LITTLE ROCK — Spring is prime time for many fishing tournament circuits, with anglers chasing the largest five-fish limit of bass they can weigh in to qualify for cash and prizes. But Searcy resident Caroline Ferguson keeps busy each spring chasing another award, one that recognizes variety in an angler’s fishing talent and destinations. Ferguson has claimed the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Grand Slam Award for the second year in a row, and has completed the task with plenty of time to spare.
The Arkansas Grand Slam program is a voluntary reward-based initiative to get more anglers on the water to fish for and discover new species of fish they may not normally pursue. To qualify for an Arkansas Grand Slam, anglers must catch at least one catfish, bass, crappie, bream and trout between Jan. 1-Dec. 1.
“Last year I caught my first grand slam fish on Jan. 2 when the AGFC stocked Searcy City Lake in winter, then it just sort of came together where I had caught all but one of the species while fishing there in spring,” Ferguson said. “The last fish to catch was a bluegill of all things, and it’s almost embarrassing that it took me until May to finally catch that one because they’re usually really easy to catch.”
This year, Ferguson set out on a mission and completed her Grand Slam much faster. In fact, her quest took a mere four days on her second go-round.
“When I caught a trout to start the year, I decided to see just how fast I could get it done,” Ferguson said. “I caught a bass the next day, then a catfish and bluegill the day after. I went one day without that last fish, so I went to Higginson Lake because I know it’s got crappie, and I caught that one the next day.”
JJ Gladden, AGFC assistant chief of education, said the beauty of the Arkansas Grand Slam program is that an angler doesn’t have to have access to many bodies of water or a boat to complete the award.
“You can do it in a single Family and Community Fishing Program pond if we stock it with trout in winter,” Gladden said. “Or you can go nuts and travel all over the state if you want to. The main thing is to get out, fish and have a good time.”
All qualifying applicants will receive a decal to put on their car, boat or tackle box letting all their angling buddies know they are a fishing fanatic.