1-3-10  First the bad news.  We have recieved a LOT of rain and snow during the last couple of weeks.  The lake rose 17 ft. and the upper end of the lake is a muddy mess.  The lower end isn't much better.  The good news is that it has raised the water temp slightly.  The surface temp. is 45 degrees at Conley Bottom and I would expect that the heads of the creeks and tributaries should begin to clear up this coming week if we don't get more rain.  As soon as they clear you can expect the stripers to be there ready to feed.  Live alwives, shad, and suckers presented from just below the surface to around 20 ft deep behind planer boards are a pretty reliable winter pattern.  This time of year you can also be very successful casting 3/8 oz dollflys on shallow mud flats.  Use a 4 - 6 in curly tail trailer for added action unless the fish drop below 15 ft, then use a bare dollfly that will drop down easier.  The retrieve should be slooow.  Until the water temps get up in the 50s, the fish will feed very sluggishly.  Also, just before the muddy water came, the crappie fishing was very good with 1/32 oz popeye and tube jigs.  Expect that bite to return as soon as water clarity allows.  If you would like a more up to date report or info on lake conditions, feel free to call.  Tight lines, Phil   606-271-2247