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Individual supporter: $25 - Family supporters: $50 - Businesses $100
Need more information? Please visit our website at: visitparislanding.com
Mail to: 160 Shady Hill Drive, Buchanan, TN 38222
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Kentucky Lake 7-17-24
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
A cool spell that lowered temperatures and humidity the last few days was long overdue for the Kentucky Lake fishing scene. Anglers got a little pep in their step as temperatures were actually forecast to be slightly below average for a few days. Nighttime lows are projected to fall into the upper 60’s a few nights with daytime highs expecting to stay in the upper 80’s for a short period. That sure beats the three-digit heat index that has hung over the entire region for the last few weeks. No doubt the heat has curtailed fishing for most folks so the cool spell should stimulate the fishing scene to some degree.
Lake levels this week have fallen to the 358.4 range at Kentucky Dam, which is down a few inches from last week. That’s still pretty much holding true to TVA’s drawdown schedule. Watercolor remains clear. Surface temperatures reflect the extended hot spell that held a grip for the last several weeks as reading are in the 88-to-92-degree range. Anglers might see a slight change in the surface temps this week. No doubt the lower humidity has already improved out there on the lake, especially when escorted by a light breeze.
Summer crappie fishing is still holding up for those brave enough to battle the heat. It should feel better out there these next few days. Successful anglers credit their catching to fishing live minnows in the 18-to-25-foot depth range. There have been a few positive reports, so the heat has not totally curtailed the fishing scene.
Sluggish current in the main Tennessee River has not stimulated an aggressive summer bite from catfish but that often varies from day to day. The current has a big influence on the movement of baitfish and the overall bite. Some decent stringers were taken by anglers targeting the 40 to 50 depth range. Their baits of choice always seem to be nightcrawlers, chicken livers, cut bait or various commercial concoctions found at the local bait shop.
Scattered sighting of white bass activity has been reported but the surface activity has been inconsistent. A few jumps out along the edge of the main river channel or other main lake sandbars have been seen on calm days. Watch for increased surface activity from schooling white bass in the weeks ahead as lower lake levels in August arrive seems to always offer more chances of finding a feeding frenzy. Keep a white Rooster Tail, chrome colored Little George or Hopkins Spoon tied on and ready.
Scattered reports from bass anglers hitting the main lake ledges have come in. Some have even resorted to night fishing hoping to beat the heat that dominated most of July. Tossing big Texas rigged worms, swim baits, Caroline rigs, deep diving crankbaits or hopping a jig with various trailers added on have produced a few sluggish summer bass. Sometimes both largemouth and white bass will team up on schools of shad out there on the sandbars, pushing them to the surface in their last-ditch effort to escape the onslaught. It’s quick action if you’re within casting distance. Tons of fast fun!
Mayflies are always a part of the summer fishing scene. Their hatches occur throughout the summer months and all the way into early September. Lately some bass fishermen have been targeting the hatches and picking up some activity while tossing topwater lures and Rooster Tail type spinners.
A few bluegill have been feeding on the abundance of mayflies too. Tossing ultralight grubs and beetle spin type lures plus live crickets cast on bobbers has yielded results.
Kentucky Lake 7-11-24
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
SUMMER DAZE REQUIRES ANGLES RISE EARLY
Kentucky Lake fishermen best set the alarm and rise early. In order to beat the heat anglers are rising to the occasion, hitting the water long before the sun rises high in the sky. Wise are the fishermen who launch the boat in the wee hours of the morning and motor to their starting spot early. The summer fishing scene will again hit the three-digit heat index in the days ahead says the weather wizards.
Early morning fishing trips have not been all bad as of late. Some increase in activity has been reported by cat fishermen in addition to crappie and bass anglers. And there are a few reports of scattered sightings of white bass jumps out on main lake sandbars adjacent to the main Tennessee River channel. A slight increase in current the last few days has helped the overall bite somewhat. Tennessee Valley Authority increased discharge rates to over 24,000 cfs (cubic feet per second) at Kentucky Dam but flows have been low as of late.
Lake levels show the elevation to be around 358.7 range. That’s down a few inches from last weekend. Watercolor remains clear. Surface temperatures are in the 88-to-92-degree range.
A sluggish catfish bite should show signs of improvement as increased current will help stimulate additional movement from schools of baitfish. Depths of 45 to 50 feet have been giving up a few fish as have some suspended schools of baitfish/catfish showing up on sonar screens in the 40-foot depth range. Popular bait choices continue to be nightcrawlers, chicken livers, cut-bait, hot dogs marinated in a host of manmade concoctions and several different commercial stink baits.
Some stringers of crappie have been taken by anglers using mostly live minnow presentations on main lake areas. Finding brush piles and stake beds or deep stump rows in the 18-to-25-foot depth range have given up several crappie. There are a few fish still residing in manmade fish attractors located in the 14-foot depth range. Some anglers are using jigs or tipping jigs with minnows to entice bites from finicky fish. Others are resorting to live minnow presentations exclusively.
Mayfly hatches have occurred on a regular basis along the main river shorelines as well as some island rims and backwater bays. Seems the hatches have really emerged whenever a thunderstorm occurs as that seems to trigger this natural phenomenon. Some decent reports by anglers finding bass and bluegill beneath the shady canopies of overhanging willows have come in despite the hot weather.
Bass anglers banging away at main lake ledges have found the bite to be sluggish as of late. Perhaps the increase in current could also help that situation. More schools of shad should begin to move about and feed on plankton as the current increases. The bass bite on the ledges should reflect that and improve. Not all bass are deep as some have been taken around the mayfly hatches. Seems the hatches always bring activity to their whereabouts.
PRESERVING AND PURPOSING E.W. GROVE BUILDING...David Webb, with a love of History and a love of community will tell the compelling story and make the plea for preserving and purposing E.W. Grove for the Legacy and enrichment of the community at home and at large. This building and the legacy that it has created over the years must stand proudly for future generations to revere!
The PLTL is self-funded. We do not receive any grant money or government funding. The only monies we receive come from membership fees, donations, events we sponsor or help sponsor, and fund raisers. Your participation and donations are greatly appreciated.
This past year, membership fees were used to help support Santa's Night Of Lights Holiday Event at Paris Landing State Park, the Annual Ferry STOC Motor Cycle Ride, and to manage our website and Facebook page. We also vended (raised funds) at Piney Campers Fair to help support a silent auction and kayak give a way. We are always on the lookout for more opportunities to help or support.
Visit http://visitparislanding.blogspot.com/p/about.html for more information on memberships.
If you have questions please contact:
Email: visitparislanding@yahoo.com
Sara Jones, President - Phone 731-819-6362
Click here for an application form.
Please print and mail application to:
160 Shady Hill Drive, Buchanan, TN 38222
Thank you for your support.
We can’t do this without you.
The monthly meeting of the Paris Landing Tourism League (PLTL) will be held Tuesday, July 9th, at 6 pm at the Senior Center inside the Paris Landing Emergency Complex.
Kentucky Lake 7-3-24
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
FISHING SCENE SIZZLES AS TEMPS COMB
Rising surface temperatures reflect the extended spell of hot weather across the Kentucky Lake region. Readings this week showed the lake had warmed to the 88-to-90-degree range. Watercolor remains clear across the reservoir. Lake levels continue to fall slowly as TVA implemented its annual drawdown beginning July 1. All lake users will begin to see slightly lower lake stages in the weeks and months ahead. Elevation this week saw the reservoir falling slowly and was showing an elevation of 358.8 at Kentucky Dam, which is down a few inches from the summer pool elevation of 359.
Hot and humid weather continues to dictate the fishing conditions for most anglers. After the first two or three hours of the morning it’s pretty tough out there. Some days when light winds team up with cloud cover it’s tolerable; other days it’s an endurance test. The heat index lately has reached the three-digit mark and that takes the fun out of fishing.
Cat fishermen are finding a few playing their game out on the main Tennessee River channel area. Most days have produced a low flow as a lazy current situation has not worked in favor of an aggressive bite but that can change from day to day. The current calls the shots. A few fish have been taken by anglers using nightcrawlers and chicken livers, along with several commercial catfish baits. Depths of 35 to 45 feet have produced at times with some hanging around the 50-foot range.
The summer crappie bite has been sluggish this week but at times wind has had a negative impact. A few crappie have been taken in the 19-to-23-foot depth range by fishermen working the deep sides of main lake ledges while using mostly live minnows.
Main lake ledges have been sluggish to produce bass lately too, another side effect of low current at times. There are still a lot of schools of pin minnows related to grass beds and blowdowns on the edges of main river island rims. A few bass have been taken by anglers who find the minnows schooling. Tossing a Texas rigged worm and white/chartreuse spinnerbait with a bronze willow leaf blade have paid dividends at times. Some scattered reports from a few boats trolling crankbaits out on the main lake ledges have indicated a few sauger and white bass have been taken out there at times.
Big mayfly hatches were underway lately out on the main river shorelines and islands. That has attracted several species of fish up to shallow shady spots at times. A few bass and bluegill are feeding on them plus a host of other species there for the buffet as well.
Practically everyone on the lake is yearning for a few cool cloudy mornings that will help the attitude of both the fish and the fishermen.
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
TVA’S DRAWDOWN BEGINS…LAKE STARTS SLOW DESCENT
Remember back in the spring when cold north winds chilled to the bone? Anglers across the board were whining about unruly conditions pushed by nasty north winds and rain that dictated where and how folks could fish. Those that wished for warmer days may have wished too hard! A heat index lately has reached the three-digit mark at times and that has altered the Kentucky Lake fishing scene for the majority of summer fishermen. Even the die-hard anglers have been complaining about the hot and humid temps. Numbers of anglers on the lake has diminished because of excessive summer heat.
Despite the unruly temps there are still a few dedicated fishermen hitting the lake after an early morning wake-up call. It’s not all bad the first few hours as light breezes sometimes team up with a little cloud cover helping make the morning fishing trips tolerable.
Recreational boaters and anglers on Kentucky Lake’s will begin to notice the reservoir’s annual drawdown kicking in on July 1. Each year Tennessee Valley Authority implements its start toward winter drawdown once July arrives. It’s a long slow decline in lake levels that will see the reservoir’s elevation fall from the 359-summer pool level to a low ebb of winter pool, which is around an elevation of 354, by late October or early November. The drawdown is done so TVA can create more storage capacity within the reservoir as winter rains occur.
It’s all part of a complex system but generally speaking management of a sometimes-wild Tennessee River has served us well here in the valley and a byproduct of navigation, flood control and hydro power has been a recreational wonderland.
This week’s fishing scene has seen stable lake levels holding at normal summer pool of 359. That’s about to see a slow decline. Hot weather continues to dictate the summer fishing scene for practically all anglers. Surface temperatures this week have risen to the 87-to-89-degree range. A few scattered reports from the upper Big Sandy basin already reported some 90-degree water a few days.
Watercolor remains clear despite a few thunderstorms that drenched some portions of the area. Those pop-up dark clouds this time of year command respect and attention from everyone on the lake. Mayfly hatches continue to be the bright spot for some anglers who love to cast ultralight tackle in the midst of a feeding frenzy. Bluegill, bass, yellow bass all sorts of sunfish and more seem to benefit from nature’s buffet.
Tossing a Rooster Tail spinner will introduce you to a wide variety of species, but bluegill and bass love the little feather tail spinners. Tossing a cricket and slip bobber beneath the mayfly hatches will produce too. In the old days the art of using a flyrod and popping bug was the norm. That style of fishing is rarely seen on the lake these days, but it still works if you know how to perform the magical casting technique. Nothing quite like it as fish rise from placid waters, tearing a hole in the surface as they compete for falling flies. Some say it’s one of fishing’s finest hours.
From the catfish category comes a sluggish report as a lack of current lately has not worked in favor of anglers stalking the main Tennessee River channel area. Without the current the fish just don’t exhibit much interest. Their feeding habits diminish along with their attitude. Watch for that to improve once TVA resumes pulling more water through Kentucky Dam. The discharge rate lately has only been around the 18,000 cubic feet per second.
Bass fishing has been sluggish as well. Several boats are out searching main lake ledges in hopes of finding some schooling activity, but the bite has been very challenging. Anglers have been tossing everything in their summer arsenal---ranging from big deep diving crankbaits to Texas rigged worms and Carolina rigs---but the bass have not shown a lot of interest. That too will change once moving water returns to the picture.
There are still some nice schools of pin minnows holding around island rim weed beds and hovering in blow downs or boat docks and piers. The pin minnows are holding tight to cover and shade and there always seems to be a few bass right there with them. Tossing a spinnerbait or various topwater baits will produce strikes.
Summer crappie are still biting for those working deep brush piles and stake beds in the 18-to-20-foot depths. Some fish have been taken in the 12-to-15-foot depth range as well. Live minnows or jigs tipped with minnows are producing.
June Crappie Bite Holds Up; Catfish/Bass on Main Lake Ledges
Report for June 20, 2024
Decent stringers of crappie continue to show up in the coolers of June anglers who know how to stalk the main lake ledges and deeper brushpiles and stakebeds.
Despite the heat fishing has held up pretty good for those rising early and hitting the lake before a midday sun becomes a game changer. “Get up and get going” is the motto among the ranks of summer fishermen who know the early morning hours offer the best opportunity, especially when some cloud cover teams up with a light southern breeze.
The first official day of summer arrived last Thursday but summer weather has been on the scene for several weeks for Kentucky Lake’s fishing scene.
Lake levels remain stable and holding around the summer pool levels of 359. TVA is discharging around 23,000 cfs (cubic feet per second) through Kentucky Dam which means a slow current is present in the main Tennessee River channel area most days.
Water color remains clear. Surface temperatures have warmed to the 83 to 85 degree range.
June has long been a month that’s overlooked by crappie anglers here as the fish bite good once they begin to relate to midrange depth structure. Finding submerged structure in the 9 to 15 foot depth range will produce crappie.
Some deeper venues have given up fish too such as the deep side of a main lake ledge in the 16 to 20 foot depth range. Locating structure is the key, especially if baitfish activity is present.
Lately most anglers are relying on a jig tipped with a minnow or in many cases fishing a minnow only. There are some casting jigs around the deeper structure and having success with that technique as well.
Others are using a vertical presentation of a double hook bottom bumping rig, moving along slowly while closely monitoring their sonar screen looking for structure and baitfish.
The double hook rig allows anglers to feel the structure while closely watching their line and rod tip for light strikes from finicky summer crappie.
Tying into a catfish or hefty largemouth bass is all part of the thrill too as summer fishing out on the main lake ledges can produce a wide variety of species. Annoying yellow bass often school out there with some larger white bass as well.
Seems there’s always some activity once you establish the right depth range. A slow flow out on the Tennessee River channel has produced a decent catfish bite at times. Current is the key as without it the balls of baitfish just don’t move around much feeding on the plankton that moving water stimulates.
Depths of 35 to 45 feet have held catfish lately and some even deeper at times.
Baits such as chicken liver, nightcrawlers, big minnows, cutbait from small bluegill or shad plus a variety of commercial stink bait concoctions have worked well for summer catfishermen, Moving along slowly with the current while observing your sonar screen watching for schools of shad is the ticket.
Bass fishermen are concentrating most of their efforts on main lake ledges these days. Tossing big crankbaits or perhaps hopping a jig and craw or working a Texas rigged worm has produced a few nice stringers lately. Some opt for tossing Carolina rigged worms or swim bait presentations.
Still producing are some shallow treelaps along main lake shorelines or river island rims where schools of pin minnows are hiding in the cover. Seems there’s always some bass activity along the shallow weeds and treelaps or blowdowns once pin minnows are located.
Best bets are tossing a white or chartreuse/blue skirted spinnerbait with a gold willow leaf blade.
As summer progresses wise are the anglers who hit the lake early and get several hours of fishing in before a midday sun and stagnant wind takes over and calls the shots.
Summer fishing can be quite good. Put your catch on ice instead of a hot livewell.
Just realize your limitations and adjust your schedule. Keep plenty of cold water accessible and be liberal with the sunscreen applications.
The monthly meeting of the Paris Landing Tourism League (PLTL) will be held Tuesday, June 11th, at 6 pm at the Senior Center inside the Paris Landing Emergency Complex.
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
LAKE LEVELS BACK TO NORMAL…MAY HATCHES UNDERWAY
Kentucky Lake’s fishing scene had returned to normal in terms of lake levels and overall weather patterns this week. It has been a wild ride the previous two or three weeks. Presently, the reservoir is back to near normal summer pool level. Readings were showing an elevation of 359.2 at Kentucky Dam as this report was updated. Surface temps have warmed to the 79 to 81 degree range. Water color is clearing in backwater bays but still dingy in the main Tennessee River channel.
Mayfly hatches were underway this week as massive swarms of flies could be seen along river islands and main lake shorelines. Several mayflies were also showing up in the upper end of Big Sandy. That can stimulate the bite for both bass and bluegill around shallow weed beds, low overhanging trees and around steep banks.
Not many old techniques such as using a fly rod and popping bug are seen out there anymore but tossing ultralight spinning tackle with slip-bobbers and boats armed with wax worms or crickets is deadly. So is casting a small Rooster Tail around the shorelines where flies are present. Anglers can tie into a lot of different species during the peak of a mayfly hatch. Look for big hatches to continue for another month or more. Several bluegill were still lingering around some late bedding areas where anglers were tying into decent numbers in 3 feet of water or less.
Catfish are still hanging around some shallow shorelines too as bluegill fishermen continue to hook into them on a regular basis. The shallow bushes and weeds are full of small shad fry that have hatched out the last week or two so there is an abundance of forage that lures them to shallow structure. At the same time the bite has resumed somewhat for boaters moving out and working the main river channel areas. Watch for the bite to hold up for several more weeks as the summer catfish bite is dependent on some current out there to stir up the schools of shad. Baits of choice are nightcrawlers, big minnows, cut bait, chicken livers and a host of commercial baits that work well too.
Post spawn crappie hare biting pretty good as they fall back to mid-range depths of 9 to 15 feet. June can be a good month to find and catch crappie. The fish resume their affinity for structure so brush piles and stake beds are holding them. Both live minnows and various jig color combinations are producing.
Bass fishermen are finding pretty good action around shallow weeds and buck bushes, not to mention blown down trees that are attracting big schools of pin minnows. Quite a few schools of pin (shad fry) minnows are gathering around any shoreline cover or island rims and that draws the bass. Find the schooling minnows and you’ll find the bass. Casting gold willow leaf spinner baits, Texas rigged worms and assorted topwater is working well.
Kentucky Lake’s ledge bite has improved as anglers tossing big deep diving crank baits are back out there pounding away, covering a lot of water in an attempt to locate some schooling fish. Big Texas rigged worms in the green pumpkin pepper, black/blue and red shad color variations are a few popular color choices. Carolina rigged worms plus swim baits and hopping a jig and craw combo have paid dividends as well.
With the return of normal lake levels and weather patterns comes a good early summer fishing pattern with much more predictability on the whereabouts of all species.
The Tennessee State Museum comes to Cavitt Place for a Lunch & Learn on the First Peoples of Tennessee, with Senior Curator of Archeology Debbie Shaw.
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
LAKERS STILL REELING FROM RISING WATER LEVELS
May’s saga with changing lake levels continues. Elevation across the reservoir jumped almost three feet recently---TVA had initially projected a crest of 362.9 at Kentucky Dam last Wednesday but on Thursday revised it and the reservoir was falling ---in the aftermath of severe storms that dumped heavy rains across an already wet TVA valley. Normal summer pool level is 359 so the lake is high but crested at midweek and is now falling fast. TVA was pulling more than 90,000 cubic feet per second through Kentucky Dam on Thursday.
Water color is muddy to dingy in many areas but not too bad to fish in most of the larger bays. It will begin to clear quickly as declining lake levels will pull most of the muddy and dingy water out of bays off the flats. Clearing is already underway, but the main Tennessee River channel will likely remain dingy for a few more days.
Surface temperatures are in the 76 to 79 degree range and will rise in the days ahead.
Rising lake levels stimulated the catfish bite as they moved up to shallow areas following the water that inundates new feeding opportunities. Backwater bays and pockets saw a lot of fish taken around shallow shoreline structure and rocky bank areas. Some boats were scoring good stringers while jug fishing the backwater bays.
Since the decent has already started watch for a lot of current in the main Tennessee River channel for the next several days, which should stimulate the catfish bite out there on the channel banks. When TVA begins pushing a lot of water through Kentucky Dam in an effort to pull the reservoir back down to normal summer pool the catfish bite will really turn on.
Bottom bumping presentations along the main river bank should produce excellent catfishing opportunities. From night crawlers to big minnows and all sorts of commercial concoctions, look for the catfish to be in high gear as long as the current keeps flowing. Some catfish were taken back in bays and pockets and along rocky banks in relatively shallow water too where feeder creeks brought runoff info the main lake.
A few bluegill are still biting and several boats continue to target them by casting crickets, wax worms and red wigglers. Many were relating to bushes and grassbeds this week.
A few mayfly hatches are beginning to show up along Kentucky Lake shorelines. Watch for some massive hatches these next few weeks along river islands and main lake shorelines.
Post spawn crappie will regain their footing now that high waters are receding. Depths of 11 to 15 feet had been producing with some fish even deeper on main lake ledges at times. June can be a good month for crappie and the bite will likely resume by next week.
Bass fishermen were beginning to back off the banks and fish the ledge bite before high water entered the picture but watch for that pattern to resume next week once the lake falls back to summer pool levels. However, there are a lot of schools of small shad fry showing up along river islands and back in bays where the pin minnows gang up around structure such as buck bushes, logs, treelaps and grassbeds.
It’s a great time to toss a spinnerbait, buzzbait, shallow running crankbaits and a Texas rigged worm around shallow structure once schools of baitfish are located. There’s always a few bass chasing shallow bait fish. At the same time the main lake ledge bite will improve for those tossing big crankbaits, Texas rigged worms, jig and pig, Carolina rigs and swimbaits.
It has been a strange late spring fishing pattern as anglers tried to outguess the fish during drastically changing lake levels. Anglers have to be asking themselves if stability will every return to the fishing scene? It will indeed if the storms and floods ever stop interfering.
The TN Bass Nation High School State Championship has 162 entries and will be giving out some well-deserved scholarships this weekend.
Zach Knight a guest at Paris Landing Motel and a senior from the Gallatin Fishing Team has a boat with a map of Tennessee Lakes proudly displayed on his Skeeter boat.
300,000 BASS FINGERLINGS RELEASED IN 20 LOCATIONS
From radioNWTN From radioNWTN
Paris, Tenn.–Some 300,000 Bass
fingerlings were released to approximately 20 different locations in Henry and
Benton Counties Wednesday. This is the fifth year that the Henry County Tourism
Authority has performed the bass stocking program.
In Henry County, areas at Paris
Landing, Tennessee River, Eagle Creek and locations of West Sandy and Big Sandy
were involved.
In the photo are members of the
crew that handled the fish stocking in Henry County: From left, (with American
Sportfish Hatchery) Sawyer Chiles, Shawn McNulty, Lehan Smit, Ginger Stucky,
along with Henry County Commissioner Monte Starks and Bob Cathey of HCTA. Ken
Howell with American Sportsfish is on the truck.
Photo
provided by Monte Starks.
Tennessee River Jam Full Schedule! 
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