Destination: Burkesville, KY; Cumberland River, July 10 - 13, 2003

Dave Peacock is organizing a club trip to southern Kentucky to fish the Cumberland River. There are some very nice rainbows, large browns, and even larger stripers (but the stripers are not easy to catch). Our last outing there was last July when we hit very respectable hatches of Sulphurs, BWOs, and some light Cahills -- and we're excited to be going back. Don't choose to miss this trip just because you cannot be there every day. Come when you can, even if it is before our first day on the river or later in the week. Plan the drive to be 5 hours from Atlanta, which can eat up 1/2 day each way depending on what time you leave Atlanta; unfortunately, that's time you will not be catching fish. Last year, I departed Barrett Parkway / I-75 at 5 AM and met the guys at the ramp at 9:30 AM without interference from the troopers --- allowing a full day of fishing. Please add your name to the list if you plan to go indicating the dates you plan to be there, where you're staying, and any other pertinent information.

We will stay in Burkesville, Ky. at the Riverfront Lodge (270-864-3300). A public boat ramp is within ¼ mile and they have a dock behind the motel if you wish to tie up there. Plan to make your own motel reservations. There is a softball tournament in Burkesville starting on July 11th so reservations need to be made as soon as you decide that you are going on this trip. The clerk advises that the motel will be booked solid so everyone should decide now whether you are going. Because rooms are at a premium with the softballers in town, the motel charges a higher rate for Friday and Saturday nights than they do for Thursday. For Thursday, the currently quoted rates run $59.50 (tax incl.) per room for two and $50.75 (tax incl.) for one. On Friday and Saturday nights, the current rates are $72.35 (tax incl.) per room for two --- same rate for one person per room. Capitalism rules. Share a room and reduce your costs. (Bring ear plugs)

An alternate motel is the Alpine Inn (270-864-3300) which sits on the ridge overlooking Burkesville. It is rather spartan but can be used as a fallback motel to grab a shower and some sleep if the Riverfront Lodge is booked. It is older than the Riverfront and not as friendly to the parking of boats.

For those of you who would rather camp out, here's where to stay... Dale Hollow Lake State Park - primary # 270-433-7450; secondary # 270-433-7431. They are the only ones in the Burkesville area. They do not take reservations - first come/first served. However, the park does not anticipate that our folks should have any trouble getting a site.

Guides: Chris Scalley (River Through Atlanta) has offered to host a cook-out on one evening for AFFC members during which we could swap fish lies and grill out. BYO beer and food. He has the grills and all the amenities at the Riverside Retreat at Helms Landing (ramp) -- five river miles below Wolf Creek dam. Chris will be guiding on the Cumberland the entire month of July but he advises that available bookings will be limited so the earlier you book a float or jet boat trip the better. His trips include a streamside lunch, cold beverages, angling equipment with some wading opportunities for $355 for two anglers for a full day. The normal trip will cover 10-20 miles of river. Call Chris at 770-650-8630 to book a guided trip or check out his website at www.riverthroughatlanta.com

Boats: Traces on Cumberland is a boat rental/storage facility just downstream from Burkesville. A two-person boat rents for $75 - $95 per day, depending on the type you select. You can call Traces at (270-433-5898) to make your reservation. Be aware that they have a limited number of boats, only about 5 - 6 johnboats as rentals. Early bird gets the worm. Ask for a boat with a good trolling motor.

Those of you with fishing boats and possibly canoes should consider bringing them along on the trip rather than renting from Traces. There are wading opportunities at ten or so islands and bars above Burkesville but a boat is an absolute necessity to access these opportunities. The use of a boat is highly recommended on the Cumberland.

A quote from a previous club trip: Mike Wilson says..."I took my 17 foot Bass Tracker and it worked well. In a few places it was only 2 1/2 feet deep and my propeller was right on the bottom, so if your draft is much more you'll just need to very careful or just use a smaller boat. Having a boat, you can access many more locations and will have opportunities for fish that prefer the deeper water. There are numerous places to wade fish, so a boat is not a must, but I highly recommend it."

Another "boat quote" from last year: Dave Peacock says: "I took my 18' Ranger bassboat on three trips to the Cumberland last year and did fine negotiating almost 13 miles of river above Burkesville - but one must be very mindful there are many submerged logs and stumps hiding in the river awaiting the careless and unwary. Also there are islands and bars that have very low water levels around them during the late afternoon, less than 18" at times. A larger bassboat needs to have a functioning power tilt on the motor to get through these areas without damaging your prop - at times lift the lower end almost totally out of the water. Praying a bit about not damaging your hull also doesn't hurt. I survived three trips last year without sustaining any damage to the boat or motor by erring on the side of caution and studying the passages around the bars and islands. I encourage others to bring their john boats, tracker type boats or larger bassboats --- just be careful."

Other Guides: Gerald (he prefers "Jerry") McDaniel has spent 19 years on the Cumberland, not all but most of it, guiding. Jerry often operates out of "The Traces" and goes up or down the river based on recent success. Jerry - 502-895-3182

Flies: Here's a word from Chris Scalley regarding flies for the trip... "Fly selection for you fly-tyers at the club. Midge patterns, nymph patterns (especially) such as brassies, streamer patterns to imitate baby trout, sculpin, darters and shad. Mayfly patterns for sulphers and BWO's. Terrestrial patterns such as Japanese beetles, ants, June bugs, hoppers, etc. You should have patterns in all sizes. With the limestone geology there is no telling what size and species, I have seen size #24 to #10 and everything in between. I have heard scud and sow bug imitations do well but I have not personally tried them. Happy fly-tying!"

Bring: Rain gear, extra clothes, fishing gear, camera, toiletries, and beer, wine and/or liquor if desired (it's a dry county).

Need: Kentucky Fishing license. Available locally up there; or, on the web at www.kdfwr.state.ky.us (go to licenses and permits for information).

More Information: www.tracesonthecumberland.com
We had a group of about 10 people last July. I hope we can attract even more this year. Please contact Dave if you wish to go.

Quarry: Rainbows, Browns & Stripers
Price per person: Long weekend trip... Thursday through Sunday
Guides: (See Above)
Book Reservations by: After Dave gets a head count & makes reservations
AFFC Fee (per person):  Members $0; Non-members $15
Transportation: On your own, or car pool               Locate:   Burkesville, KY