Many Saline-Larto anglers are feeling a lot like Dizzy Dean these days.

When the Hall of Fame pitcher was told a scientist declared the curve ball an optical illusion Dean said,  “Stand begin a tree 60 feet away and I will whomp you with an optical illusion.”

The anglers feel the same way regarding inland biologists reporting crappie and bass numbers/size in the complex east of Alexandria at or above state average.

By whatever methods the experts came to that conclusion it differs with the anglers’ observations from their boats.

Some, through elected officials, have asked for reduced creel limits as well as minimum size restrictions.  The Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, in the wake of two fisheries studies, has declined to this point.

Perhaps the disparity comes in part from the unique composition of the complex.

It, and its cousin Spring Bayou near Marksville, earned their legendary status before water management and land use changes altered natural conditions.

Cut off from annual backwater replenishment and choked by runoff siltation the two by the late-70’s became afterthoughts on the angling calendar.

A decade or so later, lightning speed by government standards, the state began moving to restore both.

All Mother Nature needed was a little help and time. And a new generation of anglers discovered them.

When right – water levels, water quality, water temperature, water current – they learned no place is better than Saline-Larto for filling the ice chest, size no issue.

And they do.

When not right, they have discovered, Saline-Larto, from Big Creek to Shad Lake to Dry Larto, is a tough nut to crack.

Bass and crappie stacked like cordwood days earlier can be as hard as smoke to catch.

Those who run their boats up Muddy Bayou or Long Branch or any of a dozen others say the ever-increasing number of anglers using the complex is causing diminishing resource.

Biologists acknowledge the pressure but point to their study data showing the fishery is fine.

To this point the data carries the day and anglers are left to remember:

“There will be days when the fishing is better than one’s most optimistic forecast, others when it is far worse. Either is a gain over just staying home.” – Roderick Haig-Brown.