Brought to you by: Fishtale Lodge
Report for August 3rd, 2001
This week's fishing report continues to show good
action for crappie and catfish. Action has improved for white bass too.
Since last week Kentucky Lake has been rising slowly. Heavy rains to the
south have sent a lot of water through the system and the reservoir was
on the rise for several consecutive days.
Observed elevation in the Paris Landing area was 358.3 at midweek and
rising. Surface temperatures remain in the 83 to 86 degree range. Water
color is still clear throughout the Big Sandy but there's some stain in
the main Tennessee River.
Crappie are hitting good, despite the hot weather that has kept a lot of
anglers off the lake. Some nice catches were coming from 10 to 12 feet
this week as the fish had apparently moved up in pursuit of shad.
Apparently the rising lake levels stimulated some movement of crappie from
the deep sides of the ledges to the top sides and out on flats.
While live minnows were still producing, jigs accounted for some fish too.
Sometimes the crappie will move up during the hot summer days,
especially when there's cloud cover or rainy days. Chances are,
dissolved oxygen levels are better there too.
Look for activity to increase in deep water in this next week, however, as
TVA will likely be lowering the lake back to the normal drawdown curve.
That means some current in the days ahead too.
With increased current will come increased activity for catfishermen.
Expect some good fishing next week as the current will likely stimulate
movement of the fish along the main river channel. Depths of 25 to 40
feet have been producing with some anglers reporting suspended fish.
Chicken livers, nightcrawlers and catalpa worms have been producing.
Some improvement has been noticed in the white bass department. A few fish
were beginning to hit shad on the surface but most are being caught on
sinking lures such as spoons, Rooster tails, and other such in-line
spinners.
Look for surface action to improve in the weeks ahead as mid-August is
normally prime time for finding stripes in the jumps.
Bass fishing is fair with action still coming from the visible grass beds.
Working worms and spinner baits around grass, along with some surface
lures in the early morning and late afternoon periods, has produced.
A few anglers are still stalking the open lake ledges with big crankbaits
and Carolina rigged worms. Jig and pigs combos have also accounted for
some of the larger fish.
Night fishing is still underway for a few bass anglers but action has
been slow for most. And, activity at night for stripes has been slow for
those fishing under the lights.
Mayfly hatches are still underway in some areas. Bluegill are there
too and you can catch a bunch around the shallow bridge piers and rocky
banks by tossing crickets or small spinners.
Light breezes and some cloud cover have helped make even the warm days
tolerable out there on the lake. So, take along a cool jug of water,
sunscreen and go get 'em.
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Steve McCadams
is a professional hunting and fishing guide
here in the
Paris Landing area and host of The Outdoor Channel's television series IN-PURSUIT.
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