Evaporation rate rises along with the summer temperatures
Evaporation rate rises along with the summer temperatures Posted: Friday, July 9, 2010 8:03 am
In the meantime, this week’s report a mixed bag. Here is what I have to report for Reelfoot Lake. I can say the lake continues on a rapid evaporation rate. Since July 1st, Reelfoot Lake has dropped another 2-plus inches, according to the USGS Real-Time Water Data information website. This is a automatic system which keeps up with the lake water levels. We need rain, not only for our area lakes but the farmers as well. We will see what we receive the next few days and hope it benefits us all. Water temps had cooled off a bit but now are back in the upper 80s to just over 90 degrees. As for the bite, the catfish remain good, still getting some reports on crappie and then a few bass. As the lake continues to drop with the lack of rainfall, look for less and less travel by folks on the lake. At this time of year, navigation becomes a issue with the large amount of logs, stumps and other debris in the Reelfoot Lake waters. If you do make a trip, make sure you have some type of push pole device, cellphone or some type of communications in case you get on a stump and need assistance. It is also good to let someone know where you plan to launch and load your boat around the lake. That way, if your a no-show, at least they know where you went out of. Hope this doesn’t happen to anyone but if you are on the lake enough, someday it soon could. It has happened to the best of us. Crappie is best being fished for in the Lower Blue Basin area or Upper Blue Basin areas of the lake. This is the deepest of waters and would hold the best oxygen levels more than likely during the summer months. The catfish and bass can be caught fishing around trees on the shady side. Your choice of bait would work. Soft plastic, jig/trailer combos, spinnerbaits and some top water baits. As I mentioned, there are several area lakes and bodies of water to fish and do some boating on in our area.. One lake that has gained popularity in West Tennessee is Gibson County Lake near Trenton. This lake is located about 35 miles from Union City off of the Highway 45 bypass around on the east side of Trenton and is somewhat easy to locate with tons of great fishing. Gibson County Lake is one of 18 lakes managed by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency that are open year-round for fishing and outdoor recreation. Designed and regulated especially for family fishing, these lakes prohibit alcoholic beverages, houseboats, inboard motors, water skiing, personal watercraft and swimming. Most lakes have wheelchair accessible fishing piers, easy access to bank fishing, boat rentals, launching ramps, and picnic areas. Some lakes offer conveniences such as bait, tackle, snacks and drinks. These lakes are managed to provide fishing opportunities while producing the best quality fishing possible at a minimal cost. Gibson County Lake is also one of 10 lakes located in West Tennessee and range from 87 acres to 560 acres in size. The newest and largest lake is Gibson County Lake, which was impounded in September 1999 and opened to the public April 1, 2003. It is actually 560 acres and has largemouth bass, the Florida strain largemouth bass, black and white crappie, bluegill, red-ear sunfish, blue and channel catfish. If the family wants to get away from it all, then consider one of these 18 family fishing Lakes to pursue your thoughts and relinquish your worries to the tug of bluegill, bass or catfish. You might find something you’ve lost while enjoying an activity which is basic, simple and just plain fun and relaxing. A $5 daily or $40 annual permit is required at the Gibson County Lake to fish or enter the water. These permits may be purchased at most of the individual lake offices. Fishing is also permitted seven days per week from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Boats may not exceed the no-wake speed zones. Anglers under the age of 13, holders of a lifetime sportsman’s license or an annual sportsman’s license do not need a lake permit. Anglers born before March 1, 1926. do not need a license or lake permit either. Just this past holiday weekend, the folks at the Gibson County Lake store had documented at least 4 big bass that were weighed in and released, 3 of which were caught by one person. A 9.8 pound, 10.2 pound, 10.10 pound and 12.7 pound bass were caught and there may have been others as well. For more information you can visit the TWRA’s website or call the lake store/office at 731-855-2990. Also, with the 2010 Fourth of July Holiday weekend in the past, here is a report from the TWRA on another BUI blitz statewide The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency reports that a 24-year old Chattanooga man was a drowning victim over the July Fourth holiday weekend. The accident occurred on Sunday on Chickamauga Lake near the Paradise Cove section. A total of 17 accidents were reported across the state, resulting in 16 injuries for the July Fourth holiday period which ran from 6 p.m. July 2 through midnight Monday. Chickamauga, Dale Hollow Lake, and the Ocoee River had three accidents each. TWRA boating officers made 28 boating under the influence arrests during the period with almost one third (nine) coming from Old Hickory Lake. Kentucky Lake was a distant second with three arrests, with Watts Bar, Boone, Ft. Loudon and Watauga lakes all having two arrests each. In 2009, over the July Fourth holiday, there were 17 BUI arrests, one fatality and 15 total accidents. On Aug. 5 starting at 5 p.m., Ironman Fellowship presents Sportsman’s Night with Special Guest Crispin Powley of Strike King Lure Company, Mark Trudeau of Whitetail Institute and Troy Ruiz who worked for Mossy Oak and Primos Game calls. There will be seminars by all three outdoorsmen that evening. This is a free event with a free meal provided at around 7 that evening. This event will be located at the Covenant Ranch , 8759 Hwy 79 North, Buchanan TN. You can get more information either by call 731-642-2099 or visit their website at www.sonriseadventures.com. That’s it for this week’s information and report. Please remember to send us your photos, stories or outdoor events that you may wan to pass along to our readers. I appreciate each and everyone who takes time each week to read my column. Each week, I have several folks that share they read my weekly column and I great appreciate that very much. Til next week’s report.. catch ya on the water folks. Brent Published in The Messenger 7.9.10
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