Hello and welcome to Kentucky Afield.

I'm your host, Chad Miles.

Join us as we journey the Commonwealth in search of outdoor adventure.

Fall will be here before you know it.

And with that comes dove season and some of the best fishing of the year.

But before that, let's run to Cave Run lake, meet up with biologists and find out what's being done to improve the fishing habitat.

my name is, Tom Timmerman, and I'm, fisheries biologist, for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife.

Today we're at Cave Run Lake in, beautiful Rowan County, Kentucky on a foggy morning.

And we're going to do some habitat in the lake today.

So the importance of fish habitat is that, we know as lakes age, a lot of the habitat that was there when the lakes were impounded.

The flooded trees and bushes and whatnot has rotted away.

And so a lot of our older lakes are basically kind of like bathtubs, just a basin with very little structure for fish to find and key in on.

So, habitat has become an important tool in our toolbox that we use as an agency.

And you see use do habitat all over the state.

And the whole point of any of these lakes is to build back that structure that was lost, through time.

the type of fish habitat that we're using today are called reef balls.

It is a product that, these actually were made down in Florida and shipped up here.

Reef balls are large, concrete balls.

I think we've seen us probably make these on other episodes of Kentucky Afield, but, they're just large concrete domes, and they've got holes in them.

The fish swim in and out and around them.

The other habitat that we're installing today is some artificial habitat.

This habitat project is a cooperative effort between Kentucky Fish and Wildlife and the U.S.

Forest Service.

We were able to use, some money that was set aside through a good neighbor agreement with the U.S.

Forest Service to actually purchase these.

And so we're grateful for them, and I'm sure the anglers are as well.

There's habitat right there.

That's reef balls.

kinda see the shadow casting.

And there's some more older, our older habitat types.

we call them hybrids.

We put those out last year here.

They█re a plastic structure, and then they have a, cedar tree or some sort of tree at the top.

So it's both, natural and, artificial.

So once that tree breaks down, there's still something they're left behind.

this habitat is important for fish for a variety of reasons.

So obviously they can find feeding sources on a lot of this habitat.

They can find cover from prey.

And if they are a predator looking for prey, that's a good spot for those fish to key in on.

And that relationship between the predator and prey.

And knowing that predators are at these things.

Looking for prey is super important for our anglers, because these are great areas for them to go and be able to target some of those predator fish like bass.

And in the case of, cave run muskie, will use these as well.

Yes.

Yes.

My first muskie one of the benefits to the reef balls are they add, stable structure to the lake.

that structure isn't going to rot away through time.

We don't necessarily have to refresh this.

A lot of times you'll see us do rock piles and things like that and other lakes.

Big sploosh.

I think these are kind of a step above the rock piles, because they have bigger spaces for fish to get in.

So not only can the prey fish use them as cover, but the predators can use them to to get in there and kind of hide a little bit, any of the plastic stuff we do is going to be there long term.

And so that's a huge advantage to us, you know, with, you know, 120 counties to, to cover and a lot of different lakes to put habitat in.

these longer term, habitat structures are really good for us save our time and having to go back and refresh a lot of these.

we determine the locations that the reef balls are going to go into like I said, this was a project, that was done in cooperation with the U.S.

Forest Service and the U.S.

Forest Service actually owns Run Lake.

So we have to play within the rules and stuff that they've set forth.

And, one of the things they're concerned with is boater safety.

And so they have asked us to place the reef balls two feet below, the surface of the water at Winter pool.

That's to prevent, you know, boats from running into them and losing lower unit, which I think we can all understand and appreciate.

So, we start there looking for that deeper structure, and then from there, what we're looking for our natural drop offs and ledges that are just existing in the lake bottom.

those places kind of hold fish already anyway.

So by using those sites, we can kind of give an extra incentive for fish to be in those areas.

these habitat projects are done in lakes all across the state.

Just in my district alone, we have probably 6 or 7 different lakes that we do habitat projects on at various times of the year.

For example, we've done this on Grayson during the winter.

So while we're here at Cave Run today, folks are working on other lakes across the state at various times throughout the year.

We have a whole habitat branch, devoted strictly to putting habitat in the lakes.

And so, stay tuned to Fish and Wildlife social media pages.

These are popping up all over the place, that's where you can find that information.

It may be hot outside now, but we're just a few weeks away from the water temperatures starting to cool.

And when that happens, the fall fishing here in Kentucky can be fantastic.

Today we're out here on the Ohio River, and we just launched from the new Shawnee boat ramp.

It's only been here for about two years, and this provides great access to do something that I really like to do in late summer and in the fall.

And that is fish for white bass, hybrid bass, and you might get lucky and catch the occasional striper down here below the falls in the Ohio.

Now this lifejacket is on and it's going to remain on.

Respect that moving water.

But if you know what you're doing and you're cautious and you abide by all the rules and regulations, it also can provide a very unique, incredible fishing opportunity.

So today we've called and we got the report.

They█re running somewhere between 6 and 7ft of water out of three gates, which should create some areas where they're not releasing water that creates those eddies where the water is coming out of the gates that are open.

So that's what we're going to try to hit today.

Well, here we are at the lower end of the falls of the Ohio.

These are the hydros right here.

And you can see- you talk about intimidating.

Look at the amount of water coming out there.

Now that honestly that is not a lot.

They can run more than that.

But this provides an opportunity where that bait gets sucked through and those predator fish sit there and take advantage of fish just getting pulled through there.

And that's a great opportunity, a great way to catch these like I say, hybrids, whites or striper.

You also have over here you see the water coming through.

We're going to come over here and hit these first.

I can tell you this I'm really excited.

This is one of those unique spots.

Under utilized location in the state of Kentucky that takes some knowledge.

It takes some safety thinking.

It takes a little bit of planning, but if you put it all together, it could be one of the greatest fishing trips you'll ever make in your entire life.

Right here on the banks of Ohio in downtown Louisville.

Sometimes the best fishing is literally the last two hours of the evening.

So we got up here a little early.

We tried that.

Not a lot of luck.

We're going to get over here and stay over on the edge where it's a little calmer.

And I'm gonna start making some casts out in here and see if I can█t pick something up.

Here we go.

Oh, it's a big hybrid.

Big hybrid.

Oh, my gosh, that's a workout right there now.

Look at that big old hybrid.

You talking about an aggressive and strong fish.

That fish was hooked and I thought it was a white bass because it was swimming right at me.

And when it was swimming at me It didn't feel so big.

When it got out here and then got in the current and took off.

It got real big, real fast, man.

You█re talking about a lot of fun trying to net one of these in this current and reeling one in.

It's a blast to say the least.

What a nice fish.

We█re actually going to see what the fish weighs.

It's bouncing because of the.

It's going somewhere between six.

It's like it's about seven, five, seven right there.

It's right at 7 pounds.

What a good fish.

No way I can manage handling this boat and fighting the fish and trying to get a net all at the same time.

It's just not possible.

That's why you almost have to come with the buddy.

Take turns casting.

Because it's just you got to have a person managing the boat while you fight these fish, because you just turn the boat loose and let it go.

Who knows where you're going to end up.

It can get real dangerous, real fast.

Another good one to say as big as the other one, but it's a good one.

Oh.

Man, I can't even begin to describe how exciting that is to hook one of these things in that kind of turbulent, and try to get it to the boat and get it netted and get it in.

Oh my gosh.

We got about four, maybe a four and a half five pounder right there.

Now we're not keeping any of these fish.

If you did come down here and keep them and I will tell you they are pretty good to eat.

But the rules on this is you're allowed to have four white bass, hybrid, striper species combined over 15 inches.

Man, this has already been well worth the trip.

Oh!

Oh my!

Oh my gosh.

Again, this is I mean, these are every one of these are 6 pound plus fish.

Oh my gosh, this one might be bigger.

Coming at me again.

Swimming right at me.

Swimming right at me.

And now he sees the boat and he's gone.

This is an extra, extra heavy rod.

And this fish is just working it over.

Look at that.

What a beautiful fish.

I'll tell you what.

I'm not one to go to the gym that often, but after a day of this, you don't need to.

My arms got a workout, my legs got a workout.

My back is screaming.

I feel like I'm on a, tuna boat saying no more, no mas.

I've had all I can take.

That█s about what its like.

Look at that fish.

That might be the biggest one, man.

They're all close to the same size, what that tells me is they're probably all same year class, and you can tell they're getting plenty of food.

Look at that fish.

If I look like I'm having a good time and I'm really excited, that's because this is a pure adrenaline rush.

When you're out catching these kind of fish and you've got.

I mean, don't get me wrong, this is dangerous.

You have to know what you're doing.

Stay out of that main rip.

Pull up beside it.

Have a person jockeying the boat for you.

Make long casts.

Be willing to let that fish take you out.

Get out there in that deeper, slacker water to try to land them.

And man, what a fishing adventure right here.

literally, I can I can see the skyline of Louisville.

We are right here.

And this can be done throughout the year.

You have to alter your lure size and the weight of your hook based on how much flow you have.

Right now, I'm throwing somewhere close to a half ounce on a big 5 or 6 ought hook on a 4 to 5 inch little fluke.

And, man, they like it.

It's an absolute blast.

It's a fantastic resource, but I can't express enough.

I've got this life jacket on.

I've got a person controlling the boat.

Don't take any chances.

I mean, this gate right now is in that six and seven foot range on the lower.

I wouldn't fish any higher than that.

And you can't hardly get here when it's much lower.

So it's a it's a small window.

You got to get the right day.

But August and it's good in September.

It can happen in October.

A lot of opportunities.

Get the right weight.

Get up here and get after these things.

It█s been a blast.

Are you ready for some fall hunting seasons?

Well, dove season will be the first one up.

Coming in on September the 1st.

It's September the 1st.

And as usual, on September 1st, it's hot.

But if you're an outdoors person here in the state of Kentucky, you know exactly what that means.

September the 1st, always the opening day of dove season here in state of Kentucky.

And I am lucky enough to be invited to a old friend of mine family farm out here in the Mount Washington Spencer County area.

And we've got a good old fashioned dove shoot going on.

He's got quite a bit of habitat planted out here, a lot of sunflowers, and he's been seeing quite a few birds sitting down and waiting for them to come.

They ought to be any minute now.

It's time to get loaded up.

And for me, this is kind of the official kickoff to the hunting season.

I know that the squirrel season has been in.

I haven't been out yet, but when September the 1st comes in, dove season opens up.

It rolls right into all the other hunting seasons.

And I can't wait to one shoot some doves and then secondly, be in that deer stand next weekend.

They're starting to fly more and more.

I've already seen three now.

We are still in the process of getting all of our hunters out in the field.

So we're letting birds fly right over top of us, letting them get used to us being setting here.

And we're not shooting yet.

I think they got 1 or 2 more trips on the UTV to get everybody out.

Then the game plan is going to change dramatically.

Well, it looks like our last hunters have now gotten to their hay bales, so we got a thumbs up.

So there's no more free passes.

The next bird that comes through in range, It's time to start shooting.

Right here.

That was a good shot.

Man.

They█re turning.

There's 5 or 6 in that group though.

Here comes one.

Get ready.

Well, first dove of the year.

They're starting to fly a little bit better.

We've been seeing them scurting and now they're kind of crossing the field, so hopefully it's about to get real good.

There we go.

I tell you what, if you've never dove hunted, it's a lot of shooting, a lot of fun, a lot of friendship.

And they're also fantastic on the grill.

So the limit here is 15.

So we got a lot of room to make up.

This is number one.

Oh look I got one on the fence right there.

Came in and took my seat while I was retrieving my bird.

A bird literally flew in and landed right here as I was walking back up.

When the bird come off the wire, it went lower.

Because this hillside is rolling, even though a bird looks like it's the appropriate height off the ground, you got to be very cautious in the direction you're shooting.

That shot would have been right toward that couple setting down there.

I've got perfect avenue to shoot this way or this way.

There's no reason for me to ever need to take a shot dead, left or right, unless it's straight above me.

Wow.

That was a ton of birds.

They're starting to really come up and fly right now.

Got that one.

All right.

That was a fun bird right there.

Because I got I got a little shook up because I watched it fly toward me so long.

And trying to decide when to take the shot.

Put it down, though.

Let's go pick it up.

Oh, man.

I have birds just flying right over me.

Have my decoy out.

Brought him right in.

Starting to fly a lot faster now.

A lot more birds.

Got him.

All right.

We got them down in the front and the back.

Nice job.

Coming to you.

Pretty birds.

Tasty birds too.

I'll tell you what.

If you never had dove, my favorite way is to grill them.

But there's a lot of different ways that you can eat dove.

And really, most of the things you can do with chicken, you just don't want to overcook them.

But, if you ever had them, they█re kind of a darker red meat and, wrapped in bacon and grilled, probably my favorite way.

They are absolutely delicious.

Right into the sun.

Oh, right there.

She just picked that one up.

Thank you.

Man, I appreciate you, I gotcha.

Thank you.

There go.

There, another one.

You got them left to right.

All right.

Getting close.

I think I need 1 or 2 more birds.

Having a limit.

I tell you what.

Last year we went out and Come here, come here, Indy.

Come here, Indy.

Come here, Indy.

I got one left.

How many you got so far today?

I got six.

A lot of times I get asked by new hunters.

Hey, I'm interested in buying my first gun.

What should I consider for hunting?

And, you know, a lot of people will give you all the different calibers of rifles, but probably a 20 gauge shotgun.

You can do all your small game hunting.

I rabbit hunt, dove hunt, squirrel hunt... too close, too low.

I've killed turkeys with this.

You can shoot slugs through it.

A 20 gauge shotgun is probably about as versatile as any gun you can use for hunting, because you can hunt everything from deer to doves.

And, it's a perfect, perfect gun to get introduced into hunting.

Rabbit hunting, squirrel hunting, duck hunting, dove hunting, deer hunting, turkey hunting.

Pretty much covers the gamut here in Kentucky.

Let's grab that bird.

That's number 15.

Well, I'll tell you what.

If you get a chance to go to a dove hunt and you've never done it, take full advantage.

It's a lot of fun.

Great eating.

Got 5, 10, 15 doves.

That's the limit.

Make sure we pick up all our shell casings, round up our mess, and we're going to go talk to these other people.

See what type of luck there having.

You guys been doing so good shooting.

Thank you, thank you.

I appreciate that work with that dog there.

Thank you.

Now you actually came up from Arkansas, you and your boys.

Yes, sir.

Yes, sir.

So what brought you to Kentucky to dove hunt?

Well, Jack Porter, the guy we're hunting on, he's a acquaintance, a friend of mine.

Okay.

And he invited us up.

We've been coming, this is our third year.

This is my youngest son, Wesley.

Hey, Wesley.

And my oldest son, Bradley.

Well, I'm glad to have you guys here in Kentucky.

I hope you had a good time.

And, we'll be calling you when the season opens in Arkansas.

That'll be great.

That█ll be great.

Thanks for having us.

Thank you.

Well, I can't think of a better way to spend September the 1st.

You know, we had some new hunters out here today, saw some good dog work.

We got our limit.

It's time to go put them on the grill.

Now let's check in and see who else has been out having fun, in this week's “ones that didn't get away”.

Check out this beautiful 25 inch walleye that was caught by Tyler Shanks out of Elkhorn Creek.

Nice fish.

Austin Hardin hit the Ohio River in Meade County, doing a little catfishing and caught this trophy blue catfish.

Nick Berry headed out on the Ohio River and caught these beautiful hybrids on flies that he had tied himself.

Nice job.

Check out seven year old Lucas Chalk, who went fishing in Alexandria, Kentucky and caught his very first catfish.

Congratulations.

Here we have sage, and she knows exactly what to do on her birthday.

She headed out fishing on Carr Creek and Knot county and caught this beautiful carp.

Congratulations.

Check out these catfish caught by Carl Atwood and his grandson, Jacob.

They were fishing the Ohio River near Brandenburg, Kentucky.

Nice fish.

Check out this trophy.

Walleye that was caught by Michelle Jackson while fishing at Laurel River Lake.

What a fish.

Check out 11 year old Avery.

She is a brave young lady.

She went noodling and Kentucky Lake and caught this nice catfish.

Nice job.

It's hard to believe, but deer archery season is right around the corner.

Coming in this year on September the 5th.

Now's the time to get your gear out and start practicing.

And remember, hunting and fishing on private property is a privilege.

Always ask permission and thank the landowner.

Until next week, I'm your host, Chad Miles, and I hope to see you in the woods or on the water.