Fishing the Roaring River in Missouri.

By John Springer 

There are many places to travel to for fishing. Montana is my first choice. But perhaps you are going a family camping trip this year and your family is thinking of a different place. Perhaps Branson Missouri is that place. This is how you can make them and yourself happy. You all ready know about Branson you can find out anything you want on the web. But south of there about 50 miles is the town of Eagle Rock. And there is a wonderful campground called Cozy Acres. www.cozyacrescamping.com located right on the Roaring River. The state fills this river with trout many times a year from the Roaring River hatchery that is about 15 minutes away, about that later. The fish are put in the river in several locations on Mark and Chris Mc Carney’s property and many go down river into Beaver Lake. The river is about 20 feet wide, great wading not slippery at all. It is a spring creek that goes through limestone country. I was there right after Easter the hatches were just starting but as this was not a fishing trip I jumped in when I could and fished with Woolly Buggers and gold Hornburgs and did very well. The Cahill’s were just starting while I was there also. Best part of this story is that nobody else was there, nobody. Mark did not know anything about fishing but when I said  that was why I was coming to there campground, he went out and found out what flies should work and told me where the best fishing would be along the very long stretch he owns. If you’re looking for a campground with full hook ups located in a quiet wooded area like camping is supposed to be, this is the place. They do have Internet so you can check your mail if you want and a very big in ground pool just waiting for you to jump in. They have volley ball and horse shoes also. No bands or entertainment except sitting around a campfire, like camping should be. Less than a quarter mile away is a bar called Country Rock. I stuck my head in the door and asked if they let Yankees in, Adam and his girl friend said sure. He was from Minnesota and she was from NY. We felt right at home. Connie the owner as well as Brandy the bar tender made us feel right at home. They even have Karaoke on weekends, with some great singers, who could ask for more. Roaring River state park is very close by and if you want to fish and be almost guaranteed a fish it’s a fun place, very crowded but they put in 2 fish each night for every $3.00 permit they sell each day. The day I was there they put in 400. It is not something I can do more than one time but it’s a fun place to visit and experience they have a play ground and grills for cooking also. About 20 minutes away from Cozy Acres is Eureka Springs Arkansas. Make this at least 2 days of your trip if you’re into old historic areas. Besides the old train museum and ride they have plenty of neat boutiques that sell unique things you do not find in the malls. Several things about this town will always stick in my mind. Every store I went into invited my dog most had water bowls also. People stopped us in the street to let us know we could eat at the restaurants that had outdoor dinning, with our dog. They were not pushy to get you to spend money. One of the friendliest towns I have ever been to. If you like rolling hills friendly people great fried catfish and barbeque rib places along with good trout fishing, try the Ozarks. There is more fishing than you think. If your into bass fishing Beaver Lake and Table Rock are right there, judging by the amount of bass boats and Welcome Bass Fishermen signs I saw I’m sure its very good.