LOOK AT THAT ONE.

LOOK AT THE WHITE BELLY ON THAT JOKER.

>> THAT WAS FROM EARLIER.

>> IT IS.

>> THIS WEEK ON KENTUCKY AFIELD... WE ARE BRINGING IN THE NEW YEAR BY LOOKING BACK ON A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE SEGMENTS FROM 2021.

>> WHOA THIS IS A GOOD ONE.

>> BETTER THAN GOOD, CHAD.

>> IT'S ALL NEXT ON KENTUCKY AFIELD... >> THAT'S A PRETTY FISH.

>> BEAUTIFUL.

>> THIS POND IS PLUM FLOATED WITH FROGS.

>> THEY'RE EVERYWHERE IN HERE.

(GUNSHOT) >> THIS IS A GOOD FISH RIGHT HERE.

A REALLY GOOD FISH.

>> COME HERE, GIRL.

>> THAT'S A BIG RABBIT.

>> NICE JOB.

>> YES!

MY FIRST MUSKY.

>> LEO!

♪ WE GOT A KEEPER!

>> THERE GOES.

BOOM!

>> WOW, THAT HAPPENED FAST.

>> HELLO, WELCOME TO KENTUCKY AFIELD.

I'M YOUR HOST CHAD MILES.

JOIN US AS WE JOURNEY THE COMMONWEALTH IN SEARCH OF OUTDOOR ADVENTURE.

HUNTING AND FISHING ON PRIVATE THIS WEEK WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE WITH THE THEME OF SOME OF OUR MOST MEMORABLE TRIPS OUT IN THE FIELD IN 2021.

FIRST UP WE ARE HEADED BACK TO A WARMER TIME WHEN WE WERE SHOOTING BULL FROGS WITH AN AIR RIFLE.

WE ARE OUT HERE TODAY WITH A VERY FAMILIAR FACE.

WE ARE IN SHELBY COUNTY GETTING READY TO DO ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVORITE ACTIVITIES, GIGGING OR SHOOTING FROGS.

>> I'M SO EXCITED, I CAN'T WAIT.

>> IT'S SO MUCH FUN.

I KNOW HAVE YOU DONE THIS A LOT AND TAKEN KIDS OUT, SHOOTING AND GIGGING FROGS.

WHAT A GREAT WAY TO INTRODUCE SOMEONE TO THE OUTDOORS.

>> IT'S A LOT OF FUN, SOMETHING GREAT TO DO IN THE SUMMER SO IF KIDS ARE OUT, THE WEATHER IS GREAT.

EVERYTHING IS WONDERFUL.

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE SO MUCH FUN.

>> IT'S A LOT OF FUN.

YOU KNOW, THERE ARE A LOT OF WAYS DOWNING THIS WITH A ROD AND REEL, YOU CAN DO IT WITH A GIG, A RIFLE.

SHOOT THEM WITH A BOW.

TONIGHT I BLOT A COUPLE OF AIR RIFLES AND YOU.

>> BROUGHT GIGS.

I'VE NEVER DONE ANYTHING BUT GIG FROGS.

I TAKE THAT BACK.

I'VE CAUGHT A COUPLE WITH MY HANDS.

I'VE NEVER SHOT ONE WITH A GUN BEFORE.

I'M SUPER PUMPED TO TRY THAT.

>> YOU MENTOR SO MANY PEOPLE AND GET THEM USED TO THE OUTDOORS.

YOU TOOK MY DAUGHTER ON HER FIRST HUNT.

YOUR PASSION AND LOVE FOR THE OUTDOORS AND MENTORING TRANSITION PERFECTLY FOR YOU BECAUSE RECENTLY YOU STARTED A NEW POSITION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE.

YOU ARE NOW A DEPARTMENT FISH AND WILDLIFE EMPLOYEE.

>> YEP.

>> AND YOU ARE HEADING UP OUR R-3 PROGRAM, TELL ME WHAT THAT IS?

>> R-3 IS RECRUITMENT, RETENTION AND REACTIVATION.

SO IF YOU HAVE NEVER HUNTED OR FISH BEFORE, WE ARE GOING TO TRY TO INTRODUCE IT TO YOU AND IF YOU ARE DOING IT, WE JUST WANT TO PAINING SURE YOU COME BACK AND MAYBE IF YOU LEFT FOR A WHILE OR HAVEN'T DONE IT IN A FEW YEARS, WE WANT TO GET YOU BACK INTO IT AND SHOW YOU HOW MUCH FUN IT IS.

IT'S A GREAT HOBBY TO HAVE AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL GET SOME FROG LEGS SO WE CAN EAT SOME LATER, TOO.

>> AND IF YOU NEVER HAD FROG LEGS, THIS RANKS UP THERE WITH ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS TO EAT.

WE GOT ABOUT 20 MINUTES UNTIL IT'S GOING TO BE DARK ENOUGH TO MAKE OUR WAY AROUND.

WITH THOSE AIR RIFLES, YOU CAN SOMETIMES START SHOOTING THEM BEFORE IT'S COMPLETELY DARK AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO SPOTLIGHT THEM.

LET'S GET OUR GEAR, GOING TO BE FUN.

THIS IS GOING TO BE A BLAST.

RACHEL, WE GOT WAY TOO MUCH GEAR.

I BLOT THIS NET WONDERING WHAT IN THE WORLD.

I MAY GRAB A FROG WITH THIS.

THIS IS ACTUALLY IF WE SHOOT ONE THAT'S OUT IN THE WATER JUST A LITTLE WAYS.

>> I'M SUPER EXCITED ABOUT TRYING TO SHOOT ONE.

I THINK WE SHOULD TRY THAT FIRST.

THAT SOUNDS GOOD.

>> YOU HEAR 'EM?

>> LET'S GET DOWN HERE AND TAKE A LOOK AND SEE IF WE CAN'T GET YOU LOADED UP.

WE ARE GOING TO TRY TO SCORE YOUR FIRST FROG WITH AN AIR RIFLE RIGHT OFF THE BAT.

LET'S WALK DOWN AND TAKE A LOOK.

OH YEAH.

>> THAT'S A GOOD FROG RACHEL.

GET LOADED UP.

>> I PROBABLY NEED TO SNEAK UP A TINY BIT CLOSER WITH THIS GUN.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHY IT'S NOT PULLING.

MAYBE I DIDN'T COCK IT ALL THE WAY DANG IT.

>> HE'LL BE BACK UP HERE.

>> I DIDN'T COCK THE PELLET RIFLE ALL THE WAY AND I THINK THAT FROG WOULD HAVE BEEN CLOSE ENOUGH FOR ME TO GIG.

THAT'S OKAY.

THERE WILL BE MORE.

>> GET READY BECAUSE WE ARE GETTING READY TO SHOOT SOME BIGGUNS.

>> THERE SHOULD BE A FEW SITTING UP HERE.

>> HERE IS ONE RIGHT HERE BUT I BELIEVE THAT'S A HAIR SMALL.

THAT WILL BE NEXT YEAR'S FROG, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> YEAH.

>> LET'S FIND ANOTHER ONE.

THAT ONE LOOKS A LITTLE BIGGER.

IT'S NOT A BIG FROG BUT IT MIGHT BE GOOD FOR THE FIRST ONE WITH AN AIR RIFLE.

>> I THINK THIS DISTANCE IS PROBABLY PRETTY GOOD, RIGHT?

>> THAT WAS A GOOD SHOT.

THAT'S WHAT THE NET IS FOR RIGHT HERE I'LL TELL YOU ONE THING, THOSE THOSE AIR RIFLES WILL FLAT STONE FROG NUMBER 1.

>> HECK YEAH YOU GET 15, I GET 15.

LET'S TRY TO GET ANOTHER ONE.

>> I MISSED HIM.

>> GOT 'EM.

>> DIDN'T HIT WHERE I WANTED TO BUT THE PELLET GUN STILL TOOK HIM DOWN.

>> THAT'S A BETTER FROG.

>> IT ACTUALLY WENT IN RIGHT WHERE I WAS AIMING BUT IT CAME OUT HERE LOOK.

YOU THINK THAT DOESN'T DO A NUMBER ON THEM.

>> IT'S PERFECT FOR FROGS, THOSE AIR RIFLES ARE.

>> LET'S GET LOADED UP AGAIN TRY TO GET US ANOTHER ONE.

I'LL TELL YOU ONE THING, THE WORST THING YOU CAN MAKE IS TAKE AN AIR RIFLE AND SAY IT'S A BEEBEE GUN, YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE SAFE WITH THEM.

I WOULD HATE TO GET SHOT WITH ONE OF THESE.

IT CAN BE REALLY, REALLY BAD NEWS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> YOU GOT TO TREAT THESE LIKE A REGULAR FIREARM.

>> THEY ARE.

>> RIGHT THERE.

YOU WASN'T TO SHIEP OR SHOOT.

I'LL SHINE YOU SHOOT.

READY.

>> YEP.

HE'S DOWN.

WE GOT ANOTHER ONE RIGHT HERE.

NICE JOB, RACHEL.

RIGHT THERE.

LOOK AT THAT ONE.

LOOK AT THE WHITE BELLO THAT JOKER.

>> THAT'S THE ONE FROM EARLIER.

>> IT IS.

NICE SHOT, CHAD.

>> WASN'T AS BIG AS I THOUGHT BUT WE'LL TAKE IT.

I'VE HAD GOOD FROG LEGS AT RESTAURANTS.

THEY DON'T COMPARE.

>> NOT EVEN CLOSE.

>> WHEN YOU GET FRESH CAUGHT FROG LEGS INSTEAD OF FARM RAISED, THEY'RE JUST DIFFERENT.

>> FOR SURE.

>> THAT FROG IS HIT AND HE IS NOT TOO DEEP TO STILL GET.

>> HECK YEAH.

>> THAT WILL EAT.

THERE'S A BIG ONE IN THE WATER.

WAS I HIGH ON THAT?

>> I DON'T KNOW BUT THAT FROG IS GOING TO COME BACK AND WE ARE GOING TO GET THAT FROG IN A MINUTE.

>> HE IS ON THE BANK NOW.

DO I NEED TO SHOOT HIM AGAIN?

>> YEP.

DID I HIT HIM?

IS HE SWIMMING?

HE'S GOING TO COME RIGHT BACK UP TO THE BANK.

>> WE'VE GOT A BLOOD TRAIL.

I'VE NEVER SEEN A BLOOD TRAIL LIKE THAT AND IT GET AWAY.

I DON'T BELIEVE IT NEEDS ANOTHER PELLET.

WE ARE JUST GOING TO TRY TO STICK THE NET ON HIM.

>> GOT HIM.

GOO JOB.

>> DID YOU SEE THAT.

>> DID HE GET OUT OF THERE.

>> HE STUCK OUT THE SIDE.

THERE WERE TWO FROGS.

WE GOT IT.

THIS IS THE BIG ONE WE SHOT EARLIER THAT'S A GOOD FROG.

THE SHOT HIT RIGHT HERE.

>> THAT WAS A GOOD SHOT.

THAT'S A REALLY GOOD FROG.

>> HECK YEAH HE IS GOING TO EAT GOOD WE HAVE A COUPLE MORE PONDS.

LET'S REGROUP.

WE'LL LIGHTEN OUR LOAD AND CARRY THE GIGS NEXT TIME AROUND LET'S MAKE IT HAPPEN.

>> SOUNDS GOOD.

I THINK WE MAY HAVE IT CAN YOU MAKE THAT SHOT.

>> I'M GOING TO TRY.

>> GOOD SHOOTING, CHAD NICE JOB, RACHEL THAT'S A GOOD FROG.

I THINK WE GOT 'EM.

THAT'S A GOOD JOB RIGHT THERE.

NOT EASY TO GET THROUGH THE CAT TAILS LIKE THAT.

THERE'S A BIG ONE.

GOOD JOB.

I CAN'T HARDLY SEE YOU SMOKED HIM.

RACHEL, IT HAS BEEN GREAT.

I REALLY FRESH IT.

FOR SOMEONE WHO WANTED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT R-3 AND HOW TO GET INVOLVED AND HOW TO REACH OUT AND LEARN A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE OUTDOORS, WHAT IS THE BEST WAY FOR THEM TO DO THAT.

>> FW.KY.GOV AND IF YOU CLICK ON THE EDUCATION TAB, YOU WILL FIND A LEARN HOW TO HUNT FISH AND SHOOT TAB.

THAT'S THE BEST PLACE TO START.

THAT WILL TAKE YOU TO THE HOOK AND FORK CLASSES OR BASIC LEARN TO HUNT AND FISH INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE, TOO.

>> I'LL TELL YOU WHAT, TONIGHT WAS A PERFECT BASIC LEARN HOW TO GATHER FROGS.

AND YOU KNOW WHAT?

WE GOT A SKILLET FULL OF GOODNESS RIGHT HERE.

>> YES, WE DO.

I CAN'T WAIT.

>> HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED HOW SOME OF OUR WILDLIFE BIOLOGISTS COLLECT DATA SAMPLES FROM ANIMALS THE SIZE OF AN ELK.

SOMETIMES THEY HAVE TO RELY ON HELP FROM ABOVE.

>> TODAY WE ARE IN EASTERN KENTUCKY AND OUR ELK MANAGEMENT ZONE CAPTURING ELK WITH A HELICOPTER THIS WEEK.

THE PURPOSE OF WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO IS WE ARE EVALUATING OUR COW REPRODUCTION RATES AND CALF SURVIVAL.

SO WHEN WE LOOK LOOK AT THE POPULATION MON TORRING WHAT WE DO AS A DEPARTMENT, IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW WHAT PERCENT OF OUR COWS THAT ARE PREGNANT AND WHAT PERCENT GIVE BIRTH AND WHAT IS THE SURVIVAL RATE.

>> WE'VE HAD A LONG HISTORY OF ELK RESEARCH BACK WHEN THE FIRST ELK STEPPED OFF THE TRAILER WEARING A RADIO TRACKING COLLAR.

ELK IN THE EAST ARE A NEW THING AND WE ARE WRITING OUR OWN BOOK ON ELK MANAGEMENT IN THE EAST.

THE RESEARCH IS CRITICAL.

BIG OPERATION, ALMOST 25 PEOPLE OUT HERE TODAY WE ARE REALLY EXCITED TO BE WORKING WITH THE PROJECT, THE DATA DERIVE WILL HELP OUR FUTURE MANAGEMENT EFFORTS THROUGHOUT THE ZONE AS A WHOLE.

CALF SURVIVAL STUDY IN PARTICULAR IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT FOR US.

CALVES ARE THE DRIVERS OF THE POPULATION.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW HOW MANY ARE LIVING AND DYING, IF ANYTHING IS KILLING THEM, WHAT MANAGEMENT DECISIONS CAN WE MAKE TO BOLSTER THE POPULATION.

WHAT WE ARE DOING TODAY TRAPPING THESE ADULT FEMALES IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF IT.

FROM THE PROCESS THAT IT WORKS, A HELICOPTER CAPTURE CREW THAT FLIES OVER THE ELK, LOCATE AND PEEL OFF A SINGLE OR DOUBLE, A CALF OR A COW.

THEY THEN SHOOT A NET OVER THE ANIMAL.

ANIMAL BECOMES ENTANGLED AND THEN THEY DROP A MAN OUT ON THE GROUND.

GOES OVER TO THE ELK BLIND FOLD ON THEM, HOBBLES THEIR LEGS TOGETHER, GETS THE NET OFF, PUTS THEM IN A FLIGHT BAG.

RADIO THE HELICOPTER CREW.

>> HELICOPTER COMES BACK IN DROPS THE ROPE, HOOKS THE ELK UP AND CAPTURE AND PROCESS AND PREPARE THEM FOR FLIGHT AND BRING THEM TO US.

WHEN WE ARE SLINGING THE ANIMALS TO OUR DROP ZONE LOCATION QHZ MAY BE UP TO A MILE OR TWO MILES FROM WHERE WE ARE SET UP WORKING THE ANIMALS, THE HELICOPTER CREW POSITION THE ANIMAL IN THE WAY THAT IT KEEPS ITS INTERNAL ORGANS SAFE AND SPINE ALIGNED PROPERLY TO MINIMIZE RISK FOR INJURY DURING THE TRANSPORTATION PROCESS SO ONCE THE ELK LANDS FIRST THING WE WANT TO DO IS MAKE SURE IT IS IN GOOD PHYSICAL CONDITION AND CHECK THE TEMPERATURE TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE NOT TOO HOT.

TRANSPORT THE ANIMALS TO THE WORK UP FACILITY WHERE WE HAVE SEPARATE TEAMS READY TO TAKE CARE OF EACH ANIMAL FIRST THING WE DO IS CHECK TEMPERATURE AGAIN MILWAUKEE SURE THEY'RE AT A GOOD HEALTHY LEVEL, ABLE TO BE MINIMUM WAGE MOBILIZED.

AT THAT POINT WE IMMOBILIZE THEM.

WAIT FOR THE DRUGS TO PUT THEM FULLY ASLEEP AND BEGIN THE WORKUP PROCESS.

DURING THE WORKUP PROCESS, WE DRAW BLOOD FROM THE ANIMALS TO LOOK AT THE OVERALL HEALTH THEY GET EAR TAGS SO WE CAN IDENTIFY THE ANIMAL.

AND GET OUR GPS COLLAR THAT WILL ALLOW TO US TRACK THAT ANIMAL THROUGH THE LIFE OF THE COLLAR OR THE LIFE OF THE ANIMAL.

COLLECT HAIR FOR GENETIC ANALYSIS AND TOTAL ASSESSMENT OF THE BODY LOOKING AT FAT DEPOSITION AND FAT CONTENT AND OVERALL CONDITION.

ACTUALLY GIVE THEM ANOTHER INJECTION AND PULL ONE OF THEIR FRONT INSIZORS AND SEND THOSE OFF TO A LAB AND THEY CAN TELL US HOW OLD THE ANIMAL IS BY COUNTING THE RINGS INSIDE THE TOOTH.

LIKE AGING A TREE.

>> MY ROLE HERE IS TO ENSURE THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE ANIMALS THAT WE ARE CATCHING FOR THIS PROJECT.

WE HAVE AN ANESTHESIA TECH ON EACH ANIMAL MAKING SURE THEY'RE HAVING APPROPRIATE LEVELS.

I'M RIGHT THERE WITH THEM THE WHOLE TIME MAKING SURE EVERYTHING IS GOOD.

WE ARE REALLY WORKING HARD TO MAKE SURE THE ANIMALS ARE SAFE WHILE THEY'RE IMMOBILIZED.

>> ANIMALS HAVE A WINTER COAT ON SO IF THEY COME IN A LITTLE BIT WARM, WE'LL DUMP WATER ON THEM OR TAKE OTHER MESS TOWER GET THEIR TEMPERATURE UNDER CONTROL AND DOING EVERYTHING SAFELY AND HUMANELY AS POSSIBLE.

>> ANOTHER ONE ON THE WAY.

DURING THE WORKUP PROCESS YOU WILL SEE US TRYING TO MOVE THE ANIMAL AROUND, MAKE SURE IT REMAINS IN A SAFE POSITION, PARTICULARLY WITH ITS HEAD.

MAKE SURE IT'S UP RIGHT AND IN A NATURAL POSITION THE BEST IT CAN TO ALLOW THE ANIMAL TO BREATHE SUFFICIENTLY.

>> WHEN THE HELICOPTER CREW BRINGS US ANIMAL, THEY TYPICALLY BRING US TWO OR THREE AT A TIME.

GENERALLY WE DON'T WANT TO STRESS THE HERD TOO MUCH.

WE HAVE FIRM ESTABLISHED CHASE TIMES SO THEY'RE NOT STRESSED OUT TOO MUCH.

IT GIVES US TIME TO REALLY PAY ATTENTION TO EACH AND EVERY ANIMAL THAT COMES IN TO MAKE SURE THEY GET THROUGH THE PROCESS SAFELY.

PART OF THE PROJECT IS WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY.

WE HAVE TWO GRADUATE STUDENTS THAT ARE ON THE PROJECT TO HELP WITH THE DATA ANALYSIS AND DATA COMPOSITION.

>> SO I'M REALLY EXCITED TO BE A GRADUATE STUDENT AT U.K.

WORKING ON THIS PROJECT WITH KDFFR.

>> WE ARE LOOKING AT SEVERAL MANAGEMENT FOCUS QUESTIONS IN OUR RESEARCH.

FIRST OFF WE JUST WANT KNOW HOW MUCH SPACE THE ANIMALS ARE USING AND IN THE LANDSCAPE WE CAN GET THAT INFORMATION FROM THE COLLAR DATA.

>> THIS WINTER CAPTURE SEASON HERE OF ADULT ELK IS REALLY THE PRECURSOR THAT SETS US UP NICELY FOR OUR SUMMER ELK CALF CAPTURES PUTTING SMALL TRANSMITTERS ON THEM AND TRACK THEM THROUGH THE FIRST YEAR OF LIFE.

THIS TIME AROUND, WE GET TO DO ABULTRASOUND TO CHECK HER PREGNANCY STATUS TO SEE IF SHE IS PREGNANT OR NOT AND IF SHE IS, WE'LL INSERT A TRANSMITTER THAT WILL GIVE US NOTIFICATION WHEN SHE GIVES BIRTH SO WE CAN MORE REEZLY GO OUT AND FIND THE CALF.

>> HERE IS THE TRANSMITTER WE PUT INTO THE PREGNANT COW SO THIS HAS THE WORKUP COMPLETE.

NEW RADIO COLLAR AND FRESH EAR TAGS AND VAGINAL IMPLANT TRANSMITTER AND REVERSAL TO THE DRUG SO IN ABOUT FIVE OR 10 MINUTES, SPLEA SHE WILL GET OFF AND HEAD UP THE MOUNTAINS.

>> SOME OF THE BEST FISHING HERE IN THE STATE OF KENTUCKY TAKES PLACE IN LATE WINTER AND EARLY SPROING.

START MAKING PLANS NOW TO HIT THE WATER.

>> TODAY I'M HERE ON DALE HOLLOW LAKE WITH THE GENTLEMAN WHO WROTE THE BOOK ON FISH INGDALE HOLLOW LAKE LITERALLY.

>> IT HAS BEEN A GREAT EXPERIENCE.

I'VE HAD PEOPLE SAY WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO DO A BOOK?

I SAID WELL, I PROBABLY COULD WRITE ONE BUT I GOT TO HAVE SOMEBODY HELP ME.

I HAVE ED HARP WITH BASS MASTERS.

WE TOOK ALL THE QUESTIONS ASKED OVER THE YEARS AND PUT THEM IN PRINT.

WE PUT A BUNCH OF YEARS OF EXPERIENCE TOGETHER.

I LOVE THIS LAKE AND SPEND A LOT OF TIME HERE MAINLY IN THE WINTER MONTHS BUT WE ARE AT THE END OF MARCH.

THIS IS THE TIME OF YEAR TO POTENTIALLY CATCH A TRUE DALE HOLLOW GIANT.

>> THIS IS A REAL DAY.

SOME DAYS IT'S CHICKEN AND SOME DAYS IT'S FEATHERS BUT YOU HAVE TO ENJOY WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND ENJOY THE HUNT.

>> LET'S FIND US A SPOT AND MAKE A COUPLE CASTS AND WE'LL CONVERSE AND HOPEFULLY CATCH A COUPLE FISH.

>> WE'LL GET HER DONE.

>> HOLD ON.

LET'S GET ROLLING.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO START OFF WITH.

>> A SPINNER BAIT.

JUST A LITTLE BIT MAKE A LITTLE NOISE.

>> I THINK I'M GOING TO START OFF WITH A SWIM BAIT.

>> WE GOT ABOUT 52, 53°, YOU STILL NEED TO FISH SLOW BECAUSE IT'S COLD WATER BUT YOU CAN START SPEEDING UP A LITTLE BIT.

>> WE ARE IN A GOOD TRANSITION.

AND THAT'S REALLY WHAT IT IS THIS TIME OF YEAR, CHANGING WEEKLY.

SOMETIMES DAILY BUT THEY'RE STARTING TO SPEED UP SOME.

>> GOT 'EM?

>> ALL RIGHT.

IT'S A LARGE MOUTH.

GOT A GREEN FISH TODAY THERE WE GO.

FIRST FISH OF THE MORNING THERE YOU GO.

I USUALLY CATCH ABOUT EIGHT TO 10 SMALL MOUTH FOR EVERY ONE LARGE MOUTH THAT'S MAINLY BECAUSE OF THE AREAS THAT I LIKE TO TARGET DOWN HERE, YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS?

>> YEAH, THAT MEANS WE ARE GOING TO CATCH EIGHT TO 10 SMALL MOUTH TODAY BECAUSE WE GOT A LARGE MOUTH.

IT ONLY MAKES THE NUMBERS RIGHT.

IT'S ALL ABOUT MATH THAT'S A PRETTY HEALTHY FISH ALMOST AS GOOD AS ME AND YOU.

>> GOT A WAYS TO GO.

>> GOOD JOB, CHAD.

>> HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU BEEN GUIDING NOW?

>> AROUND 25 YEARS BUT 22, 23 YEARS I HAVE BEEN FULL TIME.

I HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE I KNEW FISH PROFESSIONALLY AND SOMETHING I'VE DONE SINCE I WAS A KID.

SO IT SEEMED LIKE THE RIGHT THING TO DO I'M SURE YOU HAVE LIFE LONG FRIENDS YOU MET OUT HERE IN THE BOAT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> I DON'T THINK I VERY GOOD HOOKS OUT HERE.

I'M GOING TO TRY TO KEEP THIS FISH LOW.

>> DECENT SMOWDZ.

>> GOOD JOB.

I CAST IT UP THERE AND GOT HUNG BEHIND THE ROCK.

SHAKING THAT THING LOOSE.

>> FISH TOOK IT OFF THE ROCK FOR YOU.

>> SURE DID.

>> WELL, HERE WE GO.

>> PRETTY SMALL MOUTH.

>> NOW WHAT?

, CONSIDER THESE CONDITIONS.

IF WE CAN GET A COUPLE BITES WHEN THE WATER IS FLAT, THINK WHAT IT WILL DO WHEN THE WIND BLOWS.

>> IT WILL ONLY GET BETTER.

>> BEAUTIFUL LITTLE BROWN FISH.

>> WE GOT A FISH ON.

OH MY GOODNESS.

FINALLY GOT ONE ON SPINNER BAIT, CHAD.

>> I NIGHT FISH SPINNERBAITS ALL THE TIME.

I DON'T THROW THEM IN THE DAYTIME VERY MUCH BUT LOOK WE GOT ONE.

>> GOT TO TRY IT TO KNOW.

IT'S A DAYTIME COLOR FOR A SPINNER DATE RIGHT NOW IN THE SPRING AND I USE IT PRE-SPAWN AND POST SPAWN.

>> LET'S GET THAT ONE BACK IN AND CATCH ANOTHER ONE.

>> WHAT DO YOU KNOW THIS MIGHT BE A LARGE MOUTH.

NOPE.

BROWN FISH.

FL YOU GO.

>> GOOD JOB TO CHAD.

>> HE IS WASN'T GOING NOWHERE.

PUNCHED IT THROUGH THE TOP LIP.

>> RIGHT WHERE YOU WANT IT.

>> WE'LL TAKE IT THIS IS A BETTER FISH.

>> COME HERE JOKER.

>> A GOOD FISH.

>> THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.

>> I'LL TELL YOU WHAT, BOB, WE FOUND SOME AGGRESSIVE FISH.

>> THEY'RE GOING TO EAT JUST GOT TO BE AT THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME.

BELLY DOESN'T STAY LIKE THAT BY NOT EATING DOES IT?

>> NO.

>> THERE'S ONE.

>> THAT'S A PRETTY GOOD FISH WHAT IS THAT ON, SWIM BAIT?

>> SWIM BAIT TAKE EMALL DAY.

IT'S ALL ABOUT LEMPING SOMETHING NEW BECAUSE WE CAME OUT TODAY, WE DRUG SWIM BAITS ON THE BOTTOM, SPED UP OUR RETRIEVE AND GOT SHALLOW.

>> THE TIP OF THE DAY.

YOU'VE GOT TO KEEP TRYING DIFFERENT THINGS UNTIL YOU FIGURE OUT A PATTERN.

HERE WE GO.

COMING TO US.

THAT'S A GOOD ONE.

>> THAT'S A CHOMP.

>> THAT FISH HIT AND FELT LIKE A TON OF BRICKS AND SWAM RIGHT TO THE BOAT.

I MEAN JUST ABSOLUTELY TOOK THE WIND RIGHT OUT OF THAT SWIM BAIT.

>> THAT IS A PRIME PRE-SPAWN SMALL MOUTH RIGHT THERE.

THAT'S WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR.

>> I'M GOING TO GET A WEIGHT ON THIS ONE.

I'M GOING TO SAY FOUR POUNDS FIVE OUNCE.

>> I'M GOING TO GUESS OVER FOUR AND A HALF.

>> 4.14.

RIGHT AT FIVE POUNDS.

I LIKE WHEN THEY'RE BIGGER THN I THINK.

THIS IS A GOOD ONE.

BETTER THAN GOOD, CHAD.

THAT WAS BACK TO BACK CASTS.

4.14 AND WHAT HAVE WE GOT HERE?

>> 5.

>> THAT GOINGS TO GO 21 INCHES.

>> 21.5.

9 POUNDS 15 OUNCES IN TWO CASTS.

>> I'M GLAD YOU READ MY BOOK.

HERE AT KENTUCKY AFIELD WE ARE WELCOMING 2022 IN HOPES OF GREAT FISHING AND EXCELLENT HUNTING.

AND REMEMBER HUNTING AND FISHING ON PRIVATE PROPERTY IS A PRIVILEGE.

ALWAYS ASK PERMISSION AND THANK THE LAND OWNER.

UNTIL NEXT WEEK, I'M YOUR HOST CHAD MILES AND I HOPE TO SEE YOU IN THE WOODS OR ON THE WATER.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪