Elkhorn City, Kentucky

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On The Fly Freshwater

August 2026

Article and photos by Jimmy Jacobs.

The Russell Fork of the Big Sandy River in extreme eastern Kentucky has been described as a  “mean, determined stream.” That epitaph mainly applies to the portion of the river that flows through the Breaks Interstate Park that is shared by the Blue Grass State and its neighbor Virginia as the water flows across the state line.

The river rises in the Old Dominion’s Jefferson National Forest then enters the Breaks Interstate Park as it crosses into Kentucky in the 4,600-acre park that is situated where the Russell Fork has carved a large, horse-shaped canyon as it cuts through the long crest of Pine Mountain. From there the river joins the Lavisa Fork at the town of Millard, with the waters eventually emptying into the Big Sandy River on the border with West Virginia.

The result of that break in Pine Mountain is the bottom of that canyon is narrow, constricting the river’s flow. This portion of the stream also is filled with sandstone boulders that cause the river to churn through Class V and VI rapids that demand world-class kayaking skills to handle. Fortunately for anglers, those conditions abate as the river leaves the canyon running northwest entirely within Kentucky as it flows toward the town of Elkhorn.

Once out of the Breaks, the Russell Fork flattens out.

Along the float trips offered by the Kentucky section, only normal paddling skills are required, but be aware there is one rapid named the Meatgrinder a half mile downstream of the put-in at Ratliff Hole. Once you pass a high railroad trestle crossing the flow, prepare to run the river on the right side of that cataract.

Through that portion of the stream down to Elkhorn City, both stocked rainbow trout and smallmouth bass are available to fly casters. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources stocks the Russell Fork with catchable-sized rainbow trout in April, May and October each year. As with most trout water, the best place to look for rainbows is in the shoal areas.

Rainbow trout are stocked three times annually in the Russell Fork.

As for the smallmouth population, it is a good one. Surveys have shown that more than 65 percent of those fish are in the 11- to 20-inch size range. Ten percent reach the 16- to 20-inch sizes. Throughout the year expect to find those smallmouths around the rocks within the flow. They especially like to hold in the area just below rocks that are breaking the current. That’s where they ambush passing baitfish. Once the weather turns cooler in the fall, the bronzebacks will move into slower, deeper holes in the river.

Smallmouth bass are native to this stretch of the river.

The two floats on the Blue Grass section of the Russell Fork both offer shots at catching smallies and trout. The first of these runs from Ratliff Hole, which is sometimes referred to as Potters Ford. Here the river dumps out of its raging section in the gorge, flattening out in a very large pool. A gravel and dirt landing provides access for launching paddle craft. There is a large paved parking area, restrooms and picnic site as well. Additionally, there is bank access for some casting to the pool.

When launching at Ratliffe Hole, you start a 1.1-mile float along a section framed by steep, rocky and scenic bluffs. Many paddlers consider this the most panoramic run in the entire state. Once past the Meatgrinder, the rest of the float is ideal for fishing. This trip takes a minimum of two hours, but, of course, fishing slows that down.

The Ratliffe Hole parking area.

At the downstream end of this upper float is Carson Island Access just off of KY 80 via Carson Island Road to the east of Elkhorn City. Here you find a large paved parking area, seasonal restrooms and a pavilion. Like Ratliffe Hole, the landing is dirt and gravel. A bonus here is that wade fishing also is possible.

Once below Carson Island, the Russell Fork spreads out and has a number of shallow shoals. In fact, during low water levels you end up dragging paddle craft in a number of spots. But the bright side is getting out of the boat for wade fishing is a frequent possibility. Anytime the river level is at 5.5 feet or lower, expect that kind of conditions. The best level for floating is 5.5 feet to 7 feet. If the river is running higher than 7 feet, fishing will be difficult to impossible. Click here for the current water level on the Russell Fork at Elkhorn City.

This second float ends in Elkhorn City proper. When you pass under an abandoned iron bridge with the concrete structure of the modern Patty Loveless Bridge on KY 80 in sight, look for the landing on the left river shore. Reaching this site adds another 0.8 mile to the float. The entrance to the landing is off of Carson Island Road.

It is possible to continue floating down the Russell Fork to one other access point in Elkhorn City. At the junction of Stillhouse Road and West Russell Street on the south side of the river a drive leads down to a site known as the Elkhorn Swimming Hole. Retrieving a paddle craft or fishing are both possible at this location.