Have ya’ll seen them pic’s of openning day? There’s no way…geezzz, I mean when I saw that guy in the middle of all that draw back a fly rod, my jaw hit the floor, I thought where you gonna go with that one buddy? lol I’m sorry if any of you fish this way, I don’t mean to make fun, it’s just NOT for me…
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Grubb,
I assume you are referring to the “Trout Parks” in Missouri. If that is the case, I wouldn’t think of getting near one on opening day. Actually, I seldom fish them at all, especially during the kill & grill season.
Steve
“If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went”-Will Rogers
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[This message has been edited by Grubb (edited 02 March 2005).]
Grubb,
Actually there were more than 6000 people, split between the 4 main trout streams in the Parks system, for opening day yesterday. The oldest, I believe, was 92 and his 87 year old wife was with him! Some people have “fished” opening day for over 50 years…it’s a true social event! But there’s no way I’d be a part of that melee!!
Betty
Trouts don’t live in ugly places
Here’s some numbers for you…
Bennett Springs 1,965 fisherpeople
largest fish 7 lbs 5 oz
Roaring River 1,827 fisherpeople
largest fish 9.5 lbs
Montauk 1,601 fisherpeople
largest fish 8 lbs 3 ozs
Maramec Springs 1,076 fisherpeople
largest fish 2 lbs 9 ozs (tied…two fish,same weights)
None of these streams (spring feed) are more than 1/2 to 3/4 miles long, including the flies only through the spinner bait areas! That’s alot of people!
Trouts don’t live in ugly places
While I am fortunate now, to live elsewhere, there were long years when I lived in MO and when those four trout parks were the only places in the state to fish for trout.
As horrid as it was, and the pictures don’t really begin to capture the actual density of fly fishers, people’s unconfined kids and pets, and the local populace fishing for the week’s protein intake using canned corn, salmon eggs, and velveeta chunks; it was trout water with real trout.
aka Cap’n Yid.
Stev Lenon, 91B20’68-'69
When the dawn came up like thunder
Ahhh, Capt’n…ain’t it grand?!?
Trouts don’t live in ugly places
I love my little river where I rarely see another fisherperson. Lucky, lucky me. Sounds like the rivers in MO. would taste like fondue with all of that cheese.
I fished at Bennett Springs last summer, and it was an interesting experience. There were probably a couple hundred fishermen on the stream those 2 days, but everyone, with the exception of one idiot, was very respectful of each other. I enjoyed the experience and the location. But I don’t think I’d want to try it on opening day. That would be a bit more than I could handle.
CJ
The only limitations we have are the ones we put on ourselves.
Any links to those pics?
[url=http://www.native-waters.com:4568e]http://www.native-waters.com[/url:4568e]
If I’m out in my yak on the ocean and i see two other boats i get claustrophobic!
Sounds allot like a place I fished in New York years ago. A little place called Catherine’s Creek. There were tons of fish and even more fishermen. It got so bad there were guys kicking fish out of the water up onto the bank. Much to their dismay and quite a few others delight, about every other person on the bank was a plain clothes warden and quite a few tickets were written that day. Did it stop them? I doubt it. A buddy of mine told me that the same thing happened the next year on opening day.
Mike
There is no greater fan of flyfishing than the worm.
Patrick McManus
I never know how to respond when people rag on Missouri trout parks. Growing up it was the source of great fun, fishing with my grandfather, and recently my brother and dad. Opening day is not representive of fishing in the parks. Some people have been going to opening day for quite a long time, and it has become a tradition. I seriously doubt the people like all of the crowding, its just something they have done and will continue to do. There is only one zone out of 3 at bennett where you can use power bait, the other two flies are what you use. For me I live in St. Louis, Bennett is 2 hours, Meramac is 1 hour away, these are a couple of places besides the small catch and release springs that I can fish for trout. Just remember us in the midwest are not blessed with having a natural flowing river near our house. I don’t have the opportunity to take trips, even though I would love to visit some of the great historical fishing places. Opening day is crazy, I would never go, and I hear alot of that, but its still packed. I think that alot of people envision the midwest as a bunch of slack-jawed, cousin-lovin, hillbillies, sittin along side the river with yarn tied around our big toe smokin a corn cob pipe. Well let me tell you, that’s only the people that went to KU (University of Kansas), the rest of us have Zebco 202’s with treble hooks and bobbers with a small earthworm. The smart ones throw a M-80 in and catch their dinner. Hope this brought a smile to someones face, thats all it was meant to do. I never am offended by anything that is written here. Just needed to vent a little and stand up for the Show-me-state. (pronounced missouree {like misery}, not missouriah)
A bum-legged old man and a drunk. That’s all you got?
That’s WHAT I got.
zimrx
All I can say is “rock-chaulk Jay hawk”! Ha!
I love my Missouri parks! I fish at
Bennett, Roaring River, and Montauk, multiple times during the season, and during the winter C&R at RR. I love the people I’ve met and have never had a problem with any (well, most) of them. In the ideal situation, there wouldn’t be as many people there, but, it shows a love for the outdoors, and trout fishing…even if it means us hillbillies from Kansas have to share the parks with the Missourians!
Did you go to KState? 
And, no, I won’t go out on Opening Day either.
Trouts don’t live in ugly places
[This message has been edited by Betty Hiner (edited 02 March 2005).]
Enjoyed the thread Grubb posted and got a few chuckles but folks, let’s keep this in perspective. Nobody really considers this serious “fishing”. Rather, it is more like a get together thing, celebrating the promise of Spring right around the corner. It’s fun (for some), amusing, a ritual, if you will,. all to be taken in good nature. Where else can one go, watch the antics, laugh at the fall ins and tangled lines and get a few hours of clean, fun entertainment for free?
Hey! It’s almost as much fun as watching some old Three Stooges movies. And at the same time, a good time was had by all, including yours truly who stayed in the car and kept warm.
Crackleback (Bob A)
Betty,
No I’m not a Wildcat either, even though my best friend went to K-State, I am a Missourian, made an OU fan by my wife, who is an Okie from Muskogee (she was actually born in Muskogee). I think KU will be fine, even though OU beat them a week ago. I live in St. Louis, so the news here is Illinois, perfect so far, but that’s alot of pressure. KU’s coach was at Illinois a couple of years ago before Roy Williams left. I thought the KU jab might get a few people riled up, being from Missouri and all.
Drew
A bum-legged old man and a drunk. That’s all you got?
That’s WHAT I got.
AHAB!
Flip The Bird!
So says my one remaining MU T-shirt.
aka Cap’n Yid.
Stev Lenon, 91B20’68-'69
When the dawn came up like thunder
GASP!!!
Trouts don’t live in ugly places
I have fished the Missouri trout parks years ago. Roaring River and Bennett Springs were my favorites.
They provided me with my first beautiful Rainbow, even if it was a hatchery fish. Don’t know who was the most proud – me or my Dad. Got it on a little white/red wooly worm I had tied. Think I was about thirteen.
Oh yea, opening day was a real happening, but a very special event for us there in the mid west.
I’m glad to hear the Missouri trout opener is still going on, even if I don’t think I would like to take part it it anymore.
Missouri is an awful place, your Mother wouldn’t want you to associate with such people and such places.
Please stay at home, in your lovely environs.
Swing hard, in case they throw the ball where you’re swinging. Duke Snider