I’ve got a little spot for you…a secret, there is a little 4 mile stretch of Missouri water that is a real gem; springs from above pour cool water into the Roaring River and thus was born one of the four Missouri trout parks. The others are Montauk, Bennet and Meremac…all located in the central and east central part of the state, while Roaring River is located in the far southwest, just a few miles west of Table Rock Lake.
If you wish, go ahead and fish the trout park…but be warned it is a little odd. There is only one section that can be waded and it is a multi-use area; multi in wading and swimming, frolicking, etc…and you can guess who or what bothers whom? While in Missouri over the July 4th week I fished Roaring River Trout Park and did so in the middle of the day. I was the ONLY one on the catch and release section…and no swimmers! It was fun and frankly one of the toughest fly fishing challenges I have had as these fish were pooling in gin clear water and had been educated by a good many fly rodder. The first pool I came to was deep and clear with about 30 big fish easing here and there. I went with my usual black wooly with a long marabou tail….no problem right? Wrong! They refused me like I was back in high school and looking for a prom date. I couldn’t believe it. I had my type 3 weighted line on and it simply was not getting the fly deep enough….but even so, the trout that did look gave an obligatory swim by and returned to their slot in the water. To make a long story short I went to a front weighted line and a hybrid bitch creek nymph and by carefully allowing the water to drag the fly through various pools, caught 8 fish, all were big and I was proud of the effort…lesson learned.
OK….so, back to the water below the trout park. If you turn onto county road F off of Missouri 86 and head toward the park, you will see 2 county roads that turn left off of F; both of these cross the creek, but continue north for another mile or so and you will see a large Roaring River Conservation sign on the right…make a left into the gravel parking area and that is the beginning of a trail head. Grab your gear and head down the trail toward the creek…you will know you are there when you reach a small limestone bluff and have to crawl over a few rocks to get into the stream. Once there…you can go right, or north for about ¾ mile toward the park itself; there are a number of good pools to the right that have a good number of trout and good water. I have gone left about a mile and it too has good water with lots of fish. Be warned…the last time I was there the water was down, clear and this made the fish very, very spooky. The first day I fished for 3 hours and caught one trout…and was darn glad to have hooked him. I finally did so by using a blue crackle back in size 12 and dead drifted it into a hole…I might add that I did so by making long casts with my 2 weight rod; so if you don’t know how to haul or double haul…teach yourself or get a lesson.
The next day I went back just because I felt like I had been sent to my room without supper the day before and wasn’t going to allow a bunch of trout with a brain the size of thimble to defeat me…at least I hoped so. I stayed with my 2 weight rod and once again used a blue crackle back and by staying out of sight as much as possible and drifting the fly across and over the pools I was able to catch fish…and was relieved in doing so as I don’t like the feeling of not having an idea. The closest thing I can relate this to are the shows that I have watched whereby fly fisherman are casting to a single brown trout in New Zealand. If you have watched these shows then you know what I am talking about…except for the fact that I didn’t have a guide and a spotter. I love a challenge and this little piece of water is just such a challenge.
The next time you are in Branson, fishing Taneycomo and the folks are generating…then jump on 65 south, 
take a right on 86 and stay there for about 30 miles until you see the Roaring River Park signs…then take a left on F and look for the parking area. One other interesting history area is just south of the park entrance on the left…there is a gravel drive that takes you down to the stream and would be a great drop off area, anyway, just before you pull into the woods by the water, look to your right and you will see a historical marker. Go give it a read as it tells about the family that settled the Roaring River area way back in the early 1800’s; they must have been some tough folks! Good luck fishing and many bent rods to you!
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Nice article I may go there sometime. Would like wade if possible.
My family and I have been fishing Roaring River now for only about 3 years. This year my grandson and I are going to try our luck with fly fishing. I would like to find out from you what kind, or size of line should we use?
Patty,
Line size is a question that is asked often. A lot depends on experience level. If you and your grandson are new fly-fishers….then probably a 5 or 6 weight is the right line and set up. A smaller line/reel/rod might be too delicate and anything bigger is not needed. I feel like a 5 weight is the right weight for most of these Missouri streams like Roaring River. If you haven’t fly fished much…then try and find someone at the park who might be able to give a lesson or some help…a little advice can go a long ways. Occasionally Jim Rogers gets down that way…he is based out of Bennett Spring and would do a very nice job of lessons.
Jeff
Im going down this sunday with 4 pound line is that appropriate to fly fish?
Finley (great name btw)
Let’s talk tippet size instead of line weight; the river is usually clear, sometimes very clear….so I’d go with 4x tippet (the line you attach your fly to). If it’s stained you could go to 3x and be fine….but larger than that would cause problems as trout, even trout park trout, are picky and will shy from a larger tippet size, best of luck it’s a gorgeous and special place!
Patty,
Any fly line would obviously work at RR, but for me a smaller 2,3 or 4 wt is perfect. Casting is tight and the fish aren’t that large…I personally like a 3 wt for the smaller trout parks of Missouri!
Jeff, my daughter and I are going to Roaring river to camp next weekend. Trout fishing is a first for both of us. We are not trying the fly fishing just yet but can you give any pointers or tricks for fishing for trout here on a open cast reel and rod?
Stacey,
I must first admit that this is a very tough question; frankly trout are a tough fish. I will give you the best version of an answer I can. Start by going to the fly shop, you will get your license or daily pass there. Ask for a spool of tippet, size 4X and tell them you are a first time trout person. The workers there have done this many times before and usually are very friendly and helpful. The tippet is what attaches to your lure and trout see well in clear water…thus you need a small sized tippet. Next, I would go with a spinning bait, they also sell it at the shop. It can only have one hook to be legal and they can direct you to the section of lures. Your reels will need to be in good working order to be able to throw a light weight lure any distance at all. As I said, this is a very difficult question to answer via an email. The other option is to go with a fly, a nymph…that will hang from a strike indicator (which acts as a bobber). Once again the folks at the fly shop at RR can help with this as well. The strike indicatory holds the nymphy (fly) above the bottom surface and when the trout eats or takes it….your bobber will go down, set the hook at that point. I could go on for a long time…but this is the best short answer I can give you….please don’t be afraid to ask for help…usually there are others around and often one of them will help you out. Last, watch what and how other people are catching fish. If you see someone with a spin casting rod…then ask how they are catching fish. Don’t be shy!
Jeff
Jeff – Hi My name is Natalie McClendon, I was thinking about getting some kind of package deal for my Husbands Birthday in January for Fly Fishing. He does regular lake & pond fishing, we have been to Rolling River before just to visit not fish. Can you recommend something? Thank in Advance – Natalie 🙂
Natalie,
I wish I could better help; however, I live in southern Indiana and I am not sure what direction to try and point you to? I will throw this out….at Bennet Spring State Park in Lebanon, there is the Jim Roger’s Fly Fishing School and you might inquire there about a fly fishing lesson and possibly some time with someone there on the stream? Sorry…
Jeff
and with that would 4 lb line good for a ultralight or should i pull on less like 2 lb
Thanks so much for the help! i caught 6 trout it was fun!