Goodbye to Kentucky Lake

This afternoon I'll make my last trip to Kentucky Lake (at least for a while). After 48 yrs of fishing its waters, after literally thousands of fishing trips, tons of fish caught,A tournaments fished, some guiding done, and a lifetime of friends made, I'm leaving this area on Monday and moving to Somerset, KY. I'm looking forward to fishing Lake Cumberland, Dale Hollow Lake, and Green River Lake (one of my favorite crappie lakes in the country), as well as some of the best trout fishing (Cumberland River) in the lower 48 states.....but I have to say I'm going to miss Kentucky Lake. The lake has become a like a great friend to me, a major piece of my heart and life. I will always cherish the hours I spent plying its waters and getting close to nature (and God).

To some, I suppose it seems silly to get sentimental over a lake, but NOT to a fisherman. Kentucky Lake has been home to me for these many years and has consumed much of my life. It is like an old friend to me.

As any real fisherman knows, a lake is ALIVE.....it has a life and beauty unto itself. You can feel life in the ebb and flow of its waters. You can witness its beauty in the morning sunrise through a gentle mist or a sunset over shimmering waters. Over the years, it has been my privilege to fish many, many of the wonderful lakes in our country and each lake has had its own personality, its own make-up, its own uniqueness....but none more than Kentucky Lake. It truly is a GREAT lake....and a big part of my life. Today I say goodbye to an old friend!

Best wishes on your move. A trout trip below Cumberland is on my bucket list.

Since you are leaving here, what would you take for your GPS waypoints? I'm sure some would pay good $$ for them.

With the waters at Cumberland lake returning to it former levels this year you should really be enter the banner years of the new Cumberland lake and its newly flooded cover. It should be great fishing in the years to come. I can only imagine how you feel about leaving Ky lake, I only get there for 4 or 5 days a year and I miss it for the next 360 days...

Best of luck with your move. I am hoping to do the opposite and move farther west some day.
Curious why Green is one of your favorite crappie lakes ? Just wondering based on your coming from Ky and Barkley.
I fish Green the most, holler at me I will be in a blue/gray Skeeter casting jigs.
Paul

Very well written and also very true words, a lake is very much alive and I get close to them in much the same way you described. I've been to Barkley twice in my whole life, those two times being this past May and I immediately felt like it's my favorite place in the whole world. I'm already talking about buying an acre of ground down there and possibly building a 30X40 pole barn style building that you can live out of...it's a very economical way to build now days. That's how much Barkley Lake and just that whole area effected me while down there. The quality of fishing is simply amazing and it's a big draw to a serious fisherman.

I don't think I'd worry much though, apparently Lake Cumberland is expected to have some huge years now that the dam is complete. Dale Hollow has always been one of the highest rated lakes in the country too, so you're fishing days are still out ahead of you. Come to think of it, Kentucky has some of the very best freshwater fishing in the entire country between those lakes.

You said it good kyfishman! I find this kind of feeling more and more as I get older.

Me too

Hey Kyfishman. I wish you the best of luck.I have enjoyed your articles here on CDC and will miss you. I am sorry we never met and had lunch. I love Ky. Lake area much like you and can't imagine not fishing there. I have spent many hours on the Cumberland tail waters fishing for trout and I am sure you will enjoy the quite beauty of that area. If you ever need a trip partner on the river I would be glad to go. You are entering another fisherman's paradise around Somerset. If you ever need a boat seat on Ky. Lake just let me know. Take care and watch that river!!!!

Best wishes on your move. A well said post about a great lake.

Hey They have the internet in Somerset. I know cause I have friends there! Only change is kyfishman will be reporting on different lakes in general. We don't lose a guy when he moves to a new lake do we? Cause I was planning to move west in a few my self and don't want to lose the connections I have here! LOL

I believe only way to be cut off from the web is to move to N. Korea and a few spots in the middle east:yikes

Best of luck on your move

As a guy that grew up on lake Cumberland, I am a little jealous that you will be right there. I grew up on fishing creek. I can tell you that since the lake went down and tons and tons of brush and trees have grown. Only to be flooded again.... My friend I think that lake is going to be on fire.

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Originally Posted by kyfishman

This afternoon I'll make my last trip to Kentucky Lake (at least for a while). After 48 yrs of fishing its waters, after literally thousands of fishing trips, tons of fish caught,A tournaments fished, some guiding done, and a lifetime of friends made, I'm leaving this area on Monday and moving to Somerset, KY. I'm looking forward to fishing Lake Cumberland, Dale Hollow Lake, and Green River Lake (one of my favorite crappie lakes in the country), as well as some of the best trout fishing (Cumberland River) in the lower 48 states.....but I have to say I'm going to miss Kentucky Lake. The lake has become a like a great friend to me, a major piece of my heart and life. I will always cherish the hours I spent plying its waters and getting close to nature (and God).

To some, I suppose it seems silly to get sentimental over a lake, but NOT to a fisherman. Kentucky Lake has been home to me for these many years and has consumed much of my life. It is like an old friend to me.

As any real fisherman knows, a lake is ALIVE.....it has a life and beauty unto itself. You can feel life in the ebb and flow of its waters. You can witness its beauty in the morning sunrise through a gentle mist or a sunset over shimmering waters. Over the years, it has been my privilege to fish many, many of the wonderful lakes in our country and each lake has had its own personality, its own make-up, its own uniqueness....but none more than Kentucky Lake. It truly is a GREAT lake....and a big part of my life. Today I say goodbye to an old friend!

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I think I know this man and his first name is Steve, and I wish him the greatest in Somerset!!