Sam Potter

I'm just saying that the farmers don't always see the law as we do. To some of them, it is their farm, stream and all. Regardless if you are below the high water mark or not. Just don't be surprised if you are confronted some day by someone with a shotgun. I don't think they would be too upset if they know that you are only catching and releasing. Just don't take "their fish", leave gates open, pull down fences or leave trash. Most of these people will give you permission to fish if you ask, and if you assure them that you will not kill "their fish" or any of the other things I mentioned. They are proud of what they have and most of them are very friendly. However there are a few you need to be careful with. My daddy always told me: "son just ask, the worst that can happen is that they tell you no"

Water conditions have changed over the past two days. Strong storms have brought some much needed water to this area. The river is up, and running a lot of debris. There was an excellent caddis hatch in the afternoon, an excellent BWO hatch and an excellent midge hatch in the afternoon. The fish were not paying a lot of attention to the bugs however. I guess the water conditions had a lot to do with that. The fishing was a little slow, if you measure by the numbers of fish caught, but I did manage to catch some nice browns on streamers. It was a lot of work and I covered a lot of water to find them. "A bad day fishing is still a Great Day" www.Tightline.Biz

if you fish above Mill Dam, the wild trout in the little Piney can be difficult to catch IF you try to fish for them like you fish in a trout park, or Taneycommo, or even on the Current River or Meramec River. The trout in this stream a very spooky and they require a low profile and very slow movement. Fly lines slapping the water will send them to the banks or rocks for safety. If you have fished Mill Creek and had success there you can probably catch trout in the Little Piney. Remember, I am talking about wild trout, not the drab colorless stockers you will pick up around Mill Dam Hollow and below. POINT TO REMEMBER, a lot of this little stream is on private property, and you need permission to fish it. I have know of property owners, with a shotgun in hand, meeting fishermen on the stream and asking them to leave. Make sure you stay on public land if you do not have permission to be on private property. Some of the landowners are very strict about allowing fishermen to be on their property. It is a great little stream, and it is not fished a lot, but it can be difficult to catch anything of significant size. The average size has increased since the wild Trout regulation went into affect a few years ago. "A bad day fishing is still a Great Day" www.TightLine.Biz

The river is very low and very clear. As I drove by the dam at Montauk I noticed that there was very little water coming over the dam. As low as I have ever seen it for this time of the year. The fish are spooky in this low clear water, so approach slowly, keep a low profile and wear clothes that blend with the stream bank, if you want to have a chance to catch some of the larger fish. he stocker rainbows that drift down from the park don't seem to mind people standing over them, but the fish that have been in the river for a long time will spook if you get too close. I didn't get on the stream until later in the day, but I managed to catch about 12 fish this afternoon.The largest was a 23" female. The caddis were flying everywhere and the fish were feeding on them sporadically. There were a couple of different caddis. One was a small guy, about a size 18 with tan wings and a dark brown body. The other one was larger, about a size 16, with light brown wings and a green body. I believe they are called little sedge, but I'm not sure. I caught about half my fish on a close patterned emerger that I had, and half on some CDC 16s that I had. If I can catch them on dry flies then that is how I prefer to fly fish. The weather is going to turn warmer over the next couple of days and storms are in the forecast. I hope it pours for the next three or four days, because we need it and it would give me an excuse to get out my 6 wt. "A bad day fishing is still a Great Day" www.TightLine.Biz

Fishing Report February 26, 06 The river is still running clear and about normal. It was a little cold this morning with the temps in the 20s. It did warm up to about 50 degrees in the afternoon. We saw several bugs later in the day when the temperature got up to 50. Two different caddis, one was brown with tan wings and the other was a dark brown/green with tan wings. Both were about a size 18. There were small black stoneflies size 16. Some very small mayflies, but I didn't identify them, and our tiny midges. Fishing the deep water in the morning was not productive. We managed to catch a few fish in the shallower moving water. The largest fish was a nice rainbow about 15-16 inches, and a brown about the same size. There was some fair activity in the afternoon when the caddis started popping, but not full fledged water busting activity. The next couple of days is suppose to warm up to the 70 degree mark, which will bring on some major insect activity, and get the fish turned on. Thursday was a day for me to do some exploring, trying to find some fish for a couple of clients. I really didn't find a lot of fish, but did manage to catch a nice 20" brown. They were sipping midges along an eddy current in some slower water. A couple of guys came down the stream, walking a canoe and trying to fish. They walked right into the hole I was fishing, and that was the end of my dry fly midge fishing for the day. The caddis should be everywhere this week with the temperatures this warm. When you fish the Current River always have caddis available.

Dano, I like to use the Dai-Riki 270 hook in a size 10 or 8. I put lead on the hook, mostly at the head so that it rides with the head down. I tie it larger at the head and taper it back.

On Thursday I was fishing in short sleeves. Two days later I am sitting at home working on my taxes with no desire to venture out with the temperature in the teens. I was able to get out for about 3 hours on Thursday with limited success. I started with midges, and caught a couple of small guys. Switched over to a #18 black caddis and picked up two or three more smaller fish. There were a few of these caddis fluttering around, but not many. I wasn't there when they came off, but figured that a few may have fallen in the stream so the #18 black CDC worked out OK. I tried drifting some tiny black stonefies, but I didn't have any success with them. I switched over to what is becoming my favorite winter fly, Mike's Mohair leech and caught my biggest fish of the day, an 18 inch bow. I kept the same fly on as I worked back down stream to the truck and picked up 5 more. If you look closely into the water as you walk the stream you will see tiny little sculpins skittering around. I really belive the trout take the leech for one of these tiny sculpins. Whatever they take it for it works. If you see Kruse, don't tell him I like his fly, I don't want him to think he came up with one that works that well. It may be next week before my next post. We have 3 games this week, Districts start next Saturday, and I have client coming in for a trip. If I have the time I will try to post that trip for you.

Arkamo, We do indeed have the little green worms. At times these little guys are very bright green. I keep mine very small, about a size 18-20 and no bigger than 16. I have found them from a very dark green to, as I said, a very bright green. The little web builders are found mostly in crevices and in holes of rocks. My good friend Al Agnew, mentioned scuds and he is 100% correct, they are found in virtually every cold water stream we have. Tied on a "scud" hook they can be taken for a scud or one of our little green caddis worms. If you fish in the Ozarks, you should always carry some scuds in various colors and sizes. They don't take up that much room in a vest and they can be very effective, especially when trout are being picky eaters. We have them from a tiny #20 to some much larger. The guys that fish Taneycomo use them up to a size 10.

Arkamo Traveler, I just found your question. Sorry I have not replied sooner, I have been busy with a basketball tournament. 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 enjoyement 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. "A bad day fishing is still a Great Day" www.TightLine.Biz

Everyone has "special flies" that they use, because they have had success with them in the past. When the fishing gets tough, they put on their favorite flies and will fish them longer just because they have confidence in them. The longer your fly is in the water the greater the chances of a hook up. This in turn reassures confidence and the same fly gets to go for another swim. 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. "A bad day fishing is still a Great Day" www.TightLine.Biz"

5 top flies? 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. All of the nymphs suggested by Mizzouflyfisher will work on the Current River and other trout streams in this area. "A bad day fishing is still a Great Day" www.TightLine.Biz

Fishing Report January 27, 06 The river is very clear and very low. Rain in the forecast for the weekend, so fishing may improve.There were midges in the air yesterday morning, I didn't fish in the afternoon so I can't tell you what was flying. I was able to get out on the stream for about 2 hours yesterday and managed to catch 6 nice fish. It was slow for about half an hour, with a few ticks on my streamer, but no hook-ups. I switched over to one of my favorite winter flies, Mike Kruse's #10 olive mohair leech. I fish mine on a swing and short twitches. I know other guys drift these flies below an indicator, but I prefer to cast my flies, instead of casting an indicator. I have and will use an indicator, but it is my last choice for fly fishing methods. On the 4th cast I had one on for about 20 seconds before I lost it. At least it was progress, if only for 20 seconds. A half dozen casts later I had another one on and managed to release it after a good fight and a couple of leaps. Not a big one, but some action for what was proving to beome a slow day. A few casts later I had another one, released it and continued to throw in the same hole. I spent about a half hour fishing in that one hole and took six fish out of it. The clouds started to dissipate, the sun was getting higher and the fish catching stopped. I continued down the stream without success and decided to fish it back up with an indicator and caddis worm... no luck, not even a stop. I fished my way back up stream past the truck and realized that I needed to pick up the pace and fish back down, because I needed to leave in an hour or so. As I was working my way back down stream a guy stepped into the river ahead of me, about 30 feet below me, and started fishing. I will not get into my thoughts on that at this time, but I am determined to write a lengthy article on fishing etiquette in the near future. I have had this happen to me several times over the past couple of years and it is really getting on my nerves. I believe that there is an increasing percentage of fishermen today that just don't understand that it is rude to disturb the water in, around and where a fisherman is heading. I blame this on the fishing attitude of some of the fishermen in our trout parks, here in Missouri, and that there are fishermen out there that don't know any better, because no one has taught them. If we, as fly fishermen, do not say anything to these guys, they will continue to disrupt the water we fish and not realize that it is poor fishing etiquette. "A bad day fishing is still a Great Day" www.TightLine.Biz

Slosh is correct about the camping areas. There is a location at TanVat and another location at Parker Hollow. These areas are located right on the river in the National Ozark Scenic River Section and come under the supervision of the National Park Service. Both areas are primitive sites without any facilities. You can also camp at Montauk State Park for a small fee. The following web site will give you more info http://www.mostateparks.com/montauk/camp.htm Good Luck "A bad day fishing is still a Great Day" www.tightline.biz

There are several otters and some beaver on the upper Current River. I know that trappers are after them every winter. Bryan is right on with the price of an otter pelt. They are running about $100 each for a large one. Actually the prices have come down a little this year, but still a good price for a single pelt. The largest Beaver I have ever seen in my life, and I have seen a lot of them, was on the Current River. This guy must have been close to 100 pounds, but it was several years ago and I'm sure, judging by the size, that he is gone by now. I generally see otters when I am fishing alone, because I'm not talking to anyone and startling them before they see me. I have seen as many as 6 at one time. They are fun to watch, especially in the water. But they can really so some damage to ponds along the rivers. Cleaning all the fish out of a poind, in a very short time has become a trade mark left by these marvelous creatures. Bryan is also correct about thinning them out. While a few are kind of nice to have around, like anything else, too many cause big problems. Just like the deer herds in the berbs and the geese on the golf course. Gavin mentioned the red flags along the river banks, and he is correct about them used as trap markers. However sometimes the traps are removed and the flags are left behind. It is unfortunate that this happens, but it does. There is also the possibility of the trapper throwing (springing) the traps and not checking on them because they have a schedule conflict for a few days, but they generally just pull them if they are not going to be able to check them. There could be numerous reasons for them not checking the trap line. The wildlife code allows trappers, that use killing traps (conibear) or underwater colony traps, to only check them every 48 hours. All other traps must be checked every 24 hours. Some of these trap lines are miles long and it may take all day to check them. DO NOT assume that the trap is not there just because you can't see it. I always stay away from the markers and assume that there is a trap, and that it is set. Just like treating every gun as if it is loaded. You may or may not agree with trapping animals as a means of controling numbers, but until the MDC allows hunting of these animals there is no other way to control them. And as I mentioned before, we have all seen the damage that deer herds and flocks of geese can cause. If you want to know how much damage otters cause, just talk to any of the farmers that have farms along the rivers. It is a very hot topic with them. If you are interested in trapping otters, the rivers of the ozarks will provide you with ample opportunity. Bryan says come on down and I agree with him, Come on down, I believe the season runs through February 15th. If I remember, the limit is 20 otters per season. BUT make sure you check your wildlife code, because the state is divided into trapping zones with different limits and methods allowed. Good Luck "A bad day fishing is still a Great Day" www.tightLine.biz

The great weather that we have had this past week has allowed some fortunate friends of mine to get out and catch a few fish. Ryan reported that bead head nymphs were producing some nice fish despite the bright sunny conditions that make the fish very spooky. ( There are a lot more of eagles over the rivers in the winter and they love to eat fish). A few browns over 15" were hooked with a couple netted. One that was closer to 20 managed to avoid the net and was released on a long line. The primary flies that the fish were eating were bead headed midge nymphs. Fish were also taken on caddis worms and a few rose to caddis dries. Ryan said that he had to leave the river a little earlier than usual Sunday, so unfortunately he missed what was probably a great caddis hatch in the evening. When he left, the bugs were starting to hatch out of the riffles and fish were taking soft hackles pretty regularly.

The roads ( trails ) leading to the Current River toward Ashley Creek cross private property and Public lands. Permission to cross private property is usually not given to anyone except relatives and close friends. There have been some people prosecuted for trespassing so you take your chances. The National Park Rangers and Missouri Conservation Agents will patrol these trails occasionally. I wouldn't suggest you drive these trails unless you want to lose a fender or bend a tie rod. The ruts are very deep because of erosion over the years. If you get stuck back in there, you are on your own. I don't know of any wrecker service in the area that will go down there and pull you out. Fenders? Yes there are a couple of fenders laying in the woods next to these trails where some unlucky guy dropped down into a rut and knocked off two fenders. I hope that I have helped you with your question. "A bad day fishing is still a Great Day" www.TightLine.Biz

Mike, the water below Cedar is bigger than above, especially when you get to Welch. There are longer and deeper pools below Cedar making a canoe ( or john boat ) necessary to cover that much water. I like to use the canoe to really fish the holes the way they should be fished. I always carry a sinking leader and use it a lot more below Cedar than I do above because of the deep water. I suggest that you take a sinking leader, or a spool of sinking line for that section. In addition to the deep pools, there will be plenty of runs and flats for you to wade. There are some BIG trout down in that section, but they are hit pretty hard by local fishermen so the numbers per mile are less than above. ( Unless you hit it after a stocking ) Early February can be pretty cold, so be careful not to get wet. Take extra clothes in a dry bag, and a lighter to start a fire. Streamers, woollies and sculpins work pretty well that time of year, AND if the weather is warm you should get some caddis hatches. Good luck, it is a beautiful stretch of water and going in February, you should pretty much have it to yourself. " A bad day fishing is still a Great Day" www.TightLine.Biz

Fishing was a little slow today, but it was nice to be able to get out for a few hours. I managed to hook up with a half dozen average size fish. All on olive Mohair leeches in size 10. I like to use them in the winter when the water is clear. I fish them on the swing and a few short strips at the end. I know some fishermen, like Missouri's coldwater director, drift the leech below an indicator. I prefer to cast and strip it, because I really enjoy casting a fly rod more than throwing an indicator. Two reports came in this week, from other fishermen, indicating that the fishing was also slow for them. They tried a variety of flies with limited success. The nice weather earlier in the week made it really nice to be out and enjoying the Ozarks. Hey, I forgot to mention that I had the privilage to see a bald eagle today... "A bad day fishing is still a Great Day" www.TightLine.Biz

Ted, you were not the only ones having a tough day on Monday. I received a report from a friend with similar results. He and two friends saw some good bugs flying, but the trout were not rising to them. They managed to catch a few fish using nymphs and streamers. Their largest was a 17 inch brown. But you are right it was beautiful day in the Ozarks and great to be out, especially this time of year. I was at a basketball tournament and wondering how good the fishing was envying everyone that had the opportunity to be on the water.

Yes, Hunting is allowed in the area you are talking about. There are hundreds of acres of National Forest land surrouding the river. There is also a lot of private land, so I suggest getting a good map from the National Forest Service so you know where you are. Happy hunting "A bad day fishing is still a Great Day" www.TightLine.Biz

SHARPS4590 I also live close to the Little Piney, ( 10 minutes ). You are correct about the numbers, but most of the fish that are caught, over 12 inches long, are stocked fish. If you are catching them above Mill Dam Hollow they have probably moved up into the blue ribbon water from where they were stocked. If you are catching them at Mill Dam or below, chances are they are stockers. The wild trout will be long, lean and powerful. All the smaller trout ( below 10 inches ) are natives. The brilliant colors will also be an identifying mark, like the white tips on the fins. Look for a tiny orange spot at the tip of the dorsal fin. Another indicator of a stream born fish. When the stockers have been lucky enough to survive in the stream for a long time, they will begin to take on the bright colors of the stream born rainbows. I love to fish the little piney, and like you, rarely see very many fishermen, especially above Mill Dan Hollow. Maybe we will run into one another some day. "A bad day fishing is still a Great Day" www.TightLine.Biz

Fishing Report December 11, 05 A great hatch of BWOs and Midges, in December, on the Current River. The picture below was sent to me by Ryan McCarty. His girl friend took the picture yesterday in the fly fishing section of Montauk Park. All the little specks you see in the photo are bugs, thousands of them are surrounding Ryan giving him and his girl friend several hours of quality dry fly fishing. There are tremendous bug hatches on this river, and you can have a lot of fun if you are in the right place at the right time. Unfortunately, yesterday, I was fishing several miles downstream from this hatch and missed it.

Ryan, Rubber legs on flies are legal NOW in the state of Missouri. Rubber legs on flies did not use to be legal. The regulations changed last year. Even though several types of flies were tied with rubber legs, like stones and hoppers, according to the old wildlife code they use to be illegal. I like rubber legs on hoppers and tie several different colors and sizes.

I was able to get down to the river for a little while today and really had a pretty good outing. I saw a couple of other guys on the stream, but I never did see them with a fish on. One guy was drifting a red plastic worm. I politely informed him that plastic baits were strictly prohibited on Blue Ribbon waters. He said that it wasn't natural bait, it was artificial and it should be Ok. I told him that I was an authorized guide with the National Park Service and that I was 100% sure that plastic baits are explicitly prohibited in this section of the stream. I told him it was listed on the yellow posted sign and that he could read it for himself. He said he thought it was OK to fish with the plastic worms, because he had seen other fishermen fishing in the exact same place using them. After a few more minutes of discussion he thanked me, switched over to a spinner and continued on down the stream. I continued up the river to a couple of holes that I knew, from past years, would be holding some winter fish. I stopped at a little run that dropped off into a nice hole that had plenty of cover. I was only able to catch one little bow there so I started to work back down to the truck. I really had a couple of other holes in mind, the run was just a starting point. I quickly worked through the shallow sections, knowing that I was probably wasting my time, but I needed the extra time to get my cast down. I slowly worked down to the first hole I was planning to fish and could see several trout holding on the bottom. My second cast produced a good strike, but I missed it. The fourth or fifth cast connected and after that I had a pattern. I was throwing a #10 Mohair leech with a single size 6 split about 8 inches up the line. They were taking the fly on the swing or sometimes following it and hitting after a couple of short strips. I was mending the line two or three times on each cast, to give the fly time to sink close to the bottom. I weight my leeches so I knew I didn't need a lot of extra weight to get them down. I don't use extra weight if the current is slow, or the water is less than 4 feet deep. I managed to land 11, lose 3 and break off 3. Not that the fish were that big, just several rocks for them to get into and cut the line. Pretty good fishing for a little over 3 hours, especially for winter fish. The river was very clear, and just about normal. OH I forgot to mention that I saw a bald eagle. It is always a great day when I see an eagle. For you older fishermen you know what I am talking about. When I was a kid we never saw eagles. It wasn't until about 20 years ago that we would see one occasionally. So yes, I get excited when I see them. I'm sure you younger fishermen appreciate them and enjoy seeing one, but for most of you under the age of 30 you have always seen them and don't realize how rare the sightings were 50-30 years ago. "A bad day fishing is still a great day" www.Tightline.Biz