“I have been fishing Buggs Island Lake for 50 years and I always target crappie in the spring,” said Rathburn. He said that day the fish were holding off bridge abutments and were suspended midway in the water column in about 15 feet of water.

Soon he came tight to another fish off the abutment. The water was fairly clear that day and when the fish got to within three feet of the surface he saw the colors. With a gold flash and glowing, the most unusual crappie he had ever seen was on the surface in front of him.