COMMACK SCHOOLS

CHS students gained an appreciation for nature and the art of fly fishing in a scenic location on Thursday.

Juniors and seniors in the individual activities physical education program traveled to the hatchery at the Connetquot River State Park to cast for rainbow and brook trout.

Some students wore waders and ventured into the water, while other students fished from the shoreline.

The students previously had been taught about fly rods during a “casting clinic” at CHS presented by Art Flick — the Suffolk County chapter of Trout Unlimited.

The students on Thursday were given individual attention as members of the Long Island Fly Rodders went side by side with the students into the water to offer tips as they fished.

Also during the visit, students went on a nature walk and learned about orienteering, including how to use a compass.

Connetquot River State Park has been endeavoring to create a fishing school for youth.

It is open year-round for fishing to the public with a reservation daily except for Mondays.

Thursday’s visit — the first for CHS to fly fish — resulted from physical education teacher Ed Boll originally contacting the Friends of Connetquot.