LAKE REPORT: Some people have the tough

Most folks who come to the lake are interested in one thing: Big fish.

Bass anglers are looking for that 10- to 12-pound lunker. Catfish anglers want the 15- to 20-pound whomperscat.

Since we have been catching the 2- to 3-pound slab crappie, even these anglers are no longer satisfied with the smaller ones.

The exception to the rule is Hayron Beasley.

Don’t get me wrong, he won’t throw back a lunker or a whomperscat, but he never targets them. His cup of tea are those feisty, hand-sized or larger bluegill.

Hayron always has a smile on his face and a positive attitude when he comes in the bait house. His bait of choice is crickets.

Now you will never see Hayron on a boat or jumping from one spot to the other on the lake trying to find the fish. He lets the fish come to him.

As a general rule he fishes the same hole 90 percent of the time. You’ve probably seen his little red truck on the other end of the dam as he sits patiently with his rod and reel in hand.

It is not uncommon for Hayron to weigh out a stringer of bream like the ones in the picture with this article. Others fish the same hole with the same bait but may not do as well.

What is the key to Hayron’s success? It is certainly not just luck. I believe there are several reasons why he always seems to catch his share of fish.

He fishes regularly, has the patience of a government mule, he knows his fishing hole and has years of experience to name a few.

There is one other factor I believe plays a big part in his success: He’s got the touch.

This is what we say about anglers that seem to catch their share of fish on a regular basis when others are not.

It’s like an athlete. Some have to work hard just to keep up with those who are natural.

Hayron, along with a few others on the lake, definitely has the touch and makes it look so easy. I don’t really know if it is natural or a developed skill, but it is for real.

Whether you have the touch or not, you can be successful if you spend the time on the lake and pay your dues as Hayron Beasley has.

LAKE HOURS: Open sunrise to sunset, closed Monday and Tuesday

AMENITIES: Boat rental, cabins, fishing pier with feeder, boat ramp, rest rooms and bait house

WEDNESDAY NIGHT FISHING: Every Wednesday until 10 p.m.

KING CAT TOURNAMENT: Win a boat through Sept. 30

WATER LEVEL: 2 inches low

VISIBILITY: 23 Inches

WATER TEMPERATURE: 85 Degrees at 2 feet

Fishing Report
Bream continue to be steady. Several stringers like the picture in this article have been caught recently. It is not hard to walk the banks and catch several three- and four-finger ones.

Catfish have been moving around a little more since the water level is dropping. The anglers here Wednesday night noticed the larger cats beginning to bite better. John DuPaul wasn’t paying attention when one of our monster cats took his surf rod over the rail on the pier.

Although Ken Frazier and Mike Jones have been slaying the crappie, most other anglers have not done as well.

Bass have slowed down compared to last month. Early morning and late evenings are most productive.

Dwight Lake is lake manager of Lee County State Lake and Bait House. He can be reached at 749-1275.