As the summer gets into full swing the crowds are getting outside more and that includes the trout parks. Even though it was a Wednesday, the FATC boys headed out with hopes of, at least, a crowd-less Montauk State Park. Seriously, the park was full of summertime campers but the “fly only” areas were less crowded than normal. That’s a good thing!
This was a graduation trip again (we graduated two new members this past Friday) for Frank Sanfilippo who finished the Spring FATC fly fishing class. He was ready to go and so were we as twelve other FATC members joined Frank on his graduation trip. Kenny had the privilege of taking Frank through the paces and putting in action what Frank learned in class. The other members that joined Frank were Derrik Kassebaum, Darrel Durst, Steve Baker, Bill Grelle, Pete Drochelman, Tom Petrie, Paul Jackson (brand new FATC member), Larry Mangels, Ken Welter, Al Blair, Bob Born and of course, Kenny Klimes.
After arrival at the park the thirteen fly fishers suited up and headed to their spots on the river. Frank and Kenny went to the “boulder” to practice the techniques taught in the FATC fly fishing class. They worked on casting, stripping streamers, swinging wet flies, and lastly dead drifting nymphs. Frank graduated early with a couple of trout caught and they both headed back to the naturalist cabin around 11:30am to meet the others for lunch. Lunch time, as always, was filled with laughter and good-natured ribbing. Everyone exchanged what flies they were using and which tactics were working. After lunch Frank and Kenny headed all the way up the river to the spring. They continued to work on dead drifting flies, swinging flies and stripping a leech pattern or two. As they worked downstream they, of course, passed the other FATC members. As the day progressed it seemed like the park became less crowded and more areas opened to fish. It was another good day (but remember any day fishing is a good day). Frank ended the day with around 6-8 trout in the net, and he was doing so well that even Kenny got to fish some.
Everyone ended the day around 4:30pm and, because Jim Craig was not on the trip, voted to eat Mexican food in Salem. And yes Jim, it was GOOD and they did get the orders correct. The restaurant took special care of us. After dinner we said our goodbyes and the main group headed back to the Eureka commuter lot. Although it’s summer and large crowds are enjoying the park it still doesn’t seem very full especially in the fly only area. So, give it a go or join a trip. Just check our calendar for future trips and events.
