THOUSANDS TURN OUT FOR TROUT OPENER

MONTAUK -- Wading into the chilly waters at Montauk State Park this morning was an act of faith for Leon G. Ray, a kind of sacrament that draws him back year after year. In spite of emphysema and heart trouble he was gloriously happy at this, his 49th consecutive trout season opener.

Ray, from Crystal City, was among 7,318 people who had bought trout tags at Missouri's four trout parks by 9 a.m. today. So was Missouri Secretary of State Judith K. Moriarty, who pushed the button to sound the opening siren at Roaring River State Park near Cassville.

Although angler numbers were down somewhat for this weekday opener, those expecting the traditional "elbow to elbow" experience weren't disappointed.

Ray, 75, attended his first trout season opening day at Montauk in 1946, the year he returned from military service. Attending this year required uncommon devotion: he set out only after a last-minute medical check-up and had to bring along oxygen to allow him to make the trip. Asked why he is so faithful in attending trout openers, he said "I love Missouri, I live for all four seasons." His voice strained with emotion, he continued, "I've been halfway around the world, and this is where I want to see the sun rise and set."

Ray is a professional photographer with a special interest in wildlife photography. During World War II he served as chief photographer for Stars and Stripes in the Pacific theater.

The Missouri Department of Conservation operates three trout hatcheries in cooperation with the Department of Natural Resources Parks Division. Those parks are Bennett Spring near Lebanon, Roaring River near Cassville and Montauk near Salem. A fourth hatchery is located near St. James, on the property of the James Foundation at Maramec Spring.

Almost 2,000 fishermen were on hand at Bennett Springs in south central Missouri when the trout season opened.

The first "lunker award" went to John Delgado of Fort Leonard Wood with a 4 1/2-pounder.

Temperatures were on the cool side and light rain had fallen off and on through the night.