Lake levels have been stable, even with the rainfall we’ve seen over the last few weeks, although another hurricane was predicted to enter the state this past weekend, leaving some much needed rainfall. Kentucky lake has stabilized at 355.3ft, with flow rates between 38,000-80,000cfs. Surface water temps remain around 80 degrees for most days, The Cumberland river at Cheatham Dam was at 385.5ft. With the tail waters at 355.4ft, flows are averaging between 9,000-15,000cfs. Dover is at 55.4ft and Clarksville is at 25.8ft. These levels may change, depending on how much rain we had this past weekend.
The Fall fishing pattern is usually dependent upon cooling water temps, and we just haven’t seen much of a decline yet. When water temps get into the 70’s, many types of fish move into the bays and coves, including shad and game fish. As the shad move shallower, bass, crappie, white bass and catfish will move with them. Shad are one of the most important factors in having good fisheries. There are two main types of shad in our area, the Threadfin and Gizzard shad. The threadfin shad are the ones you see near the surface on calm days, feeding on algae. They are sometimes called “yellow tails” due to their yellow tails, and seldom reach over 7 inches in length. The Gizzard shad can grow to a much larger size, exceeding over a foot in length, feeding near the bottom on algae growing on rocks, logs, etc. We’ve had a great spawn for both shad species over the past few years, and we should see a good increase in sports fish over the next few years, directly due to the good shad populations. As a side note; it seems that we may have had a “Asian carp” spawn, although I have not confirmed this, the sonar signatures I’m seeing appear to be many Asian carp. Next trip out, I’ll bring my cast net, and see if I can determine if they are carp. But back to the fishing report, the Crappie still seem to be scattered, and better catches have been coming early and late in the day, if the sun is bright, it seems that crappie have been holding 15-20ft deep, but if cloudy, they are moving shallower, in water 10-15ft deep. Minnows seem to be working better than jigs, with a slow presentation. Bass seem to be scattered as well, as the shad seem to be everywhere, so are the bass. Fishermen have been using various shad colored crankbaits, rattletraps and swim baits near shad schools. The catfish bite has returned with the added current. Most fishermen are targeting the river channel ledges using various baits, including nightcrawlers, liver and stink baits as well as cut shad. This is also the time of the year when catfish will move into the bays at night to feed on the shad.
The archery deer season opened last weekend, and I’ll have the totals next week. The Bucks have for the most part, lost their “velvet” and now are in the rutting phase. Most think of the rut as that early November period when bucks are chasing does to breed, but the rut officially starts when the antlers stop growing, and the velvet is “shed”. I’ve seen many trees “rubbed” where the bucks have rubbed off the velvet, and a few “scrapes” already. The peak of the rut is usually early to mid November in our area, although a few does might come into heat this next month.
I’d like to also address a question I’ve often received this time of year, which is “when do I need to quit feeding hummingbirds?” Hummingbirds are neotropical migrants, and fly south into latin America each winter, and return in the spring as flowers appear. Feeding hummingbirds is enjoyed by many, as well as beneficial to the hummingbirds. To address the question on when to stop feeding, it’s when no hummingbirds are coming to your feeders for several days to a week. Some think that if they continue to feed in the fall, they will not migrate south, but when it’s time to go, they will head south no matter whats in the feeder, and as Hummingbirds arrive in our area from the northern parts of our continent, its a food source they really need.
Area events; Non-Native Invasive Plant species workshop at Johnsonville state historic park in NewJohnsonville on October 2nd from 9am-4pm. (931-535-2789), Tennessee Mad Catters event on October 6th out of Danville 7am-3pm, TWRA Hunter ed class on Oct 10-11th at the Humphreys Co. Sherriff’s Range off Septer rd. register at TnWildlife.org or call Larry Bradford at 931-264-0049. Carl Perkins Bass Classic on October 12th out of Spring creek ramp (mousetail landing state park) 1st annual Stewart County “Knap-in” on Oct 12th at Lick creek park off Colson Rd in Dover., USFWS “walk for the wildlife hiking event” on Oct 12th starting at 10am at the Springville vistor center 731-642-2091.,1st annual Apple butter festival at Overholts farm market off Hwy 13 south on Oct 19th at 9:30am. Cumberland River catman’s association on Oct 19th at Dover (Andy Warrick 615-202-4764) TWRA’s “intoduction to deer hunting workshop” in Waverly at the Buffalo Ridge refuge $30/participant, sign up at the events page at TnWildlife.org or call Chris Hearn at 615-353-1133.