Advice For The Barren Fork

[Adamg]

In a couple months I will be making my annual winter trout fishing extravaganza trip . I spend most of my time on the upper Current river(tan vat,baptist etc)..The winter month's have provided some productive fishing and some decent size fish.Not to mention just being on the river at this time of year is amazing. This time I really wanted to check out the Barren Fork Creek. I've never been there. I'm well aware of the spook factor when fishing these small streams and creeks. I'm looking for some advice on the setup I need to be lucky enough to get into some fish. Short rod? Tippet size? Flies?. Woolies,leeches,cracklebacks, and the occasional dry(If there is a hatch coming off). All work well in the winter on the Current but can I expect it to be the same on the Barren Fork? Any advice well help thanks forum!

[troutfiend1985]

In a couple months I will be making my annual winter trout fishing extravaganza trip . I spend most of my time on the upper Current river(tan vat,baptist etc)..The winter month's have provided some productive fishing and some decent size fish.Not to mention just being on the river at this time of year is amazing. This time I really wanted to check out the Barren Fork Creek. I've never been there. I'm well aware of the spook factor when fishing these small streams and creeks. I'm looking for some advice on the setup I need to be lucky enough to get into some fish. Short rod? Tippet size? Flies?. Woolies,leeches,cracklebacks, and the occasional dry(If there is a hatch coming off). All work well in the winter on the Current but can I expect it to be the same on the Barren Fork? Any advice well help thanks forum!

Never personally been there, but I have fished Crane which seems to be similar. I would imagine a 3wt 8'6 rod would do fine(that's what I use for Crane at least). Tippets, anywhere from 5x-7x would be my recomendation. I don't think the trout will be too picky in the fly selection area, but some wooly buggers in black and olive sz 8-10, gray scuds, glo bugs and maybe some midges would suit well. I know that you have probably heard soomeone say that "the flies don't matter" and to an extent I would agree with this.

Good luck, let us know how you did.

[Adamg]

Thanks I will.

[ozark trout fisher]

I have fished that creek a couple times. There is not an overabundance of fish in there, but it's possible to catch a couple. Tiny (definitely no bigger than #16) Hare's Ear and Pheasant Tail Nymphs will work if anything will. Small Adams and Elk Hair Caddis should also do the job if they are looking up. On really little spring creeks like that, I usually find it to be a waste of time to fish anything bigger than a #16, except during hopper season. #18 and 20s are often better.

You'll also do much better if you can fish it on a cloudy, low light kind of day. And expect to work real hard for a couple fish-or maybe none. It is a pretty stream anyway, just tough fishing.

[Matt Tucker]

Small rod isn't necessary on this creek (lots of back casting room in the section I have seen / fished), the longer reach of a 9ft rod actually will help you with line control. Watch shadows, use long leaders, and get after it.

--Matt Tucker