Trout anglers flock to state parks for opening day

Jim Rolings, Jefferson City, with two of the rainbow trout he caught on opening day at Bennet Spring Friday. Opening-day attendance was lower than expected due to weather.

March madness doesn't just apply to basketball. It has a meaning all its own when it comes to trout fishing.

Opening day at the trout parks is also March madness at its best.

On Friday, March 1, thousands of trout anglers invaded the state's four trout parks at Bennett Spring, Roaring River, Montauk and Maramec, in the annual ritual that starts the unofficial opening of the spring fishing season. More than 8,000 anglers were expected to be in attendance for the opener, weather permitting.

At Bennett Spring, more than 2,000 opening-day anglers were expected and at Roaring River, another 2,300 were expected where more than 7,000 trout will be stocked, including 100 lunkers. The Missouri Conservation Department will stock more than 25,000 hatchery trout in the various trout parks with several hundred weighing more than 3 pounds.

Steph Reed, Information officer for the Missouri State Parks, said, "This year, the state parks are celebrating 2013 as the year of the trout with Troutapalooza. A series of events for all skill levels and ages including tournaments, clinics and weekly drawings will be part of the celebration."

As usual, the "circus" -- as Bill Wallace, Sedalia, calls it -- will see many anglers hook a trout on their first cast, while others will be working on untangling their line that had wrapped around another angler's line in the rush to catch the first fish. Other first day anglers will be standing shoulder-to-shoulder, waiting to get the first strike of the new season.

There is something about opening day at the trout parks that brings out the magic and tradition, no matter what the weather is like.

David Cook, Springfield, said, "I have been at Bennett Spring for more than 30 years and you never know what the weather might be. I have been there when it was 70 degrees and I have also been there when it was below freezing.

"Mother nature was on our side last year and, as usual, the fishing was good. My neighbor, Tom Parsons, caught a big brown trout to go with his three rainbows on his first opening day at Bennett. Needless to say, he will be on hand this year on opening day."

Fishing is the main attraction at the trout parks on opening day, but some in attendance don't fish. They come because it has become a tradition.

Sam Boyd, Bolivar, used to fish opening days at Bennett and one day, some 20 years ago, he met a friend with whom he went to high school who was also fly fishing at the park.

"Since that day, we have made it a point to meet at Bennett on opening day and renew our friendship and catch up on what has happened since the last March 1. It's the only day of the year we get together, since he has moved to the St. Louis area," he said.

"That is the main reason I will be at the park Friday. I know of several anglers who have the same tradition and memories on opening day."

There are some anglers who may not catch a fish, but just the fact they are at the park for the opening day and the tradition makes it worth the trip. Jim Green, Lebanon, drives over to Bennett Spring on opening day just to see the activity.

He said, "I love it here and it's one reason we moved to the Lebanon area. On opening day, you meet a lot of friendly people and nearly everyone is in a good mood.

"I have been coming to the park on opening day for 16 years. Sometimes, I fish, but sometimes, I just watch all the activity. I live close enough to the park that I can drive over most any day.

"I can catch trout at Lake Taneycomo and not have to face all the competition for fish, but opening day and all the tradition is the main reason I come to the park on March 1."