Barkley Dam in February

Click image for panoramic view.

I finally made it down to the tailwaters of Barkley Dam on the Cumberland River. For the month of February, it was an unseasonably warm Sunday, great day to be out and about. I was in hopes of picking up a few sauger beneath the dam but I came up empty, thank goodness McDonald's is just down the road a bit. There was one "gate" open (see pic above), a bit too turbulent in my opinion. I had heard that fellows were catching some nice sauger using "Christmas tree rigs", dangling jigs and minnows, fishing from boats. Fishing from the rocks along the shoreline can be productive, especially for white bass, aka "stripes" during the Summer months. I have caught lots of bluegill along the rocks too, usually in the less turbulent eddies during the Spring. Of course fishing for catfish is probably the most popular activity beneath the dam, rockfish are popular too.
There are some nice picnic facilities at the Barkley Dam facility, a launch ramp too. Kentucky Lake dam also offers an equally nice access to the tail waters of the dam on the Tennessee River, just a few mile from Barkley. Both dams are must see attractions, both also offer free powerhouse tours.

Kentucky Lake Winter 2010-2011

Wow, went a year before posting another pic and note to my blog, shame on me! New Year's eve is tomorrow, the year 2011 is just a few tick tocks away. Was a good sailing year on Kentucky Lake this year, was fortunate to get in quite a few outings. The water temperature broke the 60ºF mark early this past Spring, winds were fair which enabled me to go sailing earlier than normal. I stay off the lake when temperatures are below 60ºF, too dangerous if the sailboat capsizes and I go for a swim; hypothermia is a killer.
The picture above is of Lighthouse Landing marina in Grand Rivers, KY, a very popular meeting place for local sailors. Most sailboat races on Kentucky Lake originate from this marina. Just a short distance down the road is Patti's 1880's restaurant and to the South of the marina is one of the more popular diners for locals and visitors, Mr BBQ, excellent lunch and breakfast.
Time snuck by me last Winter, didn't get to go sauger fishing below the dam, but I plan to give it a go in January or February. Crappie fishing was very good last Spring, caught lots of 10-14" fish on the standard chartreuse curly tail jigs, 1/16 ounce size. The large "slabs" are getting harder to come by, I caught more of these large fish in the Fall than in the Spring, coincidence maybe. I try to fish the main lake, even during the spawn. There is a lot of fishing pressure on crappie in the bays. But when the wind is huffing on the main lake, I hit the bays. If you are into fly fishing like I am, Kentucky Lake smallmouth bass offer some of the best sport fishing in the MidWest. I practice catch and release at the point of capture. When the "mayflies" are hatching, emerging, fly fishing is at its best. These hatches happen throughout the Spring and Summer, not just in May.