Roaring River Veteran

Lucky, The area above the bridge on 86 is a nice place to fish. you won't want to try to walk all the way to the park It is a long walk. You probably won't catch 20 + fish a day but you could and you should catch some nice wild fish. You will also find it to be a lot more peaceful than the park. I really like to go just outside the park on f hwy to the parking area on the river side of the road. walk in and walk down to muncy and back. its a great way to kill a couple hours. Good luck and Good fishing RRv

bobber, The area that you are refering to is not bad fishing. It is especially nice to wet wade in the heat of summer. If you don't mind walking or are down with a friend with a second car you can leave one down outside the park and walk from the bottom of the fly area. There are several fish and few fishermen. If you leave the park and go down toward eagle rock you can walk up from the bridge that crosses RR arm. not as many trout there but you can catch some nice wild fish. Good luck and good fishing RRV

I use to fish micros years ago at RR. If I remember correctly they were a 1/125 on a spinning rod. using a fast short jigging motion. with a little practice and a good rod you can get one to jig up and down without moving back toward you. You can put it in front of a fish and keep it there. I have caught a lot of big fish this way. sooner or later they will eat it out of spite.

Ryan, I live in cassville and I can get to springfield in about an hour. Beaver lake is 35 to 40 minutes south of here so I would guess it would take you about an hour and 45 minutes for you to get there. If you live on the north side of Springfield I would take I44 west to exit 44 south on H to monett, South on 37 all the way to Gateway, AR. then left or east on 62 for a couple miles then right or south to the dam or indian launch areas your choice. If you live on the south side of Springfield I would head west on 60 (sunshine) to monett and then south on 37.

albright, you may want to plan the trip to rr and use it as a home base, especially if you are going to stay for a few days. 45 minutes south and you can be in arkansas fishing below beaver dam and 60 minutes to the east and you can be at the dam at taney. You can call 417-336-5083 to find out if they are running water in either one of these places and plan your day accordingly. Before any locals correct me I know you can make it to these destinations faster than the times given, but how many times have you driven it? now compare that to the # of times albright has driven it. Good luck and good fishing RRV

Well guys I have had the itch to build a fly rod for some time now and I was just wondering if anyone out there could give me any pointers. I have found several blanks that I can buy cheap. I am afraid to start out on anything to expensive. I will worry about doing a high dollar rod once I have the hang of it. Have any of you used Hook & Hackle rods or blanks? or Fly Logic rods or blanks? or Rainshadow rods or blanks? those are the ones that I am considering starting with. Thanks RRV

Well I got to fish for about an hour Sunday afternoon. The weather was a little cool. The crowd #'s were down considerably. I'm sure the temp and my timing had something to do with that. I started fishing about 2:30 pm and fished until about 3:30 pm. I fished the two holes above the cc lodge and then the area behind campground 3. The water behind campground 3 is very shallow but there are a lot of fish there that most people walk past. Fishing was great, but catching was tough for me. I guess it was one of those days when hits were very plentiful but fish were few and far between. I was getting hits on more that half my casts and when I set the hook I would turn fish or feel the hook pull out. I was using 6x tippet that I bought friday evening at bps and I guess it was rotten because the fish that I acutally could keep a hook in broke me off. I was throwing burlaps, zebra midges and some hares ears. I also threw a black ant for a while. I was using my 6 1/2 ft 2 wt for a while and then switched to my 7' 3 wt. I was fishing fast water that let me get away with a 6x but the water was pretty clear so if you fish slow water you will probably need to use a 7x tippet. good luck and good fishing RRV

Thanks for the info guys. RRV

ollie, I drive a white ford ext cab with a DU sticker in the back window. you parked on the end of the row facing the river and I parked about 6 spaces to the driverside of your truck with just a couple of cars between us. I remember because it looks like a truck that a friend of mine use to drive. You weren't there when I pulled in. I had a brown DU cap and a light colored polar fleece jacket with a fishing vest. I just had about an hour so I fished two holes below the low water bridge to two holes above the low water bridge. maybe next time we can get together. Good luck and good fishing RRV

I recently came across 3 bamboo fly rods and I am curious what they are worth. All 3 are in very good condition. all three are in old metal rod tubes. The first is a Granger Victory model. It has 3 tips but one of the tips looks like it has been broken and repaired. It has 2 mids and one but section. After doing some Research I believe it to have been made in the late 30's or early 40's. I haven't put them together to check length and it doesn't give a wt. rating on the rod. looking at individual pieces I do not see any signs of sag. finish and eyes are in good shape. The others are not labeled at all. They look like homemade rods. The finish on them is still very good and the wrapping and eyes are in good shape. They each have a butt section, a mid section and 2 tips. one is visiably heavier than the other, I would guess it to be a 7 or 8 wt. the other I would think would be in the 4 or 5 wt range. They came from an estate sale and I would believe that they are all from the same era. I would believe the late 30's or early 40's I am just looking for some insight to what they are worth. Thanks RRV

FJ80, The best fishing I have ever had was at RR and I caught 61 fish in 75 minutes. I caught a fish every cast without fail for 1 hour and 15 minutes. w/witnesess. I haven't talked to them in years but Virgil Stanley and his granddaughter Jennifer were there to witness it. Virgil said it was "the damndest thing he had ever seen". I have not fished the lower end yet this year but I walked it last week and there are so many fish down there they don't have enough to eat. The guy that was with me made the comment that he had seen pools at the hatchery with fewer fish. He picked up a few pebbles and threw them in and the fish chased them. I really do believe you could catch a 100 fish it may take 2 1/2 hours but either way it should be the time of a lifetime. Good luck and good fishing RRV

Jaybird and I went down and fished Saturday evening. We got there about 9 pm and we headed home between 12 am and 1 am. We caught several fish. Jaybird out fished me by a lot and I still caught 10 or 12. We didn't catch anything huge but we did catch several in the 15" to 17" range. We started at KOA and after a hour and a half we went up. we ended up below outlet 2. Started out a little slow but picked up later. The ticket was the same as usual. Black woolie with grizzley hackle. I tried black with black and it just wasn't as good. I also lost a myran fly box while I was down there, so If anyone happens accross it I would appriciate it if you would send me a pm. Good luck and Good fishing RRV

I was there too. I got there at 8:05 and there were several cars in the parking lot in front of the lodge but no one there. everybody was fishing I guess. I fished for about an hour before I had to go get ready for church. It was slow for me too. I got there and realized I had lost the fly box that I usually pick from at taney the night before so I was using stuff that I don't usually use. I also fished Saturday and It was a little better but not great. If you are after big numbers but not big fish the lower end is the place to be. A person on a good day could eaisly catch 100 + fish in a couple of hours. Good luck and good fishing RRV

Since they are trying to increase the size of stockers from 9 1/2" to 11 1/2" is there an chance of them increasing the slot limit to say 16" to 24"? That would allow people to keep some larger fish to eat and if you caught one larger than 24" you would have a really nice trophy?

you can keep 12" fish and a lot of skillets come in 12" coincidence? I think not! Enjoy

aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh, here we go . The can of worms has been opened and now it is time to pick them up . Steve is absolutely correct, about the article in the local paper. I was not aware that it had been posted diffrent in the park until after the first weekend I fished. That is why I was shocked when The agent that took my picture on that weekend told me to lift the fish up for the picture. Now my understanding is the same as Steve's. A quick picture is fine but don't dally. I too have seen people drag fish up the bank during C&R or use a net, then lay them on the bank 10ft from the water, the fish flops now he is on the bank 10 ft from the water and causing damage to itself. I probably don't let this bother me as much as it should, because most of the fish caught are small stockers, but It does aggrivate me when someone does that to a big fish . Like I said earlier, I don't know if a net is okay or not. I have heard arguments both ways. I do have a net that I have carried for several years, but I don't know that it has ever been used. If I were to use a net I would dip the net well before it touches the fish and the bottom of the net would never leave the water especially during the C&R season because like steve said it is the discression of the agent. In my opinion there isn't a fish out there worth paying a fine over. When in doubt error on the side of caution. The problem with the ethics of fishing is it doesn't only incompass the catching and releasing of fish but the way you treat other people be it another fisherman or their family that came down to watch for the afternoon. It doesn't stop at the stream bank. There have been several times that I have gone down to fish at RR and never put a line in the water. I will strike up a conversation with someone in the parking lot or see someone that I know and spend afternoon watching them fish. I am sure that you all have had people come up to you and ask what you are using or something similar. I would prefer to stop fishing and help them any way I can. I have handed over my fly rod and tried to teach them how to fish with it. Or set up their rods to help them catch fish. I get just as much enjoyment out of helping others catch fish as I do out of catching fish myself. If I do see someone doing something illegal, I approach the situation as if they don't realize what they are doing is illegal, and I am there to help them. If I get told off then so be it. Because they will get caught, even if I have to turn them in myself. It is just a matter of time. If they wrong you personally by cutting you off or something of such nature I can't help you there, just remember to follow the correct fishermans conduct even it they are not. Assume they don't know any better. Believe that as they become a better fisherman they will learn what they have done is wrong and mend their ways. Sorry guys didn't mean to get preachy it's jmo. Good luck and Good fishing RRV

Fish Hunter, Mainly fishing RR, where wading isn't allowed, or Taney at night I don't see the boot scud boogie around here much. I have seen it at bennet spgs a few times and even Taney once during a day trip. Your question goes back to the ethics of fishing. I don't know if it applys to anyone on this board. It seems like most of the people on this board are fishermen and not meat hunters. I think most of the people we see doing the boot scudding boogie couldn't care less about ethics they are there for one reason and that is to get a limit of fish. They might as well throw in chum at least that way they wouldn't be harming the scud population. I have seen fish down stream of me at times and I can see where it would be very tempting to throw a fly in the middle of them, but if you're not keeping fish I don't see the point. I would rather catch less fish that I had to work for than to catch a bunch that I was feeding. Now before anyone gets on me about the meat hunter comments. Y'all know what I am talking about. I am not a die hard catch and release man. If you want to keep fish great. I'll take mine with lots of butter, lemon, garlic, salt and pepper and placed on a smoker full of apple wood for about 2 1/2 hours please. I pay for my license and tags just like y'all and I figure that I'm entitled to eat a fish now and then just as you are. Good Luck and Good Fishing RRV

MOBASS, In years past and in the summers when water is low and clear I would tell you that you need to stay with the 6x and 7x tippets, but this year at least while they are working on the hatchery you can get away with 5x in the upper pools. closest to the hatchery. Most of the time a 6x is plenty. The pools are fairly small and not a lot of place for a fish to go. Most of the fish you will catch at RR even the big ones are stockers or at least fight like stockers, I think it comes from being in those small pools. So after the inital fight they land pretty easy. As far as flies, I like the scud patterns. Try Clear, Gray, or Tan. I usually have the best luck on tan. If you are tying your own you may want to weight them a little if not a small shot will be needed to get them down. Good Luck and Good fishing RRV

Phil, I too think it would be a great idea. I know that I am legal, or at least believe that I am, and think most of the people that you are trying to attract are also. Would be a nice place to ask for clarification on issues and place concerns. JMO RRV

FJ80, As far as rangers letting things slide. I'm not saying that they will let situations like I talked about go but they, or at least the ones that were there 10 years ago tried to be understanding. We have had two new ones move into the area and I have only met 1 of them. He seems like a nice guy, but they all do unless you are doing something wrong. Some of the things I have seen have been right down comical. From people fishing in the hatchery to using all kinds of bait. Some are ignorant of the rules but most know exactly what they are doing and just hoping they don't get caught. STORY: I saw a guy fishing in the fly area one day using natural bait. I tried to tell him that he was breaking the law and he told me to mind my own business. I had seen Bill (mdc agent) in the parking lot so I looked and he was still there looking with his binos. I motioned with my head and he came down to talk. He was in plain clothes. While we were talking I mentioned that I had told the guy next to me that he was using the wrong bait and asked bill to confirm my story to the stranger. Bill confirmed the story at which time the stranger proceeded to cus us both and told us to mind our own business again. It was at this point that Bill went back to the Truck and got his ticket book. He came back and told the guy again that he was breaking the law and again Bill took a cussing. This time when told to mind his own business Bill said okay if that's the way you want it, and proceeded to write him a ticket for over limit and using natural bait. When bill pulled out his ticket book the old boys story changed and he began to act like he didn't realize he was breaking the law. Bill told him it was to late. He had been given 3 chances and didn't take the warning. When I say that they let things slide. that is what I mean. They don't go down there trying to ruin someones vacation but, people should take notice. good luck and good fishing RRV

Hey Phil, I just looked at the total members, over 200!!!!!!!!!!! congrats on a very nice board RRV

FJ80, I'm sure that this will open a can of worms, because anytime ethics are brought into question you also have to deal with peoples opinion and interpretation. That is when it gets harry. I will give my views they won't be right, but they are mine. I am not going to judge anyone for theirs, and I'm not going to tell anyone they are wrong. NOT MY JOB. To answer your questions, for my interpretation of the law I believe that I do follow the suggestions for the most part. The problem with the suggestions that are made by the state is that they are all open to interpretation. Who is to decide how long you can play a fish, and if you get to that point and still don't have him in do you just break him off? Does he have a better chance of survival if you break him off in the middle of the stream? or if you get him in and revive him properly? They say I can grasp the fish by the lip, head, and stomach. So what is excessive handleing. If I am reviving a fish I hold it gently just above the tail and try to flush water thru the gills and help the fish figure out that he is free. I don't hold it tight. when he moves his tail he is free to go. I see people all the time that think that it is okay to net a fish and then release that fish. Their argument is that it stops the fish from flopping and risking injury not only to the fish but also the fisherman. hooks in hand etc. I don't use a net for fear of removing the slime, but I have heard that a wet net will not harm a fish. However, I don't know for sure. I'm sure you are making reference to the pictures of people holding fish. I for one do not see a problem with picking a fish out of the water a few inches by the lip or lip and belly to take a quick picture. Quick being the opretive word. I wouldn't go back to the car to get the camera or anything. In fact less than a month ago during catch and release. I had a Ranger come up behind me while I was playing a fish. I asked him to take my picture with the 10 lb fish. He had me lift it out of the water for a better picture. The fish was then released no harm done. I Talked to the ranger for a while about how good the fishing had been and what a nice fish I had just released and he wanted to make sure I was legal. Obviously he didn't feel it was excessive. I worked at Roaring River for 10 + seasons and I have seen the rangers let a lot of things slide, and the reoccuring theme to releasing fish was as long as you were making an attempt to release them unharmed they were happy. They didn't let people drag them up the bank 20 ft wrestle them back down the bank, step on them while they were taking the hook out and then kick them back the remaining 10 ft back into the water. I say that because I have seen it done, but as long as you didn't abuse the fish you were fine. The same seems to go for Barbless hooks. A few years ago barbless meant barbless from the factory, but now days the people that I have talked to (including agents) seem to think that as long as you are making an attempt to mash the barb to prevent it from holding the fish you are okay. Does this mean what I am saying is right? NO. It doesn't mean that is wrong either. You may still find an agent that is a little aggressive that may want to give you grief, but I would guess that as long as it isn't blatant abuse you should be okay. Good luck and Good fishing

Don't want to sound dishonest, but it really is the perfect time of year to take them back. Bass Pro will take most things back and especially the week after christmas. If they haven't been abused they should take them back with no questions asked.

Well I got out for a little while Saturday morning. I went with a friend of mine from the area and we did very well. I was throwing scud patterns and he was using a white thread jig. We caught small fish from 10" to 16" by the wholesale. there was a period of about 20 minutes we had hits on every cast. Jason, the gentleman that I was fishing with, caught a nice female about 7 to 8 lbs, but we didn't get a picture because she gave a thrash and broke free while we were trying to position for a picture. I caught a nice 5 to 6 lb male and a very large male that was 26" or a little better, but he was very thick. I would have to guess him in the 12lb range. In all honesty when I caught the 12lb'r I was really trying to force feed him. he was not moving and from fishing down there for so many years I knew if I could get a perfect drift on a scud he would take it. After a few minutes I got the drift I was looking for and he opened his mouth and sucked it in. Had a great couple of hours. As we were leaving a gentleman from Grove OK. caught a nice fish, but he didn't have his camera. We took a picture of it and I told him I would post it so he could get a copy. It was probably a 6 to 7 lb'r. It looked like the crowds are down in size too. It usually drops off after the first few weekends. I left RR and went to Beaver. I will give a report on that forum next.

fishing report for 12/17