Cumberland Trout

[GeoFisher]

OK guys.........

So, I'm thinking of going this weekend. Planning on taking my small boat. 14ft with 7.5hp motor. Was thinking of helms landing area, and up towards the dam.

Like I said in earlier posts, I've only been there a couple times, and really cannot remember all the details of where we went.........I didn't drive, so I didn't pay enough attention...........But, I remember helms landing and natural bridge, as some areas we were at........I think.

We used small crankbaits, and inline spinners. Are these still good choices.

Finally, anyone know about the details about keep sizes, limits, etc, etc. I know they were lifting some of those, and I CERTAINLY want to be legal.

Again, any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

Finally, finally...........anyone have some good links, including maps, etc, etc. I 'm trying to put this together for Saturday and Sunday.

Thanks,

Geo

BTW......Jim Dicken, can you shoot me an email.

Good Fishin..........

[MMax]

I was there early July and believe the water levels to be similar; if my belief is true, there are a few very shallow areas between the dam and Helms Landing when the gates aren't open. You need to time your up-river and down-river plans accordingly. We caught many trout, most coming off pin minnows/small jerk baits. We also caught walleye and sauger on walley divers. Hope this helps.

[troutcrazy]

Depends on which direction you're coming from...Coming from Danville...
South 127 (take the new by-pass around Jamestown)
Right @ 55 (Cell tower on the corner)
Left @1058 (church on the corner)
Left @ 379 this road ends at a T section
Left @ Helms Landing Road follow all the way to the end through the gravel road to the ramp. Probably drive down the ramp and find a deep spot to drop the boat.

I alway have better luck going down river to the power lines all the way to the second gravel bar on the left.

I use Super Duper's, little Cleo's, mepps inline minnow spinners. I also use a variety of cast master sizes.

good luck

[markmac60]

Listed below is a site for the river LBL to the KY/ TN border. I can't find a navigational map for Cumberland River from the border to Wolf Creek Dam. Can anyone help on this?

http://www.lrn.usace.army.mil/opn/CumbRiver/cumbmap.htm

[Chubminnow]

Traces on the Cumberland has the information you're looking for...There's also a book that "in my own opinion" is even nicer. It's author was/is Gerald McDaniel and I could be wrong but think these are still for sale at Strange Bait in Burkesville.

[GeoFisher]

Hey.

Thanks to all that replied. From what I understand, Helms Landing is really a REAL place, and I think that is where I put in at the last time I went there.

Also, I talked to a really nice guy as BASS PRO in Clarkesville. He fishes the cumberland river all the time for trout, and said Helms would be fine, but he likes to fish it downriver instead of up. Has better luck and there might be better holes that way.

Also talked to him about boat size, etc, etc. He said this time of year, what I'm taking and with the water levels, it should work fine. He also said to expect to drag it some especially with the LOW water.

Anyone know current conditions in that area. Also, how can I find out generation schedules. The links I have don't seem to work.

Finally, what is considered good, prime, poor, and DANGEROUS generation volume. I don't expect to see volume that is dangerous, with the drought we've been having, but I'd like to get some idea for future reference.

Again, thanks to EVERYONE who posted.

Later,

Geo

[troutcrazy]

In my opinion the best generation schedule is one or two generators. You can still wade (with one), the fish feed when the water is moving, and you can navigate the river without your motor dragging too much. As the generators climb the fishing gets a little more difficult. I've caught fish with all generators running, but it's a lot of work to keep the boat straight and fish the right lures and to be deep enough, etc...

For a generation schedule that is readable for normal guys like me...http://lakeinfo.tva.gov...if that doesn't work then TVA.com and go to resevior info go to wolf creek. Anything under 9,000 is enjoyable fishing...anything over is a shot in the dark. We fished one year with all 6 gen's open...called the wife and gave her my list of pallbearers because the river was running pretty swiftly...come to think of it I remember her being pretty excited about the possibility that I might not come back. Don't recommend fishing when it's up that high.

Fishing from helms to Winphry's is where I've had the most luck, and I've fished the whole thing. That's where I concentrate my fishing.

I have a flat bottom 14ft. with a 25 horse. It's 6ft. wide and heavy and I have trouble sometimes in sections. I don't know what kind of boat you have but you can manage with a small alum. bass boat without much trouble.

Traces on the Cumberland has a book that helps you navigate the CR. Bought it on-line and it was great help.

Hope this helps.

[trent colvin]

Drove down to Winfrey Ferry last night (tues.) the river looked a little higher than it had been... I launch at Winfrey's only and fish up... I found that i can go up past Rainbow run in my 16ft deep vee Sea Nymph with a 50 packing 600lbs of us and gear. the trick I found was to get next to the bank in the shallow water where the timber is on the riffles. The trees cause the river bed to wash out and it makes it a little deeper. I have a 50lb trollong motor and I also keep a push pole. I it gets too shallow, a quick "man overboard" will help... After all on a 90 degree day the water isn't THAT cold.

[troutcrazy]

Trent how was the fishing...I'm going Thursday dropping in at Helms?

[trent colvin]

I didn't go to fish, I went to mow at the cabin... I plan on fishing this sunday for a while if I don't get beer poisioning saturday night!!! I have the cabin on the left with the maroon roof and the full front porch on Winfrey Ferry road. if you see my maroon chevy at the house stop by and visit!