|
Brought to you by:
FROZEN FISHERMEN READY TO THAW…WARMER WEATHER COMING
Kentucky Lake’s winter fishing scene has been frozen in time the last
few weeks as anglers have been riding it out indoors. Stubborn cold
fronts, snow, ice and brutal winds have kept most at bay.
Relentless winter weather has dealt the cards and for most fishermen it
has been a bad hand to play. In fact, the majority of fishing has been
done in front of the television while watching show hosts land hefty
stringers from beautiful blue lakes located somewhere south in a warm
climate.
Other anglers have twisted and turned in their recliner, almost wearing
out the seat as cabin fever took hold. Reading outdoor magazines renders
temporary relief. For a few short moments you succumb to the stories and
feel the wind in your face, fish on the line, and almost reach for the
drag to adjust the reel when the big one makes a run.
Yet there’s nothing quite like being there. Try to explain the
excitement and picture the moments to your buddies but walking up behind
a pointed bird dog, seeing the flush of a fish sucking in a topwater
bait or ducks downwind on that last approach over the decoys; it’s best
to be up close and personal.
Yet this endurance test may soon come to an end as warmer weather is on
the way. Next week looks promising as the weatherman indicates inclimate
weather will be in the rearview mirror for a change.
Temperatures are forecast to climb out of the cellar and up the ladder
toward the mid 50’s and even lower 60’s. Anglers haven’t had a forecast
like that since late fall, although a few days in December offered short
reprieves.
Crappie and bass anglers are ready to blitz. The boat has been sleeping
in the garage far too long. Once the weather breaks folks better get out
of the way as there’s likely to be a mass exodus toward boat ramps.
And what can anglers expect after the long cold spell? There hasn’t been
much to report the last couple of weeks but odds are crappie will be
perking up once warmer surface temperatures return and lake levels
settle down. Same goes for bass.
Surface temperatures this week have been in the 36 to 38 degree range.
That will make any angler shiver as a few casts followed by cold hands
pretty much pegs the frigid meter.
Watch for a rebound into the low to mid 40’s by the middle of next week.
Water color has been quite dingy in the main Tennessee River channel and
backwater bays but that will improve by early next week too. Some dingy
water has been present in Big Sandy too.
Lake levels have been falling pretty fast this week as TVA pulled the
plug and pushed a lot of water through the system after last week’s
heavy rains swelled lake levels several feet and even reached summer
pool stages.
Projections for the weekend show elevation will be in the 355.5 range at
Kentucky Dam. Upstream at New Johnsonville readings will be in the 356.2
range, which indicates a lot of water is still flowing through but TVA
will likely decrease discharge rates by this weekend.
Although some rain may enter the region no severe thunderstorms are in
the forecast at this time so that should allow the reservoir to
stabilize in the days ahead.
Winter patterns should find the crappie lingering around those main lake
ledges where depths of 17 to 22 feet will be popular venues. Some fish
may even back off to the deep sides of the drop-off and occupy depths of
20 to 25 feet at times as the shad are likely holding there.
Bass will likely be holding deep as well and riding out the cold snap
around steeper bluffs and deeper humps. Fish may well be suspended and
tossing such offerings as Alabama rigs, suspending crankbaits, jig and
pig combos and such could be good choices.
If the dramatic warm-up occurs as predicted some fish could begin to
move up toward gravel banks and rocky points by the end of next week.
It’s still winter until March 20th but spring fever may well descend
over the Kentucky Lake fishing scene next week once warm, sunny days
return. Good weather will help lift the black cloud of depression that
has plagued fishermen who will be trading frowns for smiles as they back
the boat in and head out.
Also check out our past:
Kentucky Lake Fishing Reports
Steve McCadams is one of the nation's best known Crappie Fishermen
and a full time resident of Paris, Tennessee. Steve is also a
professional hunting and fishing guide here in the Paris Landing area.
|
|
