In Apr. 19 issue, Russell County News

JAMESTOWN, Ky. – Four outdoor writers representing leading publications in Kentucky and Indiana got a chance to see Lake Cumberland up close and fish for two days as the peak spring-summer 2008 fishing and boating season is about to begin.

The writers’ visit April 7-9 was hosted by the Kentucky Departments of Tourism and Parks. Local marinas, professional fishing guides and tourism organizations donated services and food to make the trip enjoyable for the visitors.

Lake Cumberland State Resort Park provided accommodations and meals for the four journalists, Art Lander Jr. of the Lexington Herald-Leader, Gary Garth of the Louisville Courier-Journal, Paul Moore of Outdoor View magazine and Phil Junker of the Outdoor Writers Association of America.

The guides led the writers to choice spots to fish for stripers. The journalists learned Lake Cumberland is still one of the top recreational lakes in the southeastern U.S. despite the lowering of its water level by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The Corps of Engineers has reduced the lake’s level as part of a project to strengthen Wolf Creek Dam, which forms the impoundment for the giant reservoir. The lake is still the third largest in Kentucky with more than 37,000 surface acres of water.

The Monticello-Wayne Co. Chamber of Commerce, Russell Co. Tourist Commission and Somerset-Pulaski Co. Convention & Visitors Bureau provided food and beverages along with Lee’s Ford Marina and Alligator Dock II.

Meanwhile, the Somerset-Pulaski Co. CVB coordinated a tour for the writers of the Sumerset Houseboats manufacturing facility in Somerset. Several leading houseboat manufacturers are located near Lake Cumberland, providing employment and an economic boost to the area.

The writers snagged several stripers and smallmouth bass and promised not to exaggerate their fishing prowess in the accounts they plan to write of their visit to Lake Cumberland.

For more information on marinas, lodging, attractions and events in the Lake Cumberland area, please visit www.kentuckytourism.com; www.tourseky.com; or call 800-225-8747 or 877-868-7735.