The Green River, at 317 miles, is the longest river in Kentucky and flows completely within the borders of the Commonwealth. It begins as a fast-moving stream and becomes a beautiful rock-bottom river. My buddy, Chip, and I began our trek across this vast expanse in Campbellsville, Kentucky at the spillway of Green River Lake.

From Campbellsville to the Green River Ferry in Mammoth Cave National Park (120 miles in all), the water is so clear that you’ll likely see both beavers swimming beneath your boat and long nose gars hanging on to a freshly caught blue gill. While the next 60 miles to Morgantown in Butler County is a little less scenic, the trek becomes more adventurous with 3 dams to navigate. Although the dams have not operated since barge traffic stopped in 1950, these dams are still in tack. Two of the dams, numbers 6 and 5 (Brownsville and Butler County) are extremely dangerous. Having a map of these dams’ locations is a must, because without it you could readily find yourself caught in the fast-moving current and wouldn’t survive the fall.

At these places you have to portage out and walk your boat around. Or you could do what we did and find someone with a pick-up truck, pay them $10.00 to load your boat, and take you to the closest boat ramp on the other end of the dam. There are always people fishing at these places.

Dam 4, also called Woodbury Dam, (Warren County) isn’t standing and is broken up to make a category IV rapid. If the river is low, and you were an experienced Kayaker, you might come through safely. But in a canoe or boat, you wouldn’t have a chance. Portage at Dam 4 is really easy; you just walk over a sand bar.

This July, 2010 our Western Kentucky section started at Morgantown to Calhoun (90 miles). Prior to of all our trips, Chip and I took a day to scout the Rochester Dam from the Ohio County side and researching the trip using maps. This dam isn’t standing, but becomes impassable with jagged rocks and boulders falling 10 feet. Also, because the Nolin and Barren Rivers empty into the Green River, it is much deeper and wider.

Before we got to Rochester, we were thrilled to see 3 bald eagles. With a map they can be seen between the area of Cromwell (Ohio County) and the Old Mining City in Butler County. You can’t miss the Old Mining City because you’ll see a 60-year old tug boat suspended on a high bank supported by trees and vines. It’s as if the captain left, expecting to return to another voyage.

The distance between Morgantown and the Rochester Dam is 18 miles by car, but it’s 36 miles when traveling by river. If you’re into bird watching, you’re bound to see several bald eagles, great blue heron, and king fishers. The local fishermen see them daily.

Once we got to Rochester we looked for someone to take us to the other side (Muhlenberg County), and we found Larry. Larry, the bait shop owner, lives in Skilesville. We paid Larry $10 to carry our boat 1/4 mile from Rochester to the other side of the dam into Skilesville, which is in Muhlenberg County. Larry not only gave us a ride to the other side, but also set up camp for us in a community park. It’s free, safe, and clean, and Larry had snacks and ice for sale. The next morning Larry showed us pictures of all the record catfish caught by the bait sold from his bait shop. Larry was not only a gracious host, but gave us the scoop on where the big ones could be caught. With our boat loaded on a trailer, Larry drove us down to the river, and we were off for day two.

The Green River flows in-between Muhlenberg and Ohio Counties. To get a visual of this area, you might be surprised to realize that the first mine in Kentucky became operational in Muhlenberg County in 1820. While most would have assumed it was in Eastern Kentucky, it was in Western Kentucky. Muhlenberg and Ohio Counties have been the largest coal producers in Western Kentucky, and at one time, Muhlenberg County produced more coal than anywhere in the world. To those who say “that must be ugly,” they’re so wrong. National regulations require coal mines to reclaim the land after the coal has been extracted from the surface. Those now reclaimed coal mines produce some of the best fishing and hunting in Western Kentucky. People come from all over the United States to hunt water fowl, deer and turkey. Coal companies, in conjunction with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, monitor hunting and fishing because the need is so great.

In this 35 mile stretch, you’ll see three power plants with huge steel pillars encased with concrete; these help steady barges for unloading coal. You’ll also see the same pillars on mine sites for loading coal. Even though barge traffic isn’t heavy, you must get out of their way long before they get close to your boat. The steel pillars are great for catching catfish, because the fish wait downstream letting the current bring food to them.

Along the way, we saw the public boat ramps at Central City and South Carrollton, as well as another bald eagle, countless geese, and herds of deer. We camped about a mile from the Western Kentucky Parkway Bridge. We were tired and fished out. With only 19 miles left, there will be more time to fish tomorrow.

Even though our last day was short, it was quite eventful. We floated toward the town of Livermore in McLean County where under the Hwy 431 Bridge, the Rough River empties into the Green. We entered the small river thinking we could land some large mouth bass. But instead we found ourselves getting bombarded with flying silver carp. I’m not kidding! There we sat in our 4 horse power Mercury with fish jumping every where. Before we knew it, a 20 pound silver carp had jumped into our boat. These carp will be a major nuisance to the Green in a couple of years!

With only 10 miles to our final destination (Calhoun), we sat back and enjoyed the beautiful scenery. As the land flattens, we begin see many homes, houseboats and pontoons docked along the river. Before reaching Dam number 2, we dock in Calhoun, the county seat of Mclean County, where there are restaurants and grocery stores.

Next year will be the final leg of completing the Green River. No where else except Kentucky, could this be experienced!!!