Rainfall a welcome relief for area lakes, fishermen

After a pretty good dry spell, our area was blessed late Saturday afternoon with a good amount of rain. It is hard to believe that just over a month ago we were not needing any rainfall, but the farm fields and lawns needed a drink and the wish was granted.
Anywhere from three-quarter inches up to 1.50 inches was reported county-wide.
As for the water levels at Reelfoot Lake, the lake remains a little above normal but not by much. These rains we received slowed the drop of the water levels down just a bit but, as we all know, our area is heading into the heavy evaporation months so any rain throughout the summer will help with keeping the waters fresh with higher levels of oxygen.
Water temps are running in the mid-80s at this point in time but will warm even more once the much warmer weather settles in.
The crappie bite still remains pretty good at Reelfoot Lake despite as late as it is in the summer. This has to do with a recently high lake as well as a cool spring and cool spells to mix in with the hot days.
The bass bite and bluegill bite is also good. I hope to have results in this weekend’s big bass tournament from Reelfoot Lake.
Last weekend, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at their headquarters near Walnut Log, hosted many area young people and little future fisherpeople with their annual Kids Day Fishing Rodeo. I am very happy to report a very good turnout with several very nice fish caught as well as large numbers of fish during this tournament.
Nathan Murphy, Caleb Brown, their grandfather Claude Perry and their uncle Lanny Callicott fished this event and had a large time. The youngsters had a good day with their catches and their guides had a wonderful time as well.
I want to thank all who had a part in putting this event on for our area young folks as well as the many adults who took the time out of their schedules to bring these youngsters down to the children’s event. And to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife people who made this possible. You are to be commended for your efforts. Thank You.
Also last Saturday, the Reelfoot Lake Junior Bass Club held one of their club tournaments on Reelfoot Lake.
Winners in the 15 to 18 age group were: 1st place, John Coble Garrett, 12.46 pounds; 2nd place, Jo Hamilton with 4.34 pounds; and 3rd place, Austin Rudd, 1.45 pounds.
The winner in the 11 to 14 age group was Jona Clement with 1.95 pounds.
Congrats to all of you.
On Monday, my dad, Lanny, and Ray Wilson had a pretty good day crappie fishing on the big pond (Kentucky Lake), bringing 41 nice crappie to the bank — their best being in the pound and a half range.
Also, last week, Dean Fisher, Dr. Bill Horner, both of Union City, and Markey Davis of Calhoun City, Miss., fished several days from the middle to late week. They caught several very nice bluegill and crappie each day. Most of their fishing took place very early and late in the day due to the extreme heat we had.
I also understand that Gene Crabtree and Larry Isbell, both of Union City, had successful trips cappie fishing Kentucky Lake last week.
I want to congratulate Ben Parker on his best finish so far in his rookie season on the BassMaster Elite Series tour.
Ben finished 17th overall, earning himself a check for $10,000. He was fishing the seventh of an eight-tournament schedule on the Arkansas River near Little Rock.
This week, Ben is fishing his last event on the 2011 Bassmaster Elite Series Tour on Wheeler Lake in Alabama.
Currently Ben is in 64th place overall out of the 99 Elite Series Anglers and is also in eighth place in the rookie standings.
As you see in one of the pictures today, Bryan Breeden is holding the largest catch of his lifetime in bass fishing. He has a passion for bass fishing and that was just a sample of our day. I will just say it was one to remember and one I may never experience again. Most all the bass were caught on Strike King Lure products.
Bass fisherman, the Annual Reelfoot Lake Bass Club’s Big Bass tournament will be held on Reelfoot Lake Saturday morning out of Kirby Pocket State Park.
This tournament format is different than most with you (per boat/team) being able to weigh in only one bass during the tournament. The largest bass by the end of the tournament hours will be crowned as Big Bass Champion for this event. Usually this tournament also will pay out a few other places and is all based on the number of entries for the tournament.
The blastoff will be 6 a.m. with the weigh-in just five hours later at 11. This is to protect the health of the big bass that are caught.
Entry fee is $60 per boat/team. You can register in the morning starting at 5 at the Kirby Pocket State park on Highway 22.
The application period for all Wildlife Management Area (WMA) 2011 Big Game Quota Hunts will run through July 27, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has announced.
Applications are available and will be accepted at any TWRA license agent, TWRA regional office or online at the TWRA website at www.tnwildlife.org. Mailed applications will not be accepted. The application must be received by midnight July 27.
Please remember to call me or e-mail me with your photos, outdoor outings or anything that has to do with the great outdoors. We want to be able to share your information with our readers. I can be reached by calling 731-446-3678 or e-mail brentcallicott@gmail.com. You can also stop by the Messenger office on Jackson Street in Union City.
Til next week...

Catch ya on
the water folks
Brent

Published in The Messenger 6.17.11

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