Steve Smith

Count on me with some dogs.

Hey Flysmallie. Take those kids to the river and park them on one of the outlets or falls in front of the hatchery. They won't have to cast very far [just kind of flip cast into the current], and use a gray, brown, or green jig, wooley or leech pattern. Tim Homesley probably has some better suggestions. Usually, the hatchery feeds between ten and eleven o'clock in the morning and that turns the trout on. That's the way I taught my young ones.

B&J's place did burn over the weekend. I only heard about it, but was told it was totally destroyed. The closest places for good que would be the Rib in Cassville or Bubba's place in Eureka Springs. I can't do you much good on fishing reports.

You can make camping reservations ahead by calling 1-877-422-6766 in Roaring River Park. It hard to say on open spots, since the weather has been cold. However, this latest warm-up may have changed that.

http://www.happyhollowresort.com/

Senator Goodman and Representative Sater Confirm Issuance of CAFO Permit JEFFERSON CITY—Senator Jack Goodman and Representative David Sater confirmed today that the Department of Natural Resources has issued a permit for the construction of a concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) near Roaring River State Park in Barry County. Current laws limit the environmental impact CAFOs have on surroundings areas. However, many local residents feel these regulations do not go far enough and have expressed concerns that the CAFO could damage delicate ecological systems and adversely affect tourism – the region’s primary economic engine. “This has been a frustrating situation for the people who have to live and work in Barry county and the surrounding area” said Senator Jack Goodman. “Apparently, the proposed CAFO has satisfied current environmental regulations. We have looked for ways to help find solutions for this problem, but there are some pretty serious constitutional questions raised by the state legislature dictating what private entities can and cannot do with their own land, especially when those entities are playing by the rules.” Under current state law, counties and local governments have the power to pass zoning ordinances to regulate economic activity and land use in certain areas. Barry County has no zoning ordinances on the books. “I am a strong believer in free enterprise and the property owner’s right to do with their property what they want to do. I do not believe you can take anyone’s land to create buffer zones, nor have I heard from anyone on how to compensate the property owner if he did want to sell,” said Rep. Sater. “What this really boils down to is the majority of people I’ve talked to in Barry County do not want zoning. If people really want regulations that prevent CAFO’s from being built around state parks they need to put pertinent zoning on the books.”

That's a good idea Dano, but I don't throw the trimmings away. Every spring, I put the trimming out by my feeder for the birds to use in their nest.

Flysmallie; there's some guys at Roaring River that use a variation on the Gnat dry called a Crystal Gnat that does well. They tie it with a tuft of Crystal flash for a tail. It is really effedctive at times.

I hope you had a good one Tim. If I'd known it was your birthday yesterday, I would have brought a cake to the shop. Yea... right.

Terry; you wouldn't happen to be one of those two mad scientist would you?

I expected a "gotcha" here on this one Terry, but I googled up CurranTM, and it seems to be real. Coming from you, there has got to be a joke here somewhere, but there's not. One site even reported making boats out of the stuff. We may learn someday that a silk purse really can be made from a sow's ear. Interesting stuff

Terry; it's a medical fact that a shot of Knob Creek or Crown makes one immune to the snow snake's bite, but doses have to be frequently taken to insure proper protection from the venom. I told the wife that whiskey is needed to thaw my frozen fingers. She told me I had to have my fingers on the inside, not around the bottle. Spoiled sport. You guys enjoy the fishing, and remember to duck errant cast. Disinfecting a hook jab is a waste of good spirits.

The best I can do on the dog situation is drop off some tacos for dinner from ole Mexico. If I'm real lucky, and don't end up in a Juarez jail, I might make it before the closing horn. They are forecasting sand storms with 60 MPH winds. That should be a challenge Fly Smallie; I only sit in the truck when it's freezing, raining, or otherwise miserable outside. That is also where I store a cold brew or two, and a shot or two of snake bite cure. I know it is unlikely for snakes in the winter, but I need to be prepared. I guess you folks will have to make up for my absence.

Eggs Bodacious? Golly Don... I can't wait for this one. Sounds like a secret weapon or dang good trout food!!

Dano; if we can't make it, can you get an address to send donations too?

This will make the first time in a long time that I won't make the opener in Roaring River. Out of town until Thursday afternoon. Depending on how late my flight gets in, at best I might drive through Thursday evening. To add to Tim's suggestions, I've found you can usually find some "space" in the fly only zone in the afternoon on opening day. You guys and gals that can make it... good luck.

I have never tied anything in soft hackle or winged, but would be willing to give it a try.

That might mean Taney may shut down too if Beaver's quit pushing water. Fat chance, but it might happen

Yea Terry... and you've been 29 for how many years now? I turn the big 60 this year and you guys can raze me all you want. I say that because I'll be so deep in the Canadian wilderness fishing for smallies I won't be anywhere near a computer. I'll think about you all... yea right!!

Breaking news... Archeologist Fiber McGee just discovered mud in South Africa carbon dated Older than Terry Beeson. In a news conference this morning, scientist noted that the mud was not as gray in color as Terry, but smelled about the same. Happy birthday Terry

Ducky; that's really not that mahy people if you wait until the morning froth clears. Usually by noon, they have their limit or they are froze out.

Smallie; you're probably right, but part of the fun is watching everyone else freeze their butts off!

Great report Ducky and pictures. It looks like Mrs D will finally have some fresh fish for dinner. I've tried Jolly Mills [Capps] a couple of times and basically struck out on anything over six inches. I just figured folks cleaned it out right after the stocking truck left. I'll have to give it another shot sometime.

I know some of our OAF members would qualify for this, and I wish MDC would go for any active member of our armed forces actively serving: A new $5 Resident National Guard and Reserve Small Game Hunting and Fishing Permit will be available to recognize Missouri service men and women. To qualify, purchasers must be, or must have been in the previous 12 months, mobilized and serving on full-time active military duty in the National Guard (in federal status) or Reserves. The application is available at http://mdc.mo.gov/9213, or by calling (573) 522-4115, ext. 3574.

Wouldn't it be cool if Jack was an OAF memeber. I've never met the fellow, but I bet Tim Homesley has: CASSVILLE, Mo.-If arranging your honeymoon around a favorite fishing spot and spending an average of 65 days a year there qualifies as obsessive, Jack Overman is officially obsessed. The Pittsburg, Kan., resident has spent so much time at Roaring River State Park over the past 75 years that he has been granted the honor of receiving the first permit of the 2007 fishing season there. Overman's attachment to the park began in 1932, when his father bundled him, his brother and mother into the family's boxy, black Dodge and headed across the Kansas-Missouri state line for a fishing trip. The beauty of the Ozarks captivated him instantly. "We were amazed at the beauty of the spring and the rush of the clear water," he recalls. "We camped, slept in the car and really roughed it. At the end, we agreed that this is where we would spend our entire two week's vacation next year." And so they did. Over the last 76 years, he has spent as much time as possible at Roaring River. When he got married in 1945, he and his bride, Doris, honeymooned at Roaring River. A journal he began keeping in 1985 shows that he has spent an average of 65 days a year at the park. Many years he spent nearly every weekend there during the fishing season from March through October, plus extended summer vacations. A career that long is bound to encompass a lot of change, and Overman has seen his share. When he began fishing at Roaring River, a daily fishing tag cost 25 cents, and people camped wherever they liked. The Civilian Conservation Corps transformed the undeveloped site into the showplace visitors know today, quarrying rock and hewing logs to build the first hatchery building, Trophy Fish Lake, the magnificent stone lodge and dozens of other buildings. Roaring River's accommodations were modest in the '30s. Overman recalls renting a cabin for $1.50 a day. It was 20 by 20 feet, stood on stilts and had a hipped roof. The lower 3 feet of the walls were wood, and the upper half was screen. Rolls of canvas could be lowered for privacy or to keep out rain. Campers brought their own cots and bedding. Now people rent air-conditioned cabins and camp in luxurious, motor homes with full kitchens and televisions hooked up to satellite dish antennas. For Overman, the most significant differences between then and now are the dramatic increase in numbers of anglers and the advances in their equipment. He isn't happy about the latter. "Back in the '30s, open-faced and closed-face spinning reels hadn't been invented yet, so it was all fly-fishing. That was work. It took some skill. Now anyone can catch trout." Overman has vivid recollections of learning how to use a fly rod from an old hand at the park. "He asked me if I had a dollar bill. I said, yes, and he told me to put it under my right elbow. He reminded me that if I tried to throw the rod (instead of using his wrist only), I would lose my dollar. He said 'Keep your elbow tight against your body, and let the wrist and rod do the work.' This was really the most enjoyable time to fish the river in my 76 years, because there was nothing but fly-fishing - no grubs, plastic eggs, worms, jigs and so forth. Just flies." Now a veteran himself, he recalls many an opening morning when he had to dip his rod in the water repeatedly to melt the ice on the line guides. Other recollections involve hot weather. Overman tricked more than one newcomer to Roaring River into jumping into the water for relief from sweltering heat. "It was always fun to bring new people to the park, get camp set up and say, 'Come on, let's get our suits on and jump in the river.' The yells and screams were worth the trip, as we hadn't told them about the 55 degree water." The biggest trout Overman has ever caught was a 5.5-pounder landed on a 5.5-foot bamboo fly rod and a 2-pound leader. It now hangs on his wall at home. A friend, whom Overman taught to trout fish, inconsiderately caught a monstrous 8-pounder on his fourth or fifth outing, and "To add insult to injury, he baked it!" The Overman's daughter and her husband, who also live in Pittsburg, Kan., have become regular visitors to Roaring River, too. Their son has lived in San Francisco since 1976, but even that distance is not enough to prevent the western branch of the family from making regular pilgrimages to their ancestral fishing haunts in Barry County Although crowds often vie for prime fishing spots at the starting siren each morning, Overman still manages to recapture the solitude of his early experiences at Roaring River. Late in the evening, during the last hour of legal fishing, the stream stands mostly deserted. That is when he wades out into the chill water. On any given evening, you might find him there contentedly casting a royal coachman, right elbow tucked firmly against his side.