Dixie Belle beneath High Bridge

On Monday, July 11th, Director of Adventure Tourism, Elaine Wilson, and myself headed out on one of our better site visits.  We spent the HOT! afternoon with owner and guide of Dix River Adventures, Brad Johnson.  The temperature was well in the 90s (before the heat index) when we met at the boat ramp at 1:00 o’clock.  The beginning of our journey was in fact at pool 7 of the Kentucky River.  The ramp is just upstream from lock number 7, and is about 1 mile downstream from the mouth of the Dix.  As you near the confluence with the Dix, you pass underneath High Bridge.  High Bridge is a railroad bridge that spans the Kentucky River connecting Jessamine to Mercer county 280 feet above the water.  As we approach the bridge, Brad informed us that the land on the righthand side of the river was all part of Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill.  We soon were passing the landing at Shaker Village where the popular river boat, The Dixie Belle was located. 

We then entered the Dix and headed upstream.  The Dix River serves as the tailwaters for Herrington Lake.  As we were making our way upstream, Brad asked us to place our hands in the water.  As we continued to move along there was a sudden drop in water termperature.  The water temperature went from a warm 82 degrees, to 60 degrees, immediately.  I was informed that this was due to the water flowing out of the bottom of the lake.  This is also what helps make this stretch of the Dix River a trophy trout fishery.  We finally arrived at our first fishing site, just below a set of riffles that prevented us from traveling all the way to the dam.  Here ,within minutes, Elaine boated a nice rainbow trout.  We fished for a few hours more as we traveled back downstream towards the Kentucky River.  By the end of the trip we had caught spotted bass, a hybrid striped bass, and plenty of bluegill.  It was a pretty succesful trip considering the time of day and oppressive heat. 

Brad proved to be an incredible guide.  His boat is an 18′ Tracker Grizzly, powered by a 50 hp Mercury outboard.  You hear tales of river rats that know the water “like the back of their hand”, well the same can be said about Brad.  He also knows about the history of the river and numerous spots of interest along the way.  We had no trouble as we moved up and down the rivers through what could be potentially hazardous boating for those that are unfamilar with the waterways.  The customers safety and comfort come first when you’re out with Brad.  He can not only put you on the fish, but can also tell you how what to do to get bit.  Brad can work with any skill of angler, ensuring that they have a fun time on the water.  Rather or not the fish are biting, everyone will appreciate the views and landscape on their trip.  I was awed by what I saw as we traveled the river.  It was even more impressive knowing it was right in my backyard, and I had never been to see it before.

Dix River Adventures' Brad Johnson & Kentucky Adventure Tourism Director Elaine Wilson

I went into this trip knowing little about this section of the Kentucky River and the Dix River.  What I learned is that there is a great fishery that is there, and its close to home.  The trip from Lexington to the boat ramp was hardly more than half an hour.  I would HIGHLY recommend getting in touch with Brad if you plan on fishing this area and have never done so before.  Not only will it greatly increase your chances of success, you can ensure that you’ll get up and down the river without any mishaps.  For more information on Dix River Adventures and to get your trip scheduled, visit his website at www.dixriveradventures.com, or on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dix-River-Adventures/123699501004778. 

Kentucky Adventure Tourism