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I have a coworker who wants to trout fish somewhere soon and I told him to check out the cumberland river. I'm not much of a trout fisherman so I don't know that much about the place. He was wanting to rent a boat to fish out of. Anybody have any suggestions where you can rent a boat there and what pattern to catch them on for the next few weeks?
You need to know the water levels before fishing the Cumberland. For the last few days, the corp has been releasing very little water from the dam. It's really too low for most boats except canoes, drift boats, or small jons. I don't know anyone that rents them down there. Perhaps someone does. The best way to fish when it's like this is to wade either down from the dam or around Helms Landing. You can check out the KY Gazeteer for these locations. Fishing is usually best during these low water periods. If you're using spinning gear try crankbaits, jerk baits, spinners, spoons, and river rigs. Any of them can catch fish. Flyfishing is best with sub-surface nymphs and midges.
When they are releasing water from the dam, the depth of the river can go up 15 feet or more fairly quickly. Most aluminum boats work fine then, but there are some dangerous rocks and logs than can make for a bad day that can be just under the surface. The current can also be very swift. Fishing tends to be more difficult during these periods as the corp can be releasing as much as 24,000 CFS at the dam. The fish tend to just hang out behind rocks and current breaks. The same baits apply, but typically need to be fished deeper.
Here's a link to the corp's website for the dam. Look for long periods where there are zero units released. Also keep in mind that if the corp is releasing water in the morning and they stop, it will take several hours for the water to get down to "low" levels.
http://lakeinfo.tva.gov/htbin/lakeinfo?site=WCH&DataType=All&submit=View+info
There are several places to wade, but some are tricky to find. What you need is a copy of "A Guide to the Lower Cumberland River" by Gerald McDaniel. It is a book of maps that show each section of the river. Parking spots and wading areas are marked as are stocking areas and it includes other pertinent information.
If you have not been on the river before, you don't want to try and navigate it, it is very tricky. There are several guides there, so he may even want to hook up with one of them on his first trip there. I am not aware of anyone that rents boats.
I've never visited this place but following is a link to a place that rents boats, provides lodging, etc...
www.tracesonthecumberland.com
Wow, I didn't realize Traces rents boats. They are located right on the water in Burkesville right where the bridge crosses the water if you are going to Dale Hollow.
Note all: When river is too high at Burkesville ramp, their ramp still allows safe dropping/ retreiving of boat. When it's that high though, usually not worth puttin' in.
The river will be great for fishing (wading) Sat. 3-30. You can rent boats from Traces, and usually they never have water issues being so far from the dam.
Check out that TVA site to check out how much water they're rolling from the dam. Anything 9,000 CFS and below is pretty fishable. Above that and you're going to have a hard day.
We were catching several nice Rainbow on the river before the rain came and the Corps started generating 24/7. I will let you know when we start catching them again.
I would recommend calling Strange Bait located at the river in Burkesville.
He will answer all those questions levels conditions an what is available.
849 S Main St, Burkesville, KY 42717
(270) 864-2248
IM seeing plenty of water the river is still in or at the tree line,
Current CR forecast: [URL]http://www-wm.lrn.usace.army.mil/hh/products/memrvrbna.txt[/URL]
Going to be lot's of water for the next few....;)
[QUOTE=FlyLie;525597]Current CR forecast: [URL]http://www-wm.lrn.usace.army.mil/hh/products/memrvrbna.txt[/URL]
Going to be lot's of water for the next few....;)[/QUOTE] Also, see LC level and forecast: [URL]http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=lmk&gage=wlck2[/URL]
[QUOTE=FlyLie;525599]Also, see LC level and forecast: [URL]http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=lmk&gage=wlck2[/URL][/QUOTE]
Man, this is a billion year old thread..............it was posted 6 years ago :)