Opening Day Head Count

[ozark trout fisher]

There are several nice fish caught, some holdovers from c & r and they always throw some lunkers (worn out old broodstockers over 3 lbs.) in for good measure.

It's a big deal to some at the parks to get your name on the 'Lunker Board' and they give out patches for a lunker which like I said is anything over 3 lbs.

Cool. I just don't think I'm brave enough for opening day at Bennett Spring. I did some trout fishing today in a private lake that is stocked with some rainbows each November, and caught seven of them, and that was fine with me. But I understand there is a lot of tradition with opening day, so I tip my hat to anyone brave enough to go

[Goggle-Eyed]

Dropped by Bennett after lunch just to check out the masses... It was surprisingly slow. There were even a few open campsites. Lots of people but "seemed" to be off, I am curious of how the actual numbers turn out.

Joe

[rcguy]

It was cold but with sun out all day it was quit tollerable. I met Cricket, JJtroutbum, and Rich for breakfast. We had a good meal and a good visit. Cricket even brought in his new spinning reel for breakfast! He's really attached to it....really just heating up the grease. We all headed for the stream about 10 or so and proceeded to fish. Rich (noluck), jjtroutbum, and I fished until 4.00.

They headed towards St Louis and I am posting this at the Lebanon Super 8. I get to fish tomorrow! Hopefully it will be alittle warmer. Rich and JJ outfished me as always but I still had a great time. I missed several up by the Gauge house on a pink egg pattern. Just could not get a good hook set. Pretty slow for a long stretch and then I caught several in the fast water in a size 18 brassie. Rich had caught a bunch on dry flies before I got there but they slowed as soon as I showed up. Like I said, I did finally bring 4 to hand in the fast water grifting a small brassie about 6 inches under an indicator. I think i'll head that way tomorrow. They definately really SLAM it in the fast water when you get a strike. The stream was busy all day but you could find a place to fish. I was not there for the horn so JJ or Cricket will have to comment on that. I'm heading to bed and I'll try it again tomorrow. The motels close to Bennett all look full so I guess a lot of guys are taking off monday to fish also. I was great seeing you guys and I hope you had a safe trip home.

Jerry