I Feel Your Pain…..


No Fishing in August, well make that inclusive for the entire month of July as well….


For about the last 3 weeks in July and the first two in August, there has been marginal rain, nothing to effect the depth of the summer low water, (about 14” lower than the spill way). Couldn’t really explain, hotter than hell during the day and mid 70’s at night, producing cooler water in early mornings, but with no rain into August, water temps went to high 90’s with the alga coming on full bloom, turned the lake a beautiful green, but pushed the temps even higher and then Thursday two weeks ago, the Oxygen Depletion killed off about 30,000 bait fish, shad, small crappie and stripped bass, brim, pound channel cats and mud catfish one that pushed 40 lbs, and about 70 lg mouth bass from 3 to 5 lbs. all making for a huge stink through about NOW…

Have been out twice and caught only one lg mouth that weighed about 1 ½ lbs, which at least that one, and the fact that my buddy and I have lost several near record setters in Tennessee and they weren’t in the dead and floating so giving it till September 1st before going back out. Water is still warm, and no rain, and actually expecting another OD event, as the lake was home to about 70 Canadian geese that all but the injured walking remain…. Kinda expect the bacteria level is elevated with the shores of the North end covered with dead fish for the first week. Don’t know if I’d keep / eat any thing till the fall….

Can’t find any large fish even in deep water, with the water down and being a small lake of a little over 40 acres and now the deepest parts are between 13 to 15 foot and temps there are in the 80’s as of 2 days ago….if they are there, they ain’t biting.

I’d feel a lot worse, it this hadn’t occurred at several much larger lakes in the area. Just hoping that September brings some heavy rains to replenish cooler temps, Oxygen Levels, and Water Depth. Then hoping that with the huge thinning of bait fish will produce some of the really big bass that my buddy and I lost during the spring…..

Sorry your trip to Canada was not more productive, I’m not really thrilled myself and I live on the lake!!!!! Best To You….


MOParker

In our area in va,yes august is really slow but there are out there.. i caught LM bass 4 lbs,18 1/2 inches, using spinnerbait,keep it on those shaded area,the next week caught 3 1/2lbs. 17 inch LM bass and a small one, for me one bite and one LM landed everytime i go out is fine w/me...