceremony at Marina Point.

Then ... Let freedom ring! Join us for one of the lake's most spectacular fireworks displays. Choreographed to patriotic music, and with Lake Ouachita's sparkling waters as a backdrop, your spirits will soar for good 'ol USA this 4th of July! Harbor fireworks always take place on the evening of the 4th. We always start at sunset, usually around 9:30, just off our Marina point.