Ok, I will be writing this trip report through my eyes even though it was Scott Dougherty’s trip. Thank you, Scott, for setting up a great trip on a peaceful day. I did not want to go on this trip. With two straight weeks of fishing trips out of the state, a graduation trip with two new graduates, BOD meeting and numerous FATC community service meetings, I was physically and mentally spent. I need some rest. But Jim Craig was constantly on me to go on this trip. “Where do you get your peace from?” he said. “You need this time on the water by yourself to recharge your batteries”. He was correct and I did.

Scott put the trip together and we had five FATC members join the trip to the Montauk area; Scott, Jim, Bill Byington, Glenn Haake, and me (Kenny Klimes). We split up according to where we wanted to and needed to fish. Scott and Bill headed to the park to have a better chance of more “catching” since they have not been out in a while. Glenn, Jim, and I headed to the Current River. First, Baptist Camp and later that day Glenn and I fished below the cable.

Scott and Bill worked hard in the park to catch fish as the park was crowded due to the Labor Day weekend starting a little early for some. Jim and Glenn went downstream at Baptist Camp while they allowed me some “alone time” upstream. I walked a long way upstream from Baptist Camp just taking in the beauty.  I found areas that, believe it or not, I have never fished before – some awesome areas. I caught some small browns and a few larger rainbows. I even lost a nice brown that I targeted as I saw him feeding in a small run. Jim and Glenn had a good time downstream and we met up at noon to have lunch with Bill and Scott.

In the afternoon Scott and Bill were joined by Jim in the park while Glenn and I headed to fish below the cable. The fishing was good and at times we were able to sight fish too. We lost a few nice fish and I caught a fat pig of a rainbow. Funny it was very fat (never missed a meal) but not exceptionally long. Probably hit 16 inches (maybe 17 inches if stretched) but I could not get my hand around it’s body to hold it (check the picture). It was good. The top flies were midges, Perdigons, cerise worms, woolybuggers – the usual.

We enjoyed Mexican food at our favorite place – El Nopal in Sullivan. Lots of talk and laughs.  My batteries were refresh – thank you Jim.  We all, with COVID, work situations, family schooling, etc., are being stressed to the limit. To be a great father, husband, brother, and son we need to take care of ourselves. That means we need to take time for ourselves to refresh our batteries once in a while. That may mean getting on the river for a day. There are lots of trips going on – plan one or join one. I will see you on the water!