Invicta Flies - Cumberland Tailwaters, Kentucky
Kentucky's premier trout fishery, the Cumberland River below Lake Cumberland offers year-round trout as a tailwater which stays in the 50's, regardless of the air temperature. The locals regard it as put-and-take, most chucking powerbait, corn, worms, and the like, but a flyfisher with the know-how will outfish them easily. Holdover rainbows grow streamwise and can reach a respectable size, while regulations and catch-and-release fisherman keep the elusive browns of trophy class. Generation from the dam varies, so floating the river provides the most access. A "Good morning!" or "How'ja do" to wading fisherman as you float through their spot helps alleviate ill feelings (it also helps if you wait to cast until out of their casting range!). There are area guides for the river and bed-and-breakfasts, so the river can get crowded at times. Good manners and kinsmanship can go a long way in having a good experience here.
Low water on the Cumberland. During generation, the water level can reach well up into the treeline.
 Wolf Creek Dam.
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 Helm's Landing.
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 Near Burkesville.
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Fly patterns (Trout):
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Size:
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Mallard Minnow
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6-8
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Beadhead Wooly Bugger, olive, black
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6-10
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4-8
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6-10
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12
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6-8
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Copper John, copper
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14-18
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Sowbug
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14-18
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14-18
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Pheasant Tail, standard & beadhead
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16-18
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14-18
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Stonefly, black
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6-8
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14-16
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Silver Midge
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20-24
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Elk Hair Caddis, tan
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12-14
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Billing's Cad-E-Z, tan, green
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12-14
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BWO dries
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18-20
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Griffith's Gnat
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18-20
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20-22
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John Stewart of Stewart's Guide Service is one of the best in the area. Visit his website at www.stewartsguideservice.com.
Learn more about the Cumberland Tailwaters at Brett Billings' site, cumberlandtrout.com