First "true" Roaring River Experience Coming Up

[hoglaw]

I think I fished up there before...maybe when I was in college during the winter. I remember catching some big fish on the fly. This coming weekend my girlfriend's family is doing a camping trip. From what I can tell, their campsite is on the river in zone 1 which appears to be artificials only. I'm sure I'll carry a fly rod, but if I want to fish around the family I probably need to carry a couple spinning rods as well.

Anyway, just hoping for some general information about roaring river. I've always heard about how crowded it is and I have no illusions about getting a section to myself to fish. Just want to help my girlfriend's little niece catch some fish and maybe sneak away to the fly area in the evenings. Is the water tail-water cold? As in, too cold to wet-wade? Any general information would be much appreciated.

[Idylwilde]

Get hold of Tim at Tim's fly shop he will get you set to catch fish. You can find information on the Trout Park section at Ozarkanglers.com.

[ollie]

This time of the year I think you could get away with wet wading, but that is just me. Heck, I see kids swimming all the time down there in the summertime.

[Wayne SW/MO]

The wading section is cold, but nothing like a tailwater in size. They are probably camping in Z 2.

Hook the niece up with a small lure like a flatfish or Crickhopper. The smallest Crickhopper in yellow will generally get bit a few times.

Not many people throw small lures and there are always a few fish who have never seen one.

[KATroutman13]

Fished down there last Saturday with a buddy. Wet wading is not an issue, at all. i caught a bunch of fish early on a bugger in C&R and in other places. Caught fish later in the morning on a caddis pupa imitation. Then for the rest of the day, I kept very busy catching fish on black foam beetles, the one on the counter at Tim's and on a size 8 Taylor's Fat Albert in light tan. I was honestly amazed at the numbers of fish I caught on the beetle and hopper. It was a lot of fun. Remember, see the strike, breath, set the hook.

[hoglaw]

Had a good trip. It was VERY hot. Got to meet Tim and he was extremely hospitable and set me on the right path. Caught quite a few fish but nothing to write home about. Had big rains on Friday and especially Saturday. Saturday's rain stained the water quite a bit. Fished the C&R section right after it and couldn't see fish, but they hit a hopper pretty well anyway. It's an interesting place. I've never fished around that many people before, or even seen that many folks in one place. But it's a beautiful area and no shortage of fish in the river. Thanks again for the local knowledge and good gear Tim!