The first fish of the day caught on a fly rod was released without a word. It was a sacred moment. It was eighth grader Emma Sapp’s first fish.

The fly fishing club, which was started by physical education teacher Eric Oram, finished off its inaugural year with a fly fishing trip to Beck Lake Friday morning. Nearly 20 students were gone fishin’ Friday morning with fishing rods built and flies tied themselves as well as reels donated by Joey’s, a foundation in Sheridan, Wyoming that helps teach children how to fly fish.

When Oram started the club last fall, he wanted to make sure all the students had a rod, a reel and flies to fish with before the trip to Beck Lake. Oram believes the club provides students — particularly sixth graders who are unable to compete in team sports — with something to do. 

“This is my first year fly fishing. I really like fly fishing better,” sixth grader Levi Cox said. “It’s more of an art. You can do more things when you’re fly fishing.”

Other students quickly switched to their spinner rods and enjoyed equal or greater success. Sixth grader Tucker Muecke caught seven fish, while several of his fishless anglers nearby professed that the only way to fish was to fly fish.

Parents and teachers with a passion for fishing showed up to help students and share in the moment of what was, for many, their first fly fishing trip. 

“About half of them or more have probably never fished with a fly rod before or fished in general,” Oram said. “It’s just a cool opportunity, and it’s been cool to see them excited and have all the support from the middle school staff and parents as well.”

Staff and parents were kept busy helping students perfect both their cast and their release. When a fish was caught, they couldn’t help but smile just as widely as the students.

Oram hopes to continue the club for years to come while expanding the program. Each year he wants to continue to help kids build rods with Joey’s and learn how to tie flies, but he would also like to find closer ponds to help students fish, as well as get them involved in conservation aspects of the sport. 

He also hopes that members of this year’s club will be able to help. 

“There’s a lot of giving back for angling that makes it a lifetime sport,” Oram said.