Got a new fly fishing convert last night.

Sunday I got a call from a guy from Ga. named Stan Walters. He said had never fly fished, but read a few books about it and said that it looked very complicated with all the knots, leaders etc. He said he wanted to go on a charter and watch me fish and get a idea of just what it took to fish to decide whether it was any fun and whether he would like to try it.

Decided to meet at 8:00pm. while it was still light so I could show him rods, reels etc. Got down to the boat and had a neat surprise. My charter turned out to be Stan Walters, former Eagles tackle and sports commentator after his game playing days. Didn't hit me till I put the name with the face even though the voice sounded so familiar.

Showed him the tackle, how a straight leader would work etc. Wind died as we left the dock with the tide very close to low. The water was very clean as we headed toward the inlet. Stopped to show him how easy it was to cast a line a short distance (as from fishing from a boat you do not need a super long cast) He said he didn't want to try it this trip, he just wanted to observe how you do it and what it takes to catch.

Got out side the inlet and found some birds working over some small blues and was able to hook up some up right away. It felt weird to be the only one fishing. I hooked some fish and let him reel them in to get the feel of the fly rod with a fish on and how you strip it in or let it go to the reel if it was a larger fish. He liked that connection with the fish.

As we waited for the tide to start coming in good I worked the rocks only to get a sea herring. Thought it would of been better with such good condition but it wasn't

When the tide started in we headed to the back bay area where I was able to hook up 4 stripers to 26 inches and maybe a 4 lb blue, all of which I let him reel in. With the better fish he learned about the spinning reel handle how to handle the rod and not to high stick, so he will be ready for when he is all on his own with a fish. He really enjoyed the excitement as the fish moved all over and what a good fight they put up on the fly rod.

HE IS HOOKED NOW Next week I am going to work with him on land to get some casting skills down so that he will be fishing on this own on the next trip. He is all fired up to be able to cast, hook, and real one in on his own.

We both had a great night, with great conversation. I still think I had more fun than he did and felt like I was out fishing with one of my fishing buddies. Very Interest and great guy and looking foward to getting him his first fish on the fly.

Hope to have have that picture of him with his first fish on the fly soon as he can't wait to get out again.