Tan Vat

[jah]

Does anyone know if you are allowed to park at Tan Vat and overnight camp between there and Baptist somewhere on the river? There is a 'no camping' sign at Tan Vat, but is that just for the parking lot area? Thanks for your help fellas.

Jim

[Gene K]

Yes, you are allowed to camp along the river and leave your car at Tan Vat. The sign is just for camping at Tan Vat.

[jah]

Thanks Gene. Are there any nice gravel bars along the way there? I have only walked down as far as where the creek enters on the left. Thanks again

[flyfishmaster]

So.... does sleeping in your parked car mean you are camping? I have slept in my car a few times while parked at Tan Vat.

later,

FFM

[Gene K]

Thanks Gene. Are there any nice gravel bars along the way there? I have only walked down as far as where the creek enters on the left. Thanks again

There's a few (small), but if you are talking about this weekend the river level won't be helping with gravel bars. Below Baptist there are larger sand bars.

FFM, naw - passing out in your car at Tan Vat just categorizes you as a safe driver.

[flyfishmaster]

FFM, naw - passing out in your car at Tan Vat just categorizes you as a safe driver.

[brownieman]

Hey jah,

Just got back from the river...gene is right on the money concerning gravel bars on that strech.

We had a little rain yesterday but the river looks excellent...several leaves in the water but the frost has most of em beat back already.

I drove down to Cedar Grove and there were more people there than I expected...you're lucky anymore if you can catch the river totally to yourself.

That fact alone is the major reason I like winter fishing...about the only thing that beats the crowds back and leaves the river to a few of us dumb asses stupid enouph to freeze our stinkin hands off, lol.

99% of my bigger fish have come during the winter months...even if I'm freezin my butt off fighting a big fish makes all else fade away...the ultimate 'In the Moment' experience far as I'm concerned. You know...becoming one with the fish or some of that poo poo talk, lol.

good luck...be sure and fish it hard at daybreak...about the only way to ensure yourself undisturbed water.

later on

[laker67]

Like Brownieman, I also was on the current on the 23rd. Water was in perfect shape to catch a big fish off guard. The water was just high enough to keep me from wading down to heartbreak like I had planned. I fished above tan vat and the lower park area. Even at that there were several hot spots that I could not access. Caught several nice fish on sculpins. Finished up the day in the c and r area. I hooked 3 book fish and was lucky enough to land 2. When I was in the lower park, I noticed that the campground was extremely full for a friday. I guess with it being the last full weekend coming up. Later on I noticed that the tag sales was over 300 for the day. The river level needs to drop another foot to make it more accessible for the wading fisherman.

[brownieman]

If what you're callin Heartbreak is where I think it is at the end of it is what we call the Charlie Bluff Hole...another 1/2 mile down or so Ashley dumps in.

That is a darn good strech...have hung some dandys down through there...tons of pocket water, sharp bend left at the head if you're walking upstream.

later on

[laker67]

If what you're callin Heartbreak is where I think it is at the end of it is what we call the Charlie Bluff Hole...another 1/2 mile down or so Ashley dumps in.

That is a darn good strech...have hung some dandys down through there...tons of pocket water, sharp bend left at the head if you're walking upstream.

later on

UPstream from charlie bluff hole.