Weather?

[MaxDrown]

There are lots of bank fishing options at Montauk State Park....but you could brush bust up from Tan Vat, or down from Baptist for aways w/o having to cross the river. Waders are kind of a must have if you really want to fish though, might see if you can rent a pair of waders up at Montauk State Park store or pick up a pair of cheapies at Wal-Mart. Cheers.

Definitions please.

What is "Tan Vat" and what does "brush bust" mean?

[brownieman]

We have had enouph rain...sick of it.

I live about 15 miles north of the current, my rain guage goes to 5 inches...it was full last night and I dumped it and we have picked up a couple more inches since then and still raining now.

Haven't seen the river but it's probably up pretty good...like Gavin said th rise would have been the best fishing no doubt.

That's been my best trips bar none on the current if you can catch it on the rise...causes a feeding frenzy but it's usually a narrow window to hit it just right.

If you're gonna try it your best bet would be to go to the highest access possible which is from the lower park boundary to Tan Vat. The lower on the river you go the muddier and higher it's going to be.

Your best bet would be give Montauk Park a call and get a report from them. I'd speculate and say it's unfishable by most's standards but I have not seen the river today...would be a crapshoot at best would be my guess.

About the only waters the rain does not have such an affect on is behind the dams where they can control the flow. Taney is the only trout water in the state that is behind a dam and it depends on how much water has hit Table Rock and how much flow the dam is running. If they have had a bunch of rain down there also the water coming through the dam can be murkey too.

Phil would be your best bet for info there being right on the water at Taney. IMO the water looks to be up state wide...Taney may be your best bet and it could be a crapshoot too, just depends on several variables.

If your going to try the Current I'd sure call the park and hope they give you accurate info...you know they don't like telling anyone not to come. That being said good luck whatever you choose to do...may be a weekend you're stuck at home. Hope this helps you out a little. A guy might be able to rent a pair of waders at the park, not sure but if he/she is going to expect to fish much water a pair of waders is a must. The water in the Current is wet wadeable until you get about waist deep...then it tends to make your voice change, lol...if you catch my drift.

later on

bm

[brownieman]

Max,

Tan Vat is the first access about a mile and a half or so below the Lower Montauk Park boundary.

Busting brush is when your stuck on the bank and can't get in the water and have to walk through the brush along the bank, stinging nettles ( itch weed ) and all. Until we get some killing frosts along the river the brush is pretty thick and with all the rain we have had even the trails along the bank will be pretty grown up.

later on

bm

[MaxDrown]

Thanks! We're going to give Little Piney a go anyways. It's much closer. Worst case, we can explore the area.

[Wayne SW/MO]

Thanks! We're going to give Little Piney a go anyways. It's much closer. Worst case, we can explore the area.

Doesn't look good, the Big Piney is flooding, and here's a cousin creek stats.

Roubidoux

[ozark trout fisher]

How will the rain effect the trout fishing on Sat? Specifically in Little Piney and Niangua?

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but..... The Little Piney is running about 3000 CFS at Newburg. 500 is the very highest that is really fishable at all. Honestly, I doubt if any river system in the state will be fishable this weekend.

Once again, really sorry about that. I know how it feels.

But it is a very pretty area, and you should go check it out. Wade fishing would be all be suicidal at these flows though. Same with floating. By next weekend though, the Little Piney should be in fishable shape. It drops fast.

I just checked the USGS water levels for trout streams in Missouri. If you're willing to drive the extra half hour, at 435 CFS and dropping, Montauk is at least marginally fishable, and by the middle of the day tommorrow might be looking good. Even where it is right now, you could catch some fish. Like I said, it is just a bit further down than Little Piney, but I just thought I should tell you if you're really desperate for some productive trout fishing, that's gonna be your best bet.

[brownieman]

OTF got the flow...looks like Tan Vat would be fishable.

If you would go park down at the lower park boundary would be a good trip and is fishable from the bank in several spots. If the water is off color pretty good if you're fly fishing I'm no expert but what little I do know I would use a loud colored lg. streamer, white, chart...something visable I would think. I really know little about fly fishing, wish I knew more...oh well.

Anyway, whever ya go be safe...temps are suppose to be nice tomm.

later on

bm

btw..if you haven't decided yet I'll tell you where to park cause there's no parking lot at the lower end of the park

[MaxDrown]

Please tell me where to park. I think we'll be going to Tan Vat like you have recommended. I was supposed to be sleeping hours ago, but everytime I close my eyes all I can think of is a sinking indicator and a rising rainbow.

[MaxDrown]

One last question before I try to sleep again, what flies will work at Tan Vat? And how to fish them?

[brownieman]

Max,

When you enter Montauk Park just follow the main road all the way through the park...if you haven't been there before you'll cross a bridge in the park that crosses the river, on past that a little ways (1/2 mile or so) you'll pass the rearing pools and the lodge on the right and just pass that at the top of a small hill you'll pass the turn to the right that goes to the campgrounds.

Don't turn anywhere and just follow the road along the river and out the backside of the park...the road is narrow and runs right along the river. Follow it until you come to a slight bend to the left and uphill (probably 3/4 a mile or so ).

Right at the base of the small hill when the road bends left look to the right and you will see a log cabin and a metal tubular style gate (gates blue I think??) Just past the gate there is a little pull off spot on the left...it's an old unused road entrance that's no longer used.

There is only room for 1 rig to park there...not much of a parking spot but it works. Just park there and walk back down to the gate and cross it or go around it, I've done it for years and others do to and I have never seen anyone have any problems with it. There are a couple of cabins on the same side of the river you'll be on, just start fishing there and head downstream.

About 200 feet above that cabin is the lower park boundary, there's a cable across the river and signs on the bank...don't fish above that or you will need a daily park tag.

If there would happen to be a rig in that parking spot just follow the dirt road about a mile or so and you'll come to Eagles Nest Campground and a little metal building on the left ( used to be a store but not sure now ) just past the campground and metal building you'll come to a low water crossing...cross it and immediately is a driveway that goes to the right, take it ( couple a hundred yrds. ) and you will be at the parking lot at Tan Vat. The park boundary is about 1 1/2 miles upstream. If you want to fish downstream you have to cross the river right there and cross a couple more times to fish it.

If you head upstream whoever doesn't have waders may have to walk the bank for a little bit before they come to a spot where they can hit the water.

You can fish it from the side you park on all the way to the park boundary...depending on how high it is you may be hampered some and the no wader person will only have limited spots where they can hit the water decent.

If nothing else you'll see what Tan Vat and brush busting is, lol. Like I said I haven't personally seen the river since all the rain but if worse comes to worse when you get there you can explore the area...sounds like you all could use a little road trip anyway.

Hope this helps ya...if the water is up and murkey show extra care.

later on...be safe

bm

About which flies to use I told you what I thought but not being an avid fly fisherman I really can't tell ya...maybe someone who is will be up late or up early and give you some sound advice there.