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[MOBass]

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.

It's good to hear the agents are on top of things. Have they gone to a barbless restriction yet? I crush the barbs already since I can't keep anything. I am glad you mentioned the picture thing. I try to keep the fish in the water and turn out the fly with forceps. I guess if you want a picture you need to have someone snap it while you are taking it off the hook.

[Steve Smith]

No barbless restrictions yet. I am tying on the TMC barbless hooks for the C&R season, even though I smash barbs anyway. You just give the fish a little slack, and nine times out of ten, the hook will back out on its own. Ditto on the agents. We have had an excellent agent for years, but it is a lot of river for one guy to patrol. The regulations are pretty vague on releasing fish. MDC had a article on C&R fising stating that the fish can not be taken out of the water. However, the park regs state "release immediately unharmed". I'd be all for barbless and a stronger ruling on release in the water. Too many fish held out too long, and I dispisethe jerk on the bank... then kick release method.