Current River Trout Fishing/ Float Question

[copfisher]

My father and I are interested in doing a fly fishing trip on the Current river this weekend. We've both never been to the current and have a couple questions about the best way to approach the trip. We are considering spending Saturday and Sunday on the water. We also may bring a canoe to float sections, if logistically we can manage. We are debating floating one day then going up to montauk another, floating both days, floating no days, etc. (the possibilities are endless!) Here are my questions. Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

(1) What stretch of water is the best to fish? We are leaning towards trying the blue ribbon section at least one day. Any particular areas we should fish hard or avoid?

(2) If we do decide to take the canoe, any recomendations on outfitters that will give portages? Also, any recomendations on how much ground to cover? Obviously, I don't want to have to rush through parts to get to the car before dark.

(3)fly selection, techniques that have been working lately, etc.? Anything would be helpful.

Once again, thanks.

[jah]

My father and I are interested in doing a fly fishing trip on the Current river this weekend. We've both never been to the current and have a couple questions about the best way to approach the trip. We are considering spending Saturday and Sunday on the water. We also may bring a canoe to float sections, if logistically we can manage. We are debating floating one day then going up to montauk another, floating both days, floating no days, etc. (the possibilities are endless!) Here are my questions. Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

(1) What stretch of water is the best to fish? We are leaning towards trying the blue ribbon section at least one day. Any particular areas we should fish hard or avoid?

(2) If we do decide to take the canoe, any recomendations on outfitters that will give portages? Also, any recomendations on how much ground to cover? Obviously, I don't want to have to rush through parts to get to the car before dark.

(3)fly selection, techniques that have been working lately, etc.? Anything would be helpful.

Once again, thanks.

I'm happy to share what I know with you, though others on here are far more knowledgeable than me. I love fishing from Tan Vat. Sometimes I go upstream, sometimes down. Any stretch of that water will give up fish, and my favorite flies are rubber legged stone flies, woolies under an indicator, and egg patterns. I always always fish with a dropper. I do so to better my chances of catching fish and to see what is working. Upstream from Tan Vat is an area with large rocks and a sharp bend in the river with a bluff. This area is fantastic. But downstream, there are great places too. An immediate deep hole below a small "waterfall", and then several nice pools.

Like I said, other guys on here know far more than me. I fish it once a month and usually do okay, but not as good as others I suspect. Don't forget to bring some dries. It can be great fun when they're rising.

[copfisher]

Thanks for the response.

Anyone got any advice on floating? Still debating on whether it is worth the hassle to float the river. It sounds like from your response, there is plenty of good spots within walking or wading distance of the Tan Vat acess.

[Gavin]

The floating is great....especially at the present level..(around 2.5' at Akers). Tan Vat or Baptist to Parker is my usual milk run..6.25 miles from Tan Vat to Parker, 5.5 miles from Baptist to Parker. Youll have to make your own arrangements for a shuttle on those..If you need an outfitter, contact Jadwin Canoe for a shuttle or a rental..Probably the same price either way. They service Baptist to Cedar (7miles)..Baptist to Parker or Cedar can be done as easy day floats, but I usually fish a ton and camp on the river. Beats a stay in the park, hands down.

[Paola Cat]

X 2. We've used Jadwin to shuttle. We usually float/fish BC to Cedargrove. PC

[copfisher]

Thanks for the advice.

I think we will do a two day float. We plan on starting at Tan Vat and taking out at Cedar Grove.

We want to take our time fishing and don't want to rush. That being said, and not being familiar with the river, does this distance make sense?

[awhuber]

That is a great distance for an over nighter. That stretch of the river at this water level can be pretty tricky for a novice, though.

[cnr]

Just a so you know, there is a tree down a little ways below the baptist access that lays completely across the river. It is .5 miles below the launch and is at the first gravel bar you see on the left. The water moves fairly swiftly into it so watch out when you see gravel on your left side and pull over to the left to drag around it. I fished this area on Monday and had a very good outing, a lot of quality browns were caught between my fishing partner and myself.

[Gavin]

That tree has been there for awhile...had enough clearance to push my boat under it on the last trip..There was a big sycamore down across the creek about a mile and a half up from Parker as well....you could float under it on river left on last trip, but someone pinned a boat badly there.Look at the "Anyone loose a canoe" thread in the Current River forum for some pictures of it.

If you need some landmarks to time your float... Tan Vat to Baptist 3/4 of a mile and you cant miss either of them, Baptist to Ashley Creek..bought a mile..big gravel bar below the creek on river right and Love's cabin is on the hill on river left. Good spot to camp...Next landmark, the powerline crossing...bought a mile and a half below Ashley Creek...youll pass two bluffs holes and enter a long slow stretch before you get there..The powerlines mark the top of the Horseshoe bend.

There are 3 Horseshoe bluffs and a big gravel bar on river right just below the third one. Great spot to camp, and its about mid way between Baptist & Parker. The entrance and exit of the 2nd Horseshoe bluff can be kinda tricky..Stay left going in, and scout the exits because the channel has several braids. You dont want to pin your boat against that bluff...Again, see the anyone lose a canoe thread.

Parker Hollow is about 2.5 miles below the Horshoe Bend on river left..Schaffer Spring Branch...bout a 1/4 mile below Parker on river left..Cedar Grove..bout a mile and a half below Shaffer..cant miss the low water bridge at Cedar. The takeout is on river left, floater parking is up the hill aways on river left. Have a great trip.

[awhuber]

That tree has been there for awhile...had enough clearance to push my boat under it on the last trip..There was a big sycamore down across the creek about a mile and a half up from Parker as well....you could float under it on river left on last trip, but someone pinned a boat badly there.Look at the "Anyone loose a canoe" thread in the Current River forum for some pictures of it.

If you need some landmarks to time your float... Tan Vat to Baptist 3/4 of a mile and you cant miss either of them, Baptist to Ashley Creek..bought a mile..big gravel bar below the creek on river right and Love's cabin is on the hill on river left. Good spot to camp...Next landmark, the powerline crossing...bought a mile and a half below Ashley Creek...youll pass two bluffs holes and enter a long slow stretch before you get there..The powerlines mark the top of the Horseshoe bend.

There are 3 Horseshoe bluffs and a big gravel bar on river right just below the third one. Great spot to camp, and its about mid way between Baptist & Parker. The entrance and exit of the 2nd Horseshoe bluff can be kinda tricky..Stay left going in, and scout the exits because the channel has several braids. You dont want to pin your boat against that bluff...Again, see the anyone lose a canoe thread.

Parker Hollow is about 2.5 miles below the Horshoe Bend on river left..Schaffer Spring Branch...bout a 1/4 mile below Parker on river left..Cedar Grove..bout a mile and a half below Shaffer..cant miss the low water bridge at Cedar. The takeout is on river left, floater parking is up the hill aways on river left. Have a great trip.

Great advice Gavin...bet we could float blindfolded! If there are alot of canoes out this weekend I will have to go salvaging mon or tue...The spring folks bring the nicest stuff!