The first to graduate from the 2020 Fall fly fishing class has graduated! Chris Roth was first in the batter’s box to hit the river and graduate. A very cold morning (in the 30s) warmed up by noon to Chris’s successful day. Kenny Klimes, along with Jim Craig, Glenn Haake, Brian Yost, Sid Aslin, and Matt joined Chris to celebrate “his” day on the river. The trip was to Montauk state park. The group found the river higher and “cloudier” than normal due to the heavy rains that hit the area two days prior. But that usually gets the “big Boys” to spread out a little more.

Chris picked up all the techniques with ease (I think he has fly fished a little before) and caught trout early in the day. Kenny pointed him to where fish were, and Chris promptly caught them. The others expressed at lunch that their morning was awesome too. A myriad of flies did well. Kenny thought the “big and gaudy” flies would do a little better because of the murky water conditions but guys did well on attractor nymphs too. Flies of choice were woolybuggers (black and olive), San Juan worms, glo-bugs, attractor nymphs with “hot” collars, leeches, etc.  The new fly, the Night King, did very well – look it up and tie some! Guys used dead drifting techniques, swinging techniques and stripping techniques.

The weather turned warmer around 11am and the day ended with awesome temperatures and blue skies. Chris headed out to camp and float a couple more days with some buddies (future FATC members??), Glenn Haake had to head straight home (with a quick stop at Silky Freeze for a concrete) and the rest enjoyed Mexican food at El Nopal in Sullivan.  Do not miss the winter catch and release season. Dress warm (with light weight cold weather gear – no cotton) and enjoy the rivers of Missouri with extremely limited crowds. We only saw about four other fly fishers on this day!