Sam Potter
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trythisonemv reacted to a article:
Current River - Top 5 Flies
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At times the Current River can be tough to fish, especially once you get down stream a mile or so below Montauk park. To list just 5 flies would be difficult because a lot depends on the time of year, hatches and the water conditions. If I gave you 5 flies to use on the Current River and you fished them the wrong time of year or in the wrong water conditions, you might not think I knew what I was talking about. I suggest that you narrow down the situation, but I do agree that if you do not go to the Current River without some caddis flies, you are missing the most important insect the river produces. Adult, larva, and pupa in various sizes and colors should be available to match the food source. Caddis will hatch the year around on the Current River. Even during the winter, if the conditions are conducive. When in doubt, drift larva or pupa below an indicator, because trout feed below the surface a heck of a lot more than they do on top. Sam Potter - The following is a list of flies that I use on the Current River: Caddis Dry – CDC #16-20 TMC 100 in brown, black, green, tan Caddis Emergers #16-20 TMC 2488 in brown, black, green, tan Caddis Larva #16-20 TMC 2488 in green, cream, brown, black Trico #28 TMC 518 in black BWO #18-22 TMC 518 in olive Brown Drake and Hex in size 8 and 6 TMC 100 in brown, brown/yellow Ants #19 TMC 102Y in black Hoppers #8-12 Dai-Riki 280 in tan, brown, green Yellow Stone #14 Dai-Riki 270 in yellow Midge #32-30 TMC 518 in tan, black Sculpins #2-6 TMC 200R or Dai-Riki 899 in brown, tan, olive, olive/blue Mohair Leech #10 TMC 100 or Dai-Riki 270 in olive, brown, cinnamon, tan, black I do not fish nymphs very much. I prefer casting a fly, to casting an indicator. If I am using caddis larva, I fish them below a dry fly. There are a ton of fishermen that use nymphs with an indicator and catch a lot of fish with that method, but I enjoy casting too much and the indicator gets in the way. I will use a very small piece of yarn at times for an indicator, but it is not my preferred method of fly fishing. I like the feel of casting a line and fly instead of plopping an indicator. I pride myself on accuracy and presentation. Fly fishing to me (at this stage of my life) is more than just catching fish. I have caught thousands over the past 50 years, using just about any method you can think of.... casting a dry fly with the perfect presentation and getting a selective trout to rise and take it, is what I prefer to do. It is the challenge and the reward that I cherish, not the numbers or the size of the fish. I have caught 50+ trout a day on numerous occasions and some huge fish, don't get me wrong I love to catch a lot of fish and BIG fish, but I enjoy making that perfect drift and catching a 12" brown just as much if not more. I have spent entire days just trying to catch one huge fish that I have found somewhere on the stream...That is the type of determination that I have. It is the challenge that drives me. I get the same challenge from a 12" brown that refuses my fly. The colors of the flies, I described, are for the body of the fly. Were the caddis you observed hatching and flying close to the surface or dropping eggs? It makes a difference. Did you notice any activity below the surface? For every bug they take off the surface they are probably taking 8 below the surface, if there is a hatch on. Excellent opportunity for swinging emergers. I have witnessed, on several occasions, trout catching flying caddis, not on the surface mind you, flying in mid air. Think about all the information that a trout must calculate to catch a bug flying. Force of the water, speed of the insect, windage and distance from the water surface. I would never have witnessed these instances if I had not been looking at the precise fly taken at the time of the jump. I find myself more observant with insects than I did twenty years ago. I use to just concentrate on fishing and missed out on a ton of information, and enjoyment that makes fishing more than just catching fish. Catching fish during a hatch can be very rewarding, OR it can be very frustrating, if they are keyed in on a specific size and color and you can not replicate what they are looking for, it can be frustrating. -
The drift boat is in excellent condition. It is a 2009 14’ Ransom, with a U.H.M.W stealth bottom (like Rhino lining) which is an upgraded guide choice. The boat is laminated Polypropylene in honey comb design. The boat will not sink. Easy to row, turns on a dime.Interior lights for night fishing, with a junction box for Trolling Motor connection.Padded Seats front & back, Padded Rower Seat, Dry Storage Areas front and midStorage in back, Rod Rack, Work Bench, Reinforced Stern for Motors15 lb pyramid anchor. Anchor rope, 3 Cup holders.The only mark on the boat is a little divet just above the chine on the left side.Heavy duty Genesis galvanized trailer, Spare Tire, Boat cover$5850Yamaha 6 hp Outboard Long shaft 2010, with just 3 hours on it...$1580Contact Sam Potter: Currentriver@embarqmail.com or call 573-465-3556
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Corey, My name is Sam. I have a fly fishing guide service (TightLine) for the upper Current River.. I would like to talk to you in detail about your experience at TanVat. I have an obvious concern for your experience. Email: Currentriver@embarqmail.com Thanks
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Fishing Report May 14 The Current River, as of Thursday the 14th, is Closed to boating until the river can be cleared from the violent wind storm that when through the area last Friday. Experienced floaters have learned that it is always a good idea to check with the National Park Service prior to floating the river following storms. The headquarter office in Van Buren is: 573-323-4236 http://www.nps.gov/ozar/planyourvisit/levels.htm Hundreds of trees, mostly the very large trees, some probably at least a 100 years old were up rooted all around Montauk Park, Baptist access and Parker access. The Intercounty Rural Electric workers, Mo-Dot, Montauk Park and the National Park service have been working some very long and hard hours clearing the roads and power lines. The area streams are still running cloudy and higher than normal, but the fishing is picking up. Early in the morning and evening hours have been the best. You will need some heavy flies or add some weight to get to the bottom to pick up the most fish. There has been caddis activity with action on top as well. Watch for risers, if they are coming up and swing a soft-hackle or drift a caddis. "A Bad Day Fishing is Still a Great Day" www.TightLine.Biz
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Clipped fins: The clipping of fins, usually partial clipping, is a way to mark the year fish (Browns on the Current River) are stocked or marked for sampling. But your rainbow, because of the location you caught it, probably came from Montauk Park. Rainbows raised in captivity, can and do have fin erosion problems. Your rainbow, if it is the same fish one of my clients caught two weeks ago, noting the location, lost the fins at the hatchery. refer to this study: http://veterinaryrecord.bvapublications.co...ract/159/14/446 "A Bad Day Fishing is still a Good Day" TightLine.Biz
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The streams continue to rise and fall, but just a little less than they were about a month ago. Fishing has been pretty good this week when the weather cooperates. Still have not seen great numbers of bugs, but I would imagine the floods would have a lot to do with that. There are some tricos, light cahills, small yellow stones and a few cranes but nothing in numbers to get excited about. The rainbows continue to be the dominate catch with about a 15-1 ratio. Use a variety of flies until you find the one they seem to like. We have had good success with woollies in size 10, brown or olive. There are some very small stocker browns in the river now, so it is important to keep the barbs pinched down for easy releases of these naive fish. "A bad day fishing is still a great Day" www.TightLine.Biz
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Fishing Report April 25th I do have some good news, finally. The Current River is running about 1.8 right now. It was at 2.0 earlier in the week.. what does that mean? Fishing is pretty good right now and you can wade a lot safer. The fishing pressure has been down this week with the turkey hunters in the woods instead of on the water. Caddis are flying and we are starting to see the tiny Tricos. The Craneflies are going pretty good as well... Isn't it amazing with all the flooding that these bugs have been able to hang on. They might not be in the same location they were a few weeks ago, but they are still here. But then you knew they would be back, because they have for thousands of years and I'm sure sometime in their history the flooding was much worse than it was this spring. Still catching fish on woollies and streamers and we will continue to do so as long as the stream is off color like it is. I still haven't seen all the water between Montauk and Cedar, but eventually I will in the next couple of weeks. "A Bad Day Fishing is Still a Great Day" www.TightLine.Biz
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I wish I had some good news, but I don't. The rivers around here are still running too high to wade and fish safely. Everytime we get these high waters more sand, gravel and crossing areas are moved or changed. The flow is too swift for good drifts and no one really needs to take a chance on wading. I know that there are some die hards that will fish it, especially if they have driven a long way, but extra caution is a necessity. I would not recommend wading the streams until about mid week or the end of the week. Keep an eye on the water levels by visiting the USGS water Data sites. "A bad day fishing is still a great day" www.TightLine.Biz
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As you can see. The rivers are still high and the water is still murky. The CFS (cubic feet per second) is pushing pretty good and fishermen should be cautious about crossing areas that they have normally crossed in the past. If you have a wading staff I advise using it on your next trip if are planning to fish the streams this weekend. If you don't have one pick up a sturdy stick along the stream and use it to help you crossing the streams. When sand and gravel move to new homes, due to high water they don't settled in for awhile and you will find yourself sinking in what looks like a solid bottom. This sinking plus the higher water and the increased flow could get you into trouble. After high water, especially as high as it was this past flood, will fill in holes that were there before and make new holes. Crossings that were there before may be gone and if you can't see the bottom how do you know you aren't stepping into a hole. That's where the stick comes in handy... test the bottom before you step. Be cautious in new water. We watched two young kayakers find out the hard way that the stream changes a lot after floods. They were having a good time until they rounded a sharp bend, in a fast chute, and a tree had fallen across the entire chute. They turned the kayaks over and had their yaks pinned against the tree for about 30 minutes. They were lucky they didn't get trapped under the tree. One of them had to climb up on the tree branches to keep from drowning, the first guy managed to get to the gravel bar. Fishing was slow Wednesday for a couple of reasons. First of all, every fish that was caught was full of food... think about all the bugs and worms that wash down the stream after a flood like this. Every time a stone is turned over the bugs wash away until they can find another stone to crawl under. The entire stream bank was scoured on both sides washing away earthworms and terrestrial insects. Do you feel like eating when you are stuffed after a huge meal? (Check out Al's photos of the fish he caught in his report previous to this this report) . Second of all if you don't put the fly exactly where they are, they have a difficult time seeing it, like they do in clear water. Will it be the same way this weekend, probably but it should be clearing a little bit everyday... so fishing should be getting better as the fish digest their food and the water clears so they can find more easy meals. Have fun, enjoy the streams and be cautious. www.TightLine.Biz "A Bad Day Fishing Is Still A Great Day"
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The rivers are HIGH and running HARD. I don't know if you have been paying attention to the stream levels this week, but if you didn't and drove to this area to fish you were pretty surprised when you got here. The Gasconade River, at Jerome, got up to about 31 feet and Interstate 44 was shut down for awhile. It has been a very long time since we have had this much water in our streams. I know the Little Piney Creek was up over 14 feet, the Upper Current River at Montauk was up to 10 feet. The Big Piney was up to 25 feet and the Meramec was up to about 28 feet... So did we go fishing today?.. yes we did. Did we catch any fish ? Yes we did. One small rainbow, one shiner and lost two small rainbows... The rivers are pretty dingy, the water is pushing very hard and the fishing is very difficult. When there is this much water in the stream, the fish can be scattered everywhere, but generally they are going to be on the very bottom, along the banks or in some slack water.. just about anywhere they can get of the main current. The bottom and the stream bank slow the current down, compared to the middle of the flow, and it is easier for them to hold in those areas during heavy flows. It will probably take three or four days for the upper Current river to get back to fishable conditions. The water further down stream will take much longer. The Big Piney, Gasconade and Meramec may take a week or longer to get down to anything close to fishable water. If you are looking for a stream to fish this weekend, find a small one and go all the way up to the head waters and start there. If you can't find that scenario, you might as well enjoy the NIT and NCAA tournaments with a pizza and a beer and a chocolate Easter bunny for desert. "A Bad Day Fishing is Still a Great Day" www.TightLine.Biz
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In response to your question and add to several of the responses. I fish the Current River at night, often, but I live here and I know the water extremely well. If you are not familiar with the stream, you may want to take several flies, because the trees and the brush along the banks make a regular diet of them. All size flies will produce, because there are bugs that hatch at night and minnows that swim at night and crawfish that crawl around at night, so there is plenty going on that we don't see because we are usually sitting at fire drinking a beer, or watching TV in our RV. If you want to try to catch big fish use big flies, but you better have patience, because you are going to be doing a lot of casting and not a lot of catching. When you go big you are fishing for qaulity not quantity, so don't be surprised if you make a hundred casts before you get a hook up.... or you could get lucky and get one on the first cast... then wait another hundred casts for the next one. You will also encounter bats hitting your line and trying to eat your fly. I have yet to catch one, but it is only a matter of time. There are rattlesnakes, there are copperheads and there are cottonmouths... but the majority of the snakes 90+ % will be watersnakes. All of these snakes feed at night. So if you don't like snakes I would advise against night fishing. I have had them swim between my legs and that my friends will make you pee in your pants. Ashley Creek does provide warmer water, and it is the home of several snakes. I would advise you to fish with a partner at night, just like I advise fishermen to fish with a partner in the winter. Especially If you are not familiar with the stream. Word to the wise, this isn't going to be like fishing at Taney where there is almost always someone to help you out of a jam. At Taney the bottom, the current and the stream bank is predictable, AND you have a nice night light. It is better to be cautious and safe than sorry and alone. There are some tricky spots on the river with swift currents and deep holes that could do a man in pretty quick if his waders filled with water. Another reason to have a partner. If you are crazy about fly fishing like I am or just plain crazy, night fishing on the Current can be a hoot OR it can be a very spooky experience. NOTE: I have never had anyone go with me twice. "A Bad Day Fishing is Still a Great Day" or should I say "A Bad Night Fishing is still a Great Night" www.TightLine.Biz
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The tiny tricos are still going strong here. It seems to be hit and miss with the heavy spinner falls. One day it can be solid, the next day light. I havn't figured it out yet and to tell you the truth I havn't asked an entomologist. But have thought about it, that's all, just thought about it. The hoppers are showing up, so if you want some afternoon fun bring along some #12 hoppers and fish the high banks that have weeds and grass along the stream. Combine the hopper with a prince/pheasant tail/hares ear/copperjohn or any other small #18 nymph of your choice, dropper. Some times they come up to look at the hopper and take the nymph...I like to use stimulators in the faster water. For you novices, it takes some practice to learn how to skip it, but it can be rewarding if the fish are feeling aggresive. The evening hours are starting to get some Hex activity, for those of you that enjoy fishing in the dark. The river is very clear and the fish can see you coming, especially in the flat water. Longer, finer leaders are required...and gentle presentations. If you are slapping the water with your fly line, don't be surprised if you can't catch the larger fish. "A Bad Day Fishing is Still a Great Day" www.TightLine.Biz
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I received this from a client the other day. I thought I would pass it along to my fishing brothers. mGOD: Frank, you know all about gardens and nature. What in the world is going on down there on the planet? What happened to the dandelions, violets, thistle and stuff I started eons ago? I had a perfect, no-maintenance garden plan. Those plants grow in any type of soil, withstand drought and multiply with abandon. The nectar from the long lasting blossoms attracts butterflies, honey bees and flocks of songbirds. I expected to see a vast garden of colors by now. But all I see are these green rectangles. ST. FRANCIS: It's the tribes that settled there, Lord. The Suburbanites. They started calling your flowers "weeds" and went to great lengths to kill them and replace them with grass. GOD: Grass? But it's so boring. It's not colorful. It doesn't attract butterflies, birds and bees, only grubs and sodworms. It's sensitive to temperatures. Do these Suburbanites really want all that grass growing there? ST. FRANCIS: Apparently so, Lord. They go to great pains to grow it and keep it green. They begin each spring by fertilizing grass and poisoning any other plant that crops up in the lawn. GOD: The spring rains and warm weather probably make grass grow really fast. That must make the Suburbanites happy. ST. FRANCIS: Apparently not, Lord. As soon as it grows a little, they cut it -- sometimes twice a week. GOD: They cut it? Do they then bail it like hay? ST. FRANCIS: Not exactly, Lord. Most of them rake it up and put it in bags. GOD: They bag it? Why? Is it a cash crop? Do they sell it? ST. FRANCIS: No, Sir. Just the opposite. They pay to throw it away. GOD: Now let me get this straight. They fertilize grass so it will grow. And when it does grow, they cut it off and pay to throw it away? ST. FRANCIS: Yes, Sir. GOD: These Suburbanites must be relieved in the summer when we cut back on the rain and turn up the heat. That surely slows the growth and saves them a lot of work. ST. FRANCIS: You aren't going to believe this Lord. When the grass stops growing so fast, they drag out hoses and pay more money to water it so they can continue to mow it and pay to get rid of it. GOD: What nonsense. At least they kept some of the trees. That was a sheer stroke of genius, if I do say so myself. The trees grow leaves in the spring to provide beauty and shade in the summer. In the autumn leaves fall to the ground and form a natural blanket to keep moisture in the soil and protect the trees and bushes. Plus, as they rot, the leaves form compost to enhance the soil. It's a natural circle of life. ST. FRANCIS: You better sit down, Lord. The Suburbanites have drawn a new circle. As soon as the leaves fall, they rake them into great piles and pay to have them hauled away. GOD: No fooling? What do they do to protect the shrub and tree roots in the winter and to keep the soil moist and loose? ST. FRANCIS: After throwing away the leaves, they go out and buy something which they call mulch. They haul it home and spread it around in place of the leaves. GOD: And where do they get this mulch? ST. FRANCIS: They cut down trees and grind them up to make the mulch. GOD: Enough. I don't want to think about this anymore. St. Catherine, you're in charge of the arts. What movie have you scheduled for us tonight? ST. CATHERINE: "Dumb and Dumber," Lord. It's a really stupid movie about.... GOD: Never mind. I think I just heard the whole story from St. Francis. "A bad day fishing is still a Great Day" www.TightLine.Biz
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KCfisher The upper river is very wadable from Montauk park to Welch Spring. 3wt is correct, A kickboat will be more of a hassle.. yes there are some nice deep holes down the stream, but they are all fishable by wading. The river is not that wide in the upper section. I would use a canoe for transportation from Baptist to Parker. If I am by myself, I leave my canoe at Baptist, chained up. Drive down to Parker, where I leave my truck. Ride my Bicycle back to Baptist, put it in the canoe and float down to the truck. It is pretty tough getting up the hill from Parker, but the rest of the 2 miles is gravy. If you don't have a canoe, you can walk/jog it back (if you are in good CV condition)you may be able to get a ride from someone fishing or camping at Parker. If you are walking back up to Baptist, I don't recommend walking back up along the river...the road will be faster and easier, and you may get a lift. No I have not seen hoppers of any numbers yet....but they are just around the corner. Start with 14/12s in July and increase the size to 6s by September.
