When we set up this graduation for two from our Spring FATC fly fishing class, one of the Grads, Jim Pohlman, asked “wouldn’t the Park be crowded since it will be a holiday, Juneteenth?” I told him it would be all right but never realized that the FATC would fill the park with SIXTEEN members!! What a great showing by the FATC.
This graduation was for two of our brand-new members, Jim Pohlman and Kevin Gambill, as instructors Kenny Klimes and Jim Craig ran them through their paces on the water. I guess I better mention the other twelve that made the trip to lend support to the new grads – Scott Dougherty, Steve Baker, Larry Mangels, Mike Hemmersmeier, Derrik Kassebaum, Harold Bates, Al Blair, Bob Palisch, John Walker, Denny Garner, Ken Welter and Don Varner.
As all graduations start, the instructors asked all kinds of questions as the future graduates walked to the river. Once to the river the “observations” started as we checked the possible trout lies, the rises, and the rest. Once in the water we checked the casting techniques and then started with the techniques – streamers, emergers (soft hackles) and nymphing. It is a long morning of instruction (until about 11:30am) but the grads did great even caught a fish or two before lunch. Of course there was a lot of ribbing, “you’re doing good”, followed by a yell of “SET”.
At lunch we checked in with all 16 fly fishers to see how their day was going. Even though a holiday the fly fishing only area was very “fishable” with plenty of room for all. One thing we noticed that the days of 20 – 30 fish counts are over (for now) with several hatcheries still trying to get up to speed. I think most guys averaged from 6 -15 trout (which is still pretty good). In the afternoon Jim took Jim Pohlman up to the power lines for some soft hackle fishing and Kenny took Kevin Gambill to the top of the spring/river to do some nymphing. Both Kevin and Jim had plenty of time throughout the day to work on all different techniques. They did great and had big smiles when they felt the tug!!
After the day, as always, we had fellowship dinner together. Because of the large group we had to go the Pizza Inn. They served us fast and of course; we ate as much as we wanted!! But boy, I miss the Mexican restaurant .
We have several more graduations coming up plus other things to get involved in. Don’t sit at home – you will have the rest of your life to do that. And if interested in “upping your game” and becoming a better fly fisher then join us at the many schools and classes we have to offer. You have a choice – if you want to make fly fishing a hobby or a sport. Making it a sport means a lot more…..
