State trout parks set to open Sunday

Submitted photo/ At Bennett Spring, a sight to be repeated March 1 as the trout park season opens.

The countdown is about to end on the opening day at Missouri's trout parks.

Of course, fishing never stops in Missouri, but there's something special about the annual trout fishing in the four trout parks on March 1.

There won't be much elbow room for tossing a lure this opening day, which falls on a Sunday. Robert Sikes at the Bennett Spring State Park store, said, "When the opening day falls on a Sunday, we expect more anglers than on any other day."

Submitted photo/ Opening day trout anglers line the bank at a pool on Roaring River, March 1, 2014.

Although there has been catch-and-release winter fishing, trout anglers have been cooped up most of the winter and we have had a cold one this year. After a cold winter, the trout anglers will be even more anxious to get a line in the water, Sunday.

Opening day festivities are highlighted by the official start of the season with the opening gun or siren being sounded by the person selected for the honor. Typically, a long-time angler at the trout parks is selected for the honor.

This year at Roaring River, a veteran angler at the park, Tim Homesley, was tapped for the position. Homesley, of Crane, has fished at Roaring River for 42 years.

Paul Spurgeon, hatchery manager, said, "Tim is an avid trout angler who fishes 300 days a year."

At Bennett Spring, Hatchery Manager, Mike Mitchell said, "The starter this year is Chet Snyder, from Grandview. Chet has fished the waters at Bennett for 60 years and for the past 10 years he has brought his grandson to join him. He is an avid angler at Bennett Spring."

Mitchell has described Bennett Spring as a "tried and true facility," with a large amount of family ties developed over the park's 90 year history.

Jim Nelson, Lebanon, said, "Being selected to start the trout season on March 1 is like being picked to throw out the first pitch of the major league baseball season. I usually go over on opening day, not to fish, but to watch all the activity, from youngsters catching their first trout to old time anglers who have been fishing at Bennett for 40 years or more."

Opening day isn't just about fishing, it is also time for reunions for many of the anglers. Jack Walker of Kansas City, has opened the season at Bennett Spring for more than 30 years, and said,

"I see many of the same faces on opening day and have gotten to know some of them well.

"We check on what has happened with them during the past year. There have been many days when there was snow on the ground and other openers when the temperature was near 60 degrees. You learn to take what you are given and make the best of it."

Most of the veteran opening day anglers, at the trout parks, have their favorite spots where they start the season. They take their stand long before the daily start, to be sure that their first cast produces a hit.

Carl Jordon, Sedalia, can always be found about an hour before starting time at his favorite spot near the dam at Bennett Spring. Jordon said, "I never fail to catch fish there. I landed a five-pounder here 20 years ago and that hooked me on this spot."

Although the trout season is open year 'round at Lake Taneycomo, the fishing at the trout parks is something special for thousands of anglers.

Jordon said, "Any more, when the first of March rolls around, I don't even think about it, I just drive to Bennett no matter what the weather or what day of the week it is. My boss doesn't bother to ask if I want the day off, he just assumes that I will be fishing at Bennett on opening day. It gets in your blood."

More than 10,000 anglers are expected at the four trout parks where more than 33,000 rainbow trout have been stocked, ranging in size from 12 inches to lunkers weighing three to 10 pounds.

Besides the daily trout tag, anglers age 16 to 64 also need a fishing permit. In addition, non-residents age 16 and over also need a fishing permit.

With plentiful trout, the trout parks offer challenges for the young beginners as well as for the experienced anglers.

See you at the stream.