This post is varying away from my regular post for Fire and Hammer, but there was something I wanted to comment about.

As some of you know who come and read the articles here, I drive a School Bus for the Cassville, Missouri School District.  Well this is one of those holidays off.  Nothing gets in the way of this day off.  You could be twenty days behind in school due to heavy snow and any kind of bad weather, but this day is still guaranteed out.  It will never be used as a “Make up day”. 

Now, lest someone gets the wrong idea.  I have no problem with this.  I enjoy the day off, but it is amazing that a fish can gather so much attention.  On this day annually, thousands of people gather down at Roaring River State Park to catch thousands of Rainbow Trout.  I enjoy fishing once in awhile, but when I fish, I do not want to be rubbing elbows, shoulders, arms, and backsides with a bunch of other people. 

When they gather at Roaring River on the first day of March each year, and they stand on the banks waiting for the starting siren or gun, it is almost hillarious.  The rods and reels are swung backwards, brought forwards, the sound of the line spinning off the reel goes out into the water with the artificial bate (at least it is supposed to be), hits the water, then, the Rainbow’s are tempted with the jerking motions of the bait, and many bite, get reeled in and then, on to someone’s plate.  That sounds pretty good. 

That line sometimes, even many times goes out, in such a crowd and tangles with the fellow next to you, or with someone on the other side.  I find things like that aggravating.  There is one thing I know and that is, if you do it you must enjoy it.  My advice to those who are looking for something to do on March first, and your in the Cassville, Missouri area.  If you want to fish and be nearly alone go to Table Rock Lake, just a few miles from Roaring River State Park.  If you want to catch trout and be shoulder to shoulder, back to back with other people, then go to Roaring River State Park.

If you are into  hiking, the Park has several trails to walk, and they are  beautiful and sometimes difficult walks.