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SubscribeNow that the Kentucky-based teams are no longer in the NCAA basketball tournament, the Final Four isn’t nearly as exciting, and somewhat depressing, to watch.
The best cure for any bruised feelings left by March Madness is to get out in early April and chase largemouth bass. A huge largemouth bass shaking its head vigorously trying to throw your white spinnerbait soothes any broken basketball heart.
Water temperatures range from 52 degrees at Lake Cumberland in the east to 58 degrees on Kentucky Lake in the west. In other words, it is prime time.
“With water temperatures in the mid-50s, the big female largemouth bass are staging,” said Jeff Ross, assistant director of Fisheries for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. “They are moving from their deeper winter locations to spawning locations in the shallows. They definitely work their way shallow in stages, but a cold front can push them back for a short period.”
At this time of year, the male largemouth bass move shallow first to build nests, followed by the female bass to lay their eggs.
“Recently, I caught a lot of largemouth bass, but they were all small male bass,” said Easton Copley, aquatic education program coordinator for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. “When you look at their lips, they were roughed up and bloodied. They looked like they had lipstick on them from making spawning beds.”
Copley recommends looking for those staging areas to catch the large female largemouths. Female largemouth bass stage where large mud flats drop-off into deeper water. This is especially true on smaller state-owned lakes.
“At this time of year, I am not looking for numbers of bass,” Copley explained. “I am fishing for big females.”
Ross said to hit the secondary points or ledges near shallow water on the larger reservoirs, such as Kentucky Lake or Barren River Lake. “When the females hit those secondary points in spring, they are pretty close to spawning,” he said.
Copley said when water temperatures climb to 60 degrees, the larger female bass move into their shallow water spawning areas. “I look for rocky banks and transitional banks from rocky to mud,” he said. “If you can find a laydown tree on this kind of bank, all the better.”
Copley throws a variety of lures when spawning bass are up shallow. “I’ve caught a lot of bass on a square-billed crankbait in the Sexy Shad color,” he said. “I also catch quite a few on jigs. Black and blue is my go-to jig color for lakes with some color to the water. In clear water, I like the Cumberland Craw color for my jigs at this time of year.”
White spinnerbaits with a white and chartreuse trailer also draw strikes from shallow spring largemouth bass.
“When the bite gets tough, I pull out a Shakey head with a black and blue 7-inch straight-tailed worm,” Copley said.
Anglers who plan to release their catch need to release the female largemouth bass back to the same area during the spawn. “Take a photo and get them back in the water as soon as possible so they can get back to their spawning,” Copley said. “They are full of eggs.”
Kentucky anglers have oodles of options to catch spring largemouth bass. Check the 2017 Fishing Forecast
Photo: Kentucky Department Fish and Wildlife
for productive largemouth bass lakes near you.
Copley’s favorite lake is south-central Kentucky’s Green River Lake. He also likes 784-acre Cedar Creek Lake in Lincoln County. “Guist Creek Lake near Shelbyville has lots of big fish, but can be tough to fish because of high fishing pressure,” he said.
Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley ranked number 4 in the Southeast Region for 2016 on Bassmaster Magazine’s Best Bass Lakes in the Country rankings. These lakes offer arguably the best chance in Kentucky to catch largemouth bass 4 pounds and larger
“We have many lakes where you don’t need a 20-foot bass boat to catch a big bass,” Ross explained. “Our smaller state-owned lakes, such as Kincaid Lake in northern Kentucky and Lake Malone in western Kentucky, are trophy largemouth bass lakes. Both of these lakes have excellent facilities for anglers at Lake Malone State Park and Kincaid Lake State Park. Beshear Lake, mainly located inside Pennyrile State Forest in western Kentucky, is always a big bass producer. Cranks Creek Lake in southeastern Kentucky also has some huge bass in it.”
The Final Four may be a bummer for Kentuckians this year, but warm days and trophy largemouth bass will put the NCAA tournament in the rearview mirror.
Remember to buy your 2017-2018 fishing license if you haven’t already.
Photo: Louisville Metro Government
Bridges of Hope Neighborhood Place will host its Second Quarterly Community Resource Fair for the Park Hill neighborhood this Saturday, April 8. Themed “Sowing the Seeds of Peace”, the event will be held at the Park Hill Community Center, 1703 South 13th St. from 12 – 4 p.m.
Focusing on residents who live in or near the Park Hill neighborhood — an area just west of Old Louisville which has experienced a disproportionate number of violent deaths – this event is open to all members of the public. More than 30 public, private and non-profit agencies will gather to meet with residents and share information about programs and services.
A giant Easter Egg Hunt will take place at the Park Hill Park directly behind the community center at 3 p.m. for children ages 2-10, sponsored by the Louisville Metro Community Policing Unit. DJ Samosa will spin tunes throughout the day and there will be several prize giveaways including an Easter basket valued at $50.00 and a Microsoft Application online training course valued at $295.00.
The Smile Academy of Kentucky, a mobile dental unit, will provide cleanings, fluoride treatments, and sealants for children 2-18 years of age during the event.
Resources and information will be provided in the following areas:
- Employment opportunities and career preparation
- Educational programs
- Housing
- Legal Issues
- Family services
- Mental and physical health
- Public safety
- Activities and employment for youth
- Community building
“We’re excited to host this great day of community building to once again bring together much needed resources and to support families in breaking the cycle of violence”, stated Nannette Dix, Administrator of Bridges of Hope Neighborhood Place, located in the Park Hill neighborhood.”
The following groups plan to participate: Louisville Metro Government (including Community Services, Parks and Recreation, the Mayor’s SummerWorks Program, the Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods and Community Policing Unit), REimage, Louisville Urban League, Exploited Children’s Help Organization (ECHO), KentuckianaWorks, Family Scholar House, Louisville Metro Housing Authority, Louisville Metro Healthy Start, Smile Academy of Kentucky and many others.
For more information about the Park Hill Community Resource Fair, contact Nannette Dix at 502-634-6057 or Nannett.Dix@louisvilleky.gov.
Photo: Kentucky Derby Festival
Thunder Over Louisville fans making plans for a place to park their RV, pitch a tent or park their car have an option that’s close to the action. Metro Parks is selling passes for Thunder weekend at Eva Bandman Park, 1701 River Road.
Eva Bandman Park is located along the Ohio River near Frankfort Avenue, less than a 10-minute stroll from the eastern edge of Waterfront Park.
• Recreational Vehicles – RV parking is available beginning Friday, April 21, for $200. All parking spaces can accommodate a 40-foot vehicle with an awning. Additional cars are $15 each for both RV’s & Tents.
• Tents – Campers bringing tents may stay in Eva Bandman Park on Friday and Saturday nights for $50. This includes space for one car, not necessarily next to your tent. Additional cars are $15 each for both RV’s & Tents.
• Parking – On Saturday, April 22, parking spots at Eva Bandman Park will be available as long as space permits, at a cost of $20 per vehicle. Cash only, paid at time of arrival.
Overnight visitors in tents and RVs can stay through Sunday morning. Metro Parks’ staff will be available around the clock. A reservation form can be found here. After staging their site on Friday, those not wishing to camp overnight may exit the park using their extra vehicle and return on Saturday. Previous parking spaces are not guaranteed. Spaces may become limited as Saturday progresses; no other re-entry is authorized.
Advanced registration is highly recommended as the Louisville Police Department will be organizing street closures in the area.
For more information call 502/574-7275 (PARK).
The annual Abbey Road on the River festival, a five-day celebration of The Beatles and their music, will run from May 25 through 29th in Jeffersonville.
The festival has moved across the river to Jeffersonville, so fans who have attended in the past when Abbey Road was hosted on the Louisville Waterfront, may need help navigating the new venue.
To help with that, the 2017 AROTR venue map showing the festival’s four main outdoor stages in Big Four Station Park, as well as the other event venues, has just been released.
The Budweiser Stage A is located at the northwest corner of the park, Stage B is in the middle of the park, Four Roses’ Stage C is located just off the Big Four Bridge ramp, and Stage D is near the south end of Big Four Station Park. Additional performances will be held at the Clarion and Sheraton hotels as well as in other area venues.
In addition to the map, the finalized schedule for the 2017 lineup has been published and is now available on the Abbey Road on the River website. This year’s lineup includes dozens of acts, including Herman’s Hermits, The Family Stone, Mark Lindsay of Paul Revere & the Raiders, Steve Holley, and many more.
A free concert starring starring Jake Clemons from Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band on Thursday, May 25 marks the start of the 2017 festival. Tickets are available online.
Neighborhood Place sites bring together multiple partners in April focused on improving the health and well-being of you and your family including free car seat checks, a smoking cessation class, free HIV screenings, a parent leadership academy, a mobile dental unit and so much more. To learn more about these services and other opportunities including reservations requirements and contact info, please refer to the phone numbers listed by each event.
April 3 and 27, Library Connection
A representative from the Louisville Free Public Library will be on hand to sign interested persons up for library cards, answers questions about resources at the library, and provide information on upcoming events at your local library office.
- April 3, First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Rd., 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Call 313-4700 for more information.
- April 27, South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, 1000 Neighborhood Place, Fairdale, KY, 12 – 2 p.m. Call 363-1483 for more information.
April 4, 5, 12, 13, 18 and 19, WeCare Energy Efficiency Overview Call 1-800-356-5467 for more information. Representatives from the WeCare Program at LG&E will be on hand to talk with interested persons about energy efficiency, energy usage and tips to reduce utility bills. WeCare staff can also help determine if households are eligible for a variety of free services including air duct sealing and insulation, attic and wall insulation, programmable thermostats and much more.
- April 4, South Jefferson Neighborhood Place – Valley, 10200 Dixie Hwy., 10 a.m.- 12 p.m.
- April 5, First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Rd. (T. J. Middle School in the W.D. Bruce Building – door #24), 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- April 12 and 19, Ujima Neighborhood Place, 3610 Bohne Ave., 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- April 13 and 18, South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave., 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
April 4, Norton’s Hospital Car Seat Check Station at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 9 – 11 a.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave, Call 629-7358 for an appointment. Learn how to install your child’s car seat or booster seat and find out if any adjustments are needed.
Each Tuesday, Couponing Support Group at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave. Call 485-6145 to register or for more information. Learn tips and money saving ideas to help build extra financial wealth in using coupons while grocery shopping.
Wednesdays, April 5 – May 10, Cooper-Clayton Stop Smoking Class at South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Located at 1000 Neighborhood Place, Fairdale, KY. Call Kristin at 772-8588 for more information or to sign up for this class. The Cooper-Clayton Method is an effective smoking cessation program that provides intensive weekly education and support group sessions for eight weeks. Participants receive guidance on how to use nicotine patches, lozenges or gum. Bring lunch and join the class to move forward to a healthier future. Sponsored by Family Health Centers.
April 6, 11 and 13, Work and Learn Program for K-TAP Recipients Info Session
Call 502-213-2149 for more information. Individuals who are receiving K-TAP who are interested in completing their GED or upgrading their skills in preparation for college enrollment are invited to stop by and talk with case managers from the Work and Learn program. Find out how to earn an hourly wage at an approved job site and upon completion of your GED, receive a cash bonus!
- April 6, First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Rd., 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- April 11, South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave., 9 a.m.- 12 p.m. and 1 – 4 p.m.
- April 13, Ujima Neighborhood Place, 3610 Bohne Ave., 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 – 4 p.m.
April 7, Couponing Support Group at First Neighborhood Place, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Located at 1503 Rangeland Road. Call 313-4728 to register or for more information. Learn tips and money saving ideas to help build extra financial wealth in using coupons while grocery shopping.
April 8, Sowing the Seeds of Peace, Park Hill Community Spring Resource Fair at Park Hill Community Center, 12 – 4 p.m.
Located at 1703 South 13th St. Call 634-6057 for more information. Focusing on residents who live in or near the Park Hill neighborhood — an area just west of Old Louisville which has experienced a disproportionate number of violent deaths – this event is open to all members of the public. More than 30 public, private and non-profit agencies will gather to meet with residents and share information about programs and services. Sponsored in part by Bridges of Hope Neighborhood Place.
April 8, Dental Cleaning at the Park Hill Community Center, 12 – 4 p.m.
Located at 1703 South 13th Street. Call 634-6057 for more information. The Smile Academy is a mobile dental unit that provides cleanings, fluoride treatments, and sealants for children 2-18 years of age.
April 10, Sodexo Hiring Opportunities at South Central Neighborhood Place, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Located at 4255 Hazelwood Ave. Call 574-4516 for more information. Sodexo, a food-service agency, will provide on-the-spot interviews for positions with Jewish Hospital, Our Lady of Peace and University of Louisville Hospital. Bring your resume and be prepared for an interview. This is one of Sodexo’s busiest hiring seasons. Stop by if you are looking for employment that can lead to a full-time or part-time position.
April 11 and 18, Kentucky Nutrition Education Program at First Neighborhood Place, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Located at 1503 Rangeland Rd. A representative from the Kentucky Nutrition Education Program will be on hand to provide ways to make healthy food choices, encourage more fruits and vegetables, choosing low fat and high fiber foods, increasing physical activity, avoid running out of food, how to prepare and store food safely.
April 11, Foster Parent Recruitment Meeting at First Neighborhood Place, 6 – 8 p.m.
Located at 1503 Rangeland Rd., side of Thomas Jefferson Middle School. Call 595-5437 (KIDS) for more information. Detailed information will be provided on the requirements and process of how to become a foster or adoptive parent. Information such as an explanation of foster care, special needs adoption, and information on foster parent training classes will be provided. Sponsored by Kentucky Foster Care and the Special Needs Adoption Program.
April 11, HIV Outreach and Screening at NorthWest Neighborhood Place, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Located at 4018 W. Market St. Call 485-7230 for more information. Representatives from Volunteers of America will be conducting free HIV screenings as well as providing informational sexual health resources for the community. We encourage everyone to know your status. For more information on HIV and HIV educational/prevention programs, please call the Kentucky HIV Help Hotline at 1-844-294-2448.
April 11, Blood Pressure Checks at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave. Call 485-6145 for more information. Louisville Metro Health and Wellness health educators will provide free blood pressure checks.
Two opportunities for the YMCA’s “Caring and Learning with Me” Program at Thomas Jefferson Middle School
Located at 1501 Rangeland Rd. Call Kerry Basham at 974-8457 for more information and to register. This free program provides a wonderful learning environment for children ages 3-5 years old and their caregivers focusing on play and exploration. The adult caregiver is required to attend with the child/ren and you may also bring other children ages (0-2). Sponsored by the YMCA with support from First Neighborhood Place.
- Mondays/Wednesdays, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Tuesdays/Thursdays, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Tuesdays, April 11 – May 16, Louisville Urban League Parent Leadership Academy at South Central Neighborhood Place, 11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Located at 4255 Hazelwood Ave. Call 485-7130 to reserve a spot and for more information. All Jefferson County parents are invited to this free six week parent leadership program. Get answers to your questions, learn what to ask during school meetings, gain a supportive community of parents, build your advocacy skills for your child and connect to community resources. Lunch is provided.
April 11 and 12, A Healthy Journey for Two Educational Baby Shower
A Healthy Journey for Two is an educational baby shower open to any expectant mothers. The class will include a range of information and resources, as well as free baby items, gift cards, prizes, and snacks. Hosted by Seven Counties and KIDSNow. Fathers are welcome but must be registered. For more information, contact Mendy Mason at 502-341-5400.
- April 11, Ujima Neighborhood Place, 3610 Bohne Ave., 1 – 3 p.m.
- April 12, First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Rd., 1-3 p.m.
Thursdays, April 13 – May 25, Becoming Weight Wise at South Central Neighborhood Place, 12 – 1 p.m.
Located at 4255 Hazelwood Ave. Call 313-4089 for more information. It’s not easy to manage body weight. This 10 week course of self-discovery, skill building and support can help you learn about weight control. This program is based on approaches that are promising ways to achieve better health.
April 13, 4 Your Child Fatherhood Program at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 4 – 8 p.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave. To sign up or for more information, contact us at (502) 709-9323 or 4yourchild@outlook.com. This fatherhood program is reaching out to fathers to provide them with an array of services including fatherhood specific parent education workshops and case management services. In addition to increasing their capacity for high quality fathering, participants in our program may be eligible to receive up to $220. Sponsored by the University of Louisville, Kent School of Social Work and Department of Health & Human Services, Administration for Children and Families.
April 18, Norton Mobile Unit at South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Located at 1000 Neighborhood Place, Fairdale, KY. Call 502-899-6842 for more information or to make an appointment. The Norton Mobile Unit will offer low/no-cost mammograms and pap smears for women age 40 and over. Must be at least one complete year since the last mammogram, be able to stand unassisted for at least 15 minutes, not have any current issues or undergoing cancer treatment. Insurance will be billed and co-pay may apply- contact your insurance carrier for eligibility. Funding is available for those who are uninsured. Sponsored by Norton Health Care and Family Health Clinic.
Tuesdays, April 18 – May 23, Living Well Class at South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, 1 – 3 p.m.
Located at 1000 Neighborhood Place. Call 772-8588 to register. This class is designed to benefit individuals with diabetes, high blood pressure, pain, asthma, arthritis, depression, or other ongoing health problems. Learn to ways to better manage your health and earn an 8-week YMCA membership.
April 19, Legal Aid Office Hours at South Central Neighborhood Place, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Located at 4255 Hazelwood Ave. Call 485-7130 for more information. A Legal Aid Society staff member will be on hand to answer questions, talk about cases that Legal Aid handles and provide referrals.
April 19, 25, and 26, Community Dental Care Information Sessions
Call 502-366-4442 for more information. Community Dental Care is a full-service dental organization designed to increase access to health care in communities with the goal of improving the overall health of the population. Representatives will be on site to provide information about services offered and to assist in scheduling appointments for dental needs or for pediatric health needs.
- April 19, First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Road. 1 – 3 p.m.
- April 25, South Central Neighborhood Place, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- April 26, South Jefferson Neighborhood Place – Fairdale site, 1000 Neighborhood Place, 10 a.m. – 12 p. m.
- April 26, South Jefferson Neighborhood Place – Valley site, 10200 Dixie Highway, 1– 3 p.m.
April 25, 26 and 27, Faith Based Leaders and Community Partners Kickoff Breakfast, 9 – 10 a.m.
For more information and to make a reservation or call Katherine Easley, Recruitment Coordinator 502-641-2852 or contact Patricia.Franke@ky.gov. Come and enjoy the morning with community leadership that will take a look at the work the Cabinet for Health and Family Services is doing in your community. Several breakfasts throughout the month provide an opportunity to hear about the mission, the work and the opportunities the community has to impact the lives of children and their families. Come and learn more about your role in protecting children as we focus on Child Abuse Prevention during the month of April. Breakfast and event sponsored by the Kentucky State Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
- April 25, Bridges of Hope Neighborhood Place, 1411 Algonquin Pkwy.
- April 26, Charmoli Neighborhood Place (Middletown) 200 Juneau Dr., Suite 200
- April 27, South Jefferson Neighborhood Place (Fairdale), 1000 Neighborhood Place
April 26, Resume Building and Interviewing Tips at NorthWest Neighborhood Place, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Located at 4018 W. Market St. For more information, please call 485-7230. The Goodwill Industries of Kentucky will be offering onsite valuable employment and interviewing tips including resume building assistance and face-to-face coaching on employability skills such as professionalism, positive attitude, workplace communication, multicultural sensitivity/awareness and adaptability.
Photo: Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation
Louisville Metro Parks & Recreation is accepting team registrations for spring athletic leagues – softball, kickball, flag football and basketball. Games begin the week of May 14. Participants must be 18 or older. Registration deadline is April 28, or until leagues are filled.
Metro Parks athletic leagues offer year-round opportunities for residents to improve their fitness, display their competitive spirit and socialize with others. Spring league sports include:
Softball: men’s, women’s and co-ed leagues. Games are played Sunday through Friday at Camp Taylor, Highview and Seneca parks. The fee is $375-$425 per team.
Kickball: co-ed leagues. Games are played Sunday through Friday at Camp Taylor and Seneca parks. The fee per team is $375.
Flag Football: men’s leagues are Thursday evenings at Seneca Park. The fee per team is $400.
Basketball: men’s leagues are played on Sunday afternoons/evenings at Cyril Allgeier Community Center. The fee per team is $450.
To pre-register for an Athletic League, participants can use this online form: Adult Leagues Pre-Registration. Payment can be made over the phone with credit card (Mastercard/Visa), or in person, by cash, check or credit card, at the Athletics Office located at the Metro Parks and Recreation Athletic Office at the Cyril Allgeier Community Center, 4101 Cadillac Court.
Payment must be made in full at the time of registration in order to reserve team’s place for the season. Registrations after the deadline will be subject to a $35 late registration processing fee.
For More Information:
More information concerning league offerings, registration forms, rules and team roster sheets can be found on the Metro Parks website at https://louisvilleky.gov/government/parks/athletics. Leagues are first-come, first-serve. No mail-in or over-the-phone registrations are accepted. Any questions please contact the Athletics office at 502-574-4515 or by email at athletics@louisvilleky.gov
On Saturday, April 15, Hunter S. Thompson fans from all over will gather at the LFPL’s Main Library at 301 York St to celebrate the life, work, and legacy of the Gonzo journalist creator. Expanded panel discussions, spoken word and poetry performances, and an all-local musical lineup set this year’s festival apart from previous years.
GonzoFest Louisville will host two different panel discussions on the topics of The Literary Impact of Hunter S. Thompson and Freedom of Speech/Media Literacy. Dr. Lee Remington Williams JD, PhD, of Bellarmine University will lead a 45-minute lecture titled Politics: Decadent and Depraved, followed by a question-and-answer session.
Journalist Michael Lindenberger will moderate the panel discussions and lecture. All panels and spoken word performances will take place inside the Main Library.
GonzoFest Louisville will also feature an all-local lineup with music by Nellie Pearl, Otis Junior, Brother Wolves, Satellite Twin, Brooks Ritter, and Sativa Gumbo. All bands will perform in the library parking lot on York St. Juan Thompson, Hunter’s son, will be here as well, signing copies of his book Stories I Tell Myself: Growing Up with Hunter S. Thompson. Additionally, the festival will host a screening of Where the Buffalo Roam, the semi-biographical film based on the experiences of Hunter S. Thompson starring Thompson’s friend Bill Murray. Dean Otto, Curator of Film for the Speed Art Museum, will introduce Where the Buffalo Roam.
The 2017 GonzoFest Louisville celebration is from noon until 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 15. The festival will take place both on the exterior grounds of the Main branch and inside the library. Admission is free, but attendees are encouraged to make a $10 donation when entering the festival. A portion of the proceeds will benefit LFPL.
Learn more at GonzoFestLou.com.
