My Report: for the RECORD

[Dave Stewart]

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Mar-30-06 AT 06:46AM (EST)[/font][p]I received a couple of nasty emails earlier this week from some folks that cancelled their trips to Ky/Barkley this past weekend based on my report of a poor bass bite that I put up last Thurday night. They basically were getting on my case because they read some other reports written by other folks a day or two after my report that the bite was very good.

So for the record, here is how I get the information for my report:

My report on bass is composed of what I am doing in my boat personally and what information I receive from a network of local anglers (many of them professional types) that have been on the lake this week...I also get reports from folks that are my clients from time to time when they are down here fishing.
I glean out this information and try to make the most accurate and honest report I can put out.

Here is my take on my last report:

Yes there was a 27 pound bag weighed in a tournament the day after my report was written. I do not base my report on a one day catch of fish by a single boat. If you had checked you have seen that the next day that same boat only weighed in 11lbs.

On Saturday there was a Walmart BFL tournament on Ky Lake....I would suggest you take a look at the overall results of the catch that day. Yes, there was a nice 19lb bag of fish weighed that won the tournament. But, take a look at the overall results of the tournament and count the number of zero's and one or two fish bags weighed. Take a look at the names of the folks that had zero's or one fish bags...you might remember seeing those names in a lot of fishing magazines as they are well known professional bass anglers. If after looking at those results you still think my report was that far off then I would suggest you quit reading my report and read only those reports that fit the scenario that you WANT to hear.

Anyway, just so that you understand me....I spend a lot of time putting together the information for my report...I don't candy coat anything...when I make a forecast for the coming bite it is a forecast based on my experience with the prevailing conditions and the forecasted conditions (weather, water levels etc..).

Sorry folks, had to vent a little here.

By the way for you folks that emailed me...I will be writing a new report tonight...and it will reflect just like I said in my report last week....when the water starts warming back up the bite will come back..the weather started warming back up here on Tuesday...the water temps started coming back up yesterday...and the fish turned on again.

[KYHorseflys]

Just saw this thread (must've missed it earlier) and wanted to voice my support as well! Though I've never fished with you (yet!), and haven't fished KY or Barkley, I always enjoy reading your reports and posts... always very informative and professional. Can't wait to get down there for a day of fishin'! Hopefully next month!

Jason

[Biggofish]

Dave,
Havent you learned that alot of people including tournament anglers try to pre fish by using this board insted of putting time in on the water? Thanks for telling it straight up. This is America if one doesnt like what they read they can read something else. Keep up the good work!!

[Dave Stewart]

Well, I am back off the lake a little late this evening. I have cooled down now....I am a little embarrassed here...I got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning and sat down in front of my computer without my morning coffee and the first thing I read was one of those emails...lol. I have been in this business long enough to know I am not going to please everyone. After I left the house this morning I was still a little hot under the collar but then I got to thinking about my trip out on Wednesday with a fellow and his dad. We were doing a lot of running on Wednesday as I was teaching the dad the water he normally fishes on Lake Barkley. The son was there with his dad but the son had just had surgury on his arm and there was no way he could hold a fishing rod, much less fish. But he was there to support his dad who was with me to learn more about bass fishing. The dad caught 22 fish yesterday with a 5.2 and a 5.11. Both really great people and we had a great time.
That is when I remembered why I do this job and take the time to write reports every week...for the most part anglers are the greatest folks in the world and here I let a couple of losers ruin my attitude. Well, I got it together before I met my clients this morning and we had a nice cup of coffee while I taught them how to take a map and elinate 85% of the water before you even get on the lake at any time of the year and then we went out and ran 40 miles around the lakes to learn more about the lakes and the seasonal patterns and good spots for those seasons. We did fish a little bit...not a lot...but a little bit and one of the guys caught an 8lb LM. This guy had not even had a rod in his hand in over 5 years because of dibilitating arthritis and this fish just happened to be the biggest LM he had ever caught in his life. Now that is what fishing is all about.
I want you folks that responded here to know I really appreciate your support...I actually knew I would have it...and I wanted whoever sent me those emails to read it. There are many thousands of folks that read my reports each week and I know that not all of them will be in agreement with me....that is life..I just let this tick me off this time and anyone that really knows me knows that I am pretty easy to get along with but when I do get mad they will find one mean ol angry top sergeant that has no mercy until he cools down...LOL.

Thanks guys..I appreciate your kind words...lets go fishing.

[holeshot]

dave, i read your last report and decided to go anyway, wellll guess what? you were dead on with your report, few dinks on jerkbaits, North wind all weekend long, it sucked. for the record Dave Stewart is the man at LBL! should have saved my money for another guided trip with you.

[MASBASS]

Hey Dave I do not fish Kentucky Lake but I still read and enjoy your reports. Do not let those guys get to you, they can't fish or are not real fishermen. Keep up the goos work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[RippinLip]

It is a freakin shame you have to go through this every year bro. Sounds like some people dont want any challenge in finding fish. I, for one, wish all your reports ended with "the bite is real slow" so the idiots would stay out of my way. Thanks for the reports Dave and I guess I will keep reading them.

Buck

[Gregory]

I think Dave's report should be used to give use a good idea of what is going on at the lakes, and he does a great job in doing that. There has been many times, I have drove from Louisville to KY Lake for one day of fishing and not touched a fish. But I have drove to the lakes many times and loaded the boat, that is just how it goes. These are two BIG lakes and it all looks so easy in a good fishing report to come down and catch fish. Once you get to the ramp see all that water, you say to yourself, "now where do I go to catch these fish" it is not that easy. So use Daves reports to give you a postive mind set on what to do when you get there. Dave keep'm coming they do help most of us.

God Bless,

Greg Paschal

[BEW]

Gee, Dave, do you think those folks with the nasty emails had thought you had befriended Dionne Warwick or Madame Cleo? What are you supposed to be, clairvoyant?

Forget about those guys, and keep up the good work you do. You are obviously much more right than not right, and I've never met anyone that knows exactly what's going to happen in an ecosystem they don't control. And if you control THAT ecosystem, I'd like to talk to you about something other than fishing!!!!

;>)

[Rangerman]

Dave,

Hey man, I just wanted to let you know how much that I really appreciate your reports and that I find them very useful. I just don't understand some (probably most) people. I know you take pride in your business and in the information you share. You do an outstanding job and just wanted to let you know it. Hang in there and don't let a few knuckle-heads (who apparently don't know how to adjust to changing fishing conditions) spoil it for the rest of us who appreciate it!

Thanks again, you do a great job!

[SlopFishin]

That's fishing. Sometimes they're biting and sometimes they're not. I went to Barkley last Saturday and it was fricking miserable. EVERY, and I do mean EVERY, fisherman I talked to on the lake was having a horrible day. Aside from the fact that the fish had lockjaw, it was colder than heck. In fact, I spoke with Danny later that day and informed him that it was one of the most miserable days I've ever had on the lake. Those people that were complaining about you ruining their weekend should send you a check to say "thanks".

[Danny]

Ok Dave, since it is you, I'll telllllllll you what I'll dooooooooooooo.

You can dictate your report into a digital recorder, send me the file, and I will post it for you. I will then post a second report that is just the opposite... covering all bases for you. Then the guys doing the snivling whining can choose which report to believe.

So, what will all this cost you? Gas money for one trip per week to the lake, and two guided trips per year, to be taken at times of my discretion.

We can futher extend my contract if you like. You can pay me a salary and my expenses, tell me where to fish, and I can take some of your over flow out. LOL

Of course I will need your capital backing as I take the coast guard captain's course to be legal.

LMAO

Dave, you are greatly appreciated by the vast majority. Please don't let the vocal minority get to you.

Danny