These 'crab' cakes are made with trout instead of crab, but have a similar flavor to the favorite dish. Courtesy | Missouri Department of Conservation. See this and more trout recipes including orange pecan trout and trout almondine.

The banks may be empty, but the Park Store is abuzz tonight as anglers line up to get licenses and trout tags. Park store employee Nicole Thompson told me that by 8 p.m. they had sold tags to 614 adults and 122 kids, and a steady stream of folks still were coming in. The store won't close tonight, and Nicole will be on duty until 4 a.m.

The traditional fire barrels are in full blaze and anglers are taking turns warming their fingers after tying on flies with the help of their truck headlights. The temp is 27 and there is no wind - warmer than expected.

And trout season has begun! Starting pistol fired by Ron Moffet, a longtime volunteer at the park.

Photojournalism students are among those who turn out for opening day each year, armed not with fly rods but with cameras. Instructor Mike Gullet says Roaring River a gem for getting real world experience and beautiful shots.

Stopped at a fire barrel to warm my fingers and wound up with a delicious breakfast burrito from a band of brothers and several anecdotes for my notepad. How many of them are true in this place of tall tales and fish stories, I cannot say.

This Cassville sixth grader, Jozie Stehlik, was among many anglers who filled stringers with their limit of four trout early this morning. But some are opting to throw the fourth trout back. "We want to keep fishing," they tell me.

OK, Lex, now that's just plain mean, posting those mouth watering trout recipes when I'm eating THIS to make it through the morning. I'm working up a ferocious appetite walking the banks here today. Anyone have trout to share?

The cleaning station is packed and most anglers cleaning fish have full stringers. A lot of good eating is going to happen in Four State kitchens tonight. Anglers can fish at Roaring River year-round, but must release trout caught from Nov. 1 to Feb. 28. And, they may fish during catch-and-release season only Friday through Monday.

My news editor, Andy, who loves Roaring River as much as I do but graciously concedes this assignment to me every year, called at 11:00 with a request for a photo of crowds lining the banks. Trouble is, most of the crowds are gone. Anglers thinned out by mid-morning, taking with them stringers of trout and memories. Some hearty enthusiasts remain, and one told me he plans to stay for the day. "Better than working," he joked. Ah, and that's where I feel lucky. I'm doing both. Thanks, Andy.

And here's what Jeff caught it on.

Well, Roaring River fans, my fingers are numb and I'm beginning to wear down, perhaps because it's already been a full work day and it's just 1:30! I'm going to get on the road soon, but I'll be smiling on the way home at all the great memories folks have recalled for me today both at the river and via email as they followed the blog. It seems to have made our great big world a little smaller, having experiences at the river as something in common. One of my favorite memories is of my two sons learning to fish with hubby, always in their little fishing hats as shown in this photo. If you have memories to share, please email them to astefanoni@joplinglobe.com or leave a comment. And check back later, as I'll have parting thoughts and photos to blog before the day is done.

Globe photographer Roger Nomer also made the trip down to Roaring River this morning. He's back in our office with plenty of fishing images from the day.