flyfishmaster Posted February 11, 2008 Posted February 11, 2008 Hey everyone. Open day in the Missouri trout parks starts on Saturday March 1st. Who all going? Where do you go? And do you have any yearly tradition? I'm heading to Bennett for my 14th straight opening day. I have been going with the same group of 5 guys the entire time; it is the only time of the year we all get together. This will mark the 35th year (in a row) two of the guys in my group have gone. We have been staying in the same cabin every year, except one year during remodeling. The night before opening day we have a venison stew with corn bread. On opening day we eat breakfast at 9:30 drink some beer, nap (we are all starting to get older) and head back down to the water. For supper we fry our days catch. It does not sound like much, but it is sure relaxing. Later, FFM PS: Why did they have to install cellular tower in the area? I liked it when I did not have the ability to communicate with the outside world when I'm fishing. (aka: family) Woo Hoo Fish On!!
brittsnbirds Posted February 11, 2008 Posted February 11, 2008 FFM, All the years that I have been going down to BSP, last year was the first for the opener. It was interesting to say the least. I was in my Pop up in campground 5. Talking about experiencing some wierd things, tornado warning/evacuation, tons of people, massive cold front rolling in. We had it all. I think I will opt out this year considering it is on a weekend. Pat
jjtroutbum Posted February 11, 2008 Posted February 11, 2008 I'm going to be at B.S.S.P. coming in Friday leaving Sunday evening. Will be in a Gun metal gray or gold four door Dodge Dakota two wheel drive with a matching camper shell. And a black OAF hat Jon Joy ___________ "A jerk at one end of the line is enough." unknown author The Second Amendment was written for hunting tyrants not ducks. "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote." Benjamin Franklin, 1759
rcguy Posted February 11, 2008 Posted February 11, 2008 Flyfishmaster, Sounds like a great time you all have. I went one time when I was 13 years old. Probably not go this year either but I'll go 2 or 3 weeks later when it's not quite as packed. JJ, Hope the weather's good for ya. If it looks like a beautiful day and I just can't stand it, I'll drive down and look for you.
Paola Cat Posted February 12, 2008 Posted February 12, 2008 Good luck guys .... It'll be a wild one since it's on a Saturday. I'm with RC on this .... I'm staying away for awhile. PC Cheers. PC
trout fanatic Posted February 12, 2008 Posted February 12, 2008 The only opening day tradition I have developed is to stay away from the parks on opening day.
TroutBum4wt Posted February 12, 2008 Posted February 12, 2008 The only opening day tradition I have developed is to stay away from the parks on opening day. I have the same tradition. It's bad enough during the season at the parks - i.e. rude anglers, who wade through the water that you're working. Can't imagine what's like on opening day. I do get the fellowship aspect, but maybe someone can shed more light on the positves of "opening day." "Where There Are Trout, There's Hope" - John Gierach
flyfishmaster Posted February 12, 2008 Author Posted February 12, 2008 I'm wondering why everyone thinks opening day is so bad and crowded. I understand parking sux, but at Bennett I have never felt crowded were I fished. I always keep at least a 20+ feet seperation between the next angler. If someone starts crowding me... I will let them know about it! Everyone only see the pictures of the major holes where there are hundered of people. But if you look only 25 - 50 yard past those holes the stream really opens up, plus there are a lot of fish as well outside of the big holes. Now I think a place like Meramac Springs is a different story. Heck a day with 400 - 500 people there is over crowded. But opening day at Bennett, you start the trout fishing year out with 2000 of your closest freind. I remember a few years back open day it was like 25 degrees, the second day it was only 5 degrees or less at the whistle. My freind and I were the only two people in a 150 yard selection of Zone 2. Talking about a lot of fish caugh and solitude, we slayed them. We finally started see people around 8:30. It is a fun time but you will only feel crowded if you fish in the crowd. There is always open water some place. Later, FFM Woo Hoo Fish On!!
jjtroutbum Posted February 12, 2008 Posted February 12, 2008 NoNo its terribly crowded! The weather is miserable! The fish are tiny and really theres not that many! So stay home where its warm,not crowded and watch TV or play on the PC. Jon Joy ___________ "A jerk at one end of the line is enough." unknown author The Second Amendment was written for hunting tyrants not ducks. "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote." Benjamin Franklin, 1759
NoLuck Posted February 14, 2008 Posted February 14, 2008 Hey guys, I probably won't make it down opening weekend but, I should be there a couple of days through the first week. I'm on vacation all week the first full week of March. Hopefully the crowds are dwindled and the fish are still there. If the water is still up like it was last Saturday you need to fish close to the banks or really deep. I tried all my normal stuff to no avail. I finally switched over to an egg pattern and caught close to 20 from 1pm till 3:45pm. It was pretty tuff seeing any fish and when you did it wasn't for very long. Water was rolling off the dam where I wanted to fish like a white water rapids section on the CO river. Good luck to all who brave the opener!! Rich
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