Clarence Shockey started guiding on Bull Shoals Lake as soon as it filled up. He knew where every creek came in, where every drop-off was and all the honey holes without using a GPS. That's because he walked the riverbanks and fished it before there was a lake. In fact, one of his favorite things to do was noodle for catfish. In case you don't know, noodling is where you swim down and look for a catfish hole under a ledge or a stump and reach in and try to stick your hand in the fish's mouth and then drag him out of the hole. Clarence was said to have been able to hold his breath for upwards of four minutes. In doing a little research on the sport I'm sure Clarence must have been doing it in Arkansas as noodling has been illegal in Missouri since 1919.
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Left: Flo Haege (I think) and Clarence, 1970.
Clarence loved top-water fishing. According to his son, Joe Shockey, Clarence's favorite baits included the frog colored Lucky 13 and the Baby Zara Spook. But, when fishing got a little tougher, he would go to the creek and catch some big slick minnows and use those for bait. Joe said he caught his best fish that way.
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Clarence on right, 1970. (Not sure who is with him.)
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Clarence liked to fish in Cowpen. In fact, some of his favorite spots were from Cowpen on up the White River to Music Creek. Those Music Creek trips had to be special and well-planned back in those days, as you didn't just run up there in your 10 HP Johnson for a few minutes of fishing. If you went that far, you'd take your lunch and spend the whole day.
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Clarence, left, and again, not sure of the others.
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One of Clarence's fishing buddies was Uncle Johnny Harlin. He had a 15' Lonestar boat and 7 1/2 HP Johnson. Joe told me that Johnny traded for a 20 HP and that Clarence told him the first time he saw him come around the corner with that boat he could not believe how fast he was going. It was one of the fastest on the lake at the time at nearly 20 miles per hour.
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| Clarence with Irene and Blackie Kutilek. |
Written by Cap'n T. Morgan
