August 2, 2023

The water at Roaring River State Park is still low and clear, unless they dig in the river.

They have been digging in the river a bit, and when they do, it gets pretty dirty, so anglers just have to get above them if they want clear water.

Those who fish in the murky water should try to use something bright or flashy. Sometimes, that will help. Fish are still eating, but they have a harder time finding the lure.

Fly fishing has been great. We have been catching lots of fish on the Beetles, ants, crackle backs, Griffiths, gnats, little grasshoppers, elk hair caddis, Adams, and blue wing olives.

We still recommend 9’ 7X leaders, which will present flies better on the water. Woolly worms in green, ginger and black have been good this week, and a lot of people are still nymphing with small copper johns, pheasant tails, sow bugs, scuds and burlaps, which were all good this week.

I am fishing most of my nymphs in a size 18 or smaller, and black zebra midges have been good all summer.

Jig fishing is good to right now in black/yellow, white, olive, tan and gray.

Spinners are good early (30 minute wonders) in black, skunk, frog and pink this week.

Plastics are still working, as well. The 1-inch power bait grub in brown seemed to be better this week, but the yellow and the pink seemed to be better. White eggs were good all week, as were the pink eggs. The fish oil and the shrimp eggs are still working as good as ever.

Pink worms and white worms were good also, and the cheese colored power bait worms were working all weekend.

Good luck on the river this week!

Roaring River State Park trout-fishing tips are provided by Tim Homesley, owner of Tim’s Fly Shop, located at 23387 Hwy. 112.