Dad and I launched our kayaks onto Beaverfork Lake in Conway, Arkansas, around 7:00 that morning. We came to catch bass, but the peaceful beginning ended up being the best part of the entire trip.
The Lake Before Everyone Woke Up
The sun was just beginning to rise over the water when we launched. The lake was nearly motionless, surrounded by the sounds of insects and the morning coming alive.
There is something different about being on the water that early. Before the heat and boat traffic arrive, everything feels slower. The sunrise reflected across the lake, the water stayed calm, and for a while it felt like we had the entire place to ourselves.
Plenty of Bites—No Bass in the Kayak
Dad and I spent the morning bass fishing from our kayaks. We had several good bites, but neither of us managed to reel one in.
Getting skunked normally sounds like a disappointing fishing trip, but it really wasn’t. The still water, sunrise, and time spent fishing with Dad made the trip worth taking—even without a fish to show for it.
Then the Sun Found Us
Once the sun climbed higher, the peaceful morning turned hot quickly. It stayed directly on our backs, and I ended up getting burned.
That was an easy mistake to avoid. Next time, sunscreen will be applied before we launch and kept within reach for another coat later. Starting early helped, but Arkansas heat does not stay quiet for long.
The Boat Wakes Were the Real Problem
The only serious problem came from speedboats flying across the lake. Their wakes reached us hard enough that we came close to tipping.
Kayaks sit low on the water, so a peaceful fishing trip can change quickly when larger boats pass nearby. Staying alert for approaching wakes and wearing a life jacket are non-negotiable—even when the lake looks completely calm at sunrise.
What We Would Do Differently
- Apply sunscreen before launching and bring extra
- Carry more cold water
- Stay alert once speedboat traffic increases
- Keep safety equipment secured and within reach
- Launch early again—the sunrise was easily worth it
Was It Worth Going?
Absolutely.
We did not bring home any bass, but we got several bites, watched the sun rise over a still Arkansas lake, and spent the morning together on the water. Sometimes the catch is not what makes a fishing trip memorable.
We will be back—hopefully with better sun protection and at least one bass willing to cooperate.
The Open Compass Co 
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