Steve Smith

JEFFERSON CITY-Catch-and-keep season at Missouri's four trout parks begins March 1, and while good weather is not guaranteed, officials with the Missouri Department of Conservation say thousands of people will turn out for the event, regardless of conditions. Missouri has three trout parks owned by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) - Bennett Spring State Park (SP) near Lebanon, Montauk SP near Salem and Roaring River SP near Cassville. The fourth trout park is Maramec Spring Park south of St. James. The James Foundation owns and operates this park. All four parks operate on Central Standard Time March 1 through 10 and on Daylight Savings Time after that. The Conservation Department operates hatcheries at all four trout parks, and stocks approximately three fish per angler for opening day. How do hatchery managers know how many anglers to expect? "We have attendance records going back more than 50 years," said Coldwater Hatcheries Supervisor George Kromrey. "With decades of figures to base our predictions on, we have a very good idea how many anglers to expect on a particular day of the week." Kromrey said weather is the wild card when it comes to predicting opening-day turnout. However, even extremely cold, snowy or rainy weather does not seem to deter most anglers. "Opening day is a tradition for lots of people," he said. "It is a social event and a way of marking the changing of the seasons. Most people are going to come, regardless of the weather." Projections for this year are for a turnout of 2,300 anglers at Bennett Spring, as many as 2,200 at Montauk, 2,000 at Roaring River and 1,500 at Maramec Spring. This year's opening-day attendance could top 8,000 with favorable weather. The record of 14,947 was set in 1992, when the opener fell on Sunday. The DNR expects to have Bennett Spring SP ready for visitors in time for the trout opener. Trees in the park sustained heavy damage from January's ice storms, but the Division of State Parks pulled out all the stops to get storm debris cleared. The park's headquarters and cabins did not sustain any damage. Anglers at Montauk SP will find a few changes from last year. These include bank-stabilization work along the spring branch, making the fishable area larger and safer. Near the spring, anglers will find several new boulders, which will create spots for trout to hide in and help control bank erosion. Regular visitors to Maramec Spring Park also will find some changes. The Conservation Department paid for placement of 90 boulders more than 3 feet in diameter in the stream to improve trout habitat. Also, some holes were dredged to deepen them. On opening day each year, Conservation Department hatcheries at each trout park release up to 100 large brood trout that are no longer needed for hatchery operations. These range from 3 to 6 pounds each, compared to about 1 pound for the average trout-park fish. To get the most angling fun from these "lunkers," the Conservation Department encourages anglers to catch and release them. The "I Released a Lunker" program provides a patch to sew on fishing vests for anglers who return fish 18 inches or longer to the water. Anglers who catch and release lunkers at each of the four trout parks get a Grand Slam Patch around which the other four patches can be sewn. To qualify, you must immediately release the fish in good condition and have a witness to verify the release. Applications are available at hatchery offices at the parks. The Conservation Department also has a recognition program for first-time anglers. The First Fish Award Program recognizes this landmark in new anglers' careers with a certificate suitable for framing. The First Fish Award application is available online at www.mdc.mo.gov/62 or from Fisheries Information Specialist Randy Noyes, Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180, 573/522-4115, ext. 3593. Missouri's trout parks remain popular tourist destinations throughout the eight-month catch-and-keep season. Last year the Conservation Department sold 413,800 daily trout fishing permits at the parks. Besides providing recreational opportunities for Missourians, the parks also boost the flow of tourist dollars into the Show-Me State. At Roaring River SP, which sells more than 100,000 daily trout tags per year, more than half the anglers come from out of state. Anglers can reduce the amount of time they have to stand in line by purchasing fishing permits before arriving at trout parks. For more information about Missouri state parks, call (800) 334-6946 or (800) 379-2419 (telecommunications device for the deaf), or visit www.mostateparks.com.

If you are traveling by water between Missouri and Arkansas, you can get a license that is good for both states on the SAME body of water. If you are traveling by any other means than a boat, you will need separate licenses. Pay close attention to the rules and limits becuase they can be different between states. Good luck

I heard that Dano, but not sure if it's a fact. I'll see if I can find out for sure.

I know this has been posted before, but I thought I would bring it up in case someone missed the price increase. JEFFERSON CITY-Nonresidents will pay more for some Missouri hunting and fishing permits. Meanwhile, the price of one resident permit will decrease. The surcharge that hunters from some states used to pay for deer permits has been eliminated for the 2007-08 permit year. However, the price of the following permits will increase. * Nonresident small game permits will increase from $65 to $75. * Nonresident firearms any-deer permits will increase from $145 to $175. * Nonresident managed deer permits will increase from $145 to $175. * Nonresident archer's permits will increase from $120 to $150. * Nonresident spring turkey permits will increase from $145 to $175. * Nonresident fall firearms turkey permits will increase from $95 to $105. * Nonresident furbearer hunting and trapping permits will increase from $80 to $120. * Nonresident annual fishing permits will increase from $35 to $40. * Daily fishing permits (sold to residents and nonresidents) will increase from $5.50 to $7. The prices of daily small-game hunting permits and nonresident firearms and archery antlerless deer permits will not change. The price of resident cable restraint permits will decrease from $25 to $10. The price of nonresident landowner deer and turkey permits will not change.

• Another thought that we should all remember is the dangers of hypothermia are also a threat in our cold water fisheries. Falling into the water while wading or boating on Taneycomo or any cold water fishery is just a dangerous as on the lakes. The shore may be closer, but not close enough. At body temperatures below 95°F, shivering begins, along with a sudden increase in heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure. At body temperatures below 82.4°F, reflexes are lost and cardiac output continues to fall. The risk of dangerously irregular heart rhythms increases, and brain activity is seriously slowed. The pupils are dilated, and the victim appears comatose or dead. Depending on the water temperature, symptoms can appear in less than 15 minutes, and survival time can be as little as 45 minutes if the body’s core temperature is not restored. The last thing I’d want to read on this forum is the loss of good friends I have made here. And, yes MOCARP, prayer is called for.

The problem is even with a life vest, the winter water temps can take you out if you don't get out and dry in a hurry. I've lost a few friends due to hypothermia, and in most cases, it was just a stupid mistake. The real issue is a dangerously low body temperature caused by prolonged exposure to cold water. Anybody who fishes at night or otherwise should be well educated on the dangers, and how to try and survive if you fall overboard. Let's all be careful out there.

If the snow plows haven't taken out the road signs , Munsey Cemetery Road is FR 1162. FR 1168 just east of Munsey will take you down to Curry’s Crossing and FR2260 off of Hwy 86 will cross over Curry’s bridge. The Curry family originally homesteaded the lower Roaring River before Table Rock Lake was impounded.

Dano; that fly reminds me of a lure Mann produced years ago for warm water. It was foam and had a eye on the top and bottom. You'd tie in a short dropper and a structure spoon. I can't remember the name of it though, and it never really took off. I'd say this fly is intended to drift and tumble like a severed shad that came through the turbines. I would guess the blood line is nail polish that would keep the weave from coming loose. It would be interesting to hear any reports on this one.

I know you're looking for an original, but I bought simular boxes at Dorber for a fraction of the bucks. I've had it for a long time, and it works great.

I take it this meeting is still on? I'm planning on being there

Heed the ole proverb "if it sounds to good to be true, it probably isn't". I had a friend who purchased lake front property on the Rock for a very reasonable price considering the location. He even had a deed search and everything was clean as billed. The problem was after he bought it, the only way to legally access the land was by boat. It had road access that seemed obvious, but it was privately owned and not public.

That's right Dano. I also know that if it weren't for Tim's Fly shop in Cassville, I'd be in for a long drive to buy anything to tie, so I always give Tim a chance to order first. However, I still give him a rash for robbing me [just kidding Tim].

Whenever possible, I buy local. For specialty items, I order from Feather Craft http://feather-craft.com/ or Stockard http://www.jsflyfishing.com/. You know too many of our local shops will handle mail and phone orders. I know Tim Homesley ships orders all the time (417) 847-4956

My vote is with Leonard and Terry [did I say that?]. Unweighted is best especially if you can sight fish them. Strip it back and if you see a fish turn on the woolie, but not take, shake your rod tip. That will cause the fly to "dance" and most fish can't stand that action. There are other times just drifting the fly under an indicator does the trick. In any case, let the fish tell you what they want.

Tex; that intersection in Seligman would be Hwy 112. There is a highway sign to Roaring River. 112 will take you to the south end of the park. The closest fly shop would be Tim's Fly shop, Hwy 112 at the north entrance to the park. He's open Friday - Sunday, 10 to 1 PM during the C&R season.

You got a lot of room to talk Tim. I may make it to the park, but a lot of times just for a while. By the way, the fishing was great yesterday, but it started cold both catching and temperature wise. We did best once the sun got up. Beetles did well for a while, and then reddish pink egg patterns. I had a really nice fish on for about five seconds. Instead of getting it to the reel with drag, I tried to horse him. Wrong move on my part. The real secret was chamois worms in natural or red. I don't know why chamois turned them on, but they would just swarm it.

San Juan worms should be experimented with in a variety of colors and patterns. I just started fishing them really well last year, and now a major part of my fly arsenal. Florescent green [chartreuse], orange, and burnt orange were really great colors in Roaring River, especially during the C&R season. Another great pattern is the chamois worm, which is simply a thin strip of leather or suede tied San Juan style. Red and natural chamois worms were the ticket yesterday on Roaring.

Dano; I'll try my best to make it. I'll know more later in the week.

Terry; I’m beginning to figure out your giant squid story. How big is your flask?

Just google "Yarn Fly Indicators" and you'll get all kinds of info. Here is a couple: http://www.midcurrent.com/articles/gear/os...rs_rigging.aspx http://www.flyfisherman.com/skills/ltindicators/

Ducky; John and Fly Smallies are right on. The park is open Friday through Monday only 8AM to 4PM. No plastics, Power Bait, or natural baits are allowed. You can only fish from the hatchery to the old dam at the end of the park where the bait fishing zone begins. Remember that everyone will need a trout stamp, even your son, to fish C&R in the parks. Not having a trout stamp is an error many people make if they don’t need a fishing license or they fish in the bait zone. Trout have to be released immediately unharmed. Any of these violations will result in a fairly hefty fine. If you have any questions, the Park Ranger drives a white jeep. Just flag him down and he’ll gladly help you out. As far as keeping some trout, you would have to fish outside of the park boundaries towards Eagle Rock. Take Highway F east out of Roaring River towards Eagle Rock MO. Shortly after you leave the park, there will be State Conversation Area parking lot where you can walk a few hundred yards down to the river on your right. Assuming the plows or ice haven’t taken out the road signs, the next access would be on your right on FR1162 that would take you to Munsey cemetery [locals argue whether it is Mansey, Muncie or Munsey]. This is private, but as long as you behave you won’t have any problems. The next access east is FR1168 and that road will dead end at Curry’s Ford. Finally, you would have to continue east on F, and then turn right [south] on 86 to Eagle Rock. Just before the Roaring River bridge on 86 will be FR2260 on your right. This will take you to Curry’s bridge across Roaring River. I think they stock outside of the park about once a month or so, but don’t expect the stream to be beaming with fish. Good luck. I might be able to fish Friday, but it will probably be Saturday.

Bobby; go to Navionics.com. I believe the 2006 maps are 20 foot contours and the 2007 HD premium maps are 1 foot. That's what I got from the site anyway. I'd give them a call before I bought if your looking at the high def chips. Martin jumped in there before me, but he is absolutely right based on their web site. The high def charts are 2007 HD

I'm a Lee Wulff Triangle Taper guy, but I think it's also made by SA. Cabelas had Wulff's line half price so I tried it and was sold. Anyway, I read or maybe was told that there is only a few linemakers out there that make fly line, and then put someone elses name on it. That may be true, but I'm sure the manufacturers follow the customer's specifications on how it's built. I'd say if you find something that works for your style and fits your budget, then buy it.

Okay Dano... I'll fess up. I'm one of those guys with a "Blue Tooth thingy" in my ear and IPOD, but it's not music. I download a number of flyfishing podcast from the Net. There are several excellent programs like Flyfish Radio, Global Flyfisherman, and Zack Matthew's Itinerent Angler that are well worth downloading. Even if you don't have an MP3 player, any computer with a sound card will work. And, no I do not take it near the water. I'm too inclined to take dunkings to carry around expensive electronics. Believe me, I forgot a new Blackberry that was in my pocket last spring white bass fishing on the James. Bad move. Besides, if you're close enough to hear what I'm listening too on the river through my ear phone, you're WAY too close.

Leonard; my flys are on the way via USPS with a postage paid return pack. I sent 16 ginger mini bugs and some extra flys for you for hosting the swap. Thanks