Kids’ Fishing Day this Saturday
August 15, 2018
Charlea Estes-Jones
This Saturday marks a favorite Roaring River tradition: Kids’ Fishing Day. The event will begin with the opening bell at 7 a.m. and runs all day until 8 p.m. This year, kids can expect to catch more large trout than previous years.
Paul Spurgeon, Roaring River State Park hatchery manager said staff expects around 1,000 kids to show up for the fall event, and they’ll be stocking around 3,000 trout in the waters for the special, free event. Fishing tags will be available at the main tent.
He said, “We’re stocking around 3,000, but a lot of those will be lunkers. These will be two or three pounds, and we have about 800 of those. We had the empty pool, so we put some fish out there just to grow in preparation for Kids’ Fishing Day.”
The crowds that return year after year for Kids’ Fishing Day come from near and far. While it’s a favorite for local families, it also brings families from all over the midwest as a time to make memories at the park. Spurgeon said, “I think because it’s a family-oriented event, it’s really popular. It’s a good way for families to get out and be together. People see that and respond.”
He said the benefit is there for the park, too, as a means of promotion and to keep fishing and the outdoors in the minds of a newer generation. Spurgeon shared, “It showcases the beauty of the park and our commitment to the future generation of fishermen.”
This year’s events will be similar to events in the spring and previous fall Kids’ Fishing Days. Spurgeon said, “We have a pretty decent lineup coming. We’ve going to try to get a snow cone machine in the tent, and we got some pretty good donations. If it’s going to be a hot day, we’re going to try to be prepared for that.”
As in previous years, kids who attend three or more classes during the day will get their names entered into a drawing for prizes at 5 p.m. outside of the main tent.
Bluegrass music will be on the stage from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Spurgeon added, “If anyone wants to just come out and listen, they can. They don’t have to have fish or have kids. They are welcome to listen to music.”
Spurgeon added that the staff is still looking for volunteers to help during the day. They do not need to be anglers or stay all day. He said, “If they want to just help a couple hours, they can. Come see us at the information booth or call me ahead of time. You definitely don’t need to be a fisherman to help out.”
If you’re interested in volunteering, contact Spurgeon at the hatchery at (417) 847-2430 or email paul.spurgeon@mdc.mo.gov.
The schedule of events will be:
• 9 a.m. - Fly Casting, Instructor: David Waugh
Class will be taught at the first hole downstream from the bridge across from the CCC lodge.
• 9 a.m. – Family Cave Hike, Instructor: Kelly Koch
Park naturalist Kelly Koch will lead families on a one-mile hike on the Devil’s Kitchen trail. Wear sturdy shoes and bring a flashlight and meet her at the Devil’s Kitchen trailhead, across the river from the CCC lodge.
• 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Air Rifle Target Shooting
Students will receive instruction on safely handling a rifle and be given a chance to sharpen their shooting skills. This class will be located in the open grass area across from the big tent.
• 9:30 a.m. & 1 p.m. - Stream Table Display, Instructor: Rick Horton
This class is an ongoing display to illustrate the hydraulics of a stream. The class will be held under the blue Les Jacobs tent.
• 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Mobile Aquarium, Instructor: Moses Ong
Various Ozark fish species will be on display in the aquarium. The mobile aquarium will be located between the big tent and blue Les Jacobs tent.
• 9:30 a.m. – R And M Bait Company
Come and watch Ron and Mary make their plastic worms, perfect for catching trout under the big tent.
• 10 a.m. – Raptors, Instructor: Collin Gilmore
Collin is from the Wonders of Wildlife Aquarium in Springfield. He is going to be showing live birds and discussing their importance.
• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Fly Tying and Fly Casting, Instructors: MAKO Fly Fishing Club
Fly casting will be in the hole downstream from the bridge across from the CCC Lodge and fly tying will be held under the tent set up near the casting area.
• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Critter Stamp Headbands, Instructor: Christie Burkett
Critter stamps will be available for children to make and decorate their own headband under the big tent.
• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Dutch oven cooking, Instructor: Dr. Larry Quinalty
Dr. Larry Quinalty will be teaching the basics of using a Dutch oven for camp cooking. He will teach what is required to successfully prepare monkey bread, biscuits, and peach enchiladas under the blue Les Jacobs tent.
• 10 a.m. & 1 p.m. – Mexican Cuisine, Instructor: Maria Spurgeon
Maria will be demonstrating cooking Mexican style fish tacos and homemade corn tortillas. Watch and sample under the big tent.
• 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. & 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. – Face Painting
Face painting will be under the big tent.
• 10:30 a.m. - Project I.D.
The Southwest Fraternal Order of Police Officers will be fingerprinting children.
• 10:30 a.m. – Flint knapping, Instructor: Larry Maggard
Larry specializes in primitive and traditional crafting and survival skills. He will be showing techniques in flint knapping under the big tent.
• 10:30 a.m. - Fisheries Biology, Instructor: Rick Horton
Rick is a Fisheries Biologist with the Missouri Department of Conservation and will discuss the anatomy of fish, as well as their important place within the ecosystem under the blue Les Jacobs tent.
• 11 a.m. & 2 p.m. - Fish Cleaning, Instructor: Ron Moffet
Ron will teach you how to successfully clean a trout and prepare it for cooking in front of the hatchery office.
• 11:30 a.m. - Snakes Alive, Instructor: Jazmin Fielding
Park Naturalist Jazmin Fielding will discuss snakes found at Roaring River State Park at the park amphitheater just south of the CCC Lodge.
• 11:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. - Fish Cooking, Instructor: Tim Smith
This class will be held under the tent next to the hatchery office.
• 11:30 a.m. - Missouri Insects and Plants, Instructor: Dr. Jason Willand.
Dr. Willand teaches Biology at Missouri Southern State University and will be showing and discussing Missouri’s fascinating six-legged invertebrates and their essential relationships with plant communities under the big tent
• 12:30 p.m. - Bird Songs, Instructor: Kelly Koch
Park Naturalist Kelly Koch will teach you how to recognize common bird songs at the Nature Center.
• 12:30 p.m. – Fire Building, Instructor: Larry Maggard
Larry specializes in primitive and traditional crafting and survival skills. He will be demonstrating how to build a fire using flint and steel near the Les Jacobs tent.
• 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. - Fly Tying, Instructor: Charlie Stock
Charlie is a professional fly tier and the owner of Mid-West Flies and will work with kids one-on-one to help them tie their own fishing fly held under a tent set up near the fly casting area across from the CCC Lodge.
• 2 p.m. - Hatchery Tour, Instructor: Kyle Palmer
Park Naturalist Kyle Palmer will lead a walk around the spring and hatchery to learn the history of the park, why the spring is so important, and see how trout are raised. Meet on the corner of the spring pool, near Deer Leap trailhead.
• 3:00 p.m. – Water Snake Watch, Instructor: Jazmin Fielding
Park Interpreter Jazmin will teach what these snakes are, and what to do if you see one. Meet at the amphitheater.
• 3 p.m. – MO Mammals, Instructor: Kyle Palmer
Join Park Naturalist Kyle, to touch and learn about mammal pelts and skulls at the nature center.
• 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. - Fly Casting, Instructor: Charlie Stock
The basic casting techniques will be taught at the first hole downstream from the bridge across from the CCC lodge.
Charlea Estes-Jones
This Saturday marks a favorite Roaring River tradition: Kids’ Fishing Day. The event will begin with the opening bell at 7 a.m. and runs all day until 8 p.m. This year, kids can expect to catch more large trout than previous years.
Paul Spurgeon, Roaring River State Park hatchery manager said staff expects around 1,000 kids to show up for the fall event, and they’ll be stocking around 3,000 trout in the waters for the special, free event. Fishing tags will be available at the main tent.
He said, “We’re stocking around 3,000, but a lot of those will be lunkers. These will be two or three pounds, and we have about 800 of those. We had the empty pool, so we put some fish out there just to grow in preparation for Kids’ Fishing Day.”
The crowds that return year after year for Kids’ Fishing Day come from near and far. While it’s a favorite for local families, it also brings families from all over the midwest as a time to make memories at the park. Spurgeon said, “I think because it’s a family-oriented event, it’s really popular. It’s a good way for families to get out and be together. People see that and respond.”
He said the benefit is there for the park, too, as a means of promotion and to keep fishing and the outdoors in the minds of a newer generation. Spurgeon shared, “It showcases the beauty of the park and our commitment to the future generation of fishermen.”
This year’s events will be similar to events in the spring and previous fall Kids’ Fishing Days. Spurgeon said, “We have a pretty decent lineup coming. We’ve going to try to get a snow cone machine in the tent, and we got some pretty good donations. If it’s going to be a hot day, we’re going to try to be prepared for that.”
As in previous years, kids who attend three or more classes during the day will get their names entered into a drawing for prizes at 5 p.m. outside of the main tent.
Bluegrass music will be on the stage from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Spurgeon added, “If anyone wants to just come out and listen, they can. They don’t have to have fish or have kids. They are welcome to listen to music.”
Spurgeon added that the staff is still looking for volunteers to help during the day. They do not need to be anglers or stay all day. He said, “If they want to just help a couple hours, they can. Come see us at the information booth or call me ahead of time. You definitely don’t need to be a fisherman to help out.”
If you’re interested in volunteering, contact Spurgeon at the hatchery at (417) 847-2430 or email paul.spurgeon@mdc.mo.gov.
The schedule of events will be:
• 9 a.m. - Fly Casting, Instructor: David Waugh
Class will be taught at the first hole downstream from the bridge across from the CCC lodge.
• 9 a.m. – Family Cave Hike, Instructor: Kelly Koch
Park naturalist Kelly Koch will lead families on a one-mile hike on the Devil’s Kitchen trail. Wear sturdy shoes and bring a flashlight and meet her at the Devil’s Kitchen trailhead, across the river from the CCC lodge.
• 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Air Rifle Target Shooting
Students will receive instruction on safely handling a rifle and be given a chance to sharpen their shooting skills. This class will be located in the open grass area across from the big tent.
• 9:30 a.m. & 1 p.m. - Stream Table Display, Instructor: Rick Horton
This class is an ongoing display to illustrate the hydraulics of a stream. The class will be held under the blue Les Jacobs tent.
• 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Mobile Aquarium, Instructor: Moses Ong
Various Ozark fish species will be on display in the aquarium. The mobile aquarium will be located between the big tent and blue Les Jacobs tent.
• 9:30 a.m. – R And M Bait Company
Come and watch Ron and Mary make their plastic worms, perfect for catching trout under the big tent.
• 10 a.m. – Raptors, Instructor: Collin Gilmore
Collin is from the Wonders of Wildlife Aquarium in Springfield. He is going to be showing live birds and discussing their importance.
• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Fly Tying and Fly Casting, Instructors: MAKO Fly Fishing Club
Fly casting will be in the hole downstream from the bridge across from the CCC Lodge and fly tying will be held under the tent set up near the casting area.
• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Critter Stamp Headbands, Instructor: Christie Burkett
Critter stamps will be available for children to make and decorate their own headband under the big tent.
• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Dutch oven cooking, Instructor: Dr. Larry Quinalty
Dr. Larry Quinalty will be teaching the basics of using a Dutch oven for camp cooking. He will teach what is required to successfully prepare monkey bread, biscuits, and peach enchiladas under the blue Les Jacobs tent.
• 10 a.m. & 1 p.m. – Mexican Cuisine, Instructor: Maria Spurgeon
Maria will be demonstrating cooking Mexican style fish tacos and homemade corn tortillas. Watch and sample under the big tent.
• 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. & 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. – Face Painting
Face painting will be under the big tent.
• 10:30 a.m. - Project I.D.
The Southwest Fraternal Order of Police Officers will be fingerprinting children.
• 10:30 a.m. – Flint knapping, Instructor: Larry Maggard
Larry specializes in primitive and traditional crafting and survival skills. He will be showing techniques in flint knapping under the big tent.
• 10:30 a.m. - Fisheries Biology, Instructor: Rick Horton
Rick is a Fisheries Biologist with the Missouri Department of Conservation and will discuss the anatomy of fish, as well as their important place within the ecosystem under the blue Les Jacobs tent.
• 11 a.m. & 2 p.m. - Fish Cleaning, Instructor: Ron Moffet
Ron will teach you how to successfully clean a trout and prepare it for cooking in front of the hatchery office.
• 11:30 a.m. - Snakes Alive, Instructor: Jazmin Fielding
Park Naturalist Jazmin Fielding will discuss snakes found at Roaring River State Park at the park amphitheater just south of the CCC Lodge.
• 11:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. - Fish Cooking, Instructor: Tim Smith
This class will be held under the tent next to the hatchery office.
• 11:30 a.m. - Missouri Insects and Plants, Instructor: Dr. Jason Willand.
Dr. Willand teaches Biology at Missouri Southern State University and will be showing and discussing Missouri’s fascinating six-legged invertebrates and their essential relationships with plant communities under the big tent
• 12:30 p.m. - Bird Songs, Instructor: Kelly Koch
Park Naturalist Kelly Koch will teach you how to recognize common bird songs at the Nature Center.
• 12:30 p.m. – Fire Building, Instructor: Larry Maggard
Larry specializes in primitive and traditional crafting and survival skills. He will be demonstrating how to build a fire using flint and steel near the Les Jacobs tent.
• 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. - Fly Tying, Instructor: Charlie Stock
Charlie is a professional fly tier and the owner of Mid-West Flies and will work with kids one-on-one to help them tie their own fishing fly held under a tent set up near the fly casting area across from the CCC Lodge.
• 2 p.m. - Hatchery Tour, Instructor: Kyle Palmer
Park Naturalist Kyle Palmer will lead a walk around the spring and hatchery to learn the history of the park, why the spring is so important, and see how trout are raised. Meet on the corner of the spring pool, near Deer Leap trailhead.
• 3:00 p.m. – Water Snake Watch, Instructor: Jazmin Fielding
Park Interpreter Jazmin will teach what these snakes are, and what to do if you see one. Meet at the amphitheater.
• 3 p.m. – MO Mammals, Instructor: Kyle Palmer
Join Park Naturalist Kyle, to touch and learn about mammal pelts and skulls at the nature center.
• 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. - Fly Casting, Instructor: Charlie Stock
The basic casting techniques will be taught at the first hole downstream from the bridge across from the CCC lodge.