I’m planning on going to Roaring River, MO in the first part of October. I’ve never been there before and was wondering if anyone had any pointers or advise to offer before I go. Any particular flies to bring? I was going to focus on primarily midges, PTN, GRHE, and that sort of fly and either buy or tie what I need when I get there if my stock doesn’t work.
check this site out:
Ol’ Blue,
I’ve been to Roaring River the past 2 years, in June both times. You should definitely keep checking Tim’s Fly Shop at the address given by dpenrod.
The Griffith’s Gnat, Cracklebacks, Copper Johns, and white microjigs are some of the more commonly used flies. I had really good luck with the Crackleback tied with yellow wool body and furnace hackle with peacock herl over it, also the Gold-ribbed Hare’s ear. All size 18 or less on not more than 7X tippet. The flourocarbon seems to work really well, the water is always pretty clear.
I’ve not fished in October, but I doubt there’ll be much change since the water temps are fairly constant at 54F.
Enjoy yourself, it’s nice and peaceful down there. And, most important, try the restaurant! The food is affordable and plentiful. I was shocked the first time we ate there… :shock: (see, I still am!)
Ol’ Blue:
I’ve been down a couple of times over the last month and because of the nature of my work made it down several times last fall as well. Pretty much the same strategy works most of the time. Depenrod’s suggestion of checking on Tim’s site is a good one. His fishing reports usually sound the same from week to week due to the nature of the park. I would suggest that you definitely need to consider adding several cracklebacks to your fly list in 12 to 16’s (I prefer the smaller flies), some small parachute adams (16-22) and perhaps some black foam beetles if it doesn’t get too cold. The last few trips I’ve almost exclusivley fished the cracklebacks and beetles. My favorite nymph is a #16 bead head pheasant tail which I fish in the early morning or if there simply is no top action. A lot of folks do well with egg flies and white minijigs but I’ve never used them. Usually most folks start out with nymphs or woolybuggers (Tim has a mini-bugger in a size 12) early in the morning and switch to the drys about 9-10, try beetles when things get slow if it is warm and windy. My 2 cents. You might get Betty H. to respond–I think I remember one her posts that suggested that she liked some emergers and small midges that she ties herself… Good luck.
Thanks for the info. I’m heading out with a buddy who hasn’t been flyfishing before, so we’ll be using it as a learning experience for him. Should be fun.
The park itself is beautiful and has good facilities. The restaurant is pretty good.
I don’t care much for the fishing there. Concrete streambanks just aren’t my cup o tea. The lowest stretch of water in the park is the only place I will fish. And I have never been impressed by the #s or size of trout there. My opinion: fish the Roaring River BELOW the park and above the confluence with Table Rock Lake by accessing it off of the public roads off of Hwy 86.
And then drive the half hour to either Beaver tailwater (AR) or Taneycomo below Table Rock Dam for some actual fishing.
Ol’ Blue,
Just returned from 2 1/2 weeks in South Dakota, so sorry for the tardy response.
Roaring River, in the fall, is just one beautiful place! In the valleys the trees are turning the most brilliant colors you could ever hope to see!
Fishing up by the old CCC Lodge is … well…not recommended, unless you like fishing elbow to elbow with bait casters …or are a bait caster yourself (shudder!!). Cross over the bridge on the highway, down river, and go into the camping area. Park there. To fish, follow from the bridge, through the camping area, out of the park, into the conservation area, all down river. It’s flies only, and usually fishes really well. Tiny dries, nymphs, chamios, midges, white wolly buggers, all work well.
Phil Munch, from our Board, will be there Oct 9-15, and we will be there Oct 16-20. When will you be there? If you want a pattern for the chamois flies, let me know (they take all of about 15 seconds to tye!).
Betty
Betty, I’d love to see the chamois pattern. I’m going down on the 12th and am going to stay a couple of days. Neither of us has been before, so I’m always interested in hearing good advice. I was going to tie a bunch of midges, nymphs and cracklebacks and bring my tying stuff with me. I’ll probably still end up buying flies if things go like normal.
How crowded do you see it being on Friday? And do you think I need camping reservations? I will definitely be in the fly only areas, or at least away from the crowds as much as possible.
Ol’ Blue,
You can check out the camping site info for Roaring River here, just click on the campground # on the map to zoom in. Also, you can see pictures of individual sites too.http://www.mostateparks.com/roaringriver/camp.htm
Sites in Campgounds #1  are reserveable, but some of the sites in #3 are first-come-first-served. We really enjoy campground #3, We’ve camped at both ends of it and loved the camping there.
Campground #3 is also closer to the best fishing water than the other two. The water above the bridge is wading, C&R only and the water below is fly only, the water outside the park begins just below campground #3. Easy access to everything about Roaring River can be had from that campground, including the Nature Center, across the street from #3.
Enjoy… (Like I really have to tell you to 
)
ol’ blue,
Do you need pictures to tye a fly? If not, try this … get a nice, soft, clean chamois (like from Wal-Mart…auto department). Cut strips about an eight of an inch wide, and about 8 inches long (or as long as the skin is wide) (you’ll get about 39 bazillion from one skin, so use a couple inches and save the skin for the car!!). Using a 14 or 16 hook (standard wet), tie on a thread base in matching thread. Lay the strip on top of the hook with about 3/8th to 1/2 inch off the back of the hook, wrap the thread around the hook and over the strip a few times, lay the strip to the back of the hook, advance the thread to within an eyes length of the eye, flip the strip back forward, wrap the strip to the hook a few times, flip the strip back again, and tie a few wraps between the chamois and the eye, then tie off (whip finish). Flip the strip back forward and trim the strip to about a quarter of an inch over the eye. It’ll look somewhat like a flat, soft, tan san juan worm. When it’s fished it soaks up water, and gets fat and swooshie, and the trouts love 'em!! If you need a picture of any of the steps, let me know, and I can take a few.
ol’ blue,
Do you need pictures to tye a fly? If not, try this … get a nice, soft, clean chamois (like from Wal-Mart…auto department). Cut strips about an eight of an inch wide, and about 8 inches long (or as long as the skin is wide) (you’ll get about 39 bazillion from one skin, so use a couple inches and save the skin for the car!!). Using a 14 or 16 hook (standard wet), tie on a thread base in matching thread. Lay the strip on top of the hook with about 3/8th to 1/2 inch off the back of the hook, wrap the thread around the hook and over the strip a few times, lay the strip to the back of the hook, advance the thread to within an eyes length of the eye, flip the strip back forward, wrap the strip to the hook a few times, flip the strip back again, and tie a few wraps between the chamois and the eye, then tie off (whip finish). Flip the strip back forward and trim the strip to about a quarter of an inch over the eye. It’ll look somewhat like a flat, soft, tan san juan worm. When it’s fished it soaks up water, and gets fat and swooshie, and the trouts love 'em!! If you need a picture of any of the steps, let me know, and I can take a few.
Betty,
I think I’ve got it. Sounds interesting. I’ll be sure to have a few with me when I go. Sounds like campground 3 is what I’m after. OK, now I’m ready to be there. I guess I’ll tie some flies to pass the time…