Pre-Memorial Day Weekend Report

[Kansas Fly Fisher]

May 25 – Picked up my wife in Oklahoma after getting off work and drove to Roaring River. Didn’t really think we would find a campsite and was all prepared to just fish for the day. But, we found one open and snagged it up before fishing. Got camp set and was on the water by just a bit after noon. Started out fishing the holes up by the lodge and worked my way down to the low water bridge. Ended up catching 14 fish in about two hours before leaving to go get supplies at Wal-Mart. The largest was about 2 lbs and most were between the 1 – 1.5 lb range. All of them were very feisty and fought hard. Used a #14 Grizzly/Pearl Crackleback stripped to land them all. The fish would/could not leave it alone – it seemed at times that they were fighting over it. Missed just as many by not setting the hook fast enough and had fish chase the fly back on almost every cast! After supper, I fished the fly only zone and could not buy a hit. Tried the crackleback again and then switched to a hare’s ear; no takers! Quite for the evening and headed back to camp for supper and some sleep. May 26 – Got up at 6:30 and stayed around camp for a while having some good “cowboy coffee” and enjoying the fog on the mountains. Headed back to the lodge to get my tag for the day and started out fishing the same areas I fished the day before. Used the Crackleback again with the same results. I ended up netting 12 more fish before heading back to camp for breakfast. After breakfast I tried the fly only zone again and could not get them to even take a look! I noticed the clouds starting to build so headed back to camp to break it down before the rains set in. After breaking camp we headed to the lodge area again and the fish had suddenly developed lock jaw! Couldn’t buy a bite. Switched to the hare’s ear again with no takers again. Finally got some to peck at an orange glow ball but couldn’t get the hook set before they spit it out! Decided it was time to head back to Kansas and packed up at about 2p. Overall – another great weekend of fishing and camping at Roaring River!

John

[Danoinark]

Sounds like a great fishing weekend John. Thanks for the great report.

Dano

[Jeremy Hunt]

Hey Kansas,

Just wondering if you threw black bead midges or elk hair caddis? Those will catch fish there anytime you go. Try it next time you go. You won’t be disappointed I promise. Last year I caught a five pound rainbow throwing a black body elk hair caddis in a size 16. It was a blast to catch a trout that big on a dry. I will always remember that park for that reason.

jh

[Kansas Fly Fisher]

Tried a zebra midge but it had the standard silver head. I couldn't try the Elk Hair (one of my favorites) since I ran off and left two of my fly boxes setting on my desk at home. You're right though, they almost always produce.

John

[ToPwAt'R GuY]

Sound good. I need to get down there soon.

[Chief Grey Bear]

I think you guy's need to devlope a fly that represents a bean meal pellet.

[Terry Beeson]

Already out there, Chief... and it works...

[Chief Grey Bear]

Well, I figured as such. I'm always behind on my milliom dollar ideas.