The 2022 Fall FATC fly fishing class is rolling along as two more “graduates” finished class number six – on the water with an instructor. Jeff Blevins, who claimed he was a 22-year fly fishing beginner and Bill Grelle, who won the privilege of attending the class by winning a drawing from the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, hit the Current River on Monday, November 14^th. Instructors Kenny Klimes and Jim Craig would take the two to assess their skills on this chilly morning. Other FATC members that joined in for the fun were Bob Hassett, Derrik Kassebaum, Vernon Preston, Scott Payne, and Richard Doerr, Sr.

Unlike our Monday, November 11^th trip the FATC had the whole park to ourselves. As always Kenny and Jim took Jeff and Bill to the spot just downstream from the “big boulder” to practice their techniques of stripping streamers, swinging soft hackles and dead drifting. The rest of the gang spread out along the river and picked their favorite spots to fish.

As the “students” approached their spot they could not help but see the trout rising all over the place. As Kenny was going to turn over rocks to show the guys some aquatic insects, Jeff could not stop moaning about “let me cast now, let me cast now.”  With the trout rising Jim and Kenny started the guys off with swinging soft hackles and the catching began. Both Bill and Jeff immediately were on to fish in the morning hours. Jeff, an experienced fly fisher, caught about nine before lunch – surprisingly good. As we left the river for lunch around 11:30am the guys were already chomping at the bit to get back on the water.

The rest of the gang arrived for lunch and had a great morning too. Flies that did well were the soft hackles (size 16 – 18 in black), midges, egg patterns, Y2K patterns, the Big Hurt, and even dry Griffith’s gnats. In the afternoon everyone spread out and Jim and Kenny took Bill and Jeff to the top of the spring and worked down to around the big boulder. Again, we were amazed how few people other than the FATC were there. Some fat and beautiful trout were caught. Many were in the 12-inch to 16-inch range.

The temperatures were in the low 40s but with the sun out it was a perfect day to be on the water. Just remember to bring extra clothes in case you slip in the river and no cotton. Anything you wear that is cotton will hold the water and when temperatures are below just 50 degrees you can get hypothermia fast. Wool socks and wicking type material for your uppers and long underwear. Do not forget a balaclava and fingerless gloves. Couple with the fingerless gloves a pair of Nitrile gloves. I plan to buy a package of Nitrile gloves so if you don’t have any or forgot yours then ask me – I may have extras. Just be prepared – it is winter but oh, it is the best time to fish!!