Here are the directions that Bob gave me and they worked like a charm:
From Russell Springs go south on Highway 127.
Turn right (WEST) on Highway 55 and go 1.4 miles
Turn left on HWY 1058 (There is a Church in the Y of the two roads), go 1.0 mile
Turn left (SOUTH) on HWY 379 (at another church).
Go 2.3 miles on Hwy 379 and then turn left (EAST) in a very sharp corner.
There was a sign that pointed to Helms Landing in the intersection but it’s no longer there.
Follow a very narrow road drive slow and watch for on coming traffic. Go by another church (Temple Hill church ? very small country church) on that road and on down to the river; Road turns into dirt the last ? mile or so and stops at Helms Landing Boat Ramp.
Bob suggested (and I agree) that it’sbetter to walk down the river on a trail that parallels the river for about 1/4 mile. Not as much fishing pressure down there.
To get there, basically walk down the ramp and along the bank of the river a bit, and then head back up onto the bank. The trail is right there and goes right along side of the river to where it stops ? back in the river a little bit down stream. You can?t get lost as that piece of land mass is an island when the river is up.
About half way down the trail/path you will see some yellow sulphur rocks and a large tree stump out in the river. It?s really good around that area as well.
One word of advice that Bob passed on to me…wear fleece under your waders if you’re going to be in the water for any length of time. I was in the water up to my navel for at least 90 minutes and I’m glad I had that extra layer of padding.
Bob is king of the Woolly Bugger and had great success with them. They worked for me as well. Also remember that there are good hatches of caddis and stonefly so remember to bring plenty of nymph patterns since I saw lots of subsurface activity but few - if any- rises.
Hope this helps…it was a great experience and one I look to repeat soon!
