You Can’t Stop Me Now
When the rain and wind finally stopped, we had our chance to graduate another FATC student. It was Chris West’s day. We were supposed to do Chris’ graduation trip last Saturday, but rain hit the day before and the resulting effect on the river forced its cancellation.
This Saturday, March 20, I (FATC Instructor Jim Craig) met Chris and Lance Scharkey (his FATC recruiter) at the Montauk Lodge a little after 8 AM. After buying our trout tags we headed for the Naturalist Cabin to gear up. There, we unexpectedly ran into Bob Wilson and Rob Williams (Chili) who had spent the last couple days in the area fishing the park. Yes, at this point, the Illinois boys had the Missouri boys outnumbered 3-2. But, there were still two guys missing. A call to Dan Staggenborg found he and his brother Joe still lounging around Dan’s camper. He promised they would meet us for lunch.
Chris, Lance and I headed for the river for Chris’ final class. Lance came along for support. Chris was ready. He knew his insects, his knots and what resources to consult before a trip. We started with a little work on his casting. It wasn’t long before he was fighting his first fish. The wooly bugger came through. But just as it got close to the net, he experienced the “agony of defeat” we fly fishermen know too well. Chris did everything right—no knots failed; he kept the rod bent–but Mr. Trout had one more trick up his sleeve. For no obvious reason, he denied Chris his first fish of the day, but not his first big smile. Chris was ready for a rematch. It took a little longer this time. But, after practicing dead-drifting with a cerise worm in the high and murky water, he hooked up again. This time he was not to be denied. And so it went another time or two that morning.
By 11:30 AM, the morning had put a good chill in us, so we headed for lunch. Dan and Joe were waiting at the “Staggenborg” tables. The sun quickly warmed us as did the stories of the morning. Everyone congratulated Chris on his graduation. Although the fishing was a little slow for everyone, wooly buggers, cerise worms, and zebra midges seemed to carry the morning.
Most everyone headed to the spring after lunch with plans to work their way down the river. Despite the crowds, five of us were able to start there. It wasn’t long before Chris put his morning lessons to work and landed the first of several fish that afternoon. Temperatures warmed quickly. Soon we were peeling off layers and thinking about sunscreen. At the same time, we found the fish had started to focus their attention on smaller flies as a weak hatch came off most of the afternoon. Fish were caught here and there on a smattering of different flies, but the black zebra midge with a large silver bead was the consistent ticket. Somehow, the fish could find those small flies in the murky water. Oh, and did I mention it was crowded on this beautiful Saturday afternoon? As we proceeded downstream, we needed a crowbar to wedge our way on to the river. Nevertheless, all the fisherman were in great spirits and seemed to enjoy visiting with whoever was standing next to them. It was a great example of guys making the best of a challenging situation.
We called it a day at 5 PM. Afterall, it was time to eat! Bob and Chili had to leave earlier in the afternoon. Dan and Joe headed back to Dan’s camper for dinner. That left Chris, Lance and me to select a worthy destination for our fellowship dinner. Missouri Pizza in St. James was our choice. (I know, I know, they were on fellowship dinner probation for the numerous errors in our orders on previous trips. But, they do have good pizza, and pizza sounded so good!). Well, let’s just say they are back on probation, but they do have great wood-fired pizza. In keeping with tradition, Chris knows there is a Ory Spud in his future.
Usually, the trip ends here, but not for Chris. Hence the title of this trip. He and Lance stayed at his family’s farm near Steeleville, MO that night. The next morning, he texted me more fish pictures. He (and presumably Lance) fished the Meramec River just outside the park Sunday morning and did quite well. Good Job Chris! I think you are hooked.
