I am taking a road trip to Kentucky to visit my brother at the end of April. I am planning on driving strait through from Lubbock on the way there and then take my time for some fishing on the way back. There are two different routes that I can take. I can drive through Arkansas (I-30) or Missouri (I-44) on the way home, but I dont know which route will be better for fishing. If anyone knows of good fishing, not to far off the Interstate, in either one of these states let me know. I am planning on taking the opposite route on the way up there so we can see as much of the country as possible.

Thanks

After a little more research I will add Tennessee to my list of possibilities.

TexasMike-

You have a lot of opportunities from KY back to Lubbock.

NorthEast Tn has many tailwater rivers that can be fished, Holston, South Holston, Watauga, Clinch, Hiawassee, etc. Go to Little River Outfitters (Townsend,TN) and visit their forum which is very active on a daily basis. Also, look for Byron Begley's "Fishing Report" which is updated daily about 9:00 AM. Also, the tailwater below Wolf Creek Dam in Southern KY is a good one. HOWEVER- the TVA is releasing an extreme amount of water from most of the dams in order to lower the impounded lake levels in anticipation of the spring rains. Byron has links to the TVA websites for projected releases. Anything over 1 generator (3000 CFS) is not wadeable safely.

In Northern Arkansas, you have the White River, the Norfork, and the Little Red Rivers.

In Southeastern Oklahoma, you have the Lower Mountain Fork, at Beavers Bend Park, near Broken Bow, OK.

In Texas, you have the Guadalupe River near New Braunfels, TX.

I've listed rivers which are cold water fisheries. In late April, these waters may have warmed slightly, but are still in the comfort range for trout, and smallmouth bass.

I-40 will probably the route you want to take, and most of the rivers that I've mentioned can be reached from I-40.

Good fishing, and let us know how you do.

Bill

^^^^^This^^^.

Personally I prefer the White and Norfork rivers in Ark. close to Mnt. Home for rainbows and cuts and the Little Red over by Heber Springs for big browns....but you can't go wrong with anything in kentuckytroutbum's post above.

In Missouri, you could hit up the Current River below Montauk State Park for some Rainbows and Browns. It's about an hour away from I-44 if you exit at Rolla and head south. It's between Salem and Licking.

Thanks for the input. I have decided to spend three days in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park in TN and two days at the Little Red River in AR. I have already booked guides at both places. I cant wait to get there and wet some flies.

TexasMike,

Don't miss the South Holston near GSMNP. Sketchy release schedule, but great fish. Hope that is one you picked.

As Golfer Jeff stated... do the South Holston or SoHo as they call it. Stay in Johnson City, and you're about a 1/2 hour drive to the SoHo. Fish from the weir dam down to a hamlet called Ringhold. Paved roads parallel the river about 50 yds away, and there are numerous places to pull off and park your vehicle. Access is good, and trespassing is usually not an issue. Yellow Sallies and Comparaduns are the "go to" flies on the SoHo. While in Johnson City, you are also close to the Watauga River.

Personally, my fishing buddy & I have fished the GSMNP numerous times, and I would rate it as "fair." I made that based upon intense fishing pressure, small fish, and its a very technical area to fish. To be fair, fish are caught on a regular basis in the Park, but you have to be willing to work very hard to catch them, IMHO.

Bill