Streams for September smallies
Breathtaking autumn waterways
WHILE SUMMER SOMETIMES LINGERS into the later months of the year, September marks the beginning of fall in Kentucky. That’s when the mind of anyone who loves the outdoors begins to wander to the fields and streams. There’s plenty to do outdoors this time of year, and even more to plan, from opening day on the dove field to deer hunts later in the month and squirrel hunting all season. For anglers, one of those possible pursuits is creek fishing for smallmouth bass.
Kentucky is home to thousands of miles of streams, many of which hold smallmouth bass, offering the angler ample opportunities throughout the state. Kentucky’s waterways can be breathtaking in the fall. You might already see a black gum tree showing off its amazing colors—it’s one of the earliest to mark the changing season.
The South Fork Licking River is a great place to float and catch smallmouth bass along the way. It begins at Ruddells Mills in Bourbon County and flows through Cynthiana until it rejoins the main Licking River at Falmouth in Pendleton County. The heavy canopy that surrounds the river provides the perfect autumn scenery as the leaves begin to change. South Fork Licking River is a prime habitat for smallmouth bass and provides great opportunities to catch a trophy. The water runs a little dingy, so lures in white and/or chartreuse seem to produce better catches. You can also use your favorite color; you never know what may work. My favorite is the LiL Tuffy Swimbait in shad color, or a small spinnerbait with a flashy skirt.
Flowing through Bath and Fleming counties, Locust Creek is another tributary of the Licking River. Known for strong smallmouth bass fishing, it offers excellent flow, a rocky bottom, deep pools and riffles that feed into productive holding water. Together, these features create an ideal smallmouth habitat. Use finesse baits near the bottom in the middle of the day, and target cover like logs or boulders. If topwater fishing is your thing, Locust Creek is well known for it. Try a small popper, a walking bait or a hollow-body frog.
Try these destinations for your next smallmouth trip and visit the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife website for more information: fw.ky.gov/Education/Pages/Blue-Water-Trails.aspx.
