Nolin River Lake Question???

[Danny]

OK, all you Nolin experts.

I've been worn over to Nolin, and I am even thinking Rough river will get more fishing from me in the future.

Here's my questions:

I know the lake drops much further than KY/Barkley do in the winter, how difficult does this make running the lake? How many really dangerous spots are there?

In the west lakes, the cooler weather will bring the shad into the bigger creeks and bays, not so much the little cuts. On Nolin and Rough is this the same? As the water cools, will the fish move more into the bigger creeks, or will main lake cuts still be as productive as summer?

I've always heard these lakes can not be fished effectively in the summer, unless you fish at night. Since I can fish during the week, will this hold true? Can I fish it during the week, dodge the weekend crazies, and have productive summer fishing?

I would guess the last question would be yes, based upon my fishing with 'Whisker this past weekend.

Finally, and this is a boat question. I don't normally beach my boat. I have a keel shield, but still hate to beach the boat. How many of you will beach your boat when the lakes are drawn down? I know when I fish alone, I generally pull the boat off the trailer and tie up to the dock, and I've seen many do the same, just pull up on the bank, but I've seen some use a rope. Having a fiberglass boat, would you reccomend using the rope to launch the boat and pull it up on the ramp/bank, or would you pull it off and use the motor to slowly pull the boat up on the bank? I would think when you come in at the end of the day you have to use the big motor to pull up, so why not when launching?

I hope that is not too many questions to ask, and I want to thank everyone in advance for the answers.

Danny

[MsgMills]

I've fished Nolin when the lake is at full draw down and have no problem getting around the lake. The more dangerous area's are more visible to the eye and easier to navigate. As far as fishing I would not know the answer to that question, I usually only start fishing in the spring in March. As far as beaching your boat, I have a keel guard on mine as well, and have no fear what so ever of beaching on the gravel bar and taking the truck to the parking lot and vice versus.

To me I would rather fish Nolin than any other lake in the State, but that is just my opinion, where as others might like Barren, Dale or KY better.

[Danny]

Thanks a lot 'Mills... hopefully we'll get more answers and we will both learn some more about the lake.

Danny

[CTFSHWHISKER]

at winter pool be care full from wax to dog creek,from there down you'll have no problem unless you run real close to the banks.don't cut the long points.
from wax upriver if you get out the channel you'll throw mud and there are a few rockpiles to watch for.Don't panic and stop if you graph starts flashing trim it and keep going.3 or 4 places that will happen.Fishin is good all winter unless it gets below 38 degree water then it will usually slow until the next few warm days.

[DaveR]

If you'r putting in during week by yourself, you can beach on ramp, but wax isn't great at winter pool, lots of rocks (similar to Moutardier) to contend with by yourself. Moutardier or briar would be my choice for winter, unless I was going to fish the river.

Rough River has more shallow areas at drawdown up south fork, past walter creek but if I know the area I treat it just like barkley, when the depth goes from 5 to 3 or less, you don't want to sit it down, just step on the gas until you get back in channel. But if you have a serious back condition, why risk anything. I've been on rough in the evening in late fall (there aren't many people around).

There are stumps and timber to contend with as you venture up some of the creeks and rivers on both lakes.

Check out rock creek on nolin when the water gets 8 feet down, but be careful of the stickups. Get you a good topo map CORPS of Engineers (mine are Icon of Ky series from 90's) for both those lakes (not the fhishing hot spots)

Enjoy the east side of western KY Danny.

[Danny]

Thanks both to 'whisker and DaveR.

I appreciate the information.

Danny

[Basswipe]

Nolin or Rough is no more dangerous than Barkley. The trick is always the same; be careful and learn where the dangerous spots are for the given water level.

There's plenty of good fish to be had in both lakes. It just a matter of learning spots and figuring out what they want.

[jfw]

Hey Basswipe whats up !!!!!!!!

Danny starting on Oct 15th they start dropping the lake a foot a day .This makes crayfish go crazy .I have had the best luck of the whole year during this period .Tie on a Rebel Crawdad bait and you will have fun .
We went last Sat there were 8 tournaments going on !!!! I did horrible the only hookup I had was a litlle walleye that got off at the boat 'course it was mile high skies but we got out there early .I tried everything slugo's ,cranks .spinner bait ,tubes nothing .Of course everyone of my hot spots had a boat there already fishing it .

We have been having a blast in the Ohio River with the Hybrids .I live in old Clarksville and I have a camp @ Nolin (wax)

[Danny]

Thanks jfw,

ctfshwhisker and I were there last week as well. We were going to fish with that KC Lures tournament, but could not find them. I walked the parking lot a couple of times and added the number of boats up, and it was very near if not over 200. I forget the exact number. I also was told that there was a 70 boat tourney going out of Moutideir that day. We launched at Iberia, and did very well with jigs, immitating crawfish. OK, very well is defined by a lot of fish, only one keeper though. Funny how all those slot fish stop growing just before they get to 15 inches....LOL

I've never been a dedicated jig fisherman, but honestly, I think Nolin has changed my views.

Can't wait to get back there. I'm hoping to make it over there this week during the week, that way I won't be fighting tournies all day.

Hope to see you on the water, I'll let you show me better ways to fish. *smile*

Danny

[DaveR]

many many thefts from vehicles at Iberia ramp parking lot over the years, recommend nothing in your vehicle if your using that ramp.

[Danny]

LOL, thanks DaveR, but as I am sure ctfshwhisker will attest, if they broke into my vehicle, they would feel sorry for me and leave me $20!!!!

LOL

Thanks for the heads up though, I do appreciate it. I only went out of there as 'whisker and I were looking for a close ramp to Wax.

Thanks again,

Danny

[CTFSHWHISKER]

since my late partners inlaws live about a mile from there we put in there quiet abit until a couple years ago,i never had a problem though.I tend to be sure there is nothing in my truck of any value when i go to any ramps.i'm sure any of those out of the way ramps are good targets