Fishing Report 4/17

[ozark trout fisher]

I originally planned to fish the Bourbeuse on Saturday... But before driving up to Mill Rock, I took a look at the river at Union. It looked fishable, but higher than I wanted for wading and fly fishing. I had some things up I was supposed to do upon getting back, then I decided it could wait until the next day. So on to the deep Ozarks and the Current River.

I got down to Baptist and got in the water around 1:00. There was a sparse caddis hatch in progress, but no fish were rising. I tied on an emerger pattern. It didn't work all that well, but I was able to pound up a few fish anyway. Towards evening (starting about 6 P.M, the hatch picked up quite a bit. There were Caddis, various Mayflies, and I don't know what all from size 12 all the way down to #20. I tied on a #16 Adams and caught a couple, but despite the heavy hatch, the fish just weren't rising all that well. It was still a very nice day on the water.

Note: If you plan on floating down from Baptist, there is a fallen tree downstream maybe a half mile (a wild guess on the distance) that blocks the entire channel. You'll have to beach the boat on the gravel bar and go around.

[Nortrad]

Some industrious person bucked up the tree crossing the river downstream from Baptist. Still have to walk your water craft through but it's better. Fishing report tomorrow. Solid day at Tan Vat and downstream from Baptist today.

[OKFlyFisher44]

We had a great weekend at the Current. Caught a bunch of fish from just below the park to just below the Rock Garden area on Saturday morning. Most of our fish came on caddis emergers and sowbugs. Lots of caddis, mayflies, and tricos coming off both days but very little fish rising. Caught maybe a half-dozen fish on CDC Elk Hair Caddis, just targeting specific rising fish...it was fun, always a challenge.

Fished below Baptist saturday evening for a few hours....got into a few fish but not much going on down there. It was our 1st time to fish that area, some awesome looking water. Can't wait to go back and fish even further downstream!! It reminded me of Crane except on a little larger scale.

On sunday, we spent most of our time above Tan Vat. Caught several solid browns on red san juan worms just above Tan Vat with one of them around 18"-20", just a fat healthy brown. Walked further upstream above the Rock Garden and caught a few fish on the CDC EHC again before we packed it up.

All in all, a great weekend as far as weather and the fishing. I love this river...

Nortrad, it was cool meeting you!!

Detailed fishing report and pictures coming...

[Nortrad]

You boys from OK did well, OKFF44. I hooked up with a 16" brown below Baptist on a caddis pupa/larvae tandem and quite a few hold over rainbows. The river was in great condition, off-color and a little higher. I'm going to try a trip soon for an afternoon. Working for the US Army at Ft. Wood has me less than an hour from Tan Vat. It is truly a great river, the Current. It was great meeting all the fisherman on Sunday. Everyone was upbeat and had success either on Sat. or Sun. Tried some prototype nymphs that worked well. Back to the tying desk. Pics soon.