This past week I had the opportunity to fish Barren River Lake on two different days and each time I tried to keep an eye out for signs of algae bloom on the lake. The water was 77 degrees and for the most part, clear to 4-5 foot. Both days it was typical of summer time tree top crappie fishing with a few hours per tree till the spook off and move to another tree or bridge pier till they regroup. Each day was good fishing and was able to bookmark my memory bank with another smile. Watched the local news and they caught my ear when they spoke of the algae bloom with the following report. "Last month, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Barren River Lake discovered a traceable amount of HAB, more commonly known as blue-green algae toxin. While the algae bloom has not been seen at the lake, traces of toxins have been detected. July was the first time the corps had tested the lake, and they say according to the World Health Organization, levels warranted an HAB caution." July was the first time?......this year?...Why would the Corps post this warning and push local businesses to the brink again after the past several years of flooding. The Corps has enough strange local rulings what with the "red line rule, no fishing around docks, $3.00 daily parking fees, and closing of beaches at the drop of a hat". These waters belong to the tax payers, not the government. Guess I just get irritated when they want to control my leisure time too. Thanks for letting me blow off steam.