Cumberland River Fly Fishing Report - September 16 2026
Another great week of Hopper eats and Streamer takes on the Cumberland River in Burkesville, Kentucky
Of all there is to do in life, watching fifteen to eighteen inch Rainbow Trout eat Chubby Chernobyl’s on the Cumberland River Tailwater does not suck. I really wish this could go on all year but I know that eventually its going to be over. I am going to enjoy it as long as I can. Streamer fishing and nymph fishing are still producing equally as well. Burkesville, Kentucky is the place to be for some of the finest fly fishing there is to do in the Southeast.
Cumberland River Right Now: September 16th, 2026 — Hopper Fishing is Awesome— Streamers & Deep Nymphs Producing — Flows Ideal, Burkesville to Wolf Creek Dam
Current River Conditions (Burkesville, Kentucky)
The current conditions on the Cumberland River are as follows:
- Lake Cumberland is at an elevation of 699.73 feet, down almost a foot from last week.
- Water temperatures are fluctuating between 50 and 60 degrees F.
- The USACE is still sluicing during periods of higher water flows during the week causing some off color water but the fishing is fine.
- Today it appears the Dissolved Oxygen Levels fluctuated between just a little over 4 parts per million with a peak of roughly 11 parts per million thanks to the Sluice.
Little has changed since this past Wednesday when I put out my last fishing report. Water temperatures have increased a little bouncing between 50 and 60 degrees F. The bug activity is basically identical. There are still the occasional Sulphur to be seen in the air during the day. The beetles, hoppers and inch worms are still falling from the Sycamore trees and we are still catching fish on all three disciplines. As stated in last weeks report, as we continue into the last two weeks of September, I expect the Hoppers and other Terrestrials as well as baitfish and crayfish to play a larger and larger part in most of the Trout’s diet. I can’t say it enough fishing is good and I do not expect that to change any time soon. One nice thing I am noticing this week is the lack of other boats on the water. The weekend was a little busy but not terrible. I don’t remember seeing more than maybe one or two other boats this past Sunday.
Current Fly Fishing Outlook
This has been a great week of fly fishing. Most impressive was for sure the hopper eats. I would be willing to bet this past Sunday produced twenty to twenty five hopper eats. We did not land every one of them, but to see that kind of activity was really awesome. We still caught plenty of fish on double nymph rigs and it was still awesome watching fish torpedo out of the timber to eat a streamer. All in all I believe we are set up for the same over the next couple of weeks. There is no real changes expected in the weather until mid to end of next week and the waterflows are looking as they did last week, so this weeks outlook is for more of the same great fly fishing we have been having!
Top Fly Patterns - Cumberland River
- Dry Flies
- Chubby Chernobyl’s- Tan, Yellow, Black (Sizes 6-12)
- Amy’s Ant- Olive, Black (Size 6)
- Nymphs
- Tungsten Bead Head Pheasant Tail (Sizes 16–18)
- Tungsten Beaded Frenchies (Sizes 16–18)
- Pats Rubber Legs (Sizes 6-8)
- Streamers
- Woolly Bugger — Olive, Gold, Black (Sizes 4–6)
- Drunk & Disorderly-Tan, Black, Olive (Size 6)
Strategy
One of the most common questions I get asked before I take people out on a guided fly fishing trip is what fly rods do I bring. I always tell folks that I am happy to provide everything they will need but if you would like to bring your favorite fly rods you are more than welcome. Since I like to fish three different ways, below are the types of rod and reel set ups I suggest to suit each application.
Nymph Rods
A good nymph rod is most likely the one fly rod you will use the most. I like a 9′ or 9′ 6″ five or six weight. These rods are heavy enough to cast most of my double nymph rigs and can handle added weight like heavier flies or added split shot like a champ. The 9′ 6″ rods do aid in mending but day in and day out, I hand my folks a standard 9′ fly rod and we do well with that length and weight most of the time.
Hopper Rods
If you do not have a dedicated rod to set up specifically to hopper fish with that is ok. Mostly because a good hopper rod fits all of the same specs as a good nymph rod. I prefer a 9′ or a 9’6″ five or six weight. Most modern five weight rods can throw big hoppers and throw them well. I am partial to a good six weight just in case it gets windy.
Streamer Rods
Most of my folks have a favorite streamer rod. I like to fish a good 9′ or 9’6″ seven or eight weight. I use a little heavier rod because I like to throw full sinking lines. I have an Orvis Depth Charge 150 gr on a pair of seven weights and an Orvis depth charge 250 gr on a pair of eight weights. It is my personal preference to fish these lines on the rod weights I have selected.
On The Water This Week
It was a great week of fly fishing on the Cumberland River and the big highlight was once again the people I was able to fish with. The heat has been ridiculous. These types of days can have adverse effects on both the fishing and the fly fisher. Most of my folks are tolerating it fine by staying hydrated. We have also been taking the occasional break and finding shade to sit in for a few minutes, especially during the heat of the day when fishing may get a little slow. Getting off of the boat during lunch and wade fishing on gravel bars is a great way to take a break from the heat too. I have even had a couple of guys take an occasional swim in the river. Why not? The fish do it.
The Cumberland River is a massive, world-class fishery, and because of its incredible reputation for trophy trout, prime hatch dates and peak weekends fill up months in advance. Whether you want to witness the explosive spring caddis hatch, cast grasshoppers against the summer banks, or hunt a personal-best Brown trout on heavy streamers, securing your dates early is essential.
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Real Time Updates: View our current Fly Fishing Reports to see what is happening on the Cumberland River right now.