I do not recall any specific FATC fly fishing class graduating everyone that took in the class. Unfortunately, some do not continue all the way to graduation. And I get it. Some did not realize how comprehensive our class was or they could not afford the extras cost where they were at the time in their life. Some just had too many things to do with kids and family (although I do say that to be a better father, husband, brother, or son we all need to “decompress” at times on the water to recharge our batteries). If we go, go, go too much we tend to get angry or short with those we love. So, a day on the water with other men to keep us “in line” is especially important. Do not try to do life by yourself. Ok? Enough said – let us talk about another great trip on the water.

Ken Roettger was next for the 2022 Fall FATC fly fishing class to “test” the skills he learned in class. Scott Payne, Jim Craig, Dominic Flores (one of our newest members), Chris Wiley, Steve Baker, Bob Hassett, and Bob Palisch joined Kenny for Ken’s graduation. As always everyone wished Ken “good luck” as Kenny took him to the boulder area at Montauk – questioning him all the way to the water. Hey, it is graduation time, and everyone is evaluated during this last class on the water. The two talked about what you do before a trip, during the trip and approaching the water before stepping in the frigid river.

When they got to the river the trout were rising in the film layer, so they decided to swing tiny flies first. Swinging flies requires a little finesse to set the hook as Ken found out. He had several hits but couldn’t quite get a hook up. Kenny then put him on to stripping woolybuggers. It seemed that the olive buggers did the best as Ken put several trout into the net. Most reported back that olive was the best color buggers for them too. After about 30 minutes of stripping (buggers that is) we went to nymphing and did well on zebra midges. After about four fish in the net and several near misses Ken and Kenny returned to the Stag tables for lunch.

The rest of the FATC came back with stories of fish in the net. Some of the best flies for the day were various color zebra midges (big midge hatch throughout the day), Barr’s emergers, olive woolybuggers, soft hackles, San Juan worms, House of Payne (of course cause Scott was on the trip), and a few others. As you know the most prevalent hatch during the winter are midges so prepare to go small.

In the afternoon everyone spread out again throughout the park and did well. Kenny took Ken to the spring and worked down. Ken put a few more in the net – remember when fish on keep that rod bent at around a 45-degree angle with pressure on the fish. Release the pressure = lose the fish. We all stopped at the siren (4pm) and headed back to the cars to go for a fellowship dinner. Tim Klotz and Sid Aslin were fishing Bennett on this day and wanted to meet us for fellowship dinner. Our group of nine decided to try the new hamburger place in St James. Being a Friday, it was crowded so we had to break up and sit in three different tables. Sid and Tim should up a little later and decided to shake a few hands and go some place else to eat (not sure where they ended up?). AGAIN, we had an enjoyable day – graduated another from the 2022 Fall class and have just three more to go to hit a 100% grad rate. Awesome!