Opening day at Bennett Spring circa 1945

[Foghorn]

I was fishing above the main bridge next to an old timer one opening. The water was low enough that we were fishing towards the bridge. At the siren the gentleman cut loose a cast but got a little too much air under it. I watched it clear the water and land amongst the people standing on the bridge. I told him don't set the hook ,you're jig is up among those people. One guy in the crowd threw it into the water.  

[Flysmallie]

I drove through Bennett last Sunday around noon. Saw a couple of people fishing. I guess they didn't own a calendar. 

[Quillback]

Local outdoors section says MDC is anticipating selling 2,500 permits at Roaring River.  Saturday opener.  I find it hard to believe that many people would be there, but maybe they are right.  

[Flysmallie]

29 minutes ago, Quillback said:

Local outdoors section says MDC is anticipating selling 2,500 permits at Roaring River.  Saturday opener.  I find it hard to believe that many people would be there, but maybe they are right.  

 

This is from the Cassville paper about opening day last year.

At 7 a.m., Roaring River — for the first time in six years — was not the leader in tag sales among the state’s three trout parks, about 100 total tags behind Montauk State Park’s 1,700. By noon, the gap closed to only six tags, with Roaring River reporting 1,941 (including 325 children’s tags) and Montauk selling 1,947 (including 200 children’s tags). Bennett Spring State Park, which has an ongoing project that has shut down its hatchery, was not lagging far behind at 1,864 tags sold (including 137 children’s tags).

[Quillback]

Wow, I guess it is true.  

[Flysmallie]

3 minutes ago, Quillback said:

Wow, I guess it is true.  

That's why I don't go. 😁

[Quillback]

42 minutes ago, Flysmallie said:

That's why I don't go. 😁

I drive through RR when I go over to Table Rock.  Sure as heck not driving through there Saturday.  Not even thinking about fishing it.  I hope those that do have a good time, but it is not for me.

[Gavin]

I've always wanted to attend the trout park opener in a gorilla suit, splash around, and generally make a nuisance of myself. Not this year, but one of you can go!

[BilletHead]

On 2/27/2025 at 2:36 PM, Quillback said:

Local outdoors section says MDC is anticipating selling 2,500 permits at Roaring River.  Saturday opener.  I find it hard to believe that many people would be there, but maybe they are right.  

   Hey Jeff,

 Pat and I went over just to watch our friend Earnest fight the crowd. We didn't get there to after 8:30. Hard to find a place to park but there were openings due to the early birds catching their four and bugging out. I wish I would of taken my trout park boxes. Earnest was struggling and lacking an assortment did not help. I worked with his casting and mending. The guy is coming along in those lines. He was there at the siren but no fish. Most everyone had fish on stringers. We seen some strange things which was to be expected. It was really fun actually. Later on the way home Pat seen that 2073 tags were sold. I'm sure that there were more after that. I was surprised at the lack of fish for opening day. From our vantage point low to the spring creek hard to see many and where fish were stacked so many people fishing there. When we left the exit road we were higher and could see down into the water. Again light on fish at least in that section. This being said fish were being strung up at an amazing rate for keeping. We seen one guy catch a really nice one. He got it netted, unhooked and out of the net down the bank it went. Steeper bank at that. He went to grabbing, then trying to net fish and into the water he went he then stumbled and went down on his rear. He did win getting his fish back into the net. One of the conservation agents went to the opposite bank and asked the guy if he wanted to see the first responders at the ambulance station. He said I'm fine. There was one other angler that did help the guy get out of the water. No wading in that section. Now for some pictures. 

     It really didn't look busy but it was. Now for a video. 

 

Poor Earnest fighting his reel again. I know exactly what is wrong with it but I told him to take it to where he bought it (bass pro) and let them show him how to fix it. 

   So you see all kinds. This in particular. I don't care what you look like if you are out there enjoying yourself do it. At first I thought this was a joke, nope she had I think four others not fishing with her but watching. Not quite as bizarre but bizarre none the less. This little gal knew exactly what she was doing. She could cast perfect. Stripping something and I believe it was a full sink line. Notice that rod tip close to the water? Exactly how it should be. Anyone knowing there way around doing this knows that. She caught and could strip set like the best of them. Totally impressed. There was one back by a vehicle not fishing that could of been the more normal of the tribe helping her from afar between her fishing sessions. I told Earnest to go visit and get tips on how she was doing as well or better than anybody else. He said I'm not even getting close to that. 😆

 

 

[Foghorn]

Good friend and fishing buddy Kenny H. was there with his 2 sons, one of the son's friends and his boss. Kenny had 2 lunkers and his boss 1 with Kenny's weighing 3 3/4 # and 6 1/4 and his bosses fish a 5 1/2 # fish. He left with the 3 younger lads to Bennett Springs where the youngest son had a 4 1/4 # fish. Said he's heading home this afternoon and headed to Montauk tomorrow with his daughter and son in law.