Opening Day at Roaring River

[Foghorn]

Had an interesting trip to Roaring River for the opener. We hadn't fished any opener for the last couple years and with the weather forecast thought it would be a nice outing. We arrived Monday at the park and decided to walk the stream. Within 10" of our walk, we came upon 3 guys fishing in the park. They said it was okay to fish because it was still C&R season. I explained that season ended 2 weeks earlier and there would be somebody wanting to give them a fine if they didn't quit. They hadn't been fishing that long but weren't catching anything. We saw enough fish to make it interesting so we checked in our motel. The guests above Monday night were either bowling or having a WWE match as they banged around their room constantly until 1030. Think they may have stayed up all night because they were starting up their trucks at 330 opening morning. I eventually got up and headed to the stream at 430. That's still too early for a 630 whistle but didn't think I'd get back to sleep. Found the spot where I saw a couple bigger fish Monday and settled in for the siren to go off. About 10' into the season, I caught a nice rainbow just shy of 4#. Fished a while longer then back to the motel for breakfast and to pickup my better half, Susie. We fished the rest of the day and caught fish but thought it was pretty tough once it got into the afternoon. We  woke Wednesday to no electricity at our motel so we headed to the park only to find they also had no electric but were selling tags. We had checked out of our room and the lodge was also down so off to town to get something to eat. Cassville had electricity so after a good breakfast, we headed to the C&R. It was pretty empty at 9 so we put on the waders and started catching fish immediately. Did see one guy using a jerk bait in the flies only section but he wasn't catching anything. We saw somewhere in the neighborhood of 10-12 fish in the upper 1/2 mile of the stream that would go 3# or better. I was using one of the Piscifun reels that "Wrench" was talking about and it worked extremely well for a reel that was less than $40 on sale. Ended up catching 3 over 3# with that little 3/4 reel and was impressed.  Susie caught somewhere in the neighborhood of 25-30 fish in the C&R so we left Roaring River at 230 for the long drive home.  I realized that I didn't miss the crowds but saw some old friends that I hadn't seen in several years so that made it better. 

[fshndoug]

We need to get Laker67 out

 

[laker67]

2 hours ago, fshndoug said:

We need to get Laker67 out

 

  I got so weak this winter, that now my lovely bride is making me stationary bike and walk when the weather is ok. She is like a drill sergeant. She is getting me in shape for summer time bssp and our fall vacation at our favorite trout stream this fall. 

[Quillback]

I drove through RR on my way to Table Rock Monday and the campground was just about full.  Some great weather the last few days for fishing.

[Foghorn]

Doug ,you know if we get Rick out for a day on the stream, we'll have to bring Sandy and Susie and they'll catch more fish than us!

3 hours ago, laker67 said:

  I got so weak this winter, that now my lovely bride is making me stationary bike and walk when the weather is ok. She is like a drill sergeant. She is getting me in shape for summer time bssp and our fall vacation at our favorite trout stream this fall. 

 

[Nick Adams]

Can I ask what you were using? Taking a 1st-timer on 3/14 and would love any tips. 

Thanks for the report!

[Foghorn]

Majority of the fish the Mrs. and I caught in the C&R were either an egg or salmon colored fur bug tied out of the old glo bug yarn. 2 of the bigger fish were caught on beadhead nymphs- one a fox squirrel and the other a zebra midge.

[Nick Adams]

Excellent. I'm stocked on eggs. He got into b/c of me, so I feel a responsibility to produce. The problem is that I am a mediocre fly fisherman....

[Johnsfolly]

6 hours ago, laker67 said:

  I got so weak this winter, that now my lovely bride is making me stationary bike and walk when the weather is ok. She is like a drill sergeant. She is getting me in shape for summer time bssp and our fall vacation at our favorite trout stream this fall. 

Good luck buddy on getting up your strength up and getting on the water. Can't wait to see the fish you are going to catch!

[netboy]

6 hours ago, laker67 said:

  I got so weak this winter, that now my lovely bride is making me stationary bike and walk when the weather is ok. She is like a drill sergeant. She is getting me in shape for summer time bssp and our fall vacation at our favorite trout stream this fall. 

I hear you... just gotta keep moving forward at our age. 😀