Welcome to the Rainbow Guide Service

A good sized Striper that we boated from the Cumberland River

A good looking Brown Trout caught on the Cumberland River. This size is very typical of what we catch all season long.

Based in Burkesville, Kentucky, Rainbow Guide Service is capible of providing fishing trips  for one to twenty people on the Cumberland River for World Class Stripers and Brown Trout, as well as world-class small mouth bass on Dale Hollow. The average striper that we land is 20 pounds, although we had a 47 pounder in our boat last year (2022). The largest we have boated is 54 pounds in 2019.

 We are kid friendly and love to help build memories that will last a lifetime! This is this young anglers’ first smallmouth. From the look in his eyes when he was bringing it in, it won’t be his last.

2nd and 3rd generation fishing guides on the Cumberland River and Dale Hollow Lake, John and Johnny Rush of the Rainbow Guide Service know how to put their clients on fish. Whether you are by yourself looking to do some serious fishing, a husband and wife who enjoy the outdoors together with a fishing rod in your hand; a father, son (or daughter) and grandpa, or even a corperate sales meeting and wanting a day to team build your staff – Rainbow Guide Service can accomidate your needs.

To talk to Captain Johhny Rush about his services or to set up a trip, you can call or text him at 270.459.0621 or email him at rainbowguide@hotmail.com.

A 41 pound Striper that we boated after an exciting fight in August of 2024!

Smallmouth on Dale Hollow

Although not the 11lb 15 oz world record that was caught on Dale Hollow, this Boulder Beast was enough to make everyone in the boat stop what they were doing while this angler was fighting it.

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Brown Trout on The Cumberland River

The Cumberland River is the best place in the south to catch trophy browns. I have had the privledge of fishing in this river for the last 40 years, and because of the experience that I have on the Cumberland, I am able to often put my clients on a big one.

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Stripers on The Cumberland River

The Cumberland River system is known for it’s world class Striper with good reason. We almost always boat 20 pounders every day, and in 2022, we had a 47lb Striper in the boat.

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Crappies on Dale Hollow

Crappies – the best thing to happen in springtime since baseball!  Once the bite starts on Dale Hollow – we have a lot of fun filling our live wells with these speckled predators. 2 pounders are common, once in a while we get a 3-4-pound black crappie on the boat.

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What people are saying about Rainbow Guide Service

Thanks again, Johnny! You’re a great guide and know your way around the river. We had a blast and will definitely be back!

Julie Anne Stafford

VERY happy client

Both Larry and myself had a great time fishing for smallmouth bass on Dale Hollow Lake. Between the two us we caught 17 bass ranging from 18 to 20 1/2 inches. Johnny Rush is an excellent guide that is willing to go the extra to see that you catch fish. Highly recommend for both trout and striper.

David Davila

Former Client

We had a great time fishing the Cumberland River with Rainbow Guide Service – lost count of how many fish we caught. We caught Rainbow trout, Brook trout and Brown trout. I have fished with John 4 or 5 times now. I’m a customer for life.

Bill Burke

Repeat Client

I met these guys at the Indianapolis Boat Sport and Travel Show and had many conversations with them. We looked at maps and discussed the areas they fish. They have nice equipment and they live, eat and breathe fishing. These are the kind of guys you want to go out fishing with!

Eric Stallsmith

Former Client

Just a few of the loads of fun that my guests enjoyed during 2023!