Report

[Steve Smith]

I just got back from a couple of hours on Roaring River this morning for the opener. My boss thought I should show up at work some time today... Imagine that? There is very little flow and the water is murky all the way through the “fly only” zone. The construction continues at the hatchery, which is restricting flow and silting the river. However, the river is absolutely loaded with stockers around 8 to 12 inches, and scattered among the stockers are a few nice breeders. In my thirty years of fishing Roaring River, I have never seen so many fish released at any time during catch and keep or catch and release. I am assuming they released every fish in the hatchery so they can finish the construction or at least it looks that way. As far as patterns, the stockers are fresh from the hatchery and will hit absolutely anything that dimples the water, at least for a day or two. In fact, this weekend would be an idea time to bring a youngster or new fisher. The larger fish are pretty selective and spook easily as can be expected since they haven’t see many humans for a few weeks. The better fish were hitting peach egg patterns, San Juan worms in white or tan, and badger hackled Cracklebacks with peacock herl bodies. That is if they can get to the fly before a stocker sucks it in. In any case, I didn’t see anything much over stocker size caught, but I was only in the park a few hours.

[Brian K. Shaffer]

I think I will be hitting this creek pretty soon... anyone else wanna go / meet up there ??

A great bunch of big fish in a tiny area = great pictures

ozrkfisher at wm connect dot com

best fishes - Brian

[Danoinark]

Brian

When do you plan heading over to RR?

Dano

[Phil Lilley]

Is the park only open on weekends? I wouldn't mind going over but weekends aren't good for me.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I thought I heard or read that it is a 7 day show now, yes?no? I also heard from another source who fished it that it is loaded with fish.

I'm wanting to go myself, but not sure when I can get away. I'm still having a hard time weaning off the Smallies.

[MOBass]

I thought I heard or read that it is a 7 day show now, yes?no? I also heard from another source who fished it that it is loaded with fish.

I'm wanting to go myself, but not sure when I can get away. I'm still having a hard time weaning off the Smallies.

I checked the website for Roaring River and it shows Fri - Sun for C & R season. They may not have updated the site though. I want to make a run out there but am having a hard time justifying the gas. I am 30 min. or less from Taney so I go down there most of the time.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I found the change, however it was only for Meramec, and I don't know how I got RR in there also, old age I guess.

I have a friend in Neosho and I go over and fish with him once in awhile, but Taney is less than a gallon of gas for me so its my winter haunt.

[Steve Smith]

Roaring River is only open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday starting at 8 am and ending at 4 pm. You can fish from the taped off construction area at the hatchery down to the low water bridge below the old dam. The bait area below the low water bridge is closed for the season until March 1st. There are maps posted throughout the park showing legal areas to fish, along with the fishing regulations for the C&R season. It would pay to read the map and regulations as a lot of tickets are being written. The C&R season is fly only everywhere in the legal fishing area of the park. Fish have to be released immediately unharmed. Although clearly posted, people continue to fish their plastic baits, stick baits, spoons, and even power bait. Folks who hold a fish out of the water to surgically remove their bait or take pictures will most likely be toe to toe with an agent. Obviously too, you’ll need a fishing license and a trout stamp to fish the no creel season. MDC has added agents too, and that’s a good thing. Expect to have your fly checked, along with your license and trout stamp.

It would be worth the trip to the park if you get a chance. Due to construction in the hatchery, almost all the fish were released in the river, and nearly every hole has trophies.

[admin]

Do you still need to purchase a daily permit? Or does a trout stamp work?

[Steve Smith]

A stamp is all that is needed to fish the parks during C&R. I did real good Saturday and Sunday on a pale dun hackled crackleback. Sometimes on top, and sometimes stripping back. White San Juan worms were a close second, but the crackleback was best. I caught so many trout I felt quilty. A friend had a seven - eight pound rainbow on a big wooley bugger.