In his bid to capture AOY, Jones scouts Arkansas River by plane

By Mike Suchan

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – “You’re cheating,” the girl at the counter blurted upon learning of Alton Jones’ flight plan.

Jones was checking in with Central Flying Service to scout the Arkansas River for the Elite Series Diamond Drive there June 9-12. A man from another group setting out for an aerial view of the flooding on the Mississippi River overheard the exchange, and added his two cents.

“You’d need a long fish finder.”

Actually, Jones was equipped with a handheld GPS, video and still cameras, a notebook and the most important tool, his eyes. Afterward, Jones said “1.4 hours in an airplane is like 1.4 months on the water.”

And it’s not cheating.

“Tournament rules state we can’t be on the river during the off-limits, but we can fly over it,” said Jones, who even called B.A.S.S. tournament officials to make certain the impromptu trip was kosher. “What I did today is available to any of the Elite Series competitors who want to take the time and spend the money to do this.” Complete Story