Fishing in January in KY

[elnutsmalljaws]

You can catch fish out of Cumberland with the fly but it is more difficult than Dale Hollow just for the fact that there is more structure to fish in Dale than Cumberland. Dale has deep grass, shallow grass, black shale, chunk rock, better points, ledges and humps that all will hold fish at certain times so you get more of an opportunity to pattern the fish. Cumberland has deep clear water but except for the banks, pretty much a big bowl. I have never Seriously fished the fly at Cumberland but I know some fellas that have and it is pretty tough fishing. If I had to, I would get a good topo map and focus on the depth changes along the banks. Places where the contour goes from say bluffs to 60 degree or 60 to 30 degree areas of the banks would be the better holding places for the fish. Take into consideration the current elevation of the lake and it probably would be very helpful to actually draw the new bank outline on the map to better see these contour changes based on the current depth. I would say that later in the FNF season say February it would be easier to fish Cumberland because the fish will tend to be on the Bluff Walls more by then, especially after several days of unseasonably warm weather. You could fish the wall by Jamestown, Pig Pen, the wall towards Harmon and Difficulty, the wall on the left heading up into Beaver and Otter and such for long stretches to find the fish. I would think that Cumberland and Laurel would both be tough to fish the Fly on but they can be fished but I don't think with the success that one can achieve at Dale Hollow.

[davidsa]

Elnut- you said what I expected. I have fished a jig pretty extensively in the bays near Griders Hill boat dock during the winter and find fish can be spread out on Cumberland. hard to find them fishing slow.


When I go to Dale, i normally put in at Dale State Park or Wisdom dock and fish KY waters. Have never done very good and I'm not sure I've ever caught a fish on the float and fly. To be fair, I have not fished the FnF much nor in prime season of mid-Dec to Feb.

Does the KY side of Dale hold enough good spots? The Celina area has to be much better from what I recall fishing it in the spring many years ago.

Problem I have is that I spend all my fishing credits with the wife at KYL/Barkley and Lake Okeechobee so this leaves me needing to do day trips to Dale. It is one thing to drive from Lex to Albany if the bite is good but not so much to fish all day in the cold for a single 1lb smallie

[elnutsmalljaws]

You can put in at the State park and there is plenty of water to catch the fly on within 6 miles of the ramp. I fish the TN side 99% of the time becaus there is more structure to fish than in the Wolfe River. More deep grass and shallow grass beds, more black shale, more humps, more ledges. My best spots are all between First Island which is just South of Holly Creek to Lillydale to the north. Lillydale is only a mile or so from the State Park new ramp on the main lake, just head west around the point that comes out from Trooper Island and when you get around it, you are looking at Lillydale area. If you turn right and head west toward Sulphur Creek you are heading into what I think is the best part of the lake to fish, but there is fish all over that lake. If you want to go to Albany and put in at Wisdom and fish the KY side then you will still catch fish but in my opinion not the quality of Smallies you will on other parts of the lake. Dale is funny in that to me the Wolfe River is the best Largemouth part of the lake, Excellent Spotted Bass and smaller Smallmouth, Mid Lake from First Island to Lillydale is Excellent quality and quantity of Smallmouth, some spotted bass and some largemouth, south of First Island is Excellent Smallies and Excellent Trout fishing but not as many spotted bass or largemouth. This is all based on what I have experienced on the lake. All this being said and I LOST my biggest smallie ever in Feb 2005 in the Wolfe River no more than a couple of hundred yards from where the world record was caught. She was an EASY 8 and I had her just out of net range 3 times before she straightened out my hook on my FNF jig. This was the only fish I have ever had on over 4lbs in that section of the lake versus catching 35+ over 5 and 3 over 6 and maybe 200 over 4 on the other parts of the lake. Your call, there are trophies all over the lake but I would rather fish where I think there are more trophies available and that is not in the wolfe river, just my opinion.

[davidsa]

Elnut- appreciate the response. I know most hold Dale in high regard but my experience has been mixed and I normally do pretty good when I fish. That I may not be fishing where the big guys roam and frequent is very plausable explanation.

[Mean Morone]

Very good info right there Professor. I am soaking it up. Now if I can find the time and the right water I would like to see if I can pass the test.

What station are you going to be on and what time do I need to listen?