Elkhorn Creek

[jgj]

Thank you very much. I assure you it will be strictly catch and release. There are too many bluegill and crappie fishing has been too good at Barren this spring to keep a brown fish.

[timmbur22]

Has anyone ever floated what is known as the "whitewater section" of Elkhorn, between Jim Beam and Knight's Bridge? I inquired about float-fishing this section with Canoe Ky and was told it was not only dangerous for a non-whitewater kayaker, but also was hard to fish due to the continuous rapids. I asked if it could be floated at low flow and was told it was even more dangerous when low. I was a bit skeptical of these answers, but maybe I'm wrong since I've never been on the Elkhorn above Knight's Bridge.

I'd like to know more about this section. I guess I'm not 100% convinced I shouldn't try to float fish it in my recreation kayak at a lower flow.

???????

[jcb]

Has anyone ever floated what is known as the "whitewater section" of Elkhorn, between Jim Beam and Knight's Bridge? I inquired about float-fishing this section with Canoe Ky and was told it was not only dangerous for a non-whitewater kayaker, but also was hard to fish due to the continuous rapids. I asked if it could be floated at low flow and was told it was even more dangerous when low. I was a bit skeptical of these answers, but maybe I'm wrong since I've never been on the Elkhorn above Knight's Bridge.

I'd like to know more about this section. I guess I'm not 100% convinced I shouldn't try to float fish it in my recreation kayak at a lower flow.

???????

I've waded that stretch more times than I can count. I've canoed it, never kayaked it, and it does have some nice white water. But hard to fish? Dangerous? Not in my experience.

DISCLAIMER TO YOUR RELATIVES: If timmbur22 drowns, I am not an expert on kayak safety and this is only my opinion.

[jcb]

I notice you heard that from Canoe KY. I don't think that stretch is part of their service area. I'm cynical enough to think that may have something to do with their dire warnings...

[redneckshadrap]

I would float it first...then fish it the next trip...7 miles is a lot of water...

[timmbur22]

I found this description of the different sections of the Elkhorn. It sounds to me like the whitewater section is definitely fishable at lower levels and with precautions:

http://fw.ky.gov/bluewaterelkhorn.asp

[Denver1911]

Has anyone ever floated what is known as the "whitewater section" of Elkhorn, between Jim Beam and Knight's Bridge? I inquired about float-fishing this section with Canoe Ky and was told it was not only dangerous for a non-whitewater kayaker, but also was hard to fish due to the continuous rapids. I asked if it could be floated at low flow and was told it was even more dangerous when low. I was a bit skeptical of these answers, but maybe I'm wrong since I've never been on the Elkhorn above Knight's Bridge.

I'd like to know more about this section. I guess I'm not 100% convinced I shouldn't try to float fish it in my recreation kayak at a lower flow.

???????

I'd love to make an attempt at drowning there with ya.

I've got a Tarpon 100 and think I'd like to try it. Send PM if you wanna do it sometime.

[jcb]

I will say, and I hope this goes without saying, that you should portage around the dam below Jim Beam instead of taking the plunge down...

[YakNinja]

Has anyone ever floated what is known as the "whitewater section" of Elkhorn, between Jim Beam and Knight's Bridge? I inquired about float-fishing this section with Canoe Ky and was told it was not only dangerous for a non-whitewater kayaker, but also was hard to fish due to the continuous rapids. I asked if it could be floated at low flow and was told it was even more dangerous when low. I was a bit skeptical of these answers, but maybe I'm wrong since I've never been on the Elkhorn above Knight's Bridge.

I'd like to know more about this section. I guess I'm not 100% convinced I shouldn't try to float fish it in my recreation kayak at a lower flow.

???????

That part is the hardest to fish but the most rewarding. The catch tends to be bigger on that part. The worst of it is the portage over the dam at Jim Beam. I caught a nice 3lb smallmouth under that bridge. Usually takes about 6 hours or more to float and fish. There are a lot of good stopping points along the way.