Even with the much needed rain we saw last week, lakes remain near the same levels as the week before. Kentucky lake is at 355.5ft and should be at or near 355ft by the 25th. Flow rates are averaging 20,000-25,000cfs due to the rainfall the river valleys had from the recent rains. Water temps were at 80 degrees midweek and are right on par for this time of year. The Cumberland river at Dover was stable at 55.4ft, and at 26ft at Clarksville. Cheatham dam was at 385.5ft with the tailwaters at 356.5ft with an average flow of around 7,000cfs.
Fishing reports still are sporadic, with the strong winds and hunting seasons beginning, many fishermen are awaiting calmer weather. As the cooler temps enter the picture, and lake levels stabilize, I do expect the shad to continue to move into the bays, with many of the fish we are looking for close behind. A few Crappie reports I’ve gotten have been from fishermen inside the bays and creeks, fishing water 10-20ft deep with some decent catches, but still scattered. Using techniques like; spider-rigging, long-line trolling, or any techniques that cover water, have been producing the best. The bass bite has been all over the place, as fishermen have been targeting river flats and drops and coming up with some good fish, but also the shallow-bay bite is doing well, throwing crankbaits and spoons at bass chasing shad (often with gulls diving at shad) is a good opportunity to have some fun. The “fiddler” bite seems to be the best catfish activity this past week, targeting them along the river drops fishing various presentations like; nightcrawlers, stink bait, cut shad, etc in water depths of 10-30ft, or where the schools of catfish show on the depth finder.
Deer archery season will start on September 28th, and continue through November 8th. Archery deer hunting has seemed to lose popularity over the last decade or so, and many deer hunters wait until the ability to harvest a deer during one of the firearm seasons. Last year the statewide total was 1,872 deer for the opening weekend of archery. Humphreys and Houston county both saw only 8 deer for each county, taken over the opening weekend last year, Stewart saw 17. Many of those who do continue to archery hunt, can be rewarded with the “woods to themselves”, and enjoy a more consistent deer movement pattern. The limits for all of the deer seasons in our area haven't changed, its still 1 antlered deer/day not to exceed 2 antlered deer for the hunting season. Also hunters can harvest up to 3 antlerless deer per day. The new hunting guides are out in many locations, and now include the fishing/hunting/waterfowl guides in one booklet. One item of all hunters need to be aware of is that the new Night hunting bobcats and Coyotes will not be open until next January. The season was open this year, for a few nights back in August,. The normal coyote season is open (year around with no limit), with the bobcat season opening on November 22nd. but night hunting will not be open until next year.
Area outdoor events; Hickman Co bass club on Sept 28 at Mousetail landing state park 6am-3pm (Nathan Clinard 931-623-2021), Creekwood High School Bass team fundraiser on Sept 29th out of Danville safelight-3pm (Shannon Moats 931-624-9132), Johnsonville state park “Non-native invasive plant species workshop on Oct 2nd. 9am-4pm (931-535-2789) the park will also be hosting a “student Intern Ranger Corp event Oct 7,8,10th for high school students, who will receive $75 per day stipend, contact the park headquarters for more information. Tennessee Mad Catters event on Oct 6th out of Danville 7am-3pm, TWRA hunter ed classroom event at the Humphreys Co Sheriffs shooting range off Scepter Rd. Waverly on Oct 10, 11th, per-register at TnWildlife.org or contact Larry Bradford at 931-264-0049. Carl Perkins Bass Classic on Oct 12 out of Mousetail landing state park, registration begins at 4am with blast-off at 6:45am. The First Annual Stewart Co. Knap-in on Oct 12th at Lick creek Park off Colson Rd in Dover, will be having flintknapping, food, music and crafts for sale. !st Annual Apple Butter Festival on Oct 19th at Overholts farm market in Buffalo (just off Hwy 13 near the interstate) starting at 9:30am. USFS “Walk for the wild-hiking event” on Oct 12 at the visitor center in Springville Tn, beginning at 10am. (731-642-2091), Cumberland river catmans association on Oct 19th at Dover (Andy Warrick 615-202-4764), TWRA “Intro to deer hunting” at the Buffalo Ridge refuge in Waverly on Oct 19th pre-register by gong to TWRA’s web-site TnWildlife.org and looking under the “Events” promp.