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Brought to you by: Fishtale Lodge
February 8, 2010
Perhaps area anglers have gotten spoiled the last
few years. There have been winters when light winds and warm temps
worked against waterfowlers but played right into the plans of fishermen
suffering from cabin fever.
This year has been different. From high water to low temperatures,
winter weather has been stubborn to loosen its grip. Anglers have not
fared well this winter in the Kentucky Lake area but perhaps that means
more fish are left once spring arrives.
Cold winds have dominated the fishing scene this week but that’s been
the case for over a month. Back in January the ice was a factor and bone
chilling winds pretty much took fishing off the radar screen for quite a
spell.
Then came a warm spell that was short in duration but it opened the door
for anglers to knock the rust off their hooks. Unfortunately, the
crappie and sauger didn’t respond and the lull in action has never
rebounded.
Water levels jumped again last week and climbed above summer pool, which
is some 4 to 5 feet higher than normal for this time of year. TVA has
been pulling a lot of water and while lake levels are falling daily,
more rain and runoff from the recent snow melt will likely influence the
high lake stages for another week or so.
Most local anglers have had trouble finding and catching crappie this
winter. A few boats were stalking the ledges around West Sandy’s Britton
Ford area last week in hopes of finding suspended crappie staging there.
Success stories have been hard to come by, however, as most reports out
of the West Sandy area indicate crappie are winning the game of hide and
seek.
Action was also slow down around Paris Landing where some boats were
hitting the deep drop-offs at the mouth of Big Sandy when light winds
allowed. Most were working the 18 to 24 foot depth range in hopes of
finding fish relating to structure in the deep confines but to no avail.
Some success stories came from anglers working manmade stakebeds down
around Bass Bay last week. Seems a few good slabs were taken there as
fishermen dunked jigs around structure in the 12 to 14 foot depth range.
Sauger fishermen seem to be singing another verse of the midwinter
blues. Overall success rates have been low for these winter anglers who
have not encountered many fish the last two months in areas that
normally produce. Seems the fish are just not there.
Boats have been seen around Danville Bridge and south toward New
Johnsonville and the mouth of Duck River and Sycamore Landing but the
rusty rascals are hard to find even for veteran anglers.
The bottom line is nasty weather has dominated the fishing scene, making
what appears to be a tough winter fishing scenario even tougher.
Soon the sun will slip out of the clouds and warm the hearts of
impatient anglers who have endured a mean winter. Spring fever is fast
approaching and will soon replace the winter blues.
Also check out our past:
Kentucky Lake Fishing Reports
Steve McCadams
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.
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