Downstream From Trout Park?

[Bill Anderson]

I have looked over Roaring River where Highway 86 crosses it and it looks promising. Has anyone had much exprience in that area? I know it can't be too far from where it enters Table Rock, but I'm wondering if I should go there and give it a try. Also, any trout down that far? I would guess a lot of fish from Table Rock Lake probably get up to that area. It looks like good smallmouth water. Any info would be appreciated.

[ollie]

I have caught many a largemouth under that bridge. One trout that I know of, but that was later on in the year like winter. Have caught a few smallies down from there as well. The creek opens up not far downstream from the bridge. Mainly bass action downstream from there, but you do hear of an occasional trout getting taken from there.

[Jack Jones]

I saw that as a small float on in my Missouri Paddlers Guide and was thinking of checking it out next time I'm at the park. If you go, Bill, please provide a report.

[chub minnow]

I stopped in there one time in early spring looking for white bass and found a huge pod of trout, most of them over 14", under the bridge. I'm not sure if they were from the stocking truck, or moving back up from the lake. I gotta say they were pretty big for stockers. I do know that they were pretty easy to catch ;-) I've also caught some goggleye in that area. Lost a huge (5#?) bass right under the bridge there. It turns to lake about 100 yds downstream. There are some trout tucked in pockets all the way back upstream to the park.

The float from the park back down to the lake is pretty steep,narrow and technical most of the way. I think it's only 4 miles or so. It's impossible right now -might as well walk. It's a great time in the spring if you're into floating tiny streams during high water. The fishing between the park and lake is much better during higher flows. I don't think they do any stocking below the park when the water is this low.

[timsfly]

They still stock below the park, once a month

Curry bridge, is the last place the MDC stocks,

from there RR is considered lake, all lake regulations

apply below Curry bridge, curry bridge is a good mile

above the 86 bridge.

[Bill Anderson]

Thanks for the replies gentlemen, and when I do get a chance to try the area, I'll file a report. I don't have a boat, so any fishing I do will be while wading.

[bronzeback miner]

For what it's worth, I was reading of an account by Vance Randolph in Ozark outdoors; hunting and fishing stories of the Ozarks, by Vance Randolph and Guy W. Von Schriltz. of catching trout at the place where Roaring River and White River joined, he wrote of this trip in the 1930's, definitely pre Table Rock days