Brought to you by: Fishtale Lodge
Steve McCadams'
Kentucky Lake Fishing Report for:
June 21st, 2002
(NOTE: Catch Steve on national TV on Sat/Sun, June
29-30. He will be crappie fishing on KY Lake, plus a segment on his
"Casting For A Cure" Kids Fishing Rodeo. Air times are 9 a.m. on Sat and
10 a.m. on Sun on The National Network (TNN) show "Everything
Outdoors").
Fishing is good on Kentucky Lake right now for
crappie and bass. And, the first big mayfly hatch of the month landed on
Monday and Tuesday.
Surface temperatures are in the 79 to 85 degree range this week.
Watercolor is still quite clear in the Big Sandy area and only light
stain along the Tennessee River.
Observed lake elevation in the Paris Landing area was 358.8, which
is slightly below the summer pool level. Kentucky Dam had a reading of
359.1.
Crappie are hitting good in the 11 to 16 foot range with a few fish
coming from the deeper sides of main lake sandbars in 20 to 24 foot
zones.
I found a lot of fish in deeper brush piles and stake beds this
week, even though the water is quite clear in the Big Sandy River
portion of Kentucky Lake. The fish were hitting small, dark colored jig
heads tipped with minnows and Berkley Crappie Nibbles.
Popular colors seemed to be dark skirts that mimic a mayfly but a
few were taking black leadheads with a tinsel hair tail. Using 6-pound
line, I fished a vertical presentation over main lake beds and found a
lot of fish relating to the structure.
Although the bites are somewhat light, a few good-sized fish were
mixed in with smaller ones. The action is well worth going and often
overlooked by the bulk of anglers this time of year.
A big mayfly hatch descended on the Paris Landing area earlier this
week and on Tuesday morning the bluegill and various sunfish were
chowing down on the natural buffet, courtesy of Mother Nature. This is
the first hatch of the season but look for more action to continue in
the weeks ahead.
From Mansard Island Resort came a report of good fish activity from
owner J. D. Koenig who said surface action was fierce as fish gorged
themselves. He reported seeing aggressive bluegill taking flies from the
surface early Tuesday morning all around the dock area.
Elsewhere along the main lake were heavy concentrations of mayflies
hanging from willows bending over the water. Beneath were bass and
assorted species lying in wait as fly after fly fell to the surface only
to be gobbled up by darting fish eager for a meal.
This is a great time for anglers to partake of the action with a fly
rod and popping bugs or toss ultra light spinning tackle with such small
lures as Beetle Spins and other assorted grubs.
Bass anglers are finding the deep-water ledges improving as several
fish have been taken this week along the sandbars in 8 to 14 foot
depths. The bass have been moving out some as water temperatures warm.
Deep diving crankbaits in the pearl, silver with glitter, Tennessee
Shad, and bone colors have been producing. The Poe's 400-series,
Norman's Big-N, and Mann's Deep-Pig in the 15-plus, have been a few of
the popular ones.
Carolina and Texas rigged worms have produced too, as has a black
and blue jig and pork combo. Popular worm colors have been Culprit's and
Zoom's red shad, Tequila Sunrise, and fire and ice.
Some shallow bass are still being caught around outside weed beds
and along river islands where blow downs can be found holding schools of
pin minnows. Some top water action on buzzbaits and various jerk baits
is still underway, especially with the arrival of mayflies.
Catfish are being caught along main lake flats with several fish
still in the transition between their spawning areas and deep summer
holes. Some fish are in the 10 to 15 foot ranges but look for action to
improve along the main riverbank in 20 to 30 foot zones in the week
ahead as hot weather continues.
Some white bass action has been underway along main lake flats. A
few fish are hitting the surface from most are being taken by trolling
methods where deep diving crankbaits are used. Once a school of stripes
is located the small in-line spinners such as the Blue Fox, Rooster
Tails, and Little George lures have been paying off.
Still only a scattered report of sauger showing up now and then by
anglers trolling main lake sandbars.
With the good crappie and bass action underway and the arrival of
mayflies, it's a fine time to plan a fishing trip.
For The Lake Barkley Report
Click Here
For Other Kentucky Lake Fishing Reports
Click Here
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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