stocking roaring river

[Greg]

I've got to say that my experience has been the exact opposite of some of you. I've only fished RR once this year and only for a couple of hours (I was there on business) but the fishing was great that day. I caught maybe 8 or 10 in those 2 hours and I was so impressed by the size of those fish that I asked Tim what was up.

I fish Bennett more often and the fishing this year has been great. I went yesterday afternoon and caught more than I could count in the 5 hours I was there. I didn't catch anything huge but plenty in the 13 to 14" range with maybe a couple at 15".

I haven't noticed much difference in the fishing at Taney this year either even though according to Phil Lilly they are stocking fewer rainbows at Taney.

So I have to say from my experience MDC is doing a good job with the stocking at RR, Bennett, and Taney.

I do agree that some days you just have to work harder to catch fish. And that's a good thing - if it was too easy would it be as much fun?.

Greg

[Don]

Greg,

What were you using at Bennett yesterday?

Thanks, Don

[Greg]

I actually used a variety of things. At times I was throwing a small dry - elk hair caddis. I stripped a green wooley bugger # 10 for a while. Took several fish on those. However I caught the most on small bead head nymphs - the pattern didn't really matter as long as it was small #18 or #20.

Greg

[Ham]

Everytime I have been to RR, I get there late, I have to sign my kids up and fight getting gear ready, dodge the crowds carrying dead trout on stringers, AND STILL the fishing is great. The trout are numerous and LARGE. I'm using light gear so they pull like all get out.

The staff at the lodge has been able to point me in the right direction. I spend a little money on gear there and catch trout like somebody that does it more often than I do.

I really want to get by Tim's shop. I did buy some stuff over the phone from them. I have not used fly fishing gear at RR yet. Everytime I go, I see someone get hooked by a fly fisherman's back cast. I'd rather avoid that.

One of these days I'll have to go with Wayne and we can fish the C&R area. I turn all my trout loose anyway.

[gonefishin]

Like I said I havent been to RR this year but it sounds like everyone is happy with it. Maybe RR is getting better treatment than Bennett and Taney.

When I was at Bennett last week I went from the spring to the Whistle Bridge. I guarentee there are not as many trout in there as I have seen in the past. The trout I seen on peoples stringers are not as large as normal and I talked to a lot of people and most said they were not catching as many trout as normal. I can say that I see more browns than in the past.

There is no question that Taney is not having as many fish stocked as normal and from what I hear (and see) the ones that are stocked are pretty runty.

[hawgslayer]

I think that the tanycomo hatchery may have produced more browns than normal.

I have been catching a lot more browns at capps creek and RR. But as for Rainbows they seem a little bit bigger than normal