Cumberland River Fly Fishing Report - October 14 2026
Terrestrials and Double Nymph Rigs Are Still Producing on the Cumberland River Right Now
What a crazy week of weather and fishing we have seen. Hurricane Isaias threatened high winds and an inch and a half of rain for the Cumberland Valley and so far I am guessing we have gotten no more than a quarter of an inch of rain in Burkesville, Kentucky. Trips were cancelled or rescheduled for the weekend and I guess it was a good precaution. It has allowed me to get reset for the remainder of October as it is unbelievably busy for me. Barring any more adverse weather, I have two days off between now and Halloween and November is starting to fill up. The fishing was good this week and good numbers of fish were caught. Terrestrials and double nymph rigs are working well and streamers are still giving us good results. Fly fishing is good on the Cumberland River.
The Cumberland River Right Now: October 14, 2026. Conditions: Excellent with Fall color continuing to show. Top methods: Terrestrials on lower flows and double nymph rigs on any flows. Current water flows: Good allowing fly fishing all week.
Current River Conditions (Burkesville, Kentucky)
- The outflows TVA are giving us are really good. Last week they threw us a small curve ball by giving us two days of split generation. Two generators starting at 6 AM until 10 AM. One generator from 10 AM until noon. Off until 3 PM. One generator from 3 PM to 4 PM and two generators from 4 PM until 9 PM. That, ladies and gentlemen, is the definition of a screwy schedule. For TVA it makes sense from power production at peak demand but from a fishing standpoint it made for a tough window. Current pool elevation is at 694.7 feet above sea level. The DO is stabilizing. Per the USACE they have started using the Oxygen plant and DO levels are holding steady between 6 and 8 parts per million. If this continues this will be the best water quality I have seen in October in the last eleven years.
- The insect activity is once again mostly unchanged. Terrestrials are still the star attraction. Beetle and hopper imitations are still the go to. One thing I noticed at the end of last week was the return of midge clouds during my morning runs up river. The Cumberland River is a great bug factory. I am also still seeing a few Sulphur’s and Caddis late in the day. Streamer fishing is still a lot of fun in the mornings and on higher water flows as you move further down the river.
Current Fly Fishing Outlook
Marching forward into Fall the streamer bite will continue to be an important player in your fly fishing game. Nymphs will continue to be an important player as we see fewer and fewer terrestrials. One thing in particular is the nymphs will change a little. Don’t forget to try a few more scuds and sow bug imitations as we get closer to winter and having a good variety of midges will also be an important fly to have with you. I have not had to resort to either of the two just yet but as we get closer and closer to falling water temps, those patterns will begin to become more and more important. The forecast for the remainder of the week looks like highs in the 80’s and lows in the 60’s until Friday. We are expecting a cold front on Friday dropping highs in the upper 50’s for Saturday and Sunday and lows in the high 30’s. Bundle up, its going to be chilly!
Top Fly Patterns - Cumberland River
- Dry Flies
- Chubby Chernobyls Tan, Yellow, Black (Sizes 6-12)
- Amy’s Ant Olive, Black (Size 6)
- Sweetgrass Hopper Tan (Sizes 8-12)
- Fathead Beetle Black (Sizes 12, 14)
- 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
As we get deeper into Fall and Winter is right around the corner, the temps will become an increasingly larger obstacle for fly fisherman. Dressing for the weather can get you out later in the season, help you avoid crowds and get you into some really great fish. So don’t stop getting out because of temperatures, learn how to fish around them and through them.
Why should I fish in colder weather?
- Fly fishing in the colder months offers great opportunities at catching larger trout: Every year I end up seeing fewer people between the end of October and the first of March. I get it, the Holidays keep people busy, the kids are back in school and well its cold outside most of the time. However, seventy five to eighty percent of the largest Trout I catch all year are during the months of November thru March. So the opportunity to see a true river giant is one of the best reasons to get out and brave the conditions.
- Secondly is the lack of other people on the water: After seeing the increase in guides and anglers from year to year, getting to fish without the other folks out there is one of my favorite reasons to fish in the cold.
Can I stay warm fly fishing in the winter?
- To stay warm dress in layers. Start with a good base layer. I wear a lightweight or a midweight insulating layer. Next pants and a shirt with good wool socks. Finally waders, wading boots and a good Goretex jacket to keep the wind and the water out.
- With the right approach, you can be warm, comfortable and dry in cold weather: Not all gear is created equal. I am a huge fan of Capilene and Smartwool. Both of these base layers have treated me great over the years. I am a little more partial to the Patagonia over the Smartwool but not by much. For socks go with Smartwool!
On The Water This Week
Hurricanes are not my friend even as far North as Burkesville, Kentucky. Due to the weather forecast, I lost two days of fishing and had to reschedule another one. I wish the weather forecasters could get it correct every now and then. At one point, we were supposed to receive over an inch and a half of rain this past Saturday. I do not think we actually had a quarter of an inch over the entire weekend. It did give me a chance to get out and fish on Sunday and it was a spectacular day of it. The highlight was a twenty two inch Brown for me and a couple of fantastic Brown Trout eats on a big dry for my friend Cory. I think we landed four fish in total but we fished where and how we wanted and were rewarded with some truly quality fish. The streamer game for pre spawn Browns is starting to happen as the fish are starting to show up.If we can make it to mid to late November without any more hurricanes, fishing is going to be stellar.
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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