The KDFW put out a call for volunteers to help stock 1500 rainbow trout and 500 brown trout at Bark Camp Creek down in Corbin, KY so I took the day off and drove down. The weather was terrible at home but Bark Camp is three hours south and showed clear until early evening.

This was bucket stocking so we didn’t have as much time to go up trail as we would if these were oxygen-filled plastic bags like I’m used to doing. That being the case, most of the fish were released within sight of the stocking truck. I was able to manage 4 buckets in a short amount of time, but I did take two of those buckets around the bend to a larger pool.

There was plenty of day left after playing with the fish, so I set off on a hike to see Bark Camp Falls two and half miles downstream. There are many scenic points the entire way as huge outcroppings of rock and high cliffs line both sides of the creek. Lots of blowdown too, which can be tricky.

There are two bonus waterfalls about halfway that are right on the trail. The cliffs are perpetually in shadow and stay cool in this area as the water showers down from high overhead. It was tempting to hang out but I kept on going as daylight was ticking away and I wanted to see the ‘actual’ falls.

The Sheltowee Trace intersects the trail in this area and hikers can detour when there are floods. There is a nice bridge that has a bit of rot but shows signs of recent repair. The water is wider here at the bridge and I would love to come back and do some fishing.

The trail is above the river for a while and then the falls begin to become visible through the trees as you approach them. Eventually, there is an intersection where the trail goes on to the Cumberland River but I took the other trail that leads down. There is a rock pile along the way that I explored for a minute before finally making my way to the falls.

The water was running clear and cool and the entire area was about as scenic as it gets. I sat for a spell and just took it all in before breaking out the tenkara rod I’d brought with me. I had the place to myself and was able to work the deeper pools in between falls. I was getting good hits and had hopes of catching a holdout trout from a previous stocking but as I continued fishing, I could see that what was hitting my flies was a smaller fish with black stripes down its sides. I have no idea what species and didn't land one to examine or photograph. I even used the smallest flies I had. Maybe next time!

The weather was incredible all day but the storms did eventually find me. Repeated loud thunder, wind and dark clouds rolled in behind me as I hoofed it back to the trailhead. Just as I reached the truck and jumped in, the clouds burst and the rain didn’t let up all the way home. The highways were a mess and it was a bit tense at times with all the high winds and blinding downpour, but I made it home safely. March definitely came in like a lion this year.

Squirrel season is almost over so I headed to Adair WMA to see what I could find before February ends. I’ve been to this area in the past but I did not remember how expansive and scenic it is. The bare trees opened up the views and a fresh dusting of snow really accentuated the landscape.

I didn’t see any squirrels and the howling wind and plummeting temperatures didn’t allow me to set up somewhere and wait for one to appear. Instead, I decided to hike the perimeter of the parcel and explore for future hunts.

I was surprised to find old hand-laid rock foundations of what were shacks or cabins all over the landscape here. Two right on the trail and one on an overgrown hillside. There were also several stacks of creek rock out in the woods and I’m curious to know what they were for. Were they left by farmers clearing a field? Gravestones? Property markers? I’ll probably never know but very interesting to find them.

There are several intersecting creeks that surround and divide this property and they are absolutely stunning. The water was running clear and cold and I found myself wishing it was full of trout. The steep hills and deep valleys are typical for this area of Kentucky and I enjoy that kind of hiking along watersheds. Lots of deer sign and I even found a really nice set of bobcat tracks.

The day got colder as it wore on and I kept moving to compensate. Next time, I’ll push into the middle parcel and see what I can find there. The perimeter hike was informative but I think the middle area that is a deep valley probably holds some great hunting opportunities. I saw deerstands all day and was glad the season is over so I wasn’t disturbing their hunt. I was the only truck in the parking lot on this day though. (I usually am.)

Not one to let inclement conditions keep me indoors, I braved the snow and headed to Crittenden, KY this weekend to finish sighting in the scope on my .22 Winchester.

The range was unoccupied and zeroing the scope went quickly. I used a traditional grid paper target until I had it as close as I could get it and then switched to a life-sized squirrel style. Seeing the hole punched in the target right where I was aiming over and over was incredibly satisfying.

After helping a hiker get his car unstuck using the kinetic rope I keep in the truck, I headed over to the WMA portion of the property. I walked the left side of the considerable acreage and saw a lot of animal sign in the snow but I never saw a squirrel. I wore orange as I wasn’t sure about rules at this WMA and wanted to be safe. I’m sure the squirrels are still laughing at my getup.

I sighted a barred owl back in the woods but couldn’t get a photo as he flew away. Plenty sign of deer, coyote, dog, cat, fox and rabbit in the thick snow. There was also a great variety of bird species present. I found myself wishing for binoculars over and over. Next time, I’ll add them to my kit.

After a week of record snowfall and sub-zero temps, I knew Red River Gorge would be primed for some winter hiking. That part of Kentucky got a thick layer of ice and snow from winter storm Fern.

Trees were encased in glistening sheets of ice that shattered in the wind and sun, sounding like tinkling bells. Pine trees were bowed over everywhere, weighed down by ice that wouldn’t be melting soon.

Tunnel Ridge Road was open so I decided to visit Hansons Point and then come back through Pinch Em Tight Gap. This is one of my favorite hikes as it is close to the trailhead but has several miles of moderate hiking with stunning views.

I could tell by the tracks in the snow that not many people had been out in this weather. As the trail wore on, I realized only one other person had been out here before me today. The same set of boot prints were headed in and out. As it turned out though, there was a large group of hikers directly behind me that showed up at Hansons Point just after I arrived there myself. Even on this coldest of days, Hansons remains a popular and busy spot.

Heading back and down through Pinch Em Tight Gap, I realized that there was a lot of ice under the snow in this valley. I was grateful to see that there had been a pair of hikers ahead of me that were just as determined as I was to get out of this valley no matter how slick the trail appeared to be.

At one point, they, and I in turn, had to cut trail and climb the hillside using coyote tracks in the snow as footholds. The crust of snow was thick with ice and even with my heavy boots, I could not crack it. Thankfully the coyote had climbed the steep hill before the ice had hardened the snow.

All in all, an exhilarating day on the trails with an unexpected workout at the end that left me breathless and bloodied. My knuckles will heal but I hope the memories of this winter day never fade.

After a predicted winter storm was less severe than forecast, I took the opportunity to head to Swift Camp Creek and see if I could find some fish. I think it was a bit late in the stocking season as I saw and caught nothing. There wasn’t a lot of water either. A few deep pools looked promising but nothing was stirring in them.

Having the entire day to do whatever, I went further upstream than I’ve ever gone. Sleet and rain the night before had scrubbed the shoreline of any footprints or animal tracks. Truly felt like I was the first person to go back in this area in a long time. Icicles were dripping everywhere I looked. The sun was shining and the sky was blue and clear.

I eventually came to a point in the stream where the only way forward without swimming or floating was a narrow gap between two massive boulders. As I passed through the gap I couldn’t help but feel like I was passing into another zone of unspoiled forest. Giant stones with deep undercuts from erosion dominated the shoreline. The water was very low so I was able to walk completely around these giant sentinels.

I pushed a little further and found a valley that looked as if giants had a battle using rocks and trees as weapons. The cataclysmic chaos the landscape gave evidence of was truly humbling. Another interesting event was the gurgling water of the creek sounded like a group of men talking. I kept pausing to look over my shoulder as I heard imagined voices from the water.

As the sun dipped toward the horizon I made my way back downstream to where I had parked and had a late lunch on the tailgate. There was another fisherman headed in as I left. I didn’t say anything about not seeing fish as he may have a spot or a method better than mine. Even so, I had stomped through every hole for miles upstream. Felt slightly bad about that but wished him luck anyway.