Night Fishing For Browns

[Sam Potter]

I have not tried this on the current and I was wondering if anyone else has. I am sure that the standard big profile bait would apply. Has anyone tried it?

[Sam Potter]

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

[Guest]

Deleted

 

[Gavin]

Like Sam says it can be spooky out there...Beavers slapping their tails on the surface of the water, the prehistoric calls of great blue herons, snakes, funky noises in the dark, Bats...Bats are usually a sign of a hatch or spinner fall...lots of Caddis, Stones, Drakes, and some of the larger mayflies make there appearances at night. Hatch or no hatch, brown trout always seem to go for sculpins and minnow imitaions that push some water.

Carry at least 3 sources of light..I like those little LED flashlights that clip on to your hat, but keep your light off unless you really need it..A light on the water will usually put the fish down, plus it will spoil your night vision for ten minutes or so...Best time seems to be during low clear water periods in the heat of the summer. Water temps are up, fish metabolism is up, but they dont come out during the day due to fishing pressure, canoes, etc. Learn how to roll cast really well so you can keep your fly out of the bushes. Cheers.

[bikehikefish]

Yes, it can be spooky at night there, but I'm more worried about the 2 legged critters. The last time I night fished the Current, I left Salem about 3:00 AM and headed to Tan Vat the back way, driving past the Baptist Camp turn off. As I was driving down the hill toward Tan Vat, I came across a car half on and half off the road. Looked like he didn't make the turn, hit a tree, and there were car parts laying all over the place. I looked in the car, under the car, and all around the car, and couldn't find any anyone, dead or alive. So I went down to the access, fished a couple hours without success, then crawled into the car to get some sleep. But the whole time I layed there, I was waiting for the car wreck guy to show up. Kind of creepy.

But - back to fishing - the best night fishing I had was just downstream from Baptist Camp. A black woolly bugger tricked about a half dozen decent browns just after dark.