Catch-and-keep trout season opens with a bang at Bennett Spring

Bobby Phillips, of Marshall, displays a 3-pound trout he snagged at Bennett Spring on opening day, Thursday.

Ken White | Special to the Daily Mail

“There is nothing like opening day at Bennett Spring,” said 42-year-old Bobby Phillips, of Marshall — after taking part in his 20th consecutive opening day of catch-and-keep trout fishing season on Thursday.

His inaugural trip for the opening of the catch-and-keep season at Bennett Spring was back when he was a 7-year-old.

“In all, I have been here for 34 opening days, no mater the weather, and I have always caught trout, noted Phillips.”

At the scales next to the park store, Phillips checked the weight of the largest fish he caught. It tipped the scales at 3-pounds. Amazingly, Phillips had caught-and-released his limit within five minutes of the opening siren before hooking the 3-pounder.

Kellie Cobern, Climax Springs, with two rainbow trout she caught on opening day at Bennett Spring. Cobern has fished at Bennett many times on opening day, and said, “It's awesome.”

Ken white | Special to the Daily Mail

The water at Bennett was high and off color, however — up-and-down the stream anglers were pulling out rainbows. By 9 a.m. there had been more than 1,200 tags purchased, with several more anglers anticipated to show up. With a Thursday start, the season attendance was off from a weekend start.

Thomas and Peggy Smith from nearby Lebanon were at the park, not as anglers, but to enjoy the festivities watch the show.

“We have been here for opening day for six or seven years, and it never ceases to amaze us,” noted Thomas.

“One year we were here before the siren sounded, and I talked to one angler from Springfield who said he had been in his favorite spot for more than an hour just so he could start the season there.”

Trout anglers lined the bank at Bennett Spring for the opening day of the catch-and-keep season in Missouri’s trout parks.

Ken White | Special to the Daily Mail

Concluded Thomas: “We have seen a lot of things — from anglers falling in the water and getting their chest-waders full of cold water, to youngsters catching their first fish. It is worth it just to be here on opening day. It’s something we look forward to every March 1.”

For the thousands of opening day trout anglers it is a way of life and full of memories and traditions. Bobby Phillips is and example of an opening day fisherman — who found that after you make one opening day, you’re ready for the next March 1.