Cumberland Tailwaters

[Harley]

I'm heading down to the tailwaters Early Saturday morning to do some wading for Smallies. Anyone have an tips on where to park, what to throw at 'em, and where to put in? This will be the first trip down there for me and the guy that's going with me.

[Harley]

We didn't go since we couldn't find enough info before hand. My fault for not planning ahead. We were planning on going just below the dam or near by. I've been told by some that you can wade it and others have said you can't. If you have any info at all it would be appreciated.

[JoeB]

There are several places below the dam that can be waded. You do need waders though as the water is really cold. One place is directly below the dam property, another is at Helm's Landing. I usually fly fish and any bead head nymph in sizes 14 - 16 will work. I like princes, pheasant tails, and gold ribbed hare's ears. If you are spin fishing, spinners, pin minnows, and berkley power bait will catch fish. If using the powerbait it's a good idea to smash the barbs down on your hook or you'll kill some fish. There will be very good wade fishing as long as the lake is held at 680'.

[troutcrazy]

Are you talking about putting at Wolf Creek for smallies? I've never fished for anything but trout in the CR so I may not know what I'm talking about, but I didn't think that there were any smallies up river. I always thought bass were closer to Burksville. (White Bass excluded)

[Harley]

Thanks JoeB and Troutcrazy for your input guys. I will be fishing for Smallies and I have had a few different people tell me good things about smallmouth fishing down there. I have also had one person tell me to fish closer to Burksville. So I figure we'll try it and see what happens. Now I just have to find some waders to fit my fat butt.

[MMax]

If you're fishing below Wolf Creek Dam and catching smallmouth it will be the only time I've heard anyone doing so. That doesn't mean they're not there, it just means I've never caught one and haven't heard or seen anyone else do so. LOL.

[Harley]

It's funny how the more people I talk to the more I hear that there isn't any smallmouth there. I think this is a conspiracy by my co-workers to see me freeze in that cold creek for nothing.

[JoeB]

Smallmouth exist in the river in very small numbers. I've caught one in years of fishing the river. Think trout, walleye, stripers in that order.

[Harley]

That sound like what I need to go for. Thanks.