Brought to you by: Fishtale Lodge
Steve McCadams'
Kentucky Lake Fishing Report for:
February 28th, 2003
Fishing
conditions have been tough as winter weather continues to deal the
cards. Last week there were some success stories from crappie anglers up
in West Sandy and near Sulphur Well Island.
There
was a day or two where light winds let anglers stalk the main lake but
wind and rain quickly returned. Then, on Tuesday anglers woke up to
another day of snow and ice. Roads were slick and boat ramps were not
the place to be. Wednesday saw sleet and cold conditions linger.
Although
inclimate weather conditions have dominated the fishing scene, some
anglers are braving the elements and finding decent colored water where
crappie are hitting.
Kentucky
Lake is falling fast as TVA is really pulling water through the
reservoir system after all the flooding upstream. Many east Tennessee
reservoirs are seeing record high elevations for this time of year.
Locally,
there is a lot of current in the main river and even in the mouth of Big
Sandy. Elevation this weekend is expected to be 357.7 in the New
Johnsonville area.
At
Kentucky Dam the reservoir is still more than three feet lower than the
New Johnsonville reading. Elevation is predicted to be 354.5 by this
weekend at the dam.
The
significant difference indicates a drastic amount of water coming down
the Tennessee River that is spreading out once it passes the Danville
railroad levee area. The lake is much wider and the lower third sector
allows the water to spread out more.
While
there’s a lot of muddy and dingy water in the main river area, anglers
have found some decent colored water up Big Sandy around the power lines
and also in West Sandy.
Crappie
have been in the 12 to 14 foot zones lately with most of the success
coming from anglers slow trolling grape and chartreuse jig skirts
mounted on yellow and pink colored leadheads.
Other
colors producing have been blue and white combos, along with yellow
sporting red metal flake. Jigs sizes are running in the 1/16 to 1/8
ounce size.
Action
has been slow at the mouth of Big Sandy and in the Paris Landing area as
the main lake ledges have been difficult to reach. Cold wind and muddy
water have been a factor there lately but watch for that to change
dramatically and improve.
Many
anglers are still sitting on ready in hopes the weather will settle
down. A slight warming trend with some light winds is all it takes this
time of year to get things going.
With TVA
drawing the water down rapidly, anglers can expect a lot of the muddy
water to move out fast. So, watch for things to improve quickly this
next week.
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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