Fly fisherman offers tips for opening-day success

Related Photos

• Randy Hanner, of Carthage, a professional fly fisherman, fishes Roaring River often, but he won’t be among the crowds lining the banks on opening day. He says there are a number of good fishing spots at the state park. Courtesy/Randy Hanner

  

Fly fisherman offers tips for opening-day success

The Joplin Globe Sun Feb 27, 2011, 10:09 PM CST

JOPLIN, Mo. — Carthage native Randy Hanner is a world-class fly fisherman and has been a member of Fly Fishing Team USA for two years.

He has been fly-fishing for nearly two decades, with first- and second-place competition finishes across the U.S. and a spot in the national championships this May in North Carolina.

But Hanner has never been to the opening day of trout season at Roaring River State Park.

“I’m not a big crowd person,” he said. “I’d rather have my space, my solitude.”

There will be no solitude Tuesday at Roaring River. Park officials expect about 2,000 anglers for opening day, including some first-timers and some for whom it’s been an annual tradition for years.

While Hanner won’t be among the Tuesday throng, the 29-year-old has been going to the park since age 10. His favorite spot at Roaring River?

“Anywhere on the water. I really like the whole river,” he said, noting that he’s had success at catching trout in just about every pool.

“I do tend to stick to the first bridge by the waterfall at the top of the park, and enjoy a couple of holes in the fly-fishing-only zone.”

Hanner ties his own flies. But for the beginning fly fisherman, he advised that the easiest way to make a catch would be to use an indicator rig, or a nymph with egg patterns.

“An egg fly is one of the best ways to catch stock rainbows,” he said.

For those who are spin fishing, Hanner advised rooster tails or wacky worms that are stocked at the local shops.

People must watch what they use in which pool, however. Park regulations are as follows:

• Zone 1 (hatchery to fish cleaning station): Use flies, artificial lures, and scented and unscented soft plastic baits.

• Zone 2 (fish cleaning station to the old dam): Use flies only.

• Zone 3: Use flies, artificial lures, soft plastic baits, and natural and scented baits.

Most of all, Hanner said, don’t worry about starting out knowing very little about the sport.

“No one in my family ever did it; I’m self-taught,” he said. “You just learn as you go along. Just being out on the river can put you at ease from everyday life.”