JEFFERSON CITY, MO. ? Fair-weather fisherman is anything but an apt description of Marshfield, Mo., resident Joe Jackson.

Sub-zero temperatures, sleet and driving snow storms are among the weather conditions he has endured to attend the opening day of the trout park fishing season at Bennett Spring State Park, west of Lebanon.

“The first time I attended the season opener was in 1953,” Jackson said. “I was a young lad. I paid 50 cents for a tag. I can’t remember now whether I caught anything or not, but I had a good time.”

For the past 49 years Jackson has enjoyed every March 1 at the trout season-opener at Bennett Springs.

He said he usually took home four fish. The key to fishing success is using a lure with enough weight to get down close to the fish. Jackson advises novices to equip themselves with a spinning rod, four-pound-test line and a wooly worm.

But he says enjoying quality fishing is not the reason he recommends anglers attend the opening day of the trout park season.

“If you’re an avid outdoorsman like I’ve always been,” Jackson said, “this is a wonderful way to celebrate spring. It’s a good way for people to get rid of cabin fever. The opener is not a time for serious fishing, though. it’s a good time for socializing.”

The trout season kicks off at 6:30 a.m. Saturday at Bennett Spring; Montauk State Park, southeast of Licking; Roaring River State Park, near Cassville; and Maramec Spring Park, southeast of St. James.

State officials estimate 12,000 anglers will take advantage of this year’s first opportunity to enjoy catch-and-keep fishing at the trout parks.

Approximately 36,000 rainbow and brown trout, including hundreds of lunkers — fish weighing three to five pounds — will be stocked in the parks. The daily limit is five.

All anglers must buy daily trout tags, sold only in the parks. The cost is $3 for adults and $2 for youths under age 16. Missouri anglers aged 16 to 65 and nonresidents also need valid fishing permits.

Each trout park has unique regulations regarding lure restrictions and zones. Details of these regulations are provided in leaflets at each park.