Just curious if there any FAOLers from the Bluegrass state.It seems that I am the only flyfisherman around these parts.How about southern Indiana?
JMoody, there are lots of fly fishers in Ky. I live in the Louisville area and I do considerable fishing around here with the long rod.
Chugger
Hey J -
I have been fly fishing KY for years. Live in Danville. If you ever wade the Cumberland I’ll bet we have crossed paths. Helms, Little Indian Creek, Crocus Creek, Rock House, Traces, etc. Just waiting for the gens to drop off a little and I’ll be down there again. Where is it that you fly fish? I’m strictly “cold water and trout” for the most part, but if those gens don’t stop soon I may have to hit one of the wadable bass creeks. Hate to do that but I’m starting to develop a nervous twitch from not throwing the fly line.
Drop me a PM if you’re ever interested in meeting at the Cumberland. It’s a short notice type of thing because you never know until the day before what the generator schedule is going to be.
Hey Chugger, how about you??? Ever wade the Cumberland?
There is more of us around but we are scattered. I moved to Ky from Michigan in 1970. I had people giving me the “what the heck stare” when flyfishing for Smallies on the local streams. I found out by accident that both my Doctor and Dentist FF.
I live currently in Nicholas Co., I get one or two trips a year to Rock Creek and the Red River Gorge, but prefer the Smokies. J, where do you live?
The Bluegrass TU and Louisville TU chapters have a lot of FF’ers, there is a strong FFF chapter in Northern Ky.
rst- :idea: Don’t limit yourself to “Cold Water”. My first love is a mountain stream (esp. Smokies) but hook a Snook on a gurgler, a 22 inch flounder (a Bluegill w/attitude) or a 25 inch Smallie. As a recent retiree, I’ve been able to travel around and have enjoyed pursuing differnt prey. I may have to change my “Tag” :lol:
Kytroutbum -
I moved to KY in 1976 from NH. I know where you?re coming from on the mountain streams. I do miss those and also the natural ponds, the ones you have to hike a couple hours to get there, or do an overnight to fish. I always have to make a few trips to those spots when in New England.
I have made a few trips to Rock Creek and it was great, but the Cumberland is one of the best trout rivers around, and I dare say in the country. The only drawback is the generators and never knowing, if you wade, when you can fish.
I’m really not opposed to warm water, it?s just that I love going after the trout and they don’t care much for warm water. But I am going to take your advice and expand a bit. In fact I have a buddy who is on the verge of being converted (wrong word) is going to “try” the fly rod, and I’ll probably go after some LM on a small creek that’s one of his secret places. I have several KY fishing buddies and boy are most of them attached to that ol? spinning rod, but I’m working on them.
I, as well, will be retired this year sometime and will be making some trips to fish other places - probably out west to start. I really would like to get to the ?Fish In? this year, but can’t make any definite plans as yet. The folks on this site sure seem to be a top notch group, and would like to meet some of them face to face.
Good having this back-in-forth, try to get to the Cumberland one of these days.
Bob
Thanks for the replies. There aren’t many FFer’s in my part of the state(western).Unfornunately, the closest trout water is about a two hours drive.Trout is certainly my preferred species, but I have been learning to really enjoy warmwater fishing with the long rod.
Most of my trout fishing was done when I lived in British Columbia (WOW that place was awesome!).I would love to fish the Cumberland someday.
Has anyone fished Trammel Fork in Allen Co.?
Warm Regards,
Jason
rst- I’ll get back to you in March when I get back from Fla. going to chase Redfish and Snook in the Mangroves around Sanibel Island for a month. Something is wrong with fishing in January with Butterflies around 
I’m interested in trying Cumberland but never really got to know my way around. Interested in showing me around? I’ll drive. I love New England, fished Baxter Park and West Branch of Penobscot this fall. Beautiful country.
KYtroutbum -
Any time you want a trip to the Cumberland just let me know. I’m down there just about every weekend that is wadeable. When you get back from FL drop a PM.
I was at the Penobscot about 4 years ago, staying at Abal Campground. Pulled two land locked salmon out of the river. Minimum limit was 18 inches and these were 16 and 17 (as expected) 
. The regs on that river are really funny, they seem to change every mile or so. I talked with a Game Warden about all the regs and how difficult it was to keep them straight. He agreed and told me that if I released every fish I caught I wouldn?t break any laws, and then laughed. :lol: :lol:
But again I?d be happy to show you what I know about the Cumberland most anytime; it?s one of my favorite places to fish.
Below is the gen schedule wed address for Wolf Creek Dam. The Corp is pretty consistent and do not change the schedule much at all. The last web address, posted below, is the lake plots. If you get addicted to wading the Cumberland, like I am, you will need both to help determine fishing availability.
Good luck in FL.
RST
Check the fly fishing show in Louisville on January 27. It is at the Holiday Inn Convention Center on Fern Valley Rd. It is presented by the Derby City Fly Fishers.
See you there
fishbum
Fishbum - I have never been to that show, what would one expect at this show. Are you a vendor, or a spectator? Will you have a booth? May just get one of my fishing buds and head over. Can you provide some short details about what goes on? Is there a fee to get in? Can you buy stuff, or is it just display stuff?
Is this Holiday Inn located on the left side of the I64 heading into Louisville from the east? I think I know where you?re talking about. Is there any web site info “link” that you can provide?
You’ve got my interest and would like to know more.
Thanks
Bob
I am tying at that show. It is a new show, 2nd year. My first so I can’t say about what they have there. The convention center is by the airport. the address is:
2715 Fern Valley Rd.
Louisville, KY
Stop by my table if you go.
fishbum
fishbum- has anyone replaced Jorgenson’s for obtaining fly tying supplies in Fort Wayne? I used to stop by on the way home to Michigan.
Randy Sale
fishbum - Are you the only one tying or will you have a big sign on your table stating “FISHBUM.” :lol: :lol: :lol:
I’ll try to find you, it looks like we will be there to see all that takes place.
Do you do custom tying??? I have been looking for someone that can tie a Black Ghost the way I like them. Cabelas is great, my favorite place to buy, but their Black Ghost is the pits. I?ll find you and we?ll talk.
Thanks for the info.
Bob
Sorry for not being too prompt with a response. Just got home from doing a show in Cleveland, OH. Nice to see the guys from FAOL.
Randy,
The fellow that run the fly shop at Jorgensen’s has set up shop at another store on the south side of Fort Wayne. Not as big but a start.
Bait an Hook Store
7536 Winchester Rd.
ask for Rick.
Bob,
There will be several people tying. You won’t have any trouble finding me. I usually have a bamboo rod on my table as well as the regular tying stuff. No big FISHBUM sign although that might not be a bad idea. I do tie commercially and look forward to helping you out with the Black ghost.
Hope to see you guys at the show.
fishbum
Fishbum -
No problem at all. I’ll see you at the show. I’m bringing a buddy that retired from BellSouth a few years ago and is now into full time preaching. He wants to get into fly fishing, but I’m half scared to take him to the Cumberland. I’m afraid when my back is turned he’ll grab me and dunk me under practicing his river baptisms. :lol:
See you there? I?ll have to try and find one of the ?old? Black Ghosts like I use to pick up in New England. Sure would love to get my hands on what I?m calling the old style.
We?re going to hit the fly fishing show first and then go over to the RV/Boat show, so see you early.
Thanks
Bob
Another KY boy checking in. Cumberland, Otter and Elkhorn Creek for me for the most part, and in roughly that order, with occassional side trip to Floyd’s Fork or a lake somewhere. I’ll be at the show on the 27th as well. Here’s a link to the DCFF web site (just re-designed, so some of the links aren’t active yet). Admission to the show is $6 for adults.
Hey John_N
The tail waters of the Cumberland below Wolf Creek Dam to Burkesville is my stomping ground. Do you wade or use a boat? If you wade we probably have crossed paths at some time or other. I usually hit Helms when I can, and Crocus Creek when I can’t, but haven’t been able to do either since the day before Christmas.
Put a big name tag on your hat on the 27th and I’ll see if I can spot you.
Let me know how you do on the Cumberland next time out.
The best,
RST
I live in Louisville as well.
My favorite place to flyfish is the Cumberland, but It is too far away from Louisville to be my only option. I love fishing for bluegills in the Spring–I’ve had some great days in a canoe or kayak on McNeely lake with a foam grasshopper with a nymph dropper.
I’ve even caught LMB and channel cats on wooly buggers in farmponds in Simpsonville (unfortunately, my access to that particular pond is over).
There is a TU chapter in Louisville as well as the Derby City Fly Fishers: http://www.derbycityflyfishers.com/
Hey RST-
Sorry for the late reply. I forget to check this thread after it seemed like it went cold for a couple days after my post. I’ve always preferred wading, though I went in with a couple friends to buy a boat this year to take us from spot to spot on the Cumberland. We traditionally fished the area above Rock House, but have done that less frequently since they started developing the area. Since we got the boat, we’ve typically put in at Traces and will hit various points from there (Thomas Island, etc.). I still hit Helm’s several times a year it seems, though like you it has been awhile. With the big announcement about the draw down of the lake, sounds like we’ll all be hitting less often for awhile.
I’m on the committee for the show, so I’ll have a name tag on. I’ll be all around that day, but I’m the only John in the club I think, so don’t hesitate to holler. Hope to see you there!
John -
Will be at the show for sure, at some point during the day. Going to hit the RV show as well.
The drawn down of the lake has me sick. I read everything I can get my hands about this. They say now that 90% of the loading ramps will be useless, and to expect fish kills when the water warms up.
Have you, OR ANYONE ELSE, heard or seen anything on how they think the trout will fare?
See you Saturday.
Bob