Rockbridge Trip and Rookie Thoughts March 2022

[T.J. Clarke]

Did first time trip at Rockbridge for a day/night in March.  Saw some good things in the archives, so thought I would add some thoughts as a Rookie there. 

It rained both days, and a bit cold but fishing was good imho.  Others there said it was not so good, but all perspective at this place.  I fished catch and keep @ hour, stopped with a 2.5 pounder/ 3 pounder.  The 3 pounder was the largest fish I ever caught on a fly rod (used 5 wt LL Bean rod).  Naturally the big one got away.  Had a 5 pounder near the mouth of my net once, fought it for some time, stupidly let it get downstream in a powerful chute.  Needless to say, I learned a lot on this trip.

Foolishly I brought a smaller plastic-coated C&R net.  You need a big net at this place!  You can get by with stronger tippet or leader at Rockbridge if you want to.   

Wanted to remind folks who never been to the area it is VERY rural.  I read once in Outside magazine that Ozark County is the most "rural" of MO Counties.  It is not the least populated (that is Worth Co. on the Iowa border), but it is country!  I drove into Gainesville the CO seat for a bite to eat @630pm and never passed a car for a long time.  For the main town, Gainesville has very little in food choices.

I would take food, drinks with you on your trip even if deciding to eat at Rockbridge restaurant.  I had lunch there, 1/2-pound burger, side salad =18.00.  Keep in mind they have to truck all those supplies to the Boonies.  For example, I asked for a NA beer, and they said they have not been able to get any lately.

Basic rooms were 150.00, just missed the 90.00 winter rate.  Take a book b/c no TV in basic rooms.  

It felt weird keeping fish since it has been decades since I C&K ed.  They fillet them, so hope they are good on the grill. 

Pros- Beautiful place that stocks 2 pd fish and up.  BIG fish!   NO litter and clean.  That is worth it to me not seeing bait jars, cans and bottles all over the place.  Few, if any two-legged trash- a big plus. As others have said a good place to take the wife and kids.  Good place to sharpen your skills.  I spoke with several Guys who travel all over the US flyfishing who go to Rockbridge to practice.  Workers are very helpful.  The fish cleaning guy knows a lot and provided much info.

Cons- Some may say cost, pay per pound, etc. but again that is perspective.  If you are close enough to make a day trip and skip the room, it is affordable.  Next time I will do a day trip.  It is like a Trout Park.....well yes, but a very nice exclusive big fish, no litter, no fools Trout Park. 

[Seth]

One of these days I need to go down there. Several guys I know do it a few times a year and love it. That whole $5.15/lbs and having to keep fish you catch is just hard to swallow. I can go to Taneycomo for the money I'd spend. I may just have to use light tippet and let them get away at the net. 😁

[Johnsfolly]

Congrats @T.J. Clarke on a nice trout trip. I have never been there before but have heard of folks fishing there. Does sound like you need to invest if you haven't already in a deep basket style net if you go back.

[Foghorn]

One of my wife's favorite places to fish because of the size of the fish and less crowds. It is expensive and not always a challenge unless they haven't stocked for a while. You can C&R for either a full or half day. One of the gang can't walk very good and we can get him in a hole with fish and he can fish until he gets tired , then set in a chair streamside and rest. Will really be a challenge for him tis year as his health problems took its toll and he had to have his left leg amputated below the knee.

[yowoodchuck]

A perfect spot to take your buddy.  Good on you for taking him.  We will all need someone to take us sooner or later.  

[gotmuddy]

Rockbridge is who cloud 9 uses for their stockings.  They have great quality of fish.

[Gavin]

Glad you had fun! It's a great place to visit. The cost isn't so bad if you limit the time you fish. Makes a great day trip if your staying on Lake Norfork or the NFoW. 

 

 

[Nick Adams]

My dad took me there when I was 12. It's what got me hooked on trout fishing. It's a beautiful place. Later when I was about 18 we went and I tried to teach him to fly fish. It did not go well. I could never get him to understand a drag-free drift. He sat there with bich (sp) creek nymph surfing on the surface of water wondering why they wouldn't hit it. smh....

[BilletHead]

6 hours ago, Foghorn said:

One of my wife's favorite places to fish because of the size of the fish and less crowds. It is expensive and not always a challenge unless they haven't stocked for a while. You can C&R for either a full or half day. One of the gang can't walk very good and we can get him in a hole with fish and he can fish until he gets tired , then set in a chair streamside and rest. Will really be a challenge for him tis year as his health problems took its toll and he had to have his left leg amputated below the knee.

            I really, really hope you can. If there is anything I can do let me know. 

[BilletHead]

    I have been there several times. As a river helper during casting for recovery for the ladies, reeling and healing for the ladies again and a river buddy for reel recovery for the men. Fantastic place to have events like that. The fish are large and feisty for sure. I told the ladies and gentlemen that were first time fishers and most of them are not to expect this every time they go if they continue to flyfish of fish in general because some of these folks had never fished before. Expensive yes food and fishing. If you make the trip for fun, it is a hoot.  Some of my participants would hand me the rod and say why don't you catch one. I did indulge and my oh my. It was fun. So, Pat and I did do a half day C&R once. Someday maybe again. Never say never.