Doug Wynn

Hey Y’all from the Excel 230 Elite.

The spawn appears to be over with surface temperatures in the high 70s. It was a week of more tolerable weather than most of the spring. One thing about guiding on Ky and Barkley lakes, you get to fish with folks from all over the country.

I had a couple of guys from Ohio last week as well as a guy from Texas to go along with several from Kentucky. I think all left with an appreciation of our area as well as the people. Some were long-time visitors and some first timers.

I finally got over to Barkley after several weather cancellations. We had great weather plus great fishing. One unusual catch was several white catfish. Now some folks say they are just blue catfish but Kentucky Fish & Wildlife recognizes them as separate. We found a bay full of them and finally had to leave to find big crappie. My client wanted a few for a fish fry but not the numbers we caught. Our biggest was well over 10 pounds and it proceeded to tangle every line we had out into a huge mess!

Most species are into or past the spawn and as the afternoon surface temps approach 80 degrees, have begun their migration to deeper areas toward the main lake. As we get closer to the May full moon, the bluegill and Redear bedding activity will swing back into high gear. This has already been a great spring for those with many trophy sized.

The lake levels are around summer pool but there is a lot of floating vegetation and debris. I think a lot of the vegetation is being stirred up by common carp and gar in the shallows. I know it is making keeping our lines and baits clear of it very hard. One has to be very observant or the fish will ignore a bait with trash on it.

This spring has been a very bad one for pollen. I have suffered the effects of it for a couple of month as have many others. There have been days it was so bad on and in the water, it showed up on my Humminbird down-image screen. It may not hang onto our lines but it sure does make for a nasty boat!

Speaking of boats: I want to give a big shout out to Frank Finley and the guys at NextGen Marine in Murray. I needed a new trolling motor and they took care of it quickly and at a good price. The MinnKota Ultrex Quest is getting wet later today.

Be careful out there and be mindful of others around you. Memorial Day weekend is coming soon and it is the yearly start of heavy recreational boating traffic. I mark the Sunday and Monday of Memorial Day weekend off my calendar every year. I find it best for me to celebrate it at home.

Welcome to our slice of Heaven. Enjoy your time on the water.