Fishing 8/23

[Tom]

Arrived at Tan Vat at 6 am on Sunday morning to find the lot empty and free of any signs of camping, mischief, etc. Hooked a fish on my first cast in the slow pool right at the access before moving down to the plunge pool and tail run just below the access. Fished a hare's ear with a BWO emerger dropper under an indicator and got consistent hits on the BWO, probably imitating the tricos or other flies emerging. Caught several rainbows, all in the 10-15 inch range. Switched to a size 28 spinner up top and was able to sight fish to the rising 'bows. Flies were thick but not insanely thick--from what I could see, there were certainly more fish were holding down deeper than sipping up top, but I imagine there were plenty of spent bugs down there for easy pickings. Caught several more rainbows on top before moving down river. Had more success nymphing and stripping a woolly bugger as I fished down past the small bluffs before turning back. Fish of the day was 14-15" brown on the woolly--very colorful and healthy fat. As the sun came up the water became gin clear and the fish noticeably less interested in taking my fly, although I coaxed a few more small browns into chasing the woolly. Fished until about noon before heading back to St. Louis. Overall, a great day with total fish to hand somewhere around 10-15 and probably 2-3x that as brief hookups.

Leaving, the lot was almost full with a couple large groups looking to swim? and even a family practicing scuba diving, a first to see on that stretch of the river.

Does anyone know about the relatively new campground near Tan Vat and the Civil War battlefield that took place on the property nearby at Inman Hollow? Haven't been down in a few months that way and its the first time I noticed the sign. I'm wondering if its worth a stop.