March 1st Is Approaching Fast!

[jjtroutbum]

Thanks for the tip Rich!!! I have been tying a few flat wing streamers of the yellow marabou variety so they maybe go2s for the opener. (plenty of flash)

[rcguy]

You guys post when you're going down and maybe some of us can get together for lunch or something. I mean anytime after opening day.

Jerry

[FlatCat]

I'll be down there opening day too. It's a tradition with me that signifies spring has sprung. I see people complaining about the crowds on opening day but last year there were times when I was the only one fishing the spring hole. Since opening on a Saturday it might get a little crazy down there. Look for a white 1 ton flatbed flatbed Ford diesel and that will be me. Give me a yell if you see me, I might be ugly but I don' bite

Brent

[FlatCat]

Hey rcguy, Bring a plane, you can put it in a hover over the good spots to clear people out

[troutchaser]

I'll offer up a quote from my hillbilly roots for all of you intrepid opening day anglers:

"All Y'all's nuts!"

[rcguy]

Flatcat,

Not a bad idea. I could do that!!

[loo10]

I went to Opening Day at Bennett for many, many years with my Dad.

It was such an experience for a boy.

I'm old enough to remember when the store was right behind

where they sound the horn.

The first time I walked in, it was like when the door opened in the movie,

The Wizard of Oz, and a whole new world exposed itself.

The wall behind the counter had a big painted sign that went wall-to-wall

with slots for the size of the lunkers being caught and the names of those who caught them.

By days end, there would be many names on that board and we always looked for the names that were listed more than once.

There was walls & walls of lures and flies, and other things a trout fishermen couldn't live without.

The place was filled with men getting ready for the next day which was the Opening of trout season.

I was totally changed in those moments.

I learned to trout fish standing alongside my Father, the best fisherman I ever knew.

We stood at the big hole formed above the dam and we faced downstream.

We fished with either Doty Raider spinners or cheese worms....and we caught lots of trout.

My waders usually leaked some but I didn't care.

Those days with Dad were the best of times.

Years later, late in the evening when Dad would get tired, I would walk down

from Larry's Cabins and walk to the Springview Fly Shop; which was open all nite.

I was accepted as just another fisherman by the others in the store and so I would hang out.

My Dad let me go because he knew it fed something deep inside me.

Eventually I'd show up back at the cabin...but I couldn't sleep.

There were two times in my life I couldn't ever sleep...

Christmas Eve and Opening of Trout Season.

Some things are just too exciting to a kid.

Dad's gone now.

But I believe he's fishing the "Living Waters" in a better place waiting for me.

I stopped going to Bennett after he died but finally went again a couple of years ago.

I don't fish at the whistle these days.

I prefer to have a good cup of coffee and watch the show.

Besides....the coffee goes right thru me these days!

But when it thins out a little late morning....I'll put on my waders, rig my flyrod,

choose that self-tied fly and head to the stream.

I'll remember all the memories & gifts he gave me that I never thanked him adequately for.

Then I'll catch a few rainbows for Dad.

[patfish]

Wow, what a great story Rich. Gave me chicken skin (goosebumps).

Thanks for sharing.

[tinner]

Great story.

[jjtroutbum]

Great post Rich !!!! And I'll try and think of a way to thank my dad while we are at the park. During the opener. Even tho I am pretty sure nothing will be truly adequate too me either.

JJ