Doug Wynn

Hey Y’all! The rumors of my demise have been greatly overblown.

Having recently seen my 70th birthday come and go, I just decided to take some time off recently. Miss Vicki just retired for good so both of us are taking time off. I am taking her to her first fishing trip to Lake Erie on Monday. If fishing is as good now as it was in late June, it should be a great experience for her. The trip will also include a day at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, something we have both talked about for years. We also talked for years about going to Cedar Point Park, home of some of the best roller coasters around, but at our ages, that thought has passed us by.

Miss Vicki did get to spend her first trip in the Skeeter Solera 205 on Monday. She loved the boat then kicked my butt fishing as she typically does. A 15 1/2” crappie was her best to go along with other crappie, several bass, catfish and a bucket full of nice yellow bass. My freezer still contains walleye fillets so it was a lucky day for all fish caught.

The following day saw a Mom and her 12 year old son from central Illinois. Neither had ever trolled for crappie but both were quick learners and a joy to fish with. The fish cooperated and their catch was anchored by a 16 1/2” & 15 1/2” crappie, the larger for the son and personal bests for both. The rest of the catch was crappie and yellow bass. They left with enough fillets to feed the family. All fish were caught on Pico INT cranks and Walleye Nation Creation #5 Boogie Shads. Both giant crappie came on Pico Lures Beachball pattern.

Crappie are still being caught by those using forward facing sonar. Many of the deeper structures are full of very small crappie or yellow bass. Consider keeping a bunch of the yellows as they are great table fare. The sauger bite has been slow but white bass bite has been hot on ledges and deep flats.

The lake level is falling and 88 degrees. August is still here for a while and so will warm water temps. While we caught our fish from 6am till mid afternoon Monday and Tuesday, early morning and later afternoon seem to be the preferred times for other fishermen. The lake was strangely vacant of most boat traffic both days.

Once we return from Lake Erie, I’ll be spending lots of time on Ky Lake setting up patterns for guide trips. I’ll be booking trips again starting the final week of August.

Be careful out there! Lower lake levels bring those nasty gremlins back toward the surface. Many more boats are damaged here in late summer and fall as folks think the route they took across the lake in July is still safe. Many times it is but if it isn’t, it can make for a disastrous day.

Boating accidents involving operators under the influence of alcohol resulting in deaths have made headlines in Ky and other local states recently. These stories infuriate me because those deaths were 100% avoidable had the operators not been drinking!! Lack of enforcement is sadly much to blame.

Enjoy your time on our lake but keep a watch for those who won’t watch for you! Wear your PFDs.

Welcome to our slice of Heaven!