About Us
About Us and Our Beginnings
In 2022, two fishing buddies, Jim Chitko and Marty Sierocki, were fishing for walleye when they discussed forming a walleye club due to the difficulty of catching walleye in Greers Ferry Lake and the lack of available information on locating them. Many local anglers kept information to themselves and were unwilling to share it.
After coordinating with AGFC biologists, ten walleye anglers met in October 2022 at West Side Baptist Church in Greers Ferry. During this meeting, AGFC biologists outlined the challenges facing anglers fishing for walleye in Greers Ferry Lake. The biologists also took an action item to review the age and growth data of walleye in Greers Ferry Lake compared to other Arkansas White River impoundments and to return at a later date with their findings.
In February 2023, more than 100 anglers met at the Fairfield Bay Lions Club. Attendees completed a survey, with 84% requesting the formation of a fishing club and 77% specifically requesting a walleye club. At this meeting, Marty Sierocki invited representatives from the Twin Lakes Walleye Club (TLWC) to share their processes and procedures. Dave Higgins and Fred Gordon of TLWC presented their club model, which focuses on education and information sharing. TLWC is a successful organization with nearly 400 members. Based on TLWC’s success, Marty Sierocki and Jim Chitko decided to use it as a model for building the Greers Ferry Walleye.Club.
At the February 2023 meeting, AGFC biologists returned and shared that it takes nearly twice as long for a walleye to grow in Greers Ferry Lake as it does in other White River impoundments. This revelation prompted questions from anglers about why walleye had not been stocked in Greers Ferry Lake for the past 10 years. As a result, the biologists committed to returning to explain their walleye stocking strategy and long-term planning for Greers Ferry Lake.
Following the February 2023 survey, several respondents agreed to help form the club. A meeting was held in Greers Ferry in March 2023, during which ten positions were filled to establish the initial board of directors for the Greers Ferry Walleye.Club.
Due to their vision and leadership, Marty Sierocki and Jim Chitko became the club’s first co-presidents.
Note: While the Greers Ferry Walleye.Club focuses on walleye, it is a multi-species fishing club. Seminars and shared information often cover additional species beyond walleye.
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