Another graduation took place this week as Gary Robb and Bill Cotner completed class number six to finish the FATC fly fishing class. They were joined by Bill Lowry, Dave Beerbower, Don Varner, Jim Anzer, John Best, Jim Petersen, while Kenny Klimes and Jim Craig were the fly-fishing instructors for Gary and Bill on this trip. It was a cloudy but humid day at Montauk State park. The water level was a little higher than normal and the clarity was crystal clear.  Would this be a tough day of catching or one of our best?

Everyone spread out as Gary and Bill headed with Kenny and Jim to the standard “start” area just below the “boulder” in the fly fishing only area. They practiced their casting and worked on several techniques (stripping, swinging, dead drifting and high sticking) to get ready for the afternoon. Gary had success first while stripping a wollybugger. At noon we all met up for lunch which allowed Gary and Bill to chat and get to know the other guys on the trip. Most guys said the fishing was tough and we had to agree. Was it the water clarity? Or just being over fished because of the summer season? We weren’t sure but several different flies brought fish to the net. One of the guys stated that he would catch one rainbow on one fly and then it wouldn’t work anymore. So which fly was the best was up to each guy to decide.

Gary and Bill fished the afternoon in the upper fly only section. They learned different techniques and learned a little bit more about fly fishing. Everyone met up around five o’clock and headed to Hicks BBQ in Cuba for a celebratory fellowship dinner. As the weather gets cooler and the schools get back in session the waters will have less fishers and the trout will be hungry. Get out there.