The weather report didn’t look so good with 100% of rain. And we were not disappointed.  Pete Drochelman, Al Blair, Vernon Preston, Bill Lowry, Bill Byington, Kenny Klimes and new graduate Lance Scharkey headed down to Montauk to challenge the weather and the trout fishing.  The morning was unusually cold – the water was cold, and the temperatures were cold. Weatherman said low 50s/high 40s, but we didn’t think he was very accurate. Maybe the cold rain had something to do with it.  But even though it rained a little throughout the day the temperatures were more pleasant in the afternoon.

The park wasn’t crowded on this Friday. Maybe the weather scared most away. Lance was set for his graduation trip as he was the first to graduate from our new “private lessons” program. Lance and Kenny reviewed all of the techniques he needed to learn before lunch while the rest of the gang fanned out throughout the park.  At lunch most everyone had fish in the net. The talk at lunch was more about the cold as we warmed up. In the afternoon Kenny and Lance headed up to the beginning of the river and worked their way down.  Kenny midged most of the day as he had Lance using a myriad of flies. At one-point Lance was using a dry Stimulator with a green caddis larva dropper and had a blast. The trout took turns hitting both flies. I think he had fun.

The rest used a myriad of flies too from buggers, san Juan worms, soft hackles, etc.  Al even mentioned that he caught two of the biggest trout he has ever caught at Montauk. Awesome!  We regrouped around 4:30 and celebrated with Mexican food and a margarita for our fellowship dinner.

It was a great time with great guys. The weather is getting better! Now is the time to get out there. Lots of trips on the calendar for April already as the recent class is getting ready to graduate. Join them!!