By Wally Kennedy

wkennedy@joplinglobe.com

CASSVILLE, Mo. — Young anglers will have opportunities to catch fish and learn about fishing on “Kids’ Fishing Day” on Saturday at Roaring River State Park, eight miles south of Cassville on Missouri Highway 112.

The event will take place from 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 p.m.

Children 15 and younger may pick up free trout tags Friday or Saturday. With their tags, participants will receive stringers, posters, coloring books with a fishing theme and other materials.

Francis Skalicky, spokesman for the Missouri Department of Conservation, said a portion of the stream will be reserved for the event. Volunteers will be on hand to help. Free hot dogs, chips and soda will be available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Participants should provide their own fishing equipment. Parents are welcome to help, but only one fishing pole may be used between the helper and the child. Adults are not allowed to fish by themselves.

Seminars will be held on fish cleaning, cooking, knife sharpening, knot tying, fly tying and fly casting, jig tying, and how to fish the river. A hatchery tour will show how trout are raised. A program on Missouri snakes will include live specimens.

Children who attend a fly-casting class will be entered into a drawing for one of several complete fly-fishing outfits. Children who attend an archery class will be entered into a drawing for an Alpine bow. Trophies will be awarded for the biggest fish caught and the biggest stringer.

Children who catch trout over 3 pounds will be entered into a drawing for a free taxidermy mount.

Staff from the Cassville Wal-Mart store will be on hand to take photos of children with their first fish caught or fish weighing more than 1.75 pounds. A photo of the child and the catch will be available free of charge on Sunday at the Cassville store.

Volunteers are needed. For information about the event, people may call (417) 847-2430.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources also will stage an open house Friday, May 23, for discussion of issues related to Roaring River State Park. The open house will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the park’s Emory Melton Inn and Conference Center.

Topics will include recent accomplishments and future projects, such as the renovation of cabins, the rebuilding of baffles, the pending renovation of the stone walkway around the spring pool and falls area, and the construction of a new park store.