Spring 2026 Bardstown Bluegill Trip

Coordinator: Steve Cullen S.Cullen325i@gmail.com ; 502-599-7494

The Plan:  This will be the club’s second trip here thanks to the generosity of DCFF
member Lou Kaufman who has graciously offered us access to the venue.
This trip will be limited to 8 participants due to space constraints on the water.
The registration fee is $25 to cover dinner and breakfast as well as firewood.
We will be fishing two private lakes near to the area around Bardstown Kentucky, about
40 minutes South of Louisville.
These are small lakes with limited launch opportunity so we will be limiting this to
Kayaks and Canoes only. Wade or bank fishing isn’t really an option other than one pier
on the larger of the two lakes.
We will be fishing for Bluegill and Bass. We don’t plan on any fish fry’s but anglers may
keep some of their catch. No limit on Bass, 10 Bluegill each.
We may arrive any time on the afternoon on the 20th and may fish if you like after
checking in and getting a little orientation. Supper followed by a fire at the cottage that
evening. Group Breakfast the morning of the 21st, after which you may fish either lake for
as long as you like.

Lodging:  Lou has a cottage on the property which he has also made available to us.
There’s a large open room room as well as a three season room with plenty of space for
cots or air mattresses and sleeping bags.
We have a kitchen and bath. We must bring our own towels, cookware, camp chairs,
and eating utensils.
You will need to bring your own cot or air mattress, sleeping bag or linens and blankets
and a pillow.
There are ample electrical outlets, but you might want to bring a short extension cord
and/or power strip to handle your electronic needs.
We’ll buy firewood for the group fires.
We have space to set up popup shelters/canopies if you choose to bring them but we
have no plans to bring the clubs.
While we intend to leave the cottage open all day for bathroom access, we would
appreciate it if your gear was packed up and out of the cottage after breakfast.

Parking adjacent to the cottage should be ample but…  Carpooling would be a good
idea if feasible.
We will be able to drop boats lake side. The property is gated and generally secure but
your gear is left at your own risk so please plan accordingly.

Meals:
Plan to bring your own lunch, snacks, and beverages of choice.
I will bring the DCFF coffee pot, coffee and condiments for the group.
We plan to have group supper the evening of the 20th and breakfast the morning of the
21st. Both of those meals are open for a volunteer preparer. (You’ll have help and
your offers are greatly appreciated!)
We’ll tentatively plan suppers at 7PM but will adjust as needed.
You need to bring your cooking and meal prep/serving utensils – if you think you’ll need
it, bring it! We will have paper plates and plastic ware.

Description:  These are small impoundments with a varied shore line.
Depths can be up to 14 feet, but most areas are significantly shallower. There are a
variety of Bass, as well as Red Ear and Bluegill in these lakes.
Accessibility:  Access to the larger of the two lakes is firm and relatively shallow in
slope meaning trailer launch is difficult if not unlikely. Plan on walking your boats in. That
will definitely be the case on the smaller lake where launch is limited to a walk in at the
end of the dam.  Gas motors cannot be used but trolling motors are acceptable.
Level:  This is a Level 2 trip.  There will not be dedicated fishers to teach beginners fly
fishing basics.
Fishing License and Permits: This is private property and fishing licenses are not
required.
Equipment:  3 to 6 weight fly rods, but if you want to spin or bait fish don’t hesitate to
bring your gear.  Both topwater and typical nymph flies should work.  Bluegills love mop
flies and trout magnets! While I can’t say what things will be like in October, the top
water bite was good in June though nymphing in deeper water was also productive.

To sign up and pay, please click here.