Many people officially start thinking about Spring and Summer with the Bassmaster Classic. For me, it’s official when Baseball’s preseason begins! Maybe that’s because I do more eating fish than Darryl Worley will be playing Feb. 19 (today) at the Bassmaster Classic prior to the opening-day weigh-in in Birmingham.
ESPN put together a great article/interview with Darryl Worley in which he talks about fishing on Kentucky Lake, the Grand Ole Opry, and giving back. Darryl Worley is our kind of people and he’ll definitely make you want to visit his hometown of Savannah, Tennessee AND get out on Kentucky Lake for a little fishing. Read the interview by clicking the following link: Darryl Worley and the Bassmaster Classic: Kentucky Lake, Fishing, and Giving Back
Be sure to watch the Bassmaster Classic on ESPN.
Barren River Lake Info:
The name “Barren,” in Barren River Lake, can be traced back to the days of the early pioneers. They called the area that is now Barren River Lake State Park “The Barrens.” Why? Because the area often appeared barren thanks to Indians who periodically burned the vegetation to provide grasslands. These grasslands attracted grazing buffalo. Given the fact that this is a personal favorite animal, I’m going to pretend that the Native Americans were interested in the buffalo solely as pets.
Archaeologists prove that there were apparently several large Indian settlements near Barren River.
Fishermen (and women) absolutely love Barren River Lake. With an abundance of largemouth, smallmouth, white, and hybrid striped bass, bluegill, channel catfish, crappie, and rough fish, few go home empty handed.
Barren River Lake State Resort Park is located in a prime location for tourists: near Kentucky’s famous cave area, which includes Mammoth Cave National Park, the longest cave system in the world!
To read more about Barren River Lake State Resort Park, read our review HERE. You’ll also find valuable information and up to date news on Kentucky State Parks Web Site (this link will take you directly to Barren River Lake State Resort Park’s page).
Lake Barkley is, without a doubt, one of Kentucky’s crown jewels. If you want to see a Kentuckian sit a little taller, just mention Lake Barkley. Like UK Basketball, Mammoth Cave, and Kentucky Lake – we’re understandably proud.
Below are some bits and pieces of Lake Barkley trivia that you might not have known.
- Lake Barkley has 57,900 acres of water and 1,004 miles of shoreline.
- Lake Barkley was named for the 35th Vice-President, Alben Barkley.
Prior to the Vice Presidency, Barkley served in the U. S. Senate from Kentucky for over twenty years. Alben Barkley was born in a log cabin near Lowes, Graves County, Kentucky. He worked his way through college as a janitor. After passing the bar, he practiced law in Paducah, Kentucky. - Alben Barkley coined the term “Give ‘em hell, Harry” as President Truman was leaving Washington on his “whistle-stop” train across the country. Barkley was popularly known as “the Veep” thanks to his young grandson, Stephen M. Truitt. Stephen preferred the shortened name to “Mr. Vice President.” When Alben Barkley told the press about his grandson’s phrasing, the newspapers printed it, and the title stuck. Alben Barkley’s successor as vice president, Richard Nixon, declined the nickname, saying that it had been bestowed on Barkley affectionately and, therefore, belonged to him. However, the term didn’t die, and it’s used to this day.
- Construction of Barkley Dam began in 1959 on the Cumberland River.
- Lake Barkley’s Maximum depth is 68 feet.
- Lake Barkley’s Minimum depth is 12 feet.
- Lake Barkley is known for its Stripers as well as its Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass. Other fish in Lake Barkley include Crappie (Black and White), Redear Sunfish, Sauger, Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, Striped Bass, and White Bass.
For more information about Lake Barkley:
Download Lake Barkley Vacation Guide (PDF)
The Village Between the Lakes (Grand Rivers)
Green Turtle Bay (Resort and Marina on Lake Barkley)
.jpg "Condos at Green Turtle Bay Marina - Grand Rivers, Kentucky")
Green Turtle Bay Resort & Marina Condos (Click for a larger view!)
Happy birthday, gorgeous! Green Turtle Bay is 25 years old this month (April, 2009). To celebrate, they are offering a 10% discount on any reservation for Condos to customers whose birthday is also in April.
They will give you a 10% discount birthday present when you show them your valid driver’s license with proof of your April birthday. Sadly, this affects me in no way whatsoever, since my birthday is four months away, but I certainly want to wish them a heartfelt happy birthday.
If you’ve never seen Green Turtle Bay Resort & Marina in Grand Rivers, Kentucky, you really should make an effort to do so. They celebrate the water way of life with every breath they take. The area is beautiful, the staff is incredibly friendly, and I’m sure I’ve told you about Docker’s Bayside Grill once or twice. Two words: Onion Rings.
There are over seventy town house condominiums available with gorgeous views of Green Turtle Bay and Lake Barkley. You can rent one for a day or a week or buy one for a lifetime of weekends filled with water, fishing, boating, tennis, golf, and onion rings. Just let me dangle my feet in the cool lake water in between trips to Docke’rs Bayside Grill and I’ll be happy.
From Green Turtle Bay’s Web Site:
Green Turtle Bay Resort offers one, two, three, and four bedroom luxury condominium units. Each unit is individually owned and tastefully appointed in a variety of styles, with each bedroom featuring its own private bath. All units have a fully equipped kitchen, washer/dryer, and gas grill; most feature fireplaces and pull out sofas. Units are complete with linens, towels and complimentary coffee.
Click HERE for more information right away. The most memorable summer of your life is waiting!
It may not seem like it today (brrr!) but gorgeous weather is literally right around the corner, and as any Kentuckian can tell you, Kentucky wears nice weather as beautifully as any state ever could. The birds, the wildlife, the lakes, the rivers, the greenest grass you’ve ever seen, the trees, and the breathtaking flowers… What a glorious show we get to enjoy every year. Are you thanking God for living here yet? I know I am.
Below is a press release from the Kentucky Department of Tourism. They’re feeling the love, too!
‘Unbridled Spring’- Make Travel Plans
For Kentucky’s Colorful Awakening
FRANKFORT, Ky. About this time of year Kentuckians are itching to trade coats and gloves for short sleeves and sneakers. Spring is when some of the most beautiful scenery in the nation sprouts in the commonwealth as a preview of hot weather to come. It’s a great time of year to get away and see an “Unbridled Spring” unfold across Kentucky as different flowers bloom from region to region. To help plan your path to the posies and where you can kick your shoes off for the night, the Kentucky Department of Travel has the perfect e-guide.
An “Unbridled Spring” web promotion begins April 7 and runs through Memorial Day at www.KyTourism.com. It’s sure to lure you on your way for a long weekend or day trip to see what’s blooming. This year, the program is longer and includes more places to spot buds and flowers, tips for events, locations and trips, photos of Kentucky wildflowers, regional videos, and other tools to plan springtime travel.
“Unbridled Spring” (previously Wildflower Watch) links to places throughout Kentucky to see spring blooms like trails, botanical gardens, state parks and nature preserves. Besides a variety of wild flowers that grow throughout the state, “Unbridled Spring” appeals to travelers to visit public areas including the approach to Kentucky’s state capitol which is paved with tulips, Owensboro’s Azalea-Dogwood Trail and jonquils that glow along major roadways in Louisville. Information on golf, fishing, trails and children’s activities as well as other outdoor adventures, are available with the click of a mouse.
“Our spring promotion has developed a well-deserved reputation for guiding travelers to a beautiful time in Kentucky,” said Kentucky Department of Travel Commissioner Mike Cooper. “This year “Unbridled Spring” has even more information and pictures to entice native Kentuckians and visitors alike, to get out, travel the state and watch spring return to our very distinct landscapes.”
Information on specific park events at Kentucky State Parks is available at www.parks.ky.gov. For Kentucky tourism information, go to www.kentuckytourism.com where you’ll find “Unbridled Spring” and other resources for travel in Kentucky. Travelers are urged to grab their cameras and add to the web site by sharing their “Unbridled Spring” experiences with others by uploading digital photos and videos of their trips.
(Note: Visitors to wooded areas and trails should exercise caution when hiking due to damaged trees caused by this past winter’s ice storm.)
Make a point of seeing as much of our beautiful state this spring and summer as you can. Hit up the locally owned stores and restaurants – you know that’s where the really good stuff is, right?! Be safe and have a ball.
Big Bear Marina – Benton, Kentucky
I won’t even lie, I can’t remember ever being this anxious and excited for warm weather to get here. Per chance it has something to do with a long cold winter that included the ice storm that rocked us all to our core?! I just can’t wait for long walks in the park and the zoo, grilling out, and hours in the yard with my beloved cats and flowers.
I’ve been rounding up a little “fishing” information for the site and it appears that fishermen and women are just as anxious as I am. My favorite fishing spots are Cracker Barrel and the Willow Pond Restaurants. I know, that’s not very sporting of me but my way comes with hush puppies and I get to keep my hands clean. Usually.
Below are a few links you may find useful, if your idea of fishing differs from mine:
- Buy your Fishing License online at the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.
- Read about the 2009 BassFishin.com Member Event at the Big Bear Resort in Benton.
- Click HERE for the online version of the 2009 Big Bear Resort Brochure and/or visit their website.
- Big Bear Resort’s Website is a wealth of information for fishing fans. You can find angling information, articles, guide information, size limits, and so on in their fishing section.
For my kindred spirits:
Something pretty cool on the Cracker Barrel website is something they call “Front Porch News.” It’s a newsletter you sign up for that’ll keep you updated on new stores, new menu items, new products in the store (woot woot!) and so on. Click HERE to sign up.
Look alive, fishermen and fisherwomen! The time is right to grab your poles and cast your troubles away on Kentucky Lake. According to Commercial Appeal.com, the fish have swam for cover and are ripe for the picking.
I know even less about fishing than I do saving money, so I’ll leave the details entirely to those who know what they’re doing. My knowledge of fish consists of:
- Fried Catfish is something I must have at least once a week.
- Homemade tarter sauce is always best.
- I make better salmon patties than anyone on earth.
- Cod and lemon were meant to go together.
- Finding Nemo is a darned cute movie.
And there you have it – my fish database. So, here, I’ll leave you with a link to those who sit on more than just boats, they sit on a great deal of knowledge. See Added Cover Improves Fishing on Kentucky Lake.
- Sunday August 24, 2008
To learn more about Tim Farmer and Kentucky’s Fish and Wildlife, visit The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. You’ll also want to Sign Up for the Kentucky Afield Newsletter.
*** To get a great “feel” for the one-of-a-kind Kentucky Afield experience, watch today’s Featured Video to the right. Turtle man…. I now know fear.
