|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
"A great guide and hunting setup" -Tony Accerano, SPORTS AFIELD MAGAZINE
|
 |
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 November 19th, 2009 NEAR NORMAL WEATHER AND LAKE LEVELS RETURN...CRAPPIE/BASS ANGLERS DOING PRETTY GOOD By Steve McCadams Fall fishing has held up well for bass and crappie anglers this week who had another stretch of nice weather up until midweek when temps cooled some and a little wind and light rain entered the picture. Up until Tuesday the weather had been unusually warm as above average temps lingered for over two weeks. Still, things aren't too bad and really back to near normal for this time of year. Lake levels have been falling slowly all week but TVA really pulled the plug late last week and into the weekend with the reservoir falling some six inches each day. The drawdown has diminished the last few days and should fall slowly throughout the weekend and into next week. Present elevation at Kentucky Dam is 355.9. Upstream at New Johnsonville Steam Plant lake levels are forecasted to be in the 356.3 range as the weekend approaches. Those readings are down considerably from a week ago at this time. Surface temps have cooled slightly but still remain in the 56 to 59 degree range and last weekend were still holding in the 60 degree range, which is above normal for this time of year. Water color is clear. Crappie were biting in a variety of depths as anglers reported some decent catches in 11 to 13 foot zones around brush and manmade structure. A few fish were holding on to those deep ledges and residing in the 17 to 20 foot zones too. Portions of West Sandy around Britton Ford and in other bays such as Bass Bay, Cane, White Oak, and Leatherwood some fish were choosing to stay in 7 to 9 foot zones. Anglers there reported pretty good stringers as they vertical fished jigs. Crappie should settle down this weekend and next week as this past week saw a drastic drawdown that may have had fish on the move at times. It’s not unusual for crappie to pack their bags and move on when quick changes in lake levels occur. Watch for those midrange stakebeds and drop-offs to produce good numbers in the days ahead barring any drastic changes in the weather and lake levels. Bass anglers are still scoring decent stringers with a lot of fish relating to submerged grass beds. A lot of aquatic vegetation is present on the Tennessee River flats and edges of islands where tossing a white spinnerbait with gold willow leaf blades will get you a bite. Shallow running crankbaits, rattle traps, and jerk baits are working too. There is a lot more grass out there than most anglers thought and the lower lake levels are exposing acres of it. A lot of milfoil was breaking loose this week and floating down the main channel in huge patches as the current from falling lake levels likely dislodged it. Watch for those gravel bank patterns to bounce back as lake levels return to near normal in the days ahead. Last week a lot of bass move up to shallow shoreline cover but that has all changed as the fish are back to gravel points and rocky banks chasing shad on shallow flats too. 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
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
