Fly Fishing Club Manchester, VT Trip

Twelve cadets went on a Fly Fishing Club trip to Manchester, VT, highlighted with some academic activity. They had opportunity to fish on the Battenkill, the Roaring Branch, and several ponds, many caught their first fish on a fly rod. Experienced fishers trained and inspired newer members, all enjoyed wonderful scenery and weather. Leigh and Julie Oliva, longtime supporters of the club, hosted the group. Mr. Oliva coordinated a private tour of the Orvis Rod Factory, where the cadets saw many Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) applications in use. The factory’s lead systems and mechanical engineers gave the tour, focusing on the engineering design process, such as; fiber selection, resins and curing, component shapes, and numerical control machines. Cadets learned the Orvis factory contributed to the WWII effort by making bamboo ski poles for the 10th Mountain Division.