Chapter member, Milt Barr, selected to sound siren on Opening Day at Bennett Springs

Milt Barr of Jefferson City was notified last week by the Missouri Department of Conservation that he was selected to start the opening day ceremony for Trout Season on March 1^st, 2014.  Milt has been an avid trout fisherman and has been fishing at Bennett Springs since he was 12 years old.  He has been fishing there for 50 years this year and has many fishing stories to tell: about catching lunkers, almost catching lunkers, fun that he and his family have had fishing at the Bennett Springs, and enjoying one of Missouri’s most beautiful park settings.   He is excited that he was selected for the honor of setting off the starting siren for opening day 2014 as it is a highly regarded annual event for anglers. 

Milt is a retired veteran of 30 years in the military service and 11 years with the State of Missouri , for a total of 41 years of public service.  He is a life member of the Military Officers of America Association (MOAA) and the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS).  Milt is a member of the local Capital City Fly-fishers organization and Mid Missouri  Trout Unlimited, where he participates in Stream Team surveys of Little Piney.  He is enjoying his retirement in the Jefferson City area with the “catch of his life”, his wife Cherie of 40 years, who is also retired from a teaching career. 

Part of the selection process by MDC was the candidates’ individual and family involvement in trout fishing, especially at Bennett Springs.  Milt definitely qualified in this area. He has been active in the catch and release fishing at Bennett Springs, even this cold winter ( see picture below).  He usually takes his wife on the nice days.  They have picnic lunches together and  watch for Bald Eagles in the beautiful park areas.  Milt’s daughter, Katherine Morrow, enjoys fishing with her dad at the springs.  She was responsible for submitting Milt’s name and qualifications to MDC for consideration for this honor.  Milt is a MDC Master Angler, has several “Lunker Awards” at Bennett Springs. 

When asked why he is so passionate about trout fishing Milt says… , “The sport of fishing is a great teacher of life…as you grow and learn to persevere in your endeavors , there are ever increasing opportunities of hope that for the next “cast of your line”, that awaits excitement, adventure and accomplishment.”  Milt admits that he is truly blessed with a lot of excitement, adventure and accomplishment in his life, including this most recent honor.  He also states that citizens of Missouri are also blessed with great Conservation and Parks services.