As a parent , my wish for my sons' public school experience was simple. I wanted them to catch the fire of adults who were passionate and deeply knowledgable about something. My hope was that one of those things would resonate, spark, and light their way to life long learning, committment and excellence.
As Superintendent , my wish for Hopedale students is fundamentally the same. This week, when I walked into the Memorial School Library to roll up my sleeves and discuss the future. I was sidetracked by the sight of Mr. Ed Bergmann in the midst of his demonstration of fly tying with a rapt group of eleven students (9 boys and 2 girls). Here was my wish made manifest.
Ed. who is a scientist by day, is a fly fisherman by avocation. He was conducting a brilliant seminar for these students, who were so engaged that anyone else coming or going was as good as invisible.
Their heads were bent over Ed's construction of two classic flies- a "wooly bugger" invented by an engineer for catching fresh water fish (bass, trout, pickerel), and a Clouser fly for sea fishing (striped bass and bluefish). An amazing commentary that ranged from chemistry to culture, sprinkled with puns, drew the students in, much like I imagane this gentleman pulling in a fish (minus the resistance). He shared the fact that the Romans and Native Americans crafted flies. He explained the choice of stainless steel for seaworthy hooks, versus nickel coated hooks for fresh water, and the importance of allowing hooks to rust eventually (so they fall out of the mouths of the ones that got away). He talked about lead wire coiled around the hook for weight, and his use of Kevlar - a sythetic thread so sturdy that it's woven into bullet-proof vests and astronaut suits. Moving his hands deftly around the hooks held by a vise, Ed shared that most of his materials came from sewing and fabric shops. He demonstrated knots, the use of various colored threads, and the wrapping and tying of chenille to create a fat little body, before wrapping a rooster feather. This later step came with a wonderful explanation of rooster self defense, posturing, and what it means to "get your hackles up." Voila! The wooly bugger was done.
The construction of the salt water fly began with a discussion of camouflage, as Ed showed his materials- two lead "dumbbells, " a white deer tail, a green deer tail and a piece of plastic tinsel for a little shine. This fly would look like a little fish scurring through the water like they're running away. "Big fish love that," he said. "They're like bullies." The students understand this. As he works, he shows how his placement of white fur with the dumbells guarantees that the weight will keep the "belly" of his fly down, so it doesn't look, well, "fishy" to those big fish he is trying to attract.
Throughout the demonstration, several of the students took notes, offered responses to his "why do you think" questions, and asked intelligent questions back. He invited them to come over to Nipmuc Rod and Gun Club on Sunday afternoons if they wanted to learn how to tie for themselves, and shared a picture of a 13 year old girl showing a fly. I am sure that these kids will take him up on this. "Just ask for the Fly Guy if you dont see or remember my name, " he smiled.
Ed Bergmann's visit is the culmination of a research project taken on by a self-slected group of students who gave up their recess time to work in this particular "Discovery Zone." This is a special and changing Library/Media Center display that invites curiosity and deeper investigation. These students were lured in, and completed research in December on a series of questions that drew them into the topic of fly fishing and make them knowledgeable about the basics. In addition to loving the learning, the students got to select a fly to keep. One of the girls was so excited about her fly that she wrapped it and gave it to her grandfather for Christmas, since he is the person who takes her fishing. The session with Mr. Bergmann was made even more special by their interest, readiness, and prior knowledge.
Magic like this doesn't just happen. It takes vigilance, planning, imagination, and, like this weeks poem by W.B Yeats, a "faery" to take a child by the hand. In this case, there was also a piece of serendipity. Last summer, Librarian Laurie Wodin was swimming at her favorite pond and saw Ed casting. The movement was so beautiful that she struck up a conversation. When she realized waht he did and understood how knowledgeable and passionate he was, she knew just what to do to create a unique opportunity for Memorial students.
The irony of my visit on this day was not lost on anyone. With a shortfall of funds, we face a reduction in library staff. We need more wonderful orchestration of this sort - not less. None of the mid-year cuts make sense at either Memorial or the Jr.-Sr High. They are painful. I appreciate the continued professionalism and graciousness of the staff who have recieved bad news in the past week. The cup is not full in Hopedale, and will not get better soon. The extent to which we can view our circumstance as half full, rather than half empty, will help all of us get through these difficult and challenging waters.
Where the wondering water gushes
From the hills above Glen-Car,
In pools amoung the rushes
The scarce could bathe a star,
We seek for slumbering trout
An whispering in theeir ears
Give them unquiet dreams,
Leaning softly out
From ferns that drop their tears
Over the young streams.
Come away O human child!
To the waters and the wild
With a feary hand to hand,
For the worlds more full of weeping
than you can understand.
Excerpt from "The Stolen Child" by W. B. Yeats.
Article written by Patricia C. Ruane, Superintendent of Schools, Hopedale, MA
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Kudo's to you Ed Bergmann! : )
Proud to have you on board not only as an active club member but also director!
Ed Bergmann provides instruction free of charge. See our club calendar for fly tying Instruction dates.
Respectively yours,
Nancy J. Wentworth
Secretary
Nipmuc Rod and Gun Club
