This time last week the gates at Kentucky Dam were closed, water levels had returned to normal and we were in the midst of a gradual warming trend.  Water temperatures that had been in the high 30’s were rapidly approaching the high 40’s.  Fishing was set for a comeback.           
           
It has been said that if you like the weather in Western Kentucky stick around, it’ll change.  That’s exactly what‘s happened this week, not that we like it one bit.  Water levels have risen quickly from torrential rains and TVA has the gates open releasing over 200,000 cfs (avg. is 65,000).   If that isn’t bad enough, a winter storm watch has been issued for the Kentucky Lakes Area.  The storm is expected Thursday night and into Friday with estimates of 5 to 10 inches of snow being possible.  My friend Kenny Dement will probably call me when the storm hits him in Sikeston, Mo.  Besides being a successful attorney, Kenny likes to pose as a bass fisherman and act as my personal weatherman, trusty Blackberry always at his side. 

I know it’s been a frustrating time for all of us, not being able to be on the water as much as we like, but better times are ahead.   Once we get by this bump in the road, weather-wise, fishing will improve so get ready. 

Last Wednesday I went Sauger fishing below Smithland Dam.   In the days that followed, a gradual warming trend sent water temps close to the 50’s which brought on some really good fishing late in the week.  Ron Lappin, FLW Outdoors Tournament director, had a couple of good days Friday & Saturday fishing for bass.  He was using a custom painted Lucky Craft Staysee 115 jerk bait in Table Rock shad, and a smoke colored grub on a 3/32 oz .lead head.  Ron caught several good Largemouth and Smallmouth and a couple of Spots too.  The best areas were the main lake points and secondary points inside the bays.  To me the good news is, it shows that weather permitting, the fishing can improve rather quickly.   
 
I think some kudos are in order concerning the Murray Boat show.  Hats off to Nancy Mieure and her staff at Plan-it for putting on such a well run event and talking me into having a booth at the show.  Both Martha & I enjoyed our time there.

More importantly, I would like to give a big Thank You to everyone that stopped by our booth, especially those of you that booked trips.  I was completely knocked out by the response to our Canadian Wilderness Smallmouth Adventures.  The July trip is booked solid and as of this morning I am happy to report that I have obtained a permit to arrange a mid –August trip.  So those of you who weren’t able to get in on the July trip, now is your chance to experience a trip of a lifetime.  The August trip will focus on fishing the Maligne River in the heart of the Quetico Park.  This serene and beautiful river flows 11 miles before cascading over Twin Falls and emptying into Lac La Croix.  This time of year the Smallmouth and Walleye congregate above the rapids and in the pools making for some exciting fishing.  Top water fishing for smallmouth is great early and late and some really big walleye can be caught most any time by drifting a lead headed grub in the pools.  Shore lunch is the order of the day.  When its 99 degrees and humid here it’s a good time to take a break and head north to cooler temps and lower humidity. 

This will be my 29th year visiting the North Country.  The Sheer Beauty and Spirit of the Wilderness has no equal and in the words of my dear late friend and mentor Bill Zup “The Great Northwoods is Truly God’s Natural Tonic for Tired Weary Bodies”.
 
For those of you who didn’t attend the Boat Show you missed some pretty darn good seminars.  I drew something out of all of them …
 
John Parks of Jet-a-Marina, put on a great slide show presentation that had some nice graphics.  Also he spent a lot of time answering questions and he showed us ways to get the most out of our sonar equipment.  The next time I have a question on using my electronics I know who I’m gonna call ... it’ll be John!

Jerry Maupin spent time showing us where to find early season Crappie and answered a lot of questions from the crowd.  He also gave talking points on when to use live bait vs. artificials which I thought was interesting.

Veteran Bass Fishing guide Dave Stewart did his usual great presentation sharing his knowledge and key points to successful “Ledge Fishing”.  Dave’s seminars always draw a large crowd and the two he did were both packed.  For those of us who want to improve our “Ledge Fishing” skills his seminars are a good way to do just that.

Jack Devor, the dean of redear fishing, offered up some info that will be very helpful to all of us in finding these fish.  Something I thought was real important was finding out that the magic depth Redear preferred to spawn is 4-6 ft.  I’ve caught redear at that depth but I wasn’t sure if they consistently spawned that deep or not.  Also I found out just how important a mixture of pea gravel and a sandy bottom was in achieving a successful re-production.  Our lake is blessed with lots of areas like this and I’m sure that’s a main reason the Redear spawns have been phenomenal.  I think I might know of a spot or two like that … Ha!

Something else Jack mentioned was he felt Redear populations were growing at a faster rate than some other species.  Now that I think about it I tend to agree with him.  In the past two years the number and various size of Redear my customers and I have caught has improved dramatically year over year.  My customers and I like to catch Redear! 

These seminars proved once again that I’m never too old to learn.  I’m sure a lot of you feel the same way.
 
It’s time to BOOK YOUR TRIP!  Don’t wait!  The word is out on Kentucky Lake.  I know it’s just January but bookings are coming in daily.  I still have a few days open in prime time, so act soon!
 
Catch Fish & Have Fun !

Bass Wishes!
Randy Kuhens