Trout Fishing Virgin

[TroutVirgin]

My family is going trout fishing the weekend of the 25th. We've never gone before. I do a lot of bass fishing in local ponds. Most of my rods are 6' or 6'6" and are outfitted with Zebco reels.

I would prefer not to go to a lot of expense buying new rods, reels, etc. But, at the same time, I want to have an enjoyable experience with my kids (ages 11, 9, 2).

What do I need???? rod, reel, line, fly's, stringer, boots???

[Phil Lilley]

May be other trout park guys can answer this better but... 4 lb line, small hooks, small weight and patience. Don't go out and buy a bunch of new stuff. Tie on a short piece of 4 lb leader to what you have, as much weight as it takes to throw it out and a #12 bronze short #89 hooks and a night crawler should work wonders. Enject alittle air in the worm, make it float, and you'll catch trout.

[Roaring River Veteran]

Trout Virgin,

Lilley is right on, but if you are going to fish RR or any of the other parks be sure to check regs. Live bait can only be used in certain areas. Your best bet on RR is to use Plastics or powerbait (if legal) in the artificial bait area. It seems like I heard a couple years ago that they had legalized the use of plastic powerbait in that area. If that is true use it. Buy a spool of maxima 2lb line in ultra green. Put about 25 yds of line on each reel that you intend to use. a couple small packs of size 10 or 12 hooks worm or egg what ever you want to fish and some small split shot. put the shot 12 to 18 inches above the hook. throw into the current and let drift. If you are going to fish at the siren throw a 1/16th oz. (without split shot) treble hooked rooster tail for the first hour.

Good luck and good fishing

RRV

[Wayne SW/MO]

You could rig the kids with mini jigs under a float. It can be very effective and kids seem to do well with something visual. RRV's advice is sound on the equipment and the store can line you out on what is hot in jigs. Boots aren't needed, wading isn't legal in most of the stream.

The stream is pretty safe for the two older ones to head out on their own.

[Greg]

I'm not 100% sure - but I don't think roaring river has ANY bait areas like Bennett Springs does. Also I would go with 2 lb line. I fly fish now - but when I fished with a spinning/spincast rod I got two or 3 times as many strikes on 2 lb line as opposed to 4 lb. Actually I used to tie a swivel onto the end of my 4 or 6 lb line and then tie on a length of the 2 lb. I used to use rooster tails and the soft plastic "worm" type lures.

Good luck,

Greg

[Kansas Fly Fisher]

I'm not 100% sure - but I don't think roaring river has ANY bait areas like Bennett Springs does. Also I would go with 2 lb line. I fly fish now - but when I fished with a spinning/spincast rod I got two or 3 times as many strikes on 2 lb line as opposed to 4 lb. Actually I used to tie a swivel onto the end of my 4 or 6 lb line and then tie on a length of the 2 lb. I used to use rooster tails and the soft plastic "worm" type lures.

Good luck,

Greg

There is a small area at the end of the fly only zone that you can use natural baits. I take my granddaughter there when she gets tired of casting and retrieving. Lilly's right about the night crawlers. They can't be beat! Also powerbait works good there as well.

John

[timsfly]

The natural bait area at roaring river is about 1 mile long,give or take a couple of hundred yards

it starts

at the old broken down dam at the end of zone 2 and goes to off davis holler about a mile or so and that is the actual end of the park boundry, the fishing is very good there sometimes, the conservation dept. stocks this area twice a week, and it usually gets very little pressure. Powerbait, night crawlers are very good, but the fly fishing is good also in this area, woolybuggers do well for me in zone 3, the fish seem to eat a lot more minnows and crawfish in this area, this area has also produced more 10lb+ browns than any other zone in the park, and a few big rainbows.

[Kansas Fly Fisher]

The natural bait area at roaring river is about 1 mile long,give or take a couple of hundred yards

it starts

at the old broken down dam at the end of zone 2 and goes to off davis holler about a mile or so and that is the actual end of the park boundry, the fishing is very good there sometimes, the conservation dept. stocks this area twice a week, and it usually gets very little pressure. Powerbait, night crawlers are very good, but the fly fishing is good also in this area, woolybuggers do well for me in zone 3, the fish seem to eat a lot more minnows and crawfish in this area, this area has also produced more 10lb+ browns than any other zone in the park, and a few big rainbows.

Wow, I didn't realize it went that far! I've always stayed between the old broken dam and the bridge just down from that. I'll have to give that some more attention on my next trip down. Thanks Tim.

John

[timsfly]

Great next time you are down stop by the shop and I'll help you find the access roads to that area, the conservation dept. also stocks below the park

boundries 0nce a month down to what is refered too by us locals as curry bridge,(about 2 more miles of good water) this is where lake rules start applying to the water, but there are trout there all year long. It is a good change of pace, not as many trout but you will not see many people either, just deer and turkeys mostly. This is also a decent float when the water level is a bit higher.

[TroutVirgin]

Wow, I wasn't expecting this many replies so quick. You have given us some great ideas.

How is the weather there? Any reports on what it's going to be like this weekend. It's been cold and rainy here. We are expecting snow tonight. I hate to trek the kids there for their first trout trip and have them freeze their butts off and not have a good time.

Have they lifted the burn ban?