Questions/Advice on the Cumberland River

[otis44]

I've had a hankering for some time to go down and try to fish the river below wolf creek dam. I've got several questions and have done a search on this board, not really found what I was looking for. First off i'm in a fiberglas boat. Is this safe? I'm not worried about knicking the boat up, but obviously I don't want to sink it. The other thing from what I can read putting in at Burkesville and going down towards Tn is somewhat calmer or safer? I know to read the generation schedules and may go down there and hire a guide for the first time, but any advice or help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[mkspw]

just got back from fishing the Cumberland river at the dam and down at Burkesville. The water goes up and down quiet a bit most days. They have a schedule on the entrance to the Kendall campground when they will release water. you can catch walleye and sauger on the far bank from the red danger sign to where the wall from the dam starts. Husky jerks in the clown color works on the walleyes and saugers 1 1/2 hour before dark till a little bit after dark seems to be best. Small long bill shadraps in the shad color works ok. around Burkeswille run slow or you might run up on a sandbar or hit something underwater.

[Chubminnow]

You should get yourself a map first (or hire a guide first), or a combination of the two...I have two maps, one of which I got from Traces on the Cumberland. Yes, from Burkesville on down to the Tennessee line the water is a lot more stable but even that far down the river still runs pretty fast and it's still pretty cold.

I don't see a lot of fiberglass boats on the river but I have seen a few, small aluminum john-boats or v-bottoms are more the norm than anything else...although believe it or not I have seen a pontoon on the river before. My feelings of boating on the Cumberland River are the lighter and easier the boat is to handle the better off you are, but this is just my own opinion.

Always remember, safety first! Have life jackets handy or better yet, wear them. I also suggest that you do not throw out an anchor or try tying off onto any limbs as both of these idea's could turn real bad real quick.

You didn't mention what you were wanting to fish for...if you're wanting stripers the last I heard on these fish was fishing for Cumberland River stripers is ok if all you want to do is take a boat ride, in other words catching a striper in the river would only be a bonus...this was about three weeks ago.

Good luck to ya and please post here and tell us how you did.

[troutcrazy]

I agree with Chubminnow when it comes to safety and about the stripers...they're not hitting anything! You can't be too careful on the river. Fiberglass boats are not recommended on the river unless it is up pretty high. I run up on gravel bars all the time, but I usually put in at Helms landing and go down river. In fact I have a prop guard to ensure that my prop doesn't get eaten up. If you put in at B-ville...you shouldn't have to many problems though...but for my money the fishing is better from B-ville on up the river if your fishing for trout.

The map from Traces is good because he gives specific areas to watch out for and good fishing areas but if you really want to know the river get a guide. Hope you catch some trout...

[rickhise]

I live here by the river near burkesville. I know of a good guide that will take you if you want to go that route, If u have a nicked up alum. prop. use it. use a good map, and swing wide on any creeks you approach, for the past 2 days they have not been running any water through, but we just got a heavy rain here so they have to let it out soon. it can be a good trip just fishing in current takes more patience and precaution, anytime your approaching a snag and there is a strong current it can do some damage to you your gear or boat. lastly if u put in near burkesville have the guys at strange bait mark your map for underwater gravel bars that easily avoided.