There's a caveat here, however. Cold January water doesn't exactly turn catfish on. They are extremely lethargic and don't feed very often. Still, if you can catch one or two, it's well worth the effort.

There's excellent shoreline fishing below the Byrd Dam and a couple of rough ramps as well. Like always, follow the signs.

A word of warning is in order when it comes to fishing any of these tailrace waters. They can be dangerous, very dangerous. Pay attention to what you're doing or you may pay the ultimate price.

The current is swift and unpredictable. Even worse, areas of the bank can be unstable. That's a bad combination. Stay well back from the edge when you're fishing and never venture into the water, no matter how shallow or benign it may appear. No fishing lure is worth your life.

If you fish from a boat, always wear a PFD and never fish alone. Small boats will be swept away in a matter of seconds when the dam gates are open. Enjoy your time out on the mighty Ohio, but always be careful and safe.