BY KYLE TROUTMAN ktroutman@cassville-democrat.com
Though it was not the most-attended Opening Day in Roaring River State Park history, Saturday’s annual event came close to the record, with more than 2,700 anglers casting lines on the first day of catch-and-keep trout fishing season in Missouri.
March 1, 2008, maintains its record at nearly 3,000 tags sold, and on Saturday, Roaring River had topped 2,000 tags sold by 7 a.m. and completed the day with 2,729 total, including 2,206 adult tags and 523 children’s tags. According to a Missouri State Parks graphic Saturday’s total is the second-highest opening, surpassing 2021’s sales of just over 2,500 tags on a Monday. The 2008 record came on a Saturday.
Roaring River maintained its crown as king of tag sales, as Missouri’s other two trout parks, Bennett Spring and Montauk, sold 2,384 and 2,167 tags, respectively. Roaring River also continued to be the favorite for youth, as Bennett Spring and Montauk sold 261 and 310 youth tags, respectively.
With brisk early morning conditions, in the mid-40s, Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe had the honor of getting the season underway at 6:30 a.m., firing one shot from the Opening Day gun, the third time has fired it and first as governor.
“It’s humbling,” Kehoe said. “I was excited to do it, and it’s a great way to start off spring and getting families outdoors. Missouri State Parks and the Department of Conservation are about bringing families together, and some families here have been coming to Opening Day for 10, 20 or even 30 years.”
Regarding firing the pistol, Kehoe said it was much like his other two experiences, except for one thing.
“The difference is Missouri has asked me to lead state as governor, and it’s humbling to be part of this at that level. I think it alway may have been a bit warmer in the past.”
While at the park, Kehoe did plan to wet a line, but he said he does not take fishing as seriously as others at Opening Day may.
“When I fished last Opening Day, I caught a couple here and there, but I’m not an all-day fisherman,” he said. “[I’ll fish later today], because I want the anglers who have been out here since 3 a.m. to have the first shot.”
Attending the event with Kehoe were more than a handful of Missouri Representatives and Senators, members of the Outdoor Caucus.
“Fishing and the outdoors brings people together,” Kehoe said. “We have seven or eight reps here, and the auditor. State Rep. Tim Taylor, [R-Bunceton], is here to promote hunting, shooting, fishing and the outdoors.”
“Our group is about half and half Democrats and Republicans, and some of them have never caught a trout before, so today will be their first time,” Taylor said. “[The outdoors] is something we share as Missourians, no matter what side you are on, and we want people to enjoy the many perfect parts of our state.”
The tradition of Opening Day is perpetual, especially for those who visit the park March 1 every year. One of those people, Tom Jarrett, of Carl Junction, has not missed an Opening Day since 1977. He weighed in a 3.75-pound catch at the Cassville Area Chamber of Commerce’s lunker station, later regaling surrounding anglers of his largest catch ever.
“In 1986, I caught a 10.4-pounder,” he said. “I’ve caught several big ones, but I’ve lost even more. And, in 1986, mine wasn’t even the biggest. A guy from Nevada caught a 10.8-pounder. It was 4-5 inches shorter than mine, but it was full of eggs.”
Down the banks was a larger local group enjoying Opening Day, including Austin Ennes, of Washburn, Lacosta Elliot, of Washburn, Robert Wilbanks, of Washburn, Teddy Smallwood, of Seligman, and Amy Wynne, of Garfield, Ark. Smallwood is an Opening Day diehard, and others in the group have come March 1 off and on, with varying levels of success.
Ennes won the lunker contest in 2002, netting a 7.5-pounder, and Smallwood’s largest is a 4.98-pounder.
“It’s amazing [to have such a big group this year], especially because none of them can fish,” Smallwood jested.
“Teddy catches his, then helps the rest of us,” Wynne said. “We’ve got a good system.”
“Yes,” Ennes chimed in. “One person to tie your bait on, one to take you catch off your line, and one to take your spot.”
Catch-and-keep trout season runs through Oct. 31. A Missouri resident fishing license is $13 for a year, or $8 for a day, and daily trout tags are $4 for adults and $3 for children. A license and tag is required to fish at Roaring River. The daily limit for trout is four.
