Kick’n Bass Guide Service has been on the water daily since the water has risen monitoring not only the lake level but water clarity as well as the fishing conditions.
 
This weeks report will focus on how fishing was affected as the water came up (How fishing was during the flood), what is going on now and what to expect shortly.
 
Some have asked why all the muddy water this year compared to the high water (approx. 8’ over pool) we had in the spring of 2003.  In 2003 the Ohio & Mississippi rivers were at flood stage for several weeks.  Kentucky & Barkley held water until the rivers downstream were able to accept it.  This resulted in a gradual increase and the water remained clear with the main issue being drift & debris. This time Tennessee & Kentucky received torrential rains which caused runoff as well as major flooding downstream which all contributed to the rise as well as the dirty water. 
 
Current Lake level: Give or take a few inches, the level today is about 3.5 feet over summer pool.  TVA has informed several of the Marina operators that the plan is to be at summer pool (359) or a little over (360) by the time you wake up Tuesday morning the 18th.  I can tell you that the lake is in deed in the midst of a controlled drawdown and based on what I’ve seen it appears that TVA will make good on Tuesdays predicted level.  You can follow the progress by accessing their website and see the predicted lake levels; http://www.lakeinfo.tva.gov/htbin/lakeinfo?site=KYH&DataType=All&submit=View+info
 
Water Clarity:  At this time the main Tennessee River channel has a muddy cast to it.  Some of the bays are beginning to improve quite a bit.  Here on Malcolm Creek, where I live, as well as Bear Creek which joins Malcolm creek, the water color is ideal and we are catching fish. Also I’ve had reports that the backs of most bays are clearing up nicely.  Specifically in Jonathan Creek and Blood River I’m hearing the very backs are getting a real good fishing color to the water and fishing has been good there. Therefore, barring any torrential rains, the bays will improve daily and should be in respectable shape shortly.
 
The difference between a drawdown from summer pool and what we are experiencing now, is game fish that were previously not accessible due to the high water will be moving out as the lake is drawn down and will be setting up on normal summer pool habitat, especially in the bays.  My clients and I are already experiencing some very nice catches in normal pool areas, although a little deeper.

Thursday the 13th I fished with Price & John Hartman from Tennessee (photo) and we had quite a day fishing for big bluegill & redear, so the bite is back on.    
 
Fishing ranges from poor to very good depending on where you are and what you’re doing.  Bass are being caught in the back of the bays flipping the bushes and around submerged dock structure.  On Thursday the 13th a 5 fish limit of 24lbs 11 oz. was leading the first day of the FLW American Fishing Series Tournament, so fishing can’t be too bad!  Catfish are being caught around trees and flooded bushes.  Bluegill & Redear are being caught around trees and on the spawning flats, you just have to fish a little deeper than normal.

How was fishing during the Flood?

When a lake rises dramatically, good and bad things occur.  On the down side, the lakes become off colored and the higher water creates a “New Lake” rendering the old reliable fishing holes questionable at best.  Dealing with dingy water is challenging and high muddy water is a fisherman’s worse nightmare. 

The flip side is the bays, coves and creeks are also affected by the high water and current … but in a good way.  Lots of fish food gets stirred up, especially worms, night crawlers and insects of all types.  This in effect creates a smorgasbord for fish to feed on.  Fish find comfort and refuge in stained water.  Combining an abundant food source with comfortable surroundings can result in more reckless feeding by some species. 
 
I witnessed this scenario firsthand after receiving a call from an excited Robert Walter, owner of Malcolm Creek Resort, explaining that the campers were catching huge redear, bluegill and bass in the resort’s flooded campground.  When I arrived, imagine seeing a dozen or so anglers; men, women and children, lining the blacktop access road to the campground casting and hooking a good sized fish on every cast.  It was nothing short of amazing!
 
In talking with Chris Onnybecker at Bee Spring Lodge and John Rezek at Shawnee Bay Resort I confirmed that this scenario was being repeated on other parts of the lake.  What a deal for those campers and fishermen who didn’t pack up and leave when the high water came.  A group of us cleaned fish for over two hours.  Later that evening the campers at Malcolm Creek Resort joined together and enjoyed a pot luck fish fry to celebrate a really phenomenal day of fishing.  I was glad that they invited me and I especially liked Eula’s (photo) blackberry cobbler.  This whole scenario, catching fish among the picnic tables and flooded campgrounds, was really something to see.  Folks who checked out early from the resorts missed out on a once in a lifetime fishing opportunity.  Remember, on Kentucky Lake the fish bite every day and someone always catches them.
 
Bluegill & Redear:  In spite of the high water levels bluegill & redear continued to bite.  In about 45 minutes of fishing, the Stull boys Phil, Rick & Phil Jr. (photo) and I caught ‘em real good on a Sheltons Bluegill & Redear Bug.
 
Those fish that are locked on the beds continue biting on crickets, red worms, etc. and artificials. Both species can be caught in the back of coves with the redear being slightly deeper than the bluegill.  Finding prime spawning locations is the key.  Once you locate the spots, they’re loaded with fish and you can literally fill the boat.  Finding brown, sandy gravel is your best bet and right now most of these spots are under unusually high water.  Look for a point or bank that has little or no brush or trees.  Usually the lack of vegetation has allowed the bank to erode exposing the brown gravel both species prefer to spawn on.  Remember to adjust your thinking about the depth due to the high water.  “Think Deeper”  One of the best ways to catch redear is to Carolina Rig using a split shot and long shank bluegill hook tipped with a red worm.  Use the lightest split shot you can get providing it keeps the worm on the bottom.  As far as artificial baits go, the Shelton’s Bluegill & Redear bug in black & cricket tipped with a piece of red worm, has been producing some really good fish.  The 1/16 oz size works best.  Keep a pair of small scissors handy to cut the red worms.  All you need is a piece about ¼ inch long to slip over the hook.  
 
Catfish:  Were everywhere!!!  The high water brought them to the banks and around the base of the many flooded trees to gorge themselves on worms and insects. Good size fish were caught by bank fishermen.   Any live bait worked, especially night crawlers.  Wade fishing was especially popular and effective.  Bobby Stephens (photo) caught this huge catfish on a night crawler wading the flooded Bee Spring Campground. 

In the main lake bays some big cats have been caught around deadfalls and flooded bushes in the backs of the coves.  Several big cats were hooked on limb lines as well as jugs.  If cat fishing is your thing then Kentucky Lake is the place!
 
Bass Fishing:  Some pretty fair bass were caught real shallow in flooded grass … not hydrilla or milfoil … but the kind you mow every week!   J.C. Wynn (photo) of Champaign, IL. caught this big one on a beetle spin in the grass in front of the condos at Green Turtle Bay.  A week prior they were mowing the lawn and when the high water came the area flooded and was full of game fish. 

How about Eula Durbin of Benton, KY (photo) and her big smallmouth bass caught between the campers at Malcolm Creek Resort.  Fishing had never been any better for those who stayed behind when the water rose and took advantage of the feeding frenzy in shallow water.
 
Looking back I can’t say that I blame anybody for cutting their stay short at the resorts when the high water came.  It was a monumental event for sure.  However, keep in mind that you missed a once in a lifetime fishing opportunity.
 
Other News …
 

Canadian Outpost Cabins & Fabulous Fishing:

Fish a different lake teeming with fish, every day and lounge comfortably in a furnished cabin with all the comforts of home in a wilderness setting.  All for less than you’d expect.  Send me an email rk@kicknbass.net  if you want some more info.

Guide Service Bookings.  I still have a few days left in June so if you want to Catch Fish & Have Fun, contact me as soon as possible.  Thanks to those of you who booked a trip this week.  Bookings came in from Northern Kentucky, Indiana, Arkansas and Michigan. 

Book your June Bluegill & Redear trips NOW!   Ask about our summer Night Fishing Trips!  Send me an email rk@kicknbass.net or call me at 270-703-6133 and let’s get together.

Tight Lines …