Cumberland River Report

[bookworm]

Fished the Burkesville area on Sunday. I hoped the sudden temperature drop Friday and Saturday would turn on the trout. Didn't happen. Water temperature was 62 degrees, I believe. If the water had been seven degrees colder, I probably would have done great. Threw my usual stuff and only managed one recent stocker and a couple of hits. I did see a few surfacing trout and a couple mayflies. I think the fish are all still there; they just don't want to eat when the water is that warm, at least not in the daytime. I'll be waiting until later in the fall to try that area again.

[mikew]

Thanks for the report.

[RICHYD4U]

You are right about the water temp. Now is a good time to throw some streamers at dusk/night and catch some big browns (and an occasional striper!). It won't be long till cool fall weather rolls in, and when that happens, you will know where to find me!

-Rich

[etcfishin]

Completely up to you guys, but I wouldn't fish at Burkesville for trout for the rest of the summer. The water is just too warm that far down. I've heard much better reports up closer to the dam and much cooler temps. Last I heard they were sluicing at the dam and the fishing was good.

Good luck either way.

[fcfishman]

We fished Burkesville and south yesterday and did not see one trout fisherman. Everyone was further upstream with the cooler water. Temp was 64 degrees. However, we did great on the Stripers. Boated several including a 28lb and a 25 lb and lost another big fish that got in a brush pile and could not pull him out. At three different times, we had doubles on. Great day, hot, but a great day.

[SMALLIES]

I'll be down there this weekend and hope to hit several different kinds of fish. Stripers would be awesome. May I ask what you are throwing for the stripers? Any advice would be gratful.

Fish Hard!!

[RICHYD4U]

Completely up to you guys, but I wouldn't fish at Burkesville for trout for the rest of the summer. The water is just too warm that far down. I've heard much better reports up closer to the dam and much cooler temps. Last I heard they were sluicing at the dam and the fishing was good.

Good luck either way.

I second that notion. Water temps are much more favorable up by the dam. (That is where I always go anyways). With the rise in temps below, I would say the trout have moved upstream in search of cooler water. This could make for some excellent fishing above. Can't wait to get out there (hopefully next week). I've been tying flies for months in anticipation! lol!

-Rich

[FlyLie]

MAYBE it's TIME....Moved to LC this spring, but have not fished the Cumberland tailwaters for trout this year....BUT do have an OLD, I mean OLD fly rod which I purchased around 1955. MAYBE I should dig out the waders and head on down below the dam or to Helms(sp) landing....What do you think? What type of fly(s) work best this time of the year? Maybe I should start an new thread....flies on the Cumberland?

[Chubminnow]

May I ask what you are throwing for the stripers? Any advice would be gratful.

Try throwing plastics (flukes, minnow immitations, etc) in sizes Big to XXL, at least 20 pound test line...give it as much action as you possibly can when reeling it in, give it a very eratic action. It will wear you out by days end, perhaps even before days end it will wear you out but it will also produce large Stripers...Large brown trout have also been known to be caught by this same method.

[Chubminnow]

BUT do have an OLD, I mean OLD fly rod which I purchased around 1955.

Old stuff is cool...does your rig also have a 1955 reel to go with it? How long's it been since you used it?

[FlyLie]

Old stuff is cool...does your rig also have a 1955 reel to go with it? How long's it been since you used it?

Best guess, around 1981 playing with the Gills on their beds...man that was fun..."1981", MAYBE I am getting old. MAYBE I need to do MORE FISHIN!

I understand, THE MORE YOU FISH, THE BETTER YOUR MEMORY GETS. FISH ON!!!!.

[SMALLIES]

Thanks Chubminnow!

I'll let you know how the trip went!

Fish Hard!