Current River Camping/fishing

[jah]

It's been a LONG while since I have been fishing on the Current...probably since early summer. Considering I'm a teacher and am off all summer, it is nearly criminal that I have fished so little over the summer. That's what a 6 month old and a 4 year old will do to you.

I now have a free pass tomorrow afternoon into Saturday morning and I want to camp on the river. My plan is to park at Baptist, hike down the access road to the river, hike down to the sand bar on the S curve, set up camp, and then night fish with streamers. I have never solo camped, and I have never night fished. From the forcast, I don't imagine they'll be any flash flood dangers. Does anyone have any tips/tricks to night fishing the Current or solo camping information?

I am not allowed to camp at the Baptist access, correct? Seems odd that I can hike down and camp, but I can't camp there. Any ideas why? Or am I wrong and camping is legal at that access? Thanks for any and all help.

Jim

[Guest]

deleted

[3wt]

For hoofing it to a sand bar pack light, or borrow a canoe or kayak or small raft to help float your gear down river. It's really the back up part that's tougher. I would focus on a small tent, some type of closed cell mat, a good sleeping bag, a small camp stove (ethanol burner or sterno burner) some water purifying equipment or tablets, canned or dried food that doesn't need to be cold (I like some decent canned chili w/cheezits) and your favorite beverages that are okay warm or at stream temperature (non glass though, unless you want to risk trouble with the rangers - but they're all but nonexistant up there as far as I've ever seen.) Some of the fun of it for me is trying to get by with as little as possible - but do take a couple of ways to start a fire this time of year.

I've never really done solo overnighers, but I'd take a book or magazine to pass a little time once the sun goes down - I think it might be a little eerie to be in alone in the dark with nothing to keep your mind occupied. Take a cell phone. I think you'll get reception and just in case of emergencies it would be nice to have. Don't leave anything valuable looking in your car.

[ozark trout fisher]

I always camp and fish at either Park Hollow or Cedar Grove now, down toward the lower end of the Blue Ribbon stretch. Once I started fishing there, I don't have much interest anymore in the Orvis parade further upstream... Although it's only fair to point out that it isn't crowded for a reason, the trout density is a lot lower than in the Baptist Camp/Tan Vat areas, and the habitat isn't as good.

That stretch of river would be good for night fishing though, with pretty easy wading and a considerable majority of the trout population being browns. Although your plan to camp and fish down below Baptist is a good one too. I never have understood why they don't let you camp at the access.