River Water Grab Fishing

I was raised on the Arkansas River Bottoms. I can remember one of the things my Dad enjoying doing, was grab fishing catfish. When the overflow waters receded from the farmlands on the river side of the levy, this would create pockets of muddy low waters. Dad was one of the best at this. He just wade in the muddy waters, stick his hands down deep into the blackness, and come up with a huge catfish. 
Many of catfish would met it's end in the pockets of black backwaters.



On a good season, Dad would catch a barrel full of catfish. He would bring them back and put them in fresh water for a day to cleanse the mud out of them, and then it was time for a family outdoor fish fry!! Most everyone in the family loved these events. 
I never required a taste for catfish, and I believe that is why I can't stand the smell of fish today.