Roaring River State Park Lower Riveron Roaring River
What's working on Roaring River
- 01Clear skies and mild fall temperatures (55°F) are present on Roaring River.
- 02USGS flow data is currently unavailable, but the river's cold, clear spring water should provide good fishing.
- 03Midges are a consistent year-round food source and are increasingly important as fall progresses.
- 04Expect intermittent Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) and Pale Morning Dun (PMD) hatches, especially on overcast days.
- 05Larger October Caddis may emerge in the afternoons, offering substantial dry fly opportunities.
- 06Recommended flies include Zebra Midges (20-22), Copper Johns (14-16), Comparadun (BWO) (18-20), October Caddis (Dry) (8-10), and Bead Head Woolly Bugger (Olive) (6-8).
- 07Focus fishing efforts on deeper runs, pools, current seams, and submerged structure, particularly in Zone 1 (hatchery to Dry Hollow Creek).
- 08A tactical tip for the week is to use a dry-dropper rig with an October Caddis dry and a small midge or BWO nymph, and pay attention to subtle takes.
What to tie on at Roaring River State Park Lower River
Picked from recent reports for this stretch.
Yellow Sally
Yellow Sally stoneflies are abundant along freestone streams like Roaring River in summer, drawing aggressive strikes.
Buy at AmazonTrico Spinner
Trico hatches are actively occurring this month on Roaring River, making this an excellent pattern for rising fish in slower water.
Buy at AmazonHopper
Terrestrials like grasshoppers are a crucial food source for trout during summer months along the grassy banks of Roaring River.
Beetle
Terrestrial beetles are often dislodged from streamside vegetation along Roaring River during summer, making this foam pattern effective for trout looking for surface food near shaded banks.
Elk Hair Caddis
Caddis are active on Roaring River from late spring through fall, making this a consistent producer for opportunistic feeding on adults.
Buy at AmazonZebra Midge
Midges are a primary and consistent food source in tailwaters like Roaring River year-round, effective as a subsurface searching pattern.
Buy at AmazonPheasant Tail Nymph
This versatile nymph mimics various small mayfly nymphs that are active year-round in Roaring River, making it a reliable subsurface pattern.
Buy at AmazonWoolly Bugger (Olive)
The Olive Woolly Bugger is a reliable year-round streamer for Roaring River, effective for imitating leeches and baitfish, especially for aggressive trout.
Blue-Winged Olive Comparadun
Blue-Winged Olives are actively hatching in early spring, especially on overcast days, and this low-profile dry fly is excellent for selective trout feeding on emergers and adults.
Buy at AmazonMissouri season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Fly shops nearby
Local flies, current advice and guided trips.