Cumberland River

[Mudfish]

Might have an opportunity to hit the tailwaters this Sunday.... Anyone have any info or suggestions?

[BurleyDog]

Yup. The big trout love minnows on a split shot rig.
For the trout, fish close to the bottom. Powerbait, nightcrawlers... any of the usual trout baits will work. Fish slow and look out for logs/debris that are hidden in the water.


There might still be white bass in the feeder creeks - they like plastic minnow swim baits, crankbaits, and in-line spinners.

Whatever you do DON"T FALL IN - you will freeze to death even on a 80 degree day.

Tight lines. Ask if you want more specifics.

[Mudfish]

Thanks....... Only been there once and fished near the dam. Caught some nice rainbows and whites.....
Everything I read says the browns are around sand bars. Checked out the river a couple of miles down stream and didn't find any. Is Burkesdale or Burkesville a better shot for browns?
Do any walleye fishing down ther?
Yeah, I know, I sound like a rookie but I've been fishing for about 40 years. Mostly South Florida...... Know some of the lakes around here (Louisville) and one or two river spots, just don't know Cumberland or the Cumberland RIver.

[Mudfish]

Thanks..... Live up here in Louisville area and am new to the C River fishing. Only time there I fished near the dam in the tailwaters. Any info helps,,,,,,,, I appreciate it. Hope I can pay back the favor someday!

[ON3 3Y3D WILLI3]

I stayed at Kendall Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. I did not, however, fish the river but talked to several that did. Basically, its great right now for boaters and bad for waders. Hatchery Creek, for instance looks like Harrods Creek. They are running two generators and likely will be until they get the lake to the desired level. The boaters seemed to be getting most of their fish during times of generation. There were the few that had been doing well on trout and whites from the bank at the bottom of the campground stairs. Pretty much there are always fish to be had near that dam one way or another. If your new to fishing that river one thing to pay close attention to is the generation schedule both current and past, and if possible make yourself aware of what the TVA plans to do based on the lake level. The latter is no guarantee but familiarizing yourself with the schedule will make the trips down there more worth it.

http://lakeinfo.tva.gov/htbin/lakein...bmit=View+info

http://www.orn.usace.army.mil/pao/lakeinfo/WOL.htm

[RICHYD4U]

Everyone's advice has been right on. If you don't have a boat, might as well stay home. Water is high and fast. We have always had success during times of high generation, by boating up to the dam on the right side, away from the generators. Then, drop lines with enough weight to hit the bottom. Doesn't really matter what you use, powerbait, salmon eggs, worms, minnows, etc, etc. The trout will hit it all. Drift down from there with your lines out and you'll be in buisness.

I'm personally waiting for them to stop the generating, and get the river back down to wadeable levels before I make the drive again. Impossible to fly fish it right now, and that's what I'm most interested in. Oh well, it'll happen here soon when the rain stops. Good Luck!

-Rich

[FishFry]

Cannot wait for the river to get right again. I have been there 10 or more times and evertime the water is wadable we have done great but its for boaters only when the waters like this. There are tons of fish in that river just below the dam, theres no doubt about it.

[Mudfish]

Thanks for the info...... fished Sunday and just caught a few small rainbows and Browns........
Still have a lot to learn