Flyfishing Cumberland river (need advice)

A group of us are heading down to the Cumberland this Thursday and will be staying at Helm's Landing through the weekend. From what I understand, we will put in at Helm's and paddle upriver first towards the dam and then drift back down the river ending up at Winfrey's Ferry.

Most of the time we will be doing regular fishing but I want to try some Fly Fishing as well (wading).

I should add that I don't know a thing about fly fishing aside from the notion that it has always appealed to me so I have decided to finally give it a try.

That said, I would greatly appreciate any advice as to which flies would be good to use this week as well as any other "fly fishing" tips that anyone would care to offer.

Thanks,

Dave

A 5 weight rod is ideal for most nymphing and wet fly fishing situations but for trophies I chuck and heave large streamers on a 7 wt rod with intermediate sinking line. White and/or blue clouser minnows are great for larger fish and the white bass will nail them too. For basic nymphing usually anything will work if your flies are getting a drag-free float and getting deep enough. A Prince Nymph with a small emerger dropper fly under a strike indicator (a piece of yarn) is deadly. As is a Hares Ear Nymph, Pheasant Tail, etc. Sometimes those trout seem like they would eat a gym sock off of a rusty nail if you hucked that at them. These fish are hungry and now that the water level is low, they are stacked up to the point you can almost walk across them. Good luck, have fun, and watch the generation schedule and water level if your wading.

Good advice. I would only add that the trout are keying on tiny midges right now, rather than larger mayflies, which I have yet to see make an appearance this summer. When you see trout swirling on the surface, I'm pretty sure they're hitting dead midges passing by overhead. Last Friday I caught fish earlier in the day on midge imitations, later in the day on prince nymph. I'll be there this weekend, too, so you may pass me on your way downstream. I'll be the guy in the Mohawk solo 14 canoe. Good luck.

Bookworm and One Eyed Willie,

Thanks for the info. I took your information to a Fly shop here in Louisville and found out that I have the wrong "size" outfit for some of what was recommended.

From what I understand, my rod is an 8 weight (?). It supposedly can be used for trout but a smaller weight would have been better. I seem to recall when I bought the thing that I want a "do everything" rod that could be used for trout, bass, and everything else.

Ended up getting some Clouser Minnows, some kind of nymphs, some leeches (?) and some other kind of fly that I can't remember.

At any rate, if you see someone flailing around looking completely lost because they don't know what they are doing, that will probably be me.

Thanks again.


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Glad To See Another Person Taking Up The Wonderful Art Of Fly-fishing! Whatever You Do, Don't Give Up. People Tend To Get Frustrated The First Few Times They Try It, And Give Up. It Get's A Lot Easier The More You Do It...trust Me!
As For The C-river...what An Awesome Trout Fishery! I Was Up There Last Wednesday Catching The Fire Out Of 'em At Wolf Creek Dam On A #16 Red Bh Pheasant Tail With A #20 Bh Copper John 5 Ft Below A Thingamabobber Strike Indicator (the Best Strike Indicators Ever Made). I've Caught Them On All Different Kinds Of Flies, But The Most Successful Have Been:
Nymphs:
-bh Copper Johns
-bh Pheasant Tails (reg And Red)
-bh Zebra Midges (black And Red)
-bh Prince Nymphs
Dries:
-#24 Griffiths Gnats
-#24 Black Midges

You'll Definetly Want To Invest In A Good, Fast Action 5 Wt Fly Rod. A Good Length Is 8-81/2 Ft In Length. Make Sure You Get The Appropriate Size Reel And Floating Line For A 5 Wt Rod. This Size Of Rod Will Work For Any Type Of Trout Fishing You Will Do. I've Caught 10+ Lb Trout On This Size Rod Without Problems.
I'm Always Glad To See Someone Getting Interested In Fly Fishing. It's Been A Passion Of Mine My Entire Life...passed Down Through My Family For Over A Century. I'm Always More Than Happy To Share Any Information In Order To Assist A Beginner In Being Successful. If You Need Any Tips Or Advice, Just Ask. Good Luck...and By The Way, I'll Be Up There At Wc Dam Wednesday And Thursday Morning. Just Look For The Big Guy Tearing 'em Up! Lol! Hagd!

[QUOTE=RICHYD4U;333290]Glad To See Another Person Taking Up The Wonderful Art Of Fly-fishing! Whatever You Do, Don't Give Up. People Tend To Get Frustrated The First Few Times They Try It, And Give Up. It Get's A Lot Easier The More You Do It...trust Me!
As For The C-river...what An Awesome Trout Fishery! I Was Up There Last Wednesday Catching The Fire Out Of 'em At Wolf Creek Dam On A #16 Red Bh Pheasant Tail With A #20 Bh Copper John 5 Ft Below A Thingamabobber Strike Indicator (the Best Strike Indicators Ever Made). I've Caught Them On All Different Kinds Of Flies, But The Most Successful Have Been:
Nymphs:
-bh Copper Johns
-bh Pheasant Tails (reg And Red)
-bh Zebra Midges (black And Red)
-bh Prince Nymphs
Dries:
-#24 Griffiths Gnats
-#24 Black Midges

You'll Definetly Want To Invest In A Good, Fast Action 5 Wt Fly Rod. A Good Length Is 8-81/2 Ft In Length. Make Sure You Get The Appropriate Size Reel And Floating Line For A 5 Wt Rod. This Size Of Rod Will Work For Any Type Of Trout Fishing You Will Do. I've Caught 10+ Lb Trout On This Size Rod Without Problems.
I'm Always Glad To See Someone Getting Interested In Fly Fishing. It's Been A Passion Of Mine My Entire Life...passed Down Through My Family For Over A Century. I'm Always More Than Happy To Share Any Information In Order To Assist A Beginner In Being Successful. If You Need Any Tips Or Advice, Just Ask. Good Luck...and By The Way, I'll Be Up There At Wc Dam Wednesday And Thursday Morning. Just Look For The Big Guy Tearing 'em Up! Lol! Hagd![/QUOTE]

I understand this is older cumberland river info but I appreciate it. I was at the cumberland in early june 2013 with spinning equiptment. Did really well on smaller browns, brooks, and rainbows with silver pather martin spinners/orange tail, white rooster tails, black/gold small rapals. I would like to try fly fishing when I go back in late july early august. Any suggestions for this time of year. Also I wouldn't mind if someone has any spinning with fly tackle advice. I will be on a canoe drifting. Will bigger rainbow or browns go for small jigs in minnow or crayfish patterns. Thanks

You can try 1/8 oz. little cleo spons in silver. They will also hit crappie jigs in white and blue,white combos. Power bait is also good. rainbow color.