Anyone Fished The Tan Vat Area Lately?

[Scudz Rule]

Hey FFM I like your avatar, did you catch that on the current?

:D

[Gene K]

Funny thread. A guy is PO'd because people share some information freely, thinking it hurts a fishery. Okay, it's his right to think that way. Everyone combined, if they were to share every single helpful piece of advice they could give, including specific geographic information and related fish populations/sizes, within this forum wouldn't do near the harm as some of the illegal activity that takes place from people who most likely never read this forum and probably never will.

[Nortrad]

I agree. I've see alot of fire spots on the gravel backs, some trash. Wonder what's going on there? Night fishing with bait/partying? Picked up some line and bait hooks to dispose of.

[snagged in outlet 3]

You got that right Gene!!

SIO3

[ozark trout fisher]

You got that right Gene!!

SIO3

Yeah, this was definitely an interesting thread, in a very weird type of way...

Scudz Rule LOL

[Oldschoolcane]

OMG, you guys were all a heckuva lot nicer than I would have been!

[brownieman]

I have not posted on the forum for awhile now and just read thru this whole thread. It amazes me that grown men can act in this manner. We are all just trying to enjoy our passion of fishing...as far as right or wrong methods, who's to say...to each their own.

I have tried fly fishing and it is difficult for me mainly because my eyesight is terrible and I can cover the water better with spinning tackle...I know of several spots on the Current that to present your bait properly is difficult to say the least.

I have lived near the Current my entire life and have fished it for over 35 years...I have had fly fisherman rake my butt for the way I fish, I have never said one cross word back to them...It's suppose to be a free country and each of us has our personal preference, I'll knock nobody for that.

I have a very unorthidox method for trout fishing but over the years I have landed more 25" plus browns than I can remember...a few large bows but not many. As far as the stockers I tend to try to keep my bait away from them because if there is a big fish on the feed in that hole I don't want to blow my chances of hooking a dink and spooking the big ones. I have watched first hand the decline of the numbers of big fish on the Current and the crowds become thicker over the years...may as well accept it cause it is what it is, compaining about it does little good. I always used to try to be there at the break of dawn which would allow me a few hours of undisturbed water. Either night fishing or fishing at the crack of dawn has produced most of my large fish.

If I know where a big one is laying I will walk by several miles of good looking water just to be the first one to make an offering to that particular fish and it does pay off. Fishing undisturbed water is imo one of the most important elements for catching the big boys...they have not got big from being stupid and you really have to use stealth to your advantage.

Most of my experience is if they know you are there it makes it difficult to hook them. I always fish upstream because fish sit facing upstream and if you fish downstream they can detect your presence much easier. I know some enjoy sight fishing but I never have sight fished...to each their own but every big trout I have caught I have no idea he's there nor does he know I'm there until I hook him/her.

I know a hole right now where there are 3 big ones living...the 2 smaller ones will go 5 to 7 lbs and the big one I would estimate between 10 or 12 lbs. I caught one of the smaller ones and released him...was a 24 incher, I've rolled the big one but haven't hooked him yet. They are laying in a very difficult hole to land anything which is probably why they are there.

I'm glad to share my knowledge of the river and even where I know a big one lays...I've caught my fair share and anymore would rather see a friend that has never landed a big one catch em...I just enjoy watching and will do my best to help land the fish.

I beleive the only one on this site that I have fished with is wrench...I did my best to be the fish locator and try to hook him up with a nice one. The day we fished he did land one bow about 22". Using my spinning gear will locate a nice fish and if I don't sting em I'll step back and try to let the other guy hook up with him.

Wrench can testify to my unorthidox method, it does produce fish and lots of em.

I drove down and looked at the river the other day hoping with the rain we have had it would be up some and have a little color to it. Went to Cedar Grove and the river was fairly full for this time of year and just slightly stained...I tend to have my best luck when most would deem it unfishable. I know if the water conditions looked like that at Cedar the farther upstream you go generally the lower and clearer the water gets. I would say the flow at Tan Vat is decent right now but the water will be gin clear and that strech gets alot of pressure.

From mid Oct. to aroud the earlier part of Jan. have always produced the best for me and the cold weather beats the fair weather fisherman back.

Anyway, if I can lend anyone any advice feel free to ask of if you need to be shown around the Current I know it like the back of my hand.

Good luck to all and remember...we are all there for the same reason, trying to find some solitude in what seems to be a world going mad.

later on

bm

[FishinCricket]

Thank you for that common sense post, BM... Keep me on your list of contacts for your next trip to Bennett? I'm all about the unorthodox methods, as well as good river fellowship.

I am headed to the current in October, maybe we (You, Wrench and I... Heck, even Scuds if he'll play nice) could plan a day?

[Gavin]

Glad your still out there Brownie...

[ness]

I have noticed that the more pages a thread has, the more likely it's filled with pissin' and moanin'.

Brownie -- good thoughts. How does one get on your guest list?