j3147 BC-MO-TroutOpener 1stLd-Writethru 03-01 0792

LEBANON, Mo. -- While hundreds of anglers cast their lines to open Missouri's trout season Friday, the absence of one avid fisherman -- a state trooper killed in the line of duty -- was emotionally noted with honors from his young sons.

Kaleb Poynter, 11, was to have accompanied his father, Trooper Kelly Poynter, for the boy's first season opening at Bennett Spring State Park near Lebanon. Kaleb's Christmas presents included his first fishing vest and hip waders.

But Poynter, 27, died Jan. 18 when he was struck by a vehicle while working an accident on U.S. 63 south of Houston, Mo. He had been directing traffic at the foggy crash scene when he saw the vehicle approaching fast and shoved two tow-truck operators out of harm's way.

Poynter, who grew up in Lebanon, had fished since boyhood at Bennett Spring. Family members said he wanted to pass his joy of fishing along to his sons.

Waiting for the siren

On Friday, Kaleb and his 4-year-old brother, Nathan, got to trigger the wailing siren that formally opened the trout season at sunrise. When the siren echoed, anglers standing waist-deep cast their lines as steam rose from the waterway's surface.

Kaleb wore a red St. Louis Cardinals ballcap with his children's fishing license -- No. 00001 -- dangling from the back.

"I got up at 5 this morning because I love fishing. This is fun," Kaleb told reporters and photographers who crowded around. Asked what he thought about all of the attention, Kaleb said: "Awww, I'm just a regular person."

"No, it takes a special person to push that button for all of the fishermen," replied Ron McCullough, manager of the Bennett Spring hatchery.

Members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol then accompanied Kaleb fishing as Nathan played on the bank, blowing bubbles from a 100-ounce jug of soap.

"I think Kelly would have a tear in his eye today, seeing his boy fish at Bennett Spring," said Trooper Bryan Gruben. "The patrol is a big family and Kelly's family is a part of that."

Poynter's widow, Alison, said: "I'm just so glad the boys were able to honor their father in this way."

Shoulder-to-shoulder

The temperature hovered around freezing as the season opened, with anglers standing shoulder-to-shoulder on the banks, along the hatchery dam and in the waters gushing from Bennett Spring.

McCullough predicted that perhaps 2,800 trout tags would be sold for opening day at Bennett Spring. Gov. Bob Holden and his sons, Robert, 11, and John D., 7, were among the throng fishing on Friday.

"This is a great tourism opportunity for our state," Holden said.

The Holden boys landed two trout each. "We're heading for the taxidermist," said first lady Lori Hauser Holden.

Gerry Ochs of Wentzville was content with his catch of three nice-sized trout during the opening minutes. He hadn't missed an opening day for 23 years.

"You just anticipate it all year. We are the die-hards," Ochs said of the regulars who come rain or shine, ice or snow.

Last year the season opened on a Thursday and 2,032 anglers turned out at Bennett Spring.

Weekend openings usually draw large crowds as visitors hang around for several days.

Trout season runs through Oct. 31.

Bennett Spring was being specially stocked with three trout per expected tag sold on opening day. More than 75 lunkers -- trout weighing three pounds or more -- were also released for the opener.

The Bennett Spring hatchery opened in 1926, and now raises and stocks more than 420,000 10-to-12-inch trout each year. The largest opening day turnout at Bennett Spring was 4,092 in 1992, a Sunday opening.

A fishing license and a daily trout tag are required for anglers.

There is no length limit on rainbow trout, and five each day may be kept. Brown trout are limited to one per day and must be at least 18 inches to keep, as part of the daily limit of five.

Missouri Department of Conservation agents work in plain clothes along the banks to enforce the limits.

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On the Net:

Lebanon Daily Record trout site: www.trouttalk.net

Missouri Department of Conservation: www.conservation.state.mo.us