1St Trip To The Current

[flyaker]

Hello all. I am a Missouri born fly fisher that was drug away as a child to NC before I had a chance to experience the great trout fishing in Mo. While on vacations to visit the family in Dixon, Rolla, Cuba, and Leesburg, I will be trying to remedy that situation. I have been reading many great informational posts and have learned a lot from your forum by doing so. You are blessed with a broad range of fishing styles from your posters and an envious lack of snobs and trolls.

I will be bringing my sons 16, 15, and 11 from North Carolina to the Current for a one day float on the 17th or 18th of August. We will be floating the Big Piney the day before for smallmouth and the boys said they would love to catch some trout. One boy has never caught any trout, the others have only caught bows. The presence of browns in the Current has swayed me from fishing the 11 Point. The older boys spin fish and the younger is hooked on the long rod. Pardon the pun. So getting to the point.......What section of river would you recommend for a full day float with plenty of stopping to fish? Would Baptist camp be the place to start? I have read many posts on what spinning gear baits to use but would like some tips on HOT weather flies. Are there any particular hopper/ant/cicada patterns that you folks have good success with? and what droppers would you hang below them? Any help on streamers for the browns would be helpful as well. I tie 90% of my own flies but the boys have added this trout adventure late in the game so I only have time to tie a few patterns before we head out. Will concentrate on the patterns that are highly recommended. Recommendations on a fly shop between Rolla and the Current would be helpful as well. So.........

Section?

Hoppers?

Droppers?

Streamers?

Any and all help, or redirection, is greatly appreciated in advance. I am really looking forward to showing these boys a great time and making some lasting memories.

[Guest]

deleted

[Gavin]

Solid advice above...Jerbaits & Streamers seem to work best at dawn, dusk, and after dark...but mid-day can be tough...Lots of bows in the Blue ribbon right know so inlines, and small kastmaster's should keep the boys busy mid-day...Maybe toss in some sculpin colored marabou jigs in the 1/8oz range.

Big Bushy dry flies work well this time of year too.Hoppers & Crickets are my two primary choices....toss them under overhanging bushes, in the shade lines, and bounce em off the bluff faces. Long leader...14-16' tapered to 4x.....Madame X in various colors is a good one...usually size 4-8....fish a beetles..#10-16, crackleback #12-16, or ant to fish that look but refuse an X...No need for a dropper...It usually makes for two flies fished badly, and Current River browns have seen it all. Possible trico action in the AM (28-24), and there are always some small tan caddis flitting about (16-18 mostly).

Have a great trip.

[flyaker]

Saluki, thanks for the quick reply. We will be floating the 17th or 18th of Aug. Would love to hook up and float with a local if anyone has time mid week. I have a 5 and a 7 that I plan to do the same thing with.

Oddly enough my mother-in-law was a Saluki. We stop in Pinckneyville Illinois to vist her people when get out your way. My crowd are scattered along I-44 from Rolla up.

[Gene K]

17th and 18th should be good days to float/fish. Last weekend that stretch was full of party floaters. Many of the kids will be back to school when you float. Good luck!

[3wt]

Streamers tend to work well too - Mohair leeches, buggers, sculpins (look up leonards pine squirrel sculpin and PMS) - all of the above in a 10 or 8 and olive, ginger, brown black etc.