Obey River Tailwater Trip
July 9 - July 11
Obey River Tailwater Trip
Location: Obey River Tailwater (Celina, TN)
Dates: July 9th – 11th (Wed – Fri) (arriving Wed Jul 9th late afternoon/evening)
Coordinator: Joe Gahlinger (joe@derbycityflyfishers.com, 502-472-3975) I’ll contact participants several weeks in advance of the trip to finalize details. We can coordinate put in times/locations, arrange shuttles for kayakers if necessary, make sure first timers are buddied up with a veteran to help navigate the river (no guarantee they will show you their honey holes, but you might try a bribe;-) and talk about eating arrangements.
Level 2 Trip: This is rated a Level 2 Trip (see Trip Suitability for details.) Boat operators should have experience navigating shallow water rivers and dealing with rising water from dam releases. Kayakers, canoeists, etc., should have experience fishing from a kayak in moving water. PFDs are required for all.
Number of Spots: Unlimited
The Plan: We’ll arrive Wednesday afternoon/evening and fish the Obey on Thursday and Friday. Note: There is a Cumberland Tailwaters trip scheduled for 11 thru 13 July at Helm’s Landing. If you desire, you can fish the Obey on Thursday and Friday then travel to the Riverside Retreat at Helm’s Landing Friday afternoon/evening to fish the Cumberland on Saturday and Sunday. Note: These are separate trips and you must sign up for each of them separately.
Description of the Waters: The Obey River Tailwater is a 7 mile stretch of the Obey River that runs between the Dale Hollow Lake Dam and the Cumberland River. The river is stocked with rainbow and brown trout year-round. Club members have caught both species in good numbers and sizes (it is not uncommon to hook up on 18+ inch fish.) The river is subject to rapidly changing conditions based on the dam release schedule. It is a narrow river with high banks, thus when dam release begins the river rises rapidly by as much as 12 to 15 feet. The upper half of the river is shallow during non-release periods but can be navigated carefully by shallow draft motorboats. The lower half is deeper and easily navigated at low water. Google Map Link
Accessibility: Wading is limited and mostly only accessible via watercraft. So, this will be a float trip (shallow draft motorboats, kayaks, canoes, etc.) There are three concrete boat ramps (no docks or piers) along the river with ample parking available. We typically launch and recover motorboats at the Donaldson Park ramp, which is at the lower end of the river. We motor up 2.5 to 5 miles depending on water conditions and fish our way back down to the ramp. For those with kayaks, canoes, etc., we’ll organize shuttles for launch and take out. If you do not have a watercraft but would like to come on this trip, contact Joe Gahlinger for help in getting a seat – but no guarantees. DO NOT SIGN UP until you have made boating arrangements.
Meals: All meals are personal responsibility. Depending on your lodging arrangements there may be informally organized dinners at a local restaurant. See Lodging options below for in-room cooking amenities.
Lodging: There are a few lodging options:
1. Riverfront Lodge, Burkesville, KY – We have four rooms reserved for Wed and Thur nights (Jul 9th & 10th) for $80/night/room (taxes and fees included). To claim one of these rooms, call 270-864-3300 and ask for rooms reserved under Joe Gahlinger, Fly Fishing Group. Rooms are two queen beds, free Wi-Fi, microwave, mini fridge and coffee maker. About 25 minutes from Donaldson Ramp on the Obey. Ample parking and several charging stations in rear for trolling motor battery charging.
2. Valley View Motel, Celina, TN – This is a no-frills motel we’ve used in the past. It’s biggest advantage is that it is five minutes from the Donaldson Ramp. They are under new ownership since our last trip and there are a few changes. They now have a mini-fridge and coffee maker but still no cooking in rooms. These are small, basic rooms so temper your expectations. They are clean and serviceable. The price has also increased, it is now $80/night/room (taxes and fee included.) There are two standard beds per room, so room sharing is pretty economical. Boat trailer parking is tight but manageable. Let them know when you make a reservation that you are bringing a boat and they will help you out with parking. You’ll need a long (50′ at least) extension cord to charge trolling motor batteries, so bring your own. Also, bring a 3-prong to 2-prong electric outlet adapter. I don’t know if the new owners have upgraded outlets to 3-prong grounded outlets. Call 931-243-2641 to make reservations (no rooms have been held for this trip.)
3. Campsites are available at the Dale Hollow Damsite Campgrounds immediately adjacent to the boat ramp just below the dam. You can get Campground information and make reservations at https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232564
Fishing License and permits: You will need a Tennessee All Species fishing license. A 3-day non- resident with Trout permit costs $40 (+$3.52 Handling Fees.) An annual non-resident with Trout permit costs $98.00 (+$3.52 Handling Fees.) You can get more information and buy licenses here.
Sign Up here.