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"A great guide and hunting setup" -Tony Accerano, SPORTS AFIELD MAGAZINE
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Fishing Report Updated fishing reports can be found here each week. Please note that lake elevation and surface temperatures are subject to change when drastic weather changes occur.
STEVE'S WEEKLY KENTUCKY LAKE FISHING REPORT
Updated March 3rd, 2010
WARM WEATHER ENTERS FORECAST...CRAPPIE ACTION IMPROVES...LAKE LEVELS RESTING AT LOW WINTER POOL By Steve McCadams Fishing conditions are improving for Kentucky Lake anglers since last week at this time, thanks to a welcomed and overdue warm spell now in progress. Weekend temps are expected to climb into the low 60's remain above normal through early next week. Crappie anglers are seeing a quick rebound from some stubborn fish that will likely bite even better as warmer weather and rising surface temperatures enter the picture. Some nice stringers are being caught in a variety of depth ranges and locations. The mouth of West Sandy continues to be a popular area as several boats have converged in that sector recently, a clear indication crappie have been hitting in that locale. Most boats are slow trolling spider rigs with various colored jigs moved slowly over 14 to 20 foot depths. Action improved some in the Antioch and Mansard Island area this week too. Some stringers were taken by anglers vertical fishing jigs over manmade fish attractors in the 14 foot depth zone. Further north toward Paris Landing and the mouth of the Big Sandy River’s main lake ledges were not holding as many fish. Anglers fishing the deep drop-offs were finding crappie quite scattered in depths of 18 to 24 feet. Seemed the fish were not concentrated on the deep structure. Popular jig color combos have been pink/chartreuse, red/white, lime/pink, and various shades of chartreuse with sparkle. Some anglers are using minnows on deep drop-offs and also tipping jigs with minnows but most of the spider rig style fishermen are using jigs exclusively. With warmer weather approaching expect crappie to be on the move. There should be some good fishing days ahead if March winds allow anglers move around and fish the open water. Lake levels are still residing at the low ebb of winter pool so use caution when boating and pay attention to channel markers. Don’t take those shortcuts over open water sandbars unless you know where you are. Elevation is expected to be in the 354.4 range at New Johnsonville for the next few days. Downstream at Kentucky Dam lake levels are in the 354.5 range. Surface temps have been in the 41 to 43 degree range earlier this week but will be warming into the mid to upper 40’s by this weekend. Water color in the upper Big Sandy and West Sandy is showing some dingy color while down toward the Paris Landing area water color is clear. Bass action has been fair and will likely see some quick improvement as surface temps warm this weekend. Crankbaits fish on gravel points and shorelines have been the most popular choice of techniques. Productive colors have been blue/chrome Rattle Traps, along with Tennessee shad and crawfish variations in the Paris Landing area. In some areas where stained water was present such colors as fire tiger have been popular. Some suspended crankbaits and jig and pig combos have also been producing but shallow and deep running crankbaits have been the most productive. It appears a warm spell will linger as the weatherman indicates temps will be above normal by this weekend and into next week. With a few says of sunshine and rising surface temps anglers should see dramatic improvement but wind will be a factor in the equation. END
McCadams to be inducted in national hall of fame
Paris outdoorsman Steve McCadams is one of seven honorees being inducted into the national Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame Friday. “I got lucky and got a nice honor,” said McCadams, who has been a part of the outdoors community for 33 years. “Some of the most prominent people in the outdoor world are in it. It’s nice to be in good company.” McCadams will be recognized in a ceremony at the Sheraton Music City Hotel in Nashville. Garry Mason, a nationally known hunting and fishing guide, founded the hall of fame six years ago. It is designed to recognize outdoor sportsmen who have played an integral role in setting the standards and guidelines for the rest of the outdoor world to follow, according to the organization’s Web site, www.legendsoftheoutdoors.com McCadams is a professional hunting and fishing guide. He also serves as outdoor columnist for The Post-Intelligencer and works as a freelance journalist for several outdoor magazines. His work has appeared in Outdoor Life, Field & Stream, Sports Afield and The Saturday Evening Post, among other publications. He has appeared on and hosted several television shows. He’s also frequently contacted for interviews by other writers researching hunting and fishing opportunities in the Kentucky Lake area. “I’ve been written about and I’ve written,” said McCadams. “I’ve been on both sides of it.” McCadams, who grew up in McKenzie, said that the outdoors has always been a part of his life, whether he was writing, teaching, guiding or just enjoying. “My father was a big outdoorsman,” he said. “It was a way of life.” McCadams received his bachelor’s degree in biology from Bethel College in McKenzie, intending to pursue a career as a game warden. He started guiding at the lake part time and eventually made it his full-time job. “I always wanted to be outdoors,” he said. “I’ve been fortunate to make a living doing something I enjoy.” McCadams also uses his expertise to help others. As a cancer survivor, he sponsors an annual Casting for a Cure Kids Fishing Rodeo to benefit the American Cancer Society. In addition, he is involved in coordinating the American Cancer Society benefit skeet and trap shoot, which will be held Aug. 25 at the Holly Fork Shooting Complex. He also enjoys being able to help people through his weekly columns in The P-I and other writing outlets. “You never know when you might do something to help somebody’s life or do something good for them,” he said. McCadams said that being inducted into the hall of fame tells him that he is reaching people through his work. “It’s nice to know people are reading your stuff,” he said, and he hopes to continue to be a trusted outdoorsman. “I keep a pulse on the outdoor life in the area.”
Others being inducted into the hall of fame include Alex Rutledge of
Hunter’s Specialties; Larry Weishuhn of Thompson Center Arms; Tommy
Akin, public relations director for Avery and Strike King; Pamela
Martin-Wells, leading money winner from the Women’s BASS Tour; Larry
Nixon, 1983 Bassmaster Classic winner; and Marion McCollum, owner of
Macks Prarie Wings. Steve McCadams |
"America's Best Known Crappie Fisherman" - Nick Sissley, FISHING WORLD MAGAZINE
Steve's
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