The Lesson

My husband, Russ, and I arrived on Martha’s Vineyard late on Sunday evening. Early Monday morning I made the all-important phone call to Coop’s Bait & Tackle asking Coop when he could spare some time to give Russ surf fly fishing lessons. “Monday afternoon – say about 1:30.” Great!
We arrived at Coop’s; introductions were made and then to the side-yard for lessons. What Coop didn’t know was that Russ has only one hand; his right hand. So, for the better part of the afternoon Coop taught Russ the “how-to” of casting a 9’ saltwater fly rod with a #9 WF Line and, most important of all, recovering his line.

When Russ had the “system” under control in such a way so as to increase the percent of time when the line would be “fishing” and reduce the length of time when the line was not in control, Coop took me aside and taught me how to double-haul. “It’s patting your head and rubbing your tummy at the same time.” Easy! Practice, practice; while I was practicing Dee Lehman, Donna Trexler, and Robbi Freisem appeared on the scene. After introductions were made and a few laughs, we parted. They to pursue stripers that evening with Coop, and we to practice...

We had the opportunity to put our new lessons to use the following evening. With my newly purchased Orvis Clearwater Series Graphite Rod (4 pc.) 9’, 8 wt., Tip Flex 9.5, we loaded our equipment into Coop’s truck and headed to Lobersterville Beach. The weather forecast was not promising, but I did get to see a beautiful sunset...not brilliant, but peaceful.

As everyone who has fished with Coop knows, his knowledge of what to look for in the sky and water; flies to use and why you use a specific fly seems to be limitless...not to mention his patience. After rigging Russ and me, I practiced... Casting into the surf, despite a strong wind, I found out quickly that I cannot day-dream and fish. Double-hauling meant concentrating to make it all come together. I missed two strikes, but the third was a charm. I caught my first striped bass...Yippy! But, I had to release it as I couldn’t stretch the 13” into 28”.

After fishing for better than three hours, my arm gave out; I went back to the truck leaving Russ and Coop in the water. Coop persevering with Russ hoping, helping and guiding him in a valiant effort to hook “the big one.” But, that was not to be. Back at the truck I no sooner took-off my waders when the rains came...it poured.

In spite of the rain, we had great fishing trip with Coop; fulfilling my combination Christmas and birthday gift to Russ. Russ has been a fly fisherman for 40+ years. To quote him, “Coop made me get rid of my bad habits, and taught me how to fish increasing my fishing time tenfold.”

--Joan Hackmann-Gaul--
Winter 2007 Issue