Roaring River
river in Missouri
Roaring River State Park's spring-fed tailwater supports both stocked and holdover trout; fishing includes wade-friendly riffles and deeper pools.
Conditions right now
No USGS gauge is linked to this water yet, so we can't chart flows.
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.
Past reports week by week
7 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Zebra Midge
Midges are a primary and consistent food source year-round in Roaring River's cold, clear waters, becoming even more important as fall progresses.
Buy at AmazonOctober Caddis (Dry)
The October Caddis hatch is one of the largest caddis hatches of the year, providing a significant surface food source for trout in Roaring River during the fall.
Buy at AmazonCopper John
A versatile and weighted attractor nymph, the Copper John effectively imitates a variety of subsurface insects active in Roaring River's currents during the fall.
Buy at AmazonFlashback Hare's Ear Nymph
This is an excellent general searching nymph, mimicking various aquatic insects and mayfly nymphs that are consistently present in Roaring River throughout the fall.
Blood Dot Egg
Given Roaring River's hatchery operations, eggs are a consistent food source for trout year-round, and especially relevant as other trout species may begin spawning in the fall.
Buy at AmazonComparadun (BWO)
Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) hatches are common in the fall, especially on overcast days. This low-profile dry fly is excellent for selective trout feeding on emergers and adults on Roaring River.
Buy at AmazonPMD (Pale Morning Duns)
Pale Morning Duns are actively hatching in fall, providing a key food source and dry fly opportunities for opportunistic trout in Roaring River.
Bead Head Woolly Bugger (Olive)
This versatile streamer effectively imitates leeches and baitfish, enticing aggressive strikes from trout in the colder fall waters and deeper sections of Roaring River.
Where to fish and who to ask
Mill Dam / Upper Tailrace
Upper tailrace area that fishes well early and late in the season.
Roaring River State Park Lower River
Main public access with well-defined pools and riffles popular with fly anglers.
Fly shops within 40 miles
Tim's Fly Shop
Beaver Dam Store Fly and Tackle Shop
Anglers Outfitters
Lilley’s Riverside Fly & Tackle Shop
Get Roaring River reports by email
Save this water and we'll email you a weekly summary of conditions, hatches and what's working.
Missouri season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Read before you go
Winter Fly Fishing: Essential Cold Weather Tips & Tactics
Master winter fly fishing with proven cold weather strategies, gear selection, and tactics for catching trout when temperatures drop.
Fly Line Types Guide: WF, DT, Running & Shooting Heads
Master fly line selection with our comprehensive guide to weight forward, double taper, running lines, and shooting heads for every fishing situation.
Best Fly Fishing Waders of 2025 – Breathable vs. Neoprene
Expert comparison of breathable and neoprene waders with top 2025 models for every budget and fishing condition.
Felt vs. Rubber Sole Wading Boots: What's Legal Where
Essential guide to felt vs. rubber sole wading boots, plus state-by-state regulations to keep you legal on the water.
Fly Fishing Pack vs Vest: Which Setup Is Right for You?
Compare fly fishing packs and vests to find the perfect gear setup for your angling style and fishing conditions.
Best Fly Fishing Sunglasses: Lens Color & Polarization Guide
Master lens color selection and polarization technology for superior vision and fish detection on the water.
Quick answers
Common questions about Roaring River.
What flies work best on Roaring River?
Our top scored fly patterns for Roaring River right now are Yellow Sally (80% confidence), Trico Spinner (80% confidence), Hopper (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Roaring River?
Roaring River holds Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
Is Roaring River fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Roaring River each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.