Jim Rogers fishes for a legacy
by Kyle Wayne Stewart | info@ruralmissouri.coop
photos by Jim McCarty | jmccarty@ruralmissouri.coop
When it comes to the legends of fly-fishing, the typical names that would likely come up in conversation would be international celebrities of the sport, such as Lefty Kreh, Flip Pallot and Joe Humphreys, among others. However, one of the most influential ambassadors of the sport resides right here in Missouri. If you’ve ever been to one of Missouri’s trout parks, chances are good that you’ve seen this man in action, too.
Just like any other fly fisherman, Jim Rogers had to start from scratch. Back in the 1950s when Jim was 10 years old, his father would pack up the family and their camping gear and make an annual trip from Oklahoma to Roaring River State Park near Cassville. It was there, along the banks of the trout-filled stream, that Jim discovered what would become a lifelong love affair with fly-fishing.
“I would see these old men casting with fly rods and it intrigued me,” says Jim, who is a member of Laclede Electric Cooperative. “They were catching fish and I wasn’t, and I wanted to learn their secrets.” After that, Jim was hooked. On each consecutive family camping trip back to Roaring River, he would practice and practice with a fly rod until it became second nature and the fish became seemingly effortless to catch.
But his connection with Roaring River State Park didn’t end there. In fact, those early vacations were the genesis of what would become a long-lasting relationship that would see him running the southwestern Missouri trout park for more than 40 years.
In 1975, while he was working for Drury Hotels in Springfield, Jim heard that the concessionaire contract for Roaring River was coming up for bid. He jumped at the opportunity to throw his hat in the ring and he got the job.
“My beginnings were at Roaring River as a young man. Then my wife and I started camping there after we got married, and then with our first daughter once she came along,” Jim says. “It was like God designed me to do this.”
After five years at the helm of operations for Roaring River, Jim was offered the opportunity to manage another trout park, Bennett Spring State Park near Lebanon. Never one to shy away from challenges or excellent fishing, Jim said “yes.” He went on to simultaneously manage concessions for both parks until 2023 when he decided to let Roaring River go and focus his full attention on Bennett Spring and the Jim Rogers School of Fly-Fishing.
That marked almost five decades spent at two out of the three Missouri State Park trout parks, so you know this man knows his stuff when it comes to fishing for trout.
Over that span of time it is no exaggeration to say Jim has instilled the love of fly-fishing for many and helped thousands of Missourians learn to fly-fish through his fly-fishing school. Perhaps no Missourian has had a greater impact on the sport than Jim.
“Since I started teaching in 1976, I believe I have taught over 4,000 students to fly-fish through the school and private lessons,” Jim says. “And I’m proud to say that at least seven of them learned how.” He laughs with his congenial spirit on full display.
The school is designed to benefit both beginner and advanced anglers with their casting and overall knowledge of the sport, leaning on Jim’s nearly 50 years of teaching and 70-plus years of fly-fishing. Based out of a small classroom on the backside of the park store at Bennett Spring, Jim walks his pupils through the essentials: learning the different parts of a fly rod and reel and how they work in tandem to accurately cast for hungry fish. They’ll also learn the mechanics of basic casts, such as the roll, overhead, single-haul and double-haul casts. Depending on the class, additional topics can include fly-tying; reading the water; fly selection; and how to play, land and safely release a fish.
Then, it’s time for the students and the teacher to head outside in the grassy courtyard between the classroom and the park’s dining lodge. That’s when Jim gets the chance to show his stuff. As one of the few international fly-fishing instructors to hold a Masters Certification from the Federation of Fly Fishers, now Fly Fishers International, Jim is exceptionally adept at casting for distance and accuracy, both skills that have earned him awards and accolades in competitions over the years. And he’s picked up a few other impressive casting tricks along the way.
But perhaps his most impressive skills are his ability to engage, entertain and encourage all of the students throughout each class session. Jim has no shortage of captivating stories and funny anecdotes, which he shares freely not only with his students but any and all guests at the park who get a chance to talk with him.
In addition to learning from a master, if participants aren’t already rigged for trout fishing, they are welcome to use the park’s rods, reels, waders and other gear, free of charge during the class. Additionally, students receive 25% off Jim’s signature line of rods, reels and fishing sling packs. Students also are encouraged to fish before and after class to maximize their experience and practice what they’ve learned. Talk about having a great day at school!
The basic school costs $100, and children under 16 enrolled with an adult can learn for free. Private lessons are $75 for one adult and $110 for two adults. Available class dates for 2025 are: May 11; June 15; July 6; Sept. 14; and Sept. 28.
If you are interested in learning more about the Jim Rogers School of Fly-Fishing you can either stop in at the camp store at Bennett Spring State Park and ask for Jim, call 417-532-4307 or visit www.JimRogersFlyFishing.com.
Stewart is a freelance writer from Jefferson City.