Elkhorn Creek Campout Weekend Plan

Elkhorn Creek Campout Weekend Plan
The following plan is a suggested itinerary for the upcoming multi-club weekend campout at Stillwater
Campground just south of Swallowfield, KY (five miles north of Frankfort, KY on US-127. We invite NKFF,
DCFF, Louisville TU and Bluegrass TU members to join in. If you plan to attend, please make your own
reservations at Stillwater (502-223-8896). They have pull/drive camper sites AND tent sites. We will be in the tent
sites area most likely.
General Background:
The South Fork of Elkhorn Creek comes out of Lexington area. If it has rained hard there within 8-12 hours of
your trip, expect it to come up and get muddy. Don’t despair, it drops and clears within a day (usually).
The North Fork of Elkhorn Creek comes out of Georgetown area. If it has rained hard there within 8-12 hours of
your trip, expect it to come up and get muddy and be at the Forks. Unfortunately, the North Fork takes several days
to clear and if it rained hard enough it will stain the whole mainstream too.
The Mainstream of Elkhorn Creek is formed in Forks-of-Elkhorn (just east of Frankfort on UIS-460) and runs about
eleven miles to the Kentucky River. The Forks area is good fishing and convenient (if you camp at Elkhorn CG).
The Peaks Mill area and the Fish Hatchery area are also really good fishing (especially in LOW-water times) and
they are closer to Stillwater CG). See attached maps for more details. You are only allowed to keep ONE
smallmouth over 16” or up to five 10”-12” ones (you are not allowed to keep 12-16” smallmouth).
TACKLE & GEAR:
Shorter Rods are better on all but the open areas of the Mainstream. 4- or 5-weight outfits less than 9-feet
are great choices. Wooly worms, wooly buggers (black, brown, olive), rabbit strip leaches (black, olive),
Clouser Minnows in chartreuse & white, all white or brown & white - ALL WEIGHTED (lead or tin solder
wrapped) AND/OR bead- or cone-heads. Sneaky Petes #10 and #6, Poppers (#8). See FLIES page below.
Paddle-craft (canoes, kayaks or framed inflatables) are okay to use when the water is normal or down. When
it is up and running the framed inflatables might not be a good choice. There is class II whitewater on
several miles of the river. You must use caution.
For folks who can come early (say Noon-1PM) on Friday:
Bring a canoe, kayak or pontoon boat to float the river from Peaks Mill (put in at Canoe Kentucky) to Stillwater
Campground (about four (4) miles) or launch at the campground and paddle down- and up-stream to fish).
Arrive around noon at the campground, setup your own camp-site … NOTE these are PRIMITIVE sites (they have
fire-rings and water stations but no toilets – shower house is in trailer campground) – IF YOU HAVE AN RV, call
the campground at 502-223-8896 and reserve an RV site for yourself). Decide where we plan to paddle and head
there (leaving one or two vehicles at camp). Float and fish till 6PM – pull out at camp and fix dinner – being ready
to fish the evening hatches as below.
For folks coming down later in the afternoon/evening (say 4PM - 7PM) on Friday:
Friday – Setup your campsite. Be finished by 7:00PM then Fish any of the areas below (return to camp at dark):
- The Forks-of-Elkhorn HATCHERY ACCESS - upstream from the campground about two river miles
(exot CG, turn left on US-127, then right onto Indian Gap Road (KY-2919). Park OUTSIDE the gate and
DO NOT BLOCK IT. Walk around the gate and follow the road past the rearing ponds to the trail at the
southwest end of the road. This area has deeper water in low water times, there are several islands to fish
around and larger water above and below the islands. If it has rained a lot and the water is up … go
somewhere else to fish, this area can be dangerous.
- The PEAKS MILLS area (behind Canoe Kentucky and downstream) is very productive water in normal
water flow situations. It is a really great place to fish from 7PM until dark.
- The PEAKS MILLS area (downstream from the KY-1262 bridge) is also productive water in normal water
flow situations. Below the island downstream of the bridge is a nice area to belly-boat as long as there is
no heavy flow of water.
- See appropriate maps below for any Elkhorn Creek access.
Saturday & Sunday AM – Get up EARLY. Have light snack (coffee & donuts). Be fishing by 6:00AM. Fish
any of the wading areas above (if you did not get to fish them Friday) or the area below. Return to camp
around 10AM and make a big breakfast/lunch:
Bring a canoe, kayak or pontoon boat to float the river from Peaks Mill (put in at Canoe Kentucky) to
Stillwater Campground (about four (4) miles) or launch at the campground and paddle down- and upstream to fish).
We do not recommend a Mainstream float on Saturday because of the high volume of canoe traffic,
but if you want to float, drive your vessel to the Canoe Kentucky in Peaks Mill and float back to the
campground. Or drive to Canoe Kentucky and have them take you up to Knight’s Bridge to float
back down to their store. Call 1-888-CANOE-KY for information on rentals, etc.
Late morning, all Afternoon & Early evening – Use this time to snooze, relax, tie flies or scout out the other
areas of the creeks. SEE ATTACHED ELKHORN LOOP pages and attached detail maps for a description
of these areas. Fishing through the day in summer is usually not too good. Plan a group dinner around 5PM
Saturday night at one of the campsites, cleanup and be ready to fish the evening starting around 6:30-8PM.
Friday & Saturday PM – Two great places to fish are:
The Mainstream PEAKS MILL area (follow KY-1262 off of US-460 about 2 miles east of Forks-ofElkhorn. WATCH out for the 90-degree left bend in the road or you’ll end up in Watkinsville. Go past
SWITZER BRIDGE (old covered bridge) and continue on KY-1262 until you get to where KY-1900
comes in from the left. It’s at the bottom of a long hill and the is a stop sign there. Turn right and follow
KY-1262 to Trautwine’s Fisherman’s parking lot at Sulphur Creek (fishing downstream to Peaks Mill)
or continue on into Peaks Mill. Parking is scarce in Peaks Mill. ASK the landowners on the right side of
the road if you can park on the left side of the road OR go down to the bridge that crosses the creek
(where KY-1707 comes in from the right) and park there then walk back. A good idea is to combine
drivers/riders and drop the riders off at Ed Council’s Canoe Kentucky shop (you can enter the river there
by walking along the fence to the left, then fish up or downstream) and have the drivers park at the
bridge and fish upstream (or down).
-
The Mainstream BEHIND the Fish Hatchery. The hatchery is on Indian Gap Road (follow directions
above to the bridge where KY-1707 comes in on the right, turn right onto KY-1707 and follow about
100 yards to a left turn over another bridge over a side creek (usually dry) – this is Indian Gap Road.
Follow Indian Gap Rd about two miles to the hatchery driveway (on the left). Park OUTSIDE THE
GATE and OFF THE DRIVE. Walk around the gate and down the road that passes the hatchery raising
pens on your right. DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT THROWING A LINE IN THOSE POOLS. When
you get to where the road bends to the right start looking for the path to the river. When you see the river
you will see an island. Wade across to the island or upstream from it to get to the main river channels. IF
THERE IS HIGH WATER , DO NOT FISH THE HATCHERY AREA. It is great in LOW-WATER
conditions but very dangerous otherwise.
-
The Mainstream at KNIGHT’S BRIDGE on KY-1900. You can wade this entire area upstream as far as
you can see from the bridge and downstream all the way to Trautwine’s. You can also launch a canoe
just downstream of the bridge and then tow it up into the bridge pool, then paddle up to the private
property signs around the bend. This launch is about five miles upstream of Peaks Mill, so you could
also float down to there and catch a ride with someone back to pickup your car, then go back to Peaks
Mill to retrieve your boat.
NOTE – ON ANY OF THE FLOATING OPTIONS, IF YOU DO NOT HAVE YOUR OWN WATERCRAFT,
RENT ONE FROM CANOE KENTUCKY IN PEAKS MILLS – 1-888-CANOE-KY. Check the water conditions
at their website http://www.canoeky.com/Default.aspx?tabid=2183
NKFF’s FLIES FOR ELKHORN CREEK (KY)
Vegas Nymph #12-14
Three Minute Nymph #10-14
GR Hares Ear #10-14
Big Stoneflies #6-10
Soft Hackle Streamer #6-10
Clouser Minnow #6-8
Rabbit Strip Leech #6-10
Wooly Buggers #4-10
Green Inchworm #10-12
Hot Pink San Juan Worm #10-12 BH Pheasant Tail Nymph #10-14
Chernobyl Ant #6-10
Foxy Red Closer #6-8
Nitwit, Nitwit Pete, Sneaky Pete, Poppers #6-10
Tellico Nymph #12-14
Mixed Media #6-8
Orange Stimulator #8-10
STILL WATERS CAMPGROUND (502) 223-8896 - 249 Strohmeier Road, Frankfort, KY 40601
Reference #7 on the Elkhorn Loop
Wide open field with some shaded areas and the bank of Elkhorn Creek. Primitive (tent) camping
only. Fire Rings. Water stations. NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ALLOWED.
A-9
The ELKHORN CREEK LOOP
Page 1
0 NKFF’s ELKHORN CREEK LOOP starts at The Elkhorn Campground. The Sutherland
family own and operate it and it’s a great place for a weekend campout. Give them a
call at 502-695-9154 to reserve tent sites 1, 2, 3, 4 in the front or 39, 40 or 41 in the
back. If you have a trailer they have plenty of pull-thru and back in sites (full service).
1 Exit the campground and stop at the corner of Scruggs Lane and US-460.This
property (on the southeast side of the bridge over the South fork) belongs to the
Sutherlands and you need a $2 parking permit (included with camping) if you are just
coming down for the day. Standing on the north side of the bridge, to your right in the
North Fork flowing east to west. Beneath you (under the bridge) is the South Fork
flowing south to north. The MAINSTREAM is formed at this point and runs 13 miles
in a northerly fashion to the Kentucky River. Upstream on the South Fork about
1/8 mile is a 12-foot high free-rock dam. In normal flow, the basin of this dam is
completely wadable as is the South Fork up to the dam. The dam basin itself is usually
10 degrees cooler air-temp due to refrigeration effect of the water flowing through &
over the dam. GPS - 38° 12.916N, 084° 47.916W, Elev. 716 ft
2 Turn left off of Scruggs Lane onto US-460 (west) towards Frankfort. (It’s four miles to US-60
if you need food, restaurants, beer, etc while camping (go left on US-60 and drive about a
mile to shopping on the left). To follow the LOOP drive about 2 miles to the 2nd traffic light.
Turn right onto KY-2822 (Stedmantown Lane) and follow it about five miles to KY-1900.
Turn right onto KY-1900 and follow another four miles to the gravel driveway on the left
just AFTER you cross the mainstream at KNIGHT’S BRIDGE. Park on the old abandoned
roadway and walk back across the bridge to the gravel driveway . This property is owned by
Canoe Kentucky but is accessible for wade fishing up and down stream. If you can’t see the
island, the water’s too high to wade anyway. GPS - 38° 16.116N, 084° 48.855W, Elev. 572 ft
The ELKHORN CREEK LOOP
A - 9 Page 2
3 Turn left out of this gravel drive and continue on KY-1900 across Knight’s Bridge.
Follow KY-1900 about three miles until it ends where KY-1262 comes in from the right.
Continue straight (you are now on KY-1262) about a mile to Trautwine’s Fisherman’s parking lot right at the SULPHUR LICK Bridge. Turn left into the parking lot.
Mr.Trautwine lives in the big farmhouse across the field to the left. He fenced this area
off for fisherman to park and walk-in to the right around the gate to allow access to the
Elkhorn. Whenever you’re here, please pickup ALL TRASH in the lot and take it
with you when you leave. GPS - 38° 17.259N, 084° 47.975W, Elev. 534 ft
4 Turn left onto KY-1262 when you leave Trautwine’s parking lot. Proceed about ½
mile into the town of Peaks Mill. Ed Council’s CANOE KENTUCKY livery is on
your left. Stop in and say hi to Ed – he is a real friend to the Elkhorn Creek. If you
plan to canoe the river, talk to Ed for rental or pickup services. Call 502-CANOEKY.
GPS - 38° 17.888N, 084° 48.741W, Elev. 554 ft
5 Continue on KY-1262 another ½ mile to the junction of KY-1707 (on the right)
and the bridge across the mainstream to the left. Turn right just the other side of
the bridge and park to access this area of the creek (downstream around and below
the island). Before you fish, ask the owners of the big brick house if you can park
there. He has never refused us (often he even allows us access down the lane). The
creek under the bridge and upstream for a couple hundred yards is too deep or muddy
-bottomed to wade. Same holds true for water 100 yards downstream below the island.
GPS - 38° 18.438N, 084° 48.946W, Elev. 506 ft
6 Go back across the bridge and turn left onto KY-1707. Follow this about ¼ mile
and turn left onto Indian Gap Road (KY-2919). Follow this road about 2 miles to
the Kentucky Warmwater Fish Hatchery. You can park OUTSIDE the main gate
(when it’s locked or even when they are open if you plan to fish the evening) BUT YOU
MUST BE OFF THE DRIVEWAY so as not to block the gate. Walk through (or around)
the gate and follow the road past all the raising ponds (DON’T EVEN THINK OF
FISHING HERE) and the maintenance buildings to the back left corner. There is a path
there that leads down to the creek. There are only one or two places to cross the creek
to the big island. There are three islands back here. This is a good place to fish
when the water is real low everywhere else on the creek.
GPS - 38° 19.136N, 084° 49.181W, Elev. 496 ft
7 Turn left onto KY-2919 when you leave the hatchery. Follow it till it dead-ends and
turn left onto US-127. About a mile south on US-127 on the right is a road that leads
back to a private campground right at the mouth of Elkhorn Creek emptying into the
Kentucky River. These folks will drive you and your canoe upstream and drop you off
so you can paddle back down to their ramp. You could also camp here (I have no
experience with this campground so I can’t help there).
8 Continue south on US-127 about a mile and turn left onto Strohmeier’s Bypass.
This road dead ends into Elkhorn Creek about ½ mile above the Kentucky River and is
the last pickup point for Canoe Kentucky boats.
GPS - 38° 18.775N, 084° 50.811W, Elev. 462 ft
8.5 Turn left out of Strohmeier’s Bypass onto US-127 and proceed another mile or so
to the BP station on the right (it’s directly across from the access back onto KY-1262).
9 Turn left onto US-127 when you leave the BP and then make an immediate right
to follow Sullivan Road back onto KY-1262. Continue on KY-1262 a few miles to a
new access that few people know about. This is the Sullivan WMA. The access to the
Elkhorn is NOT at the Sullivan WMA that’s marked with big signs, but a little further
down KY-1262 in a 90-degree left-hand curve you can see a little yellow sign. There
The ELKHORN CREEK LOOP
A - 9 Page 3
used to be a road down to the creek, but it is cabled off now, but you can park a car or
two there and walk down the old road to the creek. This area is between Trautwine’s
access and Peaks Mill. Continue on KY-1262 and you will end up back at the
bridge at point 5 above.
10 Follow KY-1262 back through Peaks Mill and past Trautwine’s parking lot. About ½
mile further and KY-1262 meets KY-1900. Turn left onto KY-1262 and follow it for
several miles. There is a stop sign at KY-1689 in the town of Switzer. Continue on
KY-1262 about ¼ mile to the Switzer Covered Bridge (over the North Fork) and
DAM. There is very little wading here because the DAM is directly under the covered
bridge and the water gets very muddy-bottomed with a hundred yards downstream.
Naturally there is NO WADING above the dam. GPS - 38° 15.245N, 084° 45.153W, Elev. 708 ft
11 Continue following KY-1262 until it ends in US-460. Turn left onto US-460 and
follow it east about eight miles to GALLOWAY ROAD just past the Longview Golf
Course. Turn left onto Galloway and follow it about three miles to PRATT LANE on the
left just before you cross over the North Fork on the new bridge. The old metal bridge
is still just upstream of the new bridge. Turn left onto Pratt Lane and park somewhere
on the right. The small water immediately off the road is a backwater creek – follow it
around to the right to get to the big pool below the bridge. Then fish downstream for a
mile. This will take you all day. You then have to walk ½ mile back up Pratt Lane to get
back to your car. GPS - 38° 13.948N, 084° 39.273W, Elev. 726 ft
12 Exit Pratt Lane and turn left onto Galloway Road. Follow it across the bridge and
for about five miles until it dead ends. Turn right onto KY-227 and follow it several
miles until you reach Great Crossings Bridge and Dam. Turn left into the park
access road and follow it to the parking lot. There is a small boat ramp here where you
could launch a jon boat to fish above the dam, or launch a canoe below the dam to float
downstream a mile or so to Robinson Dam. GPS - 38° 13.009N, 084° 36.285W, Elev. 750 ft
13 Exit the Great Crossings park and turn left onto KY-227. Follow it ¼ mile to US-460.
Turn right onto US-460 and follow it about 1 ½ miles to ROBINSON LANE. It is
directly across US-460 from the BELVEDERE. Turn right onto Robinson Lane and follow
it to the dam where you can park and wade below the dam. This is a good place to spot
a vehicle if you put in a canoe at Great Crossings Dam for a short float and fish trip.
GPS - 38° 12.710N, 084° 37.582W, Elev. 747 ft
14 Return back Robinson Lane to US-460. Turn Right on US-460 and follow it to
Fishers Mill Road (on the left – I think the street to the right is Pea Ridge). Turn left
onto Fishers Mill and follow it several miles till you cross the South Fork. Actually
you can park just this side of the bridge in front of the guard rail or on the left (one car)
or across the bridge. This area is a great launch for a canoe trip of about four miles back
to the Elkhorn Campground. During low water, expect a lot of dragging the canoe.
GPS - 38° 10.421N, 084° 42.369W, Elev. 763 ft
15 Take Fishers Mill Road back to US-460. Turn left and follow US-460 back into the
town of Forks-Of-Elkhorn. Drive back to Elkhorn Campground. Walk behind the office
area and horseshoe pits to get to the South Fork upstream of the campground. The water
above the island to the left is great fishing especially after a rainfall when the water is
dropping and clearing up. GPS - 38° 12.584N, 084° 48.028W, Elev. 716 ft
THIS IS NKFF’S ELKHORN CREEK LOOP. USE THESE PAGES IN CONJUNCTION WITH
YOUR NKFF MAP BOOK ELKHORN MAPS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS GREAT
SMALLMOUTH FISHERY. Good luck, Tight Lines!
NKFF FLYFISHING MAP BOOK
A-0
ELKHORN CREEK SYSTEM - SPECIAL REGULATIONS
REFER TO THE KENTUCKY FISHING GUIDE IN THE FRONT POCKET OF THIS
BOOK BEFORE FISHING ANY STREAMS IN KENTUCKY. ALL SPECIAL
REGULATIONS ARE OUTLINED IN THAT GUIDE.
ON THE NORTH AND SOUTH BRANCHES OF THE ELKHORN CREEK, THE
NORMAL STATE OF KENTUCKY LIMITS FOR ALL SPECIES OF BLACK BASS
APPLY. AT THIS TIME THAT IS A 12-INCH MINIMUM SIZE LIMIT AND A 5FISH-PER-DAY, 10-IN-POSSESION NUMBERS LIMIT.
ON THE MAINSTREAM, FROM THE CONFLUENCE OF THE NORTH AND
SOUTH FORKS IN THE TOWN OF FORKS-OF-ELKHORN TO THE KENTUCKY
RIVER A SPECIAL SLOT LIMIT APPLIES.
THE STATE VERSION IS THAT YOU MAY KEEP FIVE BASS (LARGEMOUTH,
SMALLMOUTH AND/OR KENTUCKY-SPOTTED), TWO OF WHICH MAY BE
OVER 16-INCHES IN LENGTH AND FOUR OF WHICH MAY BE LESS THAN 12INCHES.
IN AN EFFORT TO PROMOTE BETTER GROWTH OF THE BREEDING FISH,
NKFF AND KDFWR IS PROMOTING THAT YOU RELEASE ALL FISH OVER 12INCHES (A FOUR-TO-FIVE YEAR-OLD FISH IN THIS SYSTEM) AND THAT YOU
KEEP SIX FISH LESS BETWEEN 10-INCHES AND 12-INCHES.
NKFF FLYFISHING MAP BOOK
SCOTT COUNTY
A-1
DeLORME KENTUCKY ATLAS & GAZETEER – PAGE 37 @ C&D 8&9
Link = Hold CTRL down and click on the link below
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=White+Sulphur&state=KY&country=US&latitud
e=38.205002&longitude=-84.702202&geocode=CITY
NKFF FLYFISHING MAP BOOK
ELKHORN CREEK
(North Branch Accesses)
A-1
DRIVING DIRECTIONS – I-75 SOUTH TO EXIT 126 (GEORGETOWN US-62/US-460). FOLLOW US-460 THROUGH GEORGETOWN
(OR TAKE THE BYPASS AROUND IT). KY-227 IS ABOUT 5 MILES WEST ON US-460.
ACCESS 1 – GREAT CROSSING (KY-227) DAM - KY GAZETEER PAGE 37 C/D 8/9
THERE IS A PARK AT THIS DAM AND YOU CAN FISH ABOVE (CAREFULLY – THE WATER IS DEEP) THE DAM AND IN THE
RIFFLES FOR ABOUT 100 YARDS BELOW THE DAM). THERE IS ALSO A PUT-IN RAMP WHERE YOU CAN LAUNCH A CANOE
TO FLOAT DOWN TO THE NEXT DAM (ROBINSON).
ACCESS 2 – ROBINSON DAM - KY GAZETEER PAGE 37, C/D @ 8/9
THIS DAM IS AT THE END OF ROBINSON LANE WHICH IS OFF OF US-460 DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM THE ENTRANCE TO
“BELVEDERE”. THERE IS A BOAT RAMP ON THE RIGHT ABOUT 100 YARDS BEFORE YOU REACH THE DAM. NOTICE THE
SIGNS ALL ALONG ROBINSON LANE STATING THAT FISHING AND ACCESS “IS ALLOWED”. RESIDENTS TRIED TELLING
FOLKS IT WAS ALL PRIVATE WHICH IS NOT TRUE”. YOU CAN FLOAT THIS AREA IN LOW FLOW TIMES (PADDLING DOWN
FROM OR UP TO THE KY-227 DAM). YOU MAY ALSO WADE AND BELOW THE DAM BUT KEEP IN THE WATER FOR MOST OF
THE LAND ALONG THIS SECTION IS PRIVATE PROPERTY.
ACCESS 3 – PRATT ROAD - KY GAZETEER PAGE 37, C @ 8
PARK ON PRATT RD (ALONG RIGHT SIDE OF RD JUST DOWN FROM GALLO- WAY RD). GET INTO THE LITTLE CREEK NEXT
TO THE ROAD AND FOLLOW IT AROUND TO THE RIGHT – IT COMES OUT AT THE BRIDGE POOL. WADE AND FISH
DOWNSTREAM FROM THIS BRIDGE TO THE OLD CONCRETE BRIDGE (ABOUT ¾ MILE DOWNSTREAM). THEN YOU HAVE A
HALF-MILE WALK UP PRATT RD TO GET BACK TO YOUR CAR.
ACCESS 4 – WHITE OAK ROAD - KY GAZETEER PAGE 37, C @ 7/8
TURN RIGHT OFF US-460 ONTO WHITE OAK RD AND FOLLOW TIL YOU CROSS THE CREEK. PARK ON THE LEFT. LOOK FOR
A PATH TO THE STREAM ON THAT SIDE OF THE ROAD. WADE UP TO GRASS BEDS AND A LONG HOLE OR DOWN TO A NICE
HOLE FOLLOWED BY A SMALL ISLAND AND RIFFLE AND ANOTHER NICE HOLE.
NKFF FLYFISHING MAP BOOK
FRANKLIN COUNTY
DeLORME KENTUCKY ATLAS & GAZETEER – PAGE 37 @ C 6&7
Link = Hold CTRL down and click on the link below
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Woodlake&state=KY
A-2
NKFF FLYFISHING MAP BOOK
ELKHORN CREEK
(South Branch Accesses)
A-2
DRIVING DIRECTIONS – I-75 SOUTH TO EXIT 126 (GEORGETOWN US-62/US-460). FOLLOW US-460 THROUGH GEORGETOWN
(OR TAKE THE BYPASS AROUND IT). KY-227 IS ABOUT 12 MILES WEST ON US-460.
ACCESS 1 – ELKHORN CAMPGROUND/SCRUGGS LN - KY GAZETEER PAGE 37 C/D 6
SCRUGGS LANE RUNS SOUTH OFF OF US-460 IN THE TOWN OF “FORKS OF ELKHORN” AND DEAD-ENDS AT A TURNAROUND
AT THE SOUTH FORK JUST UPSTREAM FROM THE CAMPGROUND. YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PARK IN THE TURNAROUND SO THE BEST ACCESS IS FROM THE CAMP[GROUND ITSELF. THE CAMPGROUND IS VERY NICE AND WE HAVE A
GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THE OWNERS/OPERATORS. IF YOU PLAN TO CAMP, DO IT HERE. WALK UP OVER THE LITTLE
HILL BEHIND THE HORSHOE PITS AND THEN UPSTREAM FROM THE CAMPGROUND FOR SOME REALLY FINE FISHING
ESPECIALLY AFTER A RAIN. IF THE WATER IS VERY LOW YOU WILL DO BETTER AT THE FISHERS MILL ACCESS.
REFER TO MAP A – 8 FOR DETAILED SOUTH FORK ACCESS NEAR THE CAMPGROUND (INCLUDING THE DAM) AND THE
CONFLUENCE WITH THE NORTH FORK THAT FORMS THE MAINSTREAM POOL.
ACCESS 2 – FISHERS MILL RD - KY GAZETEER PAGE 37, D @ 7/8
THIS ACCESS HAS VERY LIMITED PARKING AND IS QUITE FAR OFF US-460. JUST ABOUT WHEN YOU THINK YOU’VE MADE
A WRONG TURN SOMEWHERE YOU WILL COME UPON THE BRIDGE. THERE IS ROOM FOR ONE CAR ON THE NORTH SIDE
OF THE BRIDGE AND MAYBE TWO OR THREE ON THE SOUTH SIDE. IF YOU PARK ON THE NORTH SIDE, PARK OFF THE
BIRM RIGHT IN FRONT OF WHERE THE GUARDRAIL STARTS. THERE IS A PATH TO THE CREEK ON THE OTHER SIDE OF
THE ROAD. THIS ACCESS IS USED AS A CANOE LAUNCH FOR FLOATING DOWN TO THE CAMPGROUND BUT DON’T
ATTEMPT THAT IN LOW WATER.
NKFF FLYFISHING MAP BOOK
FRANKLIN COUNTY
A-3
DeLORME KENTUCKY ATLAS & GAZETEER – PAGE 37 @ C 6
Link = Hold CTRL down and click on the link below
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Frankfort&state=KY&address=KY1900+%26+Steadmontown+Lane
THEN CLICK AND DRAG THE ZOOM LEVEL BAR ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE MAP
DOWNWARD TO ZOOM LEVEL 9
NKFF FLYFISHING MAP BOOK
ELKHORN CREEK
A-3
(Mainstream – Forks to Knight’s Bridge)
DRIVING DIRECTIONS – I-75 SOUTH TO EXIT 126 (GEORGETOWN US-62/US-460). FOLLOW US-460 THROUGH GEORGETOWN
(OR TAKE THE BYPASS AROUND IT). DRIVE ABOUT 16 MILES WEST ON US-460 INTO THE TOWN OF “FORKS OF ELKHORN”.
ACCESS 1 – US-460 AND SCRUGGS LN - KY GAZETEER PAGE 37 C/D 6/7
THE NORTH AND SOUTH FORKS OF THE ELKHORN MEET AT THIS POINT FORMING THE MAINSTREAM. THE BIG POOL
JUST NORTH OF THE BRIDGE HAS GREAT CARP AND SMALLMOUTH PLUS PANFISH. DOWNSTREAM THERE ARE RIFFLES
AND POOLS (SOME QUITE DEEP – MOST ARE VERY WADABLE). YOU CAN PARK HERE BUT YOU SHOULD GET A PARKING
PASS AT THE CAMPGROUND ($2) SINCE IT IS THEIR PROPERTY. FROM HERE TO THE NEXT PUBLIC TAKEOUT IS AN ALL
DAY FLOAT (ABOUT 7 MILES) BUT THERE ARE TONS OF GREAT POOLS WITH NICE SMALLMOUTH.
REFER TO MAP A – 8 FOR DETAILED SOUTH FORK ACCESS NEAR THE CAMPGROUND (INCLUDING THE DAM) AND THE
CONFLUENCE WITH THE NORTH FORK THAT FORMS THE MAINSTREAM POOL.
ACCESS 2 – KNIGHT’S
BRIDGE - KY
GAZETEER PAGE 37,
B/C @ 6
AMERICAN WHITEWATER
LEASES A PARKING AREA AND
CANOE LAUNCH HERE. THEY NO
LONGER ALLOW NON-MEMBERS
TO PARK IN THIS LOT.
HOWEVER, YOU CAN PARK ON
THE NORTHWEST SIDE OF THE
BRIDGE ALONG KY-1900 AND
WALK BACK ACROSS THE
BRIDGE AND ENTER AT THE
CANOE KENTUCKY
PICKUP/DROP OFF WHICH IS
RIGHT NEXT TO THE AMERICAN
WHITEWATER PROPERTY. HAVE
YOUR FISHING PARTNER DROP
YOU OFF AT BROKEN BRIDGE
(GET IN THE WATER AND WADE
DOWNSTREAM TO KNIGHT’S
BRIDGE WHILE YOUR PATRNER
DRIVES BACK TO KNIGHT’S
BRIDGE AND ACCESSES THE
WATER THERE STARTING TO
WADE UPSTREAM). YOU’LL PASS
HIM/HER ONSTREAM GETTING
THE KEYS TO HIS/HER VEHICLE
– YOU’LL GET TO THE PARKING
AREA BEFORE HE GETS UP TO
BROKEN BRIDGE SO WAIT A
LITTLE WHILE THEN DRIVE TO
BROKEN BRIDGE AND PICK
HIM/HER UP. THERE IS NO
PARKING AT BROKEN BRIDGE
AND THE LANDOWNERS ARE
WATCHFUL.
NKFF FLYFISHING MAP BOOK
FRANKLIN COUNTY
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DeLORME KENTUCKY ATLAS & GAZETEER – PAGE 37 @ C 6
Link = Hold CTRL down and click on the link below
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Frankfort&state=KY&address=KY1900+%26+Steadmontown+Lane
THEN CLICK AND DRAG THE ZOOM LEVEL BAR ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE MAP
DOWNWARD TO ZOOM LEVEL 9
NKFF FLYFISHING MAP BOOK
ELKHORN CREEK
(Elkhorn Mainstream)
Knight’s Bridge to Trautwine’s Lot
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APPROXIMATELY THREE RIVER MILES ACCESSIBLE ONLY BY CANOE FROM
KNIGHT’S BRIDGE (OR FURTHER UPSTREAM). THIS IS MOSTLY ONLY WADABLE
IN LOW WATER PERIODS. IT IS GREAT WATER TO FISH FROM A CANOE OR
BELLY BOAT.
( KY GAZETEER Page 37, B @ 6 )
PLEASE NOTE – THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO CANOE STOPPING, LAUNCH OR
TAKEOUT AT MR. TRAUTWINE’S ACCESS. HE ALLOWS FISHERMEN ACCESS BUT
NO CANOES. PLEASE RESPECT HIS WISHES. ALSO, IF YOU PARK IN HIS LOT (TO
WADE DOWN TO PEAKS MILLS) PLEASE PICKUP ALL TRASH IN HIS PARKING LOT
AND TAKE IT WITH YOU 9WHETHER IT’S YOURS OR NOT).
NKFF FLYFISHING MAP BOOK
FRANKLIN COUNTY
DeLORME KENTUCKY ATLAS & GAZETEER – PAGE 37 @ B 6
Link = Hold CTRL down and click on the link below
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Peaks+Mill&state=KY
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NKFF FLYFISHING MAP BOOK
ELKHORN CREEK
(Elkhorn Mainstream Accesses)
Peaks Mill to US-127
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KY GAZETTEER Page 37, B @ 6
PARK ON NORTHWEST SIDE OF KY-1707/KY-1262 BRIDGE – SAY HELLO TO THE PEOPLE IN THE
BRICK HOUSE ACROSS THE ROADS … THEY’RE VERY NICE FOLKS AND HAVE ALWAYS ALLOWED
US TO PARK THERE. FISH THE TAIL-OUT OF EACH POOL UNDER THE BRIDGE AND DOWN THE
RIGHT SIDE OF THE ISLAND (JUST DOWNSTREAM FROM THE BRIDGE) AND BELOW THE ISLAND
WHERE THE LEFT AND RIGHT CHANNELS COME TOGETHER.
DRIVE SOUTH ON KY-1262
ON THE EAST SIDE OF
THE CREEK FROM THE
KY-17-7 BRIDGE UP
THROUGH THE TOWN OF
PEAKS MILL. ED
COUNCIL’S CANOE
KENTUCKY LIVERY IS ON
THE RIGHT. IF YOU WANT
TO FISH THIS STRETCH
OF THE CREEK YOU CAN
ONLY PARK AT THE
LIVERY AFTER HOURS.
OTHERWISE, YOU HAVE
TO PARK ABOUT ¼ MILE
DOWNSTREAM AND
WALK BACK TO ED’S
STAIRS TO THE CREEK.
FISH UP OR DOWN
STREAM BUT
ESPECIALLY THE
CHANNELS AROUND THE
GRASS ISLANDS.
IF YOU CONTINUE ON DOWN KY-1262 TO THE BRIDGE AT SULPHUR LICK CREEK YOU MAY PARK
AT TRAUTWINE’S ACCESS LOT. THE ENTRANCE IS ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE CREEK
IMMEDIATELY PAST THE BRIDGE. DO NOT PARK IN FRONT OF THE GATE. ALWAYS PICKUP ANY
TRASH YOU FIND IN THE PARKING LOT AND PUT IT IN YOUR CAR TO TAKE WITH YOU. WALK
AROUND THE GATE TO THE RIGHT AND ACROSS MR TRAUTWINE’S PROPERTY DIRECTLY TO THE
STREAM. DO NOT PARK HERE IF YOU HAVE A CANOE OR FLOAT TUBE ON YOUR VEHICLE. YOU
WILL HAVE TO GO AROUND THE BIG POOL (TOO DEEP TO WADE) AND FOLLOW THE CREEK
DOWNSTREAM TO PEAKS MILL … THEN WEALK BACK THE ½ MILE TO YOU CAR.
NKFF FLYFISHING MAP BOOK
FRANKLIN COUNTY
A-7
DeLORME KENTUCKY ATLAS & GAZETEER – PAGE 37 @ A/B 6
Link = Hold CTRL down and click on the link below
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Swallowfield&state=KY
THEN CLICK AND DRAG THE ZOOM LEVEL BAR ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE
MAP UPWARD TO ZOOM LEVEL 8
NKFF FLYFISHING MAP BOOK
ELKHORN CREEK MAINSTREAM
FISH HATCHERY AREA Detail Map:
( KY GAZETEER Page 37, A/B @ 6 )
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FRANKLIN COUNTY
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DeLORME KENTUCKY ATLAS & GAZETEER – PAGE 37 @ C/D & 6/7
Link = Hold CTRL down and click on the link below
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Forks+Of+Elkhorn&state=KY
THEN CLICK AND DRAG THE ZOOM LEVEL BAR ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE
MAP UPWARD TO ZOOM LEVEL 9
Forks of Elkhorn Detail Map:
( KY GAZETEER Page 37, C/D @ 6/7 )
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