Roaring River Opening Day March 1
Roie Hudson
Photo by John Rosenbalm |
On March 1, Roaring River's shore will be taken over by anglers in hopes of the top lunker.
Photo by Adriana Keeton |
Ezra DeVore
Opening day at Roaring River State Park is an event that communities both local and distant look forward to each year, and this year, the starting gun at 6:30 a.m. will be fired by long time Roaring River volunteer and lifetime Cassville local: Roie Hudson. “I’m quite proud and honored,” says Hudson, “Roaring River is my home away from home.
“It’s the vacation spot for this part of the country - you’ve got the river, and the trails, and all the wonderful people down there. Anytime I get uptight, I go down there and all my worries disappear. The river is my psychiatrist. I don’t see how you can go and have any problems. When I was a child, we couldn’t afford to fish in the park, so my dad would take me, and we’d just watch people fish.
“Then, I got to take my kids and teach them how to fish, and my grandkids - I’d say four or five generations are connected to Roaring River.
“I taught my daughter how to fish, and now she can almost out-fish me!"
But opening day isn’t just a family tradition. Like many, Hudson expresses the long-term friendships Roaring River has given him, and allowed him to nurture.
“I get to see a lot of my friends from up north - there’s sixteen of us that get together every year and fish. It’s not really about catching, just having fun. We catch and release a lot.”
Hudson’s birthday also happens to be March 1, making the his role even more special.
"I’m just proud as I can be. Roaring River’s given me more than I can ever give it. I get emotional when I think about Roaring River, it’s just my home away from home.”
The park store will open February 28, at 9 a.m. and will remain open until March 1, at 7 p.m. The restaurant will be open on February 28, from 12 p.m. - 7 p.m. on March 1.
Mugs will be handed out at the Les Jacobs Ford tent, across from CCC Lodge, beginning at 5 a.m. on March 1.
Parking will be the same as previous years, with an advisory to follow the instruction of parking attendants.
“We’re always excited for opening day,” said Roaring River Superintendent, Joel Topham.
“It’s one of our tried and true time-honored events. That’s always happened here at Roaring River, and at all the other trout parks.
“You’ll see us out there, and hopefully we won’t have to be huddled too closely.”
Opening day at Roaring River State Park is an event that communities both local and distant look forward to each year, and this year, the starting gun at 6:30 a.m. will be fired by long time Roaring River volunteer and lifetime Cassville local: Roie Hudson. “I’m quite proud and honored,” says Hudson, “Roaring River is my home away from home.
“It’s the vacation spot for this part of the country - you’ve got the river, and the trails, and all the wonderful people down there. Anytime I get uptight, I go down there and all my worries disappear. The river is my psychiatrist. I don’t see how you can go and have any problems. When I was a child, we couldn’t afford to fish in the park, so my dad would take me, and we’d just watch people fish.
“Then, I got to take my kids and teach them how to fish, and my grandkids - I’d say four or five generations are connected to Roaring River.
“I taught my daughter how to fish, and now she can almost out-fish me!"
But opening day isn’t just a family tradition. Like many, Hudson expresses the long-term friendships Roaring River has given him, and allowed him to nurture.
“I get to see a lot of my friends from up north - there’s sixteen of us that get together every year and fish. It’s not really about catching, just having fun. We catch and release a lot.”
Hudson’s birthday also happens to be March 1, making the his role even more special.
"I’m just proud as I can be. Roaring River’s given me more than I can ever give it. I get emotional when I think about Roaring River, it’s just my home away from home.”
The park store will open February 28, at 9 a.m. and will remain open until March 1, at 7 p.m. The restaurant will be open on February 28, from 12 p.m. - 7 p.m. on March 1.
Mugs will be handed out at the Les Jacobs Ford tent, across from CCC Lodge, beginning at 5 a.m. on March 1.
Parking will be the same as previous years, with an advisory to follow the instruction of parking attendants.
“We’re always excited for opening day,” said Roaring River Superintendent, Joel Topham.
“It’s one of our tried and true time-honored events. That’s always happened here at Roaring River, and at all the other trout parks.
“You’ll see us out there, and hopefully we won’t have to be huddled too closely.”
