When College Bass anglers converge on the Arkansas River in October, a new chapter in the region's rich history will be written. Not known just for its record-breaking BASS tournaments or vast freshwater fisheries, this river system also serves as a key transportation and economic hub for much of America's Heartland.

At 1,450 miles, the Arkansas is the longest-traveling tributary in the Mississippi-Missouri river system. Trickling from its headwaters in Colorado, the river then plunges almost 10,000 feet, through the entire state of Arkansas, before finally emptying into the Mighty Mississippi, 600 miles north of New Orleans, Louisiana.

Lake Dardanelle, a reservoir of the Arkansas River, was planned under the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System by the River and Harbor Act of 1946. The project was designed to improve the transfer of goods and services through the Oklahoma and Arkansas region for national and global trade. Construction began in 1957 on the Dardanelle Lock, Dam and Powerhouse, but was not completed until November of 1969.

But the area's valuable resources and strategic location was noted by indigenous people and early settlers long before the Dardanelle projects. The Arkansas River was discovered by Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto in 1541. In 1682, La Salle claimed the Arkansas and its surrounding lands for the King of France. The land and river would be part of France until the United States government purchased the vital waterway as part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.

For much of the 18th and 19th centuries, the region saw its share of floods, droughts, steamboats, traders, armies and politicians passing through the fertile and lucrative Arkansas River Valley as a young America grew. Today, it continues to serve a vital role in of our nation's commerce, culture and transportation.

But if you're looking for a quick history of bass fishing in the area, all you need to do is ask Rick Clunn. In 1984 and 1985, Clunn won back-to-back Bassmaster Classics on the river. In fact, honorary weighmasters in Pine Bluff were George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, both witnessing Clunn's record-breaking 75-pound, nine-ounce catch. Clunn took the title again in 1985, capturing his third Classic victory.

In 2004 and 2005, Bassmaster events returned to Lake Dardanelle and the Arkansas River. Alabama's Randy Howell won the inaugural Bassmaster Elite 50 series event and the 2004 victory marked his first, after 11 years on the Bassmaster Tour. An impressive total of 30 pounds, 9 ounces gave Howell the win.

It was Davy Hite's turn to take the title at Lake Dardanelle in 2005. The win came after 32 pounds, 12 ounces of total bass. It also ended a three-year-plus drought of BASS Tournament wins, placing him in BASS millionaires club with a $100,000 payday.

On the college side, the Arkansas River saw the "Wonder Boys" from Arkansas Tech take College Bass Fishing's National Championship in 2006. The anglers spent their first two days fishing the Arkansas River in Pine Bluff before bagging five large-mouth keepers weighing 14-6 pounds to win on Cane Creek in Star City, Arkansas.

On October 18-20, the best anglers in college bass fishing will converge on the Arkansas River to determine who will become College Bass Fishing's National Champions. Which team will emerge victorious? It's time for College Bass anglers to write their own history.